RAMP: Wentworth's Summer Bridge Program

As a Black queer individual, I leverage my intersectional identity to provide tailored guidance and resources to marginalized students, advocating for their needs and amplifying their voices within the institution in my role as a College Success Coordinator.

Christina Arecy is a first-generation Haitian American professional, aspiring entrepreneur, an alum of Boston Public Schools, and an AmeriCorps Member Alumni. She has her Master’s in Leadership from Northeastern University. Christina is passionate and a big advocate for education, youth development, mental health, social justice, and equity. A major passion is embracing her Haitian roots through food, (cooking, baking, ice-cream making) or learning and exploring different parts of Afro-Caribbean places and history.

Mayelin Burgos is the Assistant Director, College Success at the Center for Community & Learning Partnership at Wentworth. She is a Dominicana that moved to the United States, specifically, Lynn, MA when she was about eleven years old. She graduated from KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate High School and then attended Bates College where she pursued a Sociology major and Spanish minor. Mayelin credits the support of advisors and mentors at the high school and college level for her success in navigating the education system in the U.S. as a first-generation college student and as an immigrant woman of color. Since graduating from her alma mater, she has made it her mission to work with students who come from a similar background as her to bring them access to and success in higher education. Although, Mayelin does not live in the city, she encourages you to visit the Isabella Gardner Museum's courtyard - the museum is around the corner from Wentworth's campus offering free admissions to Wentworth's students, faculty, and staff and an opportunity to enjoy a year-round serene and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Erik Miller has nearly 20 years of experience collaborating with Boston nonprofits, youth-serving organizations, local government, and community voices to help solve complex urban problems.

Erik joined Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2012 after starting his career as an architect. As the Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement & Educational Access through the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Erik uses his design education to provide strategic direction, intentional partnerships, and proven programming to positively transform Boston’s education and built environment. Erik is the founder of Wentworth’s Boston Pipeline, which incorporates early college, bridge programs, workforce development, and individualized case management to support Boston residents and their drive to access, stay in, and graduate from post-secondary education. Erik, with the support of an amazing team and long-term partnerships, has grown Wentworth’s Boston Pipeline from 30 students in 2012-2013 to nearly 500 students in 2023-2024. 

Erik earned his Bachelor and Master of Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology. 

As a current Chair of the Huntington Avenue YMCA Board of Advisors and Strategic Planning Committee member for Success Boston, Erik has extensive experience leading boards including the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston and the Community Design Resource Center (CDRC) of Boston.

Kathleen Portillo was born and raised in Somerville, MA to Salvadoran immigrant parents. Her Latine identity was shaped by the lasting and powerful impact of the Salvadoran diaspora. Kathleen earned the Posse Scholarship to attend Union College in Schenectady, NY. There, she cultivated her passion for thinking critically about education access given her experiences as a first-generation student at a predominantly white institution. Following Union, Kathleen decided she was not done with academia just yet and enrolled into a master’s degree in education policy & social analysis from Columbia University’s Teachers College while navigating the charter school landscape in New York City. While enrolled, Kathleen worked at Harlem Village Academies High School as an Operations Manager demonstrating accomplishments in project management, implementation, and systems analysis. In 2018, Kathleen realized it was time to return home and learn to rediscover the city that had contributed to the nurturing of her raices (roots), but also to engage in direct student support. Since then, she has taken her passion for educational equity to the college access space through her role at Bottom Line, a college access and success non-profit dedicated to supporting first generation, high school seniors from low-income backgrounds as they navigate the college application and financial aid processes. Currently, she is working as Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Engagement at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Kathleen looks forward to continued growth and collaborative thought partnership for the advocacy of racial equity and justice in higher education and beyond.

Tom Schaefer has supported the RAMP program for 10 years, serving students in project-based learning, instructing team-building, leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. He works as Associate Professor of Language & Literature at Cape Cod Community College where he now lives, but returns to Boston each summer for his two favorite places: the RAMP Program at WIT and Fenway Park.

Kate is the Director of College Access and Success in the Center for Community and Learning Partnerships. Kate grew up in the suburbs of New York City and witnessed how socioeconomic background can impact educational and career opportunities. Her passion for educational access and opportunity led her to get her PhD in African American Literature. Her favorite place in Boston is the Boston Public Library!