Tufts Alumni Increase College Access

Active Citizen Newsletter, Tufts University, MA

Six recent Tufts graduates have signed on as advisers with the College Advising Corps (CAC), a state-wide program that increases college enrollment and graduation rates among low-income high school students. Managed by Tisch College and Massachusetts Campus Compact (MACC), CAC partners a recent college graduate with a high school and a local college at sites throughout Massachusetts.

Over the next year, the advisers will work directly with high school students, helping them learn about and manage the college application process. Advisers act as mentors, coaching students and guiding them on financial aid opportunities. They will also serve as liaisons between the high school and a local college, leveraging resources to support their work and to build sustainable relationships in the community.

This fall marks the second year of the Massachusetts program, which is funded by a four-year, $1 million seed grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. As part of larger efforts to grow the program, deepen its impact, and secure sustainable funding, CAC plans to establish 15 high school/campus partnerships statewide over the life of the grant.  Four partnerships were set up last year. This year, the program expands to 10 partnerships.  Each partnership is staffed by an advisor, a position primarily open to Tufts graduates, but also including alumni of other Massachusetts colleges.

"Recent graduates with a wide range of academic interests are joining the Advising Corps, and I think that reflects the impact of a college education, regardless of background. All of the advisers we've hired recognize the privilege of their education, and they are well aware that without support from the people who care about their success, they would not be here today," says CAC Program Coordinator Andrew Cahill.

The following are serving as advisers this fall. Also shown is the high school/campus partnership where they will be working:

Rayna Briceno, A08, Pre-Medical Studies; Dorchester Education Complex and UMass/Boston.

Jenna Cassoli, A08, majored in Community Health and Psychology; Boston Community Leadership Academy and Wheelock College.

Nathan Cleveland, A07, returning for his second year with the program; Political Science; Somerville High and Tufts University.

William Kent, A08, Anthropology & Latin American Studies; John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Lillian O'Donnell, A07, Peace and Justice Studies, returning for her second year with the program; East Boston High and Bunker Hill Community College.

Benjamin Tarshis, A07, History; Framingham High and Framingham State College.

Stephanie Joseph, American International College, '08, Business Administration; Springfield High School of Science & Technology and American Int'l College.

Annie Kirkpatrick, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, '08, majored in English and Communications; Drury High School (North Adams) and Mass College of Liberal Arts.

Ashlee White, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, '07, English and Communications; Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and UMass/Dartmouth.

Each adviser enrolls in Massachusetts Campus Compact's AmeriCorps Leaders in Service program and agrees to serve for 10 months at their high school. In addition to being paid a stipend, advisers receive full health benefits from Tufts University and an education award from the government upon completion of their service to help pay current education loans or to fund future education.

There is still one open position this year, serving New Bedford High School, in partnership with Bristol Community College. Recent graduates from Tufts University, or one of the program's partner campuses, are eligible to apply.

For more information on how to apply or to support the program, contact Andrew Cahill: at andrew.cahill@tufts.edu or visit www.masscampuscompact.org/programsCAC.htm

To learn more about the National College Advising Corps, visit http://www.advisingcorps.org.