President Thompson, Mayor Wu Discuss Wentworth Commitment to Early College Access

by Greg Abazorius
man speaking at podium

President Mark Thompson speaks to a group gathered at State St. (Photos by Justin-Michael Emmanuel)

President Mark Thompson, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and other City of Boston and local university officials took part in a press conference Tuesday to talk about Wentworth’s commitment to Early College programs and urge other leaders to partner in helping Boston’s youth.  

“Providing Boston students with opportunity and access to education has always been a Wentworth hallmark, and it’s something that I’m personally passionate about,” said Thompson.  

Thompson noted Wentworth’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence and providing the necessary support to students from Boston Public Schools. 

“I feel very strongly about colleges and universities using their resources in ways that are meaningful,” Thompson said, “and being committed to doing it in a sincere way.” 

Wentworth has partnered with New Mission High School, Fenway High School, and Dearborn STEM Academy as part of the university’s BEACON Pathways initiative. BEACON, which falls under the umbrella of Wentworth’s Center for Community & Learning Partnerships, aims to provide equitable education opportunities for underserved youth.  

Thompson cited several important data points: 

  • 750: In the last 10 years, 750 students have enrolled at Wentworth through Early College or Dual Enrollment programs 

  • Top 5: Wentworth has moved from a top 15 institution in enrolling first-year, first-generation students from Boston to the top 5 over the past four years 

  • 2,000: Wentworth plans to serve 2,000 students from Boston Public Schools over the next 10 years 

Thompson also related Wentworth’s plan to implement an Automatic Matriculation policy for students from their Early College designated partnerships this fall, guaranteeing a spot at the university for those students. 

group of people posed for photo
From left: Erik Miller, assistant vice president, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Juan Ortiz Geronimo, Dearborn student; President Thompson; Alessia Martínez, Dearborn student; Nicole Price, vice president, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; and Rebecca Drossman, associate director, College Access & Success

 

Mayor Wu shared her office’s commitment to Early College and the students of Boston Public Schools.  

“These [types of] programs have already helped hundreds of students pursue opportunities here in Boston and there are thousands more of our young people who deserve this opportunity,” she said.  

Wentworth is currently the only private higher education institution to have an Early College designation with a Boston public high school. 

Additionally speaking at the event were Joan Christel, senior vice president and head of Corporate Citizenship & Global Inclusion; Superintendent Brenda Cassellius; Jeri Robinson, Boston School Committee; Pam Eddinger, Bunker Hill Community College president; Aisha Francis, president and CEO of Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology; Juan Ortiz Geronimo and Alessia Martínez, students at Dearborn STEM Academy; Marinell Rousmaniere, president and CEO of EdVestors; and Will Thomas, New Mission High School principal.

Watch President Thompson speak: