Student voice is critical in building high-quality Early College programming, and students should be at the center of deciding what is most important for their own learning.
The Student Advisory Council is a group of current Early College high school students who share their unique perspectives with us to inform our understanding of the student experience. Student Advisory Council members meet individually and in small groups on a monthly basis to discuss a range of topics, such as navigating the Early College onboarding processes and accessing academic support on a college campus. Members also complete monthly deliverables to inform our work, engage in other opportunities, and receive a stipend each month for their participation.
Meet the Members
Roseiris Gil Calderon
“Early College is impacting me by opening new doors into my life full of opportunities to grow as a leader who someday wants to become a lawyer. For example, because of the early college program, I am able to be a part of student advisory, which is a big opportunity.”
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
High School: Lawrence High School
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Taegan Fayette
“I wanted to take advantage of free college courses while I am able to. College is expensive so I’m trying to work smarter not harder so that the financial burden of school is a little lighter.”
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
High School: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Naedsa Gaspard
“I joined the Early College program because it’s an amazing opportunity to get ahead academically and professionally. It allows me to experience college-level courses while still in high school, helping me build confidence, discipline, and a stronger foundation for the future.”
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
High School: Milford High School
Early College Institutions: Framingham State and MassBay Community College
Kit Hagenbuch
“I have been able to dramatically improve my writing skills by taking college-level courses with long-term projects I wouldn’t have done in high school. I’ve also made valuable connections with professors and other mentors who have given me valuable advice as I transition into college and more advanced coursework.”
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
High School: Fenway High School
Early College Institutions: UMass Boston and Roxbury Community College
Lesli Morales
“As a freshman in high school, I knew college would happen, so I wanted to take advantage of this program. It will save so much money and time as a full time college student in the future. I could graduate early and I won’t have as much trouble adjusting to a new setting since I already have the experience as a student in college.”
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
High School: Veritas Prep High School
Early College Institutions: Worcester State University and Springfield Technical Community College
Auroraliz Ortiz
“The Early College program has allowed me to learn things about myself that I didn’t know I was capable of doing. I feel more confident than ever to be able to succeed in college.”
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
High School: Veritas Prep High School
Early College Institutions: Worcester State University and Springfield Technical Community College
Giomar Rodriguez
“I joined the Early College program because I wanted to challenge myself academically and prepare for my future. College has always been one of my biggest goals, and this program allows me to experience what college coursework and expectations are really like.”
Pronouns: He/Him/His
High School: Abbott Lawrence Academy
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Jacqueline Chavez Romero
“I joined the Early College program because I knew it would help me get closer to my career goals in healthcare. By taking college-level classes, I can start building the foundation I need for my future career while saving time and money.”
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
High School: Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy
Early College Institution: North Shore Community College
Sindi Sula
“I joined the Early College program because it seemed like a great opportunity to familiarize myself with college level classes and college settings.”
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
High School: Salem High School
Early College Institutions: Salem State University and Northshore Community College
“I’m really excited to be part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I want to help other students like me get access to more opportunities. I think Early College is a great way to get a head start on your future, and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and making a difference.” Pronouns: he/him “I’m excited about being a part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because Early College is so important, and being able to expand upon it is something I am very excited about. To me, meeting other students from other Early College programs means other experiences I can derive from and apply to my own.” Pronouns: she/her “I am excited to be a part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I am very passionate about all the opportunities I have been given due to my participating in Early College at my school. I would love to see many other students in the future being given similar opportunities to the ones I have had.” Pronouns: she/her “I am excited to be part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I want to see students like myself have the opportunity to pursue more academically inclined futures.” Pronouns: he/him “I’m excited to be a part of the Student Advisory Council because it will help me advocate for higher education. I’m also looking forward to meeting other students who are eager to help their school community and who come from diverse backgrounds that I can learn from.” Pronouns: she/her “I am excited to be part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I want to join the cause and advocate for Early College to expand. I also look forward to sharing my story and hearing from my peers.” Pronouns: she/her “I’m very excited to be a part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I think Early College is a great program and I would love to see more people realize the benefits of it. I can’t wait to use my experience to collaborate with the team.” Pronouns: she/her “The Early College program offered me the opportunity for a real college experience. I want to be in a position were I can be part of the team that can make this experience better for future students. This is why I am excited to be part of the Early College Student Advisory Council.” Pronouns: he/him “I am excited to be a part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I see it as an opportunity to highlight the significance of Early College programs in high schools and to raise more awareness about this great initiative.” Pronouns: she/her “I’m excited to be a part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I get to share the impact Early College has had on my high school experience and my future. I am also excited I’ve been given the opportunity to help expand Early College and give students across Massachusetts the chance to earn college credit.” Pronouns: she/her “I am excited to be part of the Early College Student Advisory Council because I am really passionate about equal access to education! I hope to meet people who are just as passionate as me and are excited to work with one another.” Pronouns: she/her 
Ahmad Ansar
High School: Quincy High School
Early College Institution: Quincy College
Alex Cruz
High School: Charlestown High School
Early College Institution: Bunker Hill Community College
Alexa Palladino
High School: Greater Lowell Technical High School
Early College Institution: UMass Lowell
Andy Munoz
High School: Charlestown High School
Early College Institution: Bunker Hill Community College
Angelica Castillo Brito
High School: Lawrence High School
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Hilary Payano
High School: Fenway High School
Early College Institution: Wentworth Institute of Technology
Katreina Green
High School: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Loens Paul
High School: Lynn English High School
Early College Institutions: North Shore Community College and Salem State University
Penina Mukundi
High School: Lowell High School
Early College Institution: Middlesex Community College
Shammaelle Borgella
High School: Burncoat High School
Early College Institutions: Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University
Vedi Raval
High School: Milford High School
Early College Institutions: MassBay Community College and Framingham State University
“I got to be part of the Student Advisory Council community where I worked with my schools and college program to make it better not just for me but for other students as well.” Pronouns: she/her “Early College made me feel like I can do college. I never really thought about college but getting to go through Early College made me feel like I can actually continue doing this.” Pronouns: she/they “I now have the highest expectations of what it means to be in college. I know APA format and I’m at the next level up because of my Early College classes.” Pronouns: she/her “I realized Early College was making a difference when I counted all my credits with a staff member. I have about 30 credits and it feels pretty good. I feel proud of myself that I can save money and time.” Pronouns: she/her “I want to go to college, receive my BA and go to law school and pursue a career in politics, law, and activism. I want to major in political science and African American studies. I want to be a politician and a lawyer.” Pronouns: she/her “Early College has strengthened my advocacy skills. Now I’m not scared to email a teacher because I know I have to do what I have to do for my education and I think teachers understand that. Overall, my need to help others who also want to do Early College has grown.” Pronouns: she/they “Being in the Student Advisory Council allowed me to share information with my peers and community to spread awareness about Early College opportunities in Worcester.” Pronouns: she/her “Early College taught me how to be disciplined when it came to my studies. I learned how to manage different types of assignments.” Pronouns: she/her “Early College is having a pretty big impact on my finances because I’m coming into full time college academically standing as a sophomore. Early College also gave me an example of higher education and what to expect which was nice.” Pronouns: she/her “Early College gave me different exposures to different things. I know I want to do Computer Science but I ended up taking an Early College accounting class and an economic class and it definitely made me think about double majoring and minoring in accounting and econ. With Early College, you can start experimenting with different classes and it may change your mind.” Pronouns: she/her “Early College gave me the confidence of knowing, yeah I can go to a college and take college classes and I’ll be fine. College is a lot less intimidating because I’m there experiencing it instead of hearing about it.” Pronouns: she/her “Before ninth grade, I knew college was not for me because I thought it was for very smart people. I was motivated to join Early College to gain more confidence. The first course I took was Psychology and I liked it. The first time I went on the college campus, it was a bit nerve wracking but after my first class on campus, I realized college students are just like me. The full time Early College experience gives me more independence and accountability.” Pronouns: he/him 
Anike Santos
High School: Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School
Early College Institution: Massasoit Community College 
Ashley Ortiz Pimentel
High School: Fenway High School
Early College Institution: Wentworth Institute of Technology
Learn more about Ashley’s work: Fenway High School Early College Flyer 
Emily King
High School: Athol High School
Early College Institution: Mount Wachusett Community College
Learn more about Emily’s work: Early College is making a difference video 
Esperanza Knudson
High School: Dearborn STEM Academy
Early College Institutions: Bunker Hill Community College and Wentworth Institute of Technology 
Jateja Spriggs
High School: Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School
Early College Institution: Massasoit Community College
Learn more about Jateja’s work: Early College is making a difference video Lourdes Reyes
High School: Chelsea High School
Early College Institution: Bunker Hill Community College
Learn more about Lourdes’ work: Early College 101 at Chelsea Flyer 
Madeline Trombly
High School: South High Community School
Early College Institutions: Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State
Learn more about Madeline’s work: Early College is making a difference video 
Melanie Gitau
High School: Worcester Technical High School
Early College Institution: Quinsigamond Community College
Learn more about Melanie’s work: Early College 101 at Worcester Tech 
Paprika Indressano
High School: Salem High School
Early College Institution: Salem State University 
Pomaa Anim-Amofa
High School: North High School
Early College Institutions: Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State
Learn more about Pomaa’s work: Early College at North High Flyer 
Vianna Singh
High School: North High School
Early College Institutions: Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State
Learn more about Vianna’s work: Early College is making a difference video 
Vismark Melo
High School: Dearborn STEM Academy
Early College Institutions: Bunker Hill Community College and Wentworth Institute of Technology
Interested in learning more?
You can learn more about the Early College Student Advisory Council by contacting Leslie Peralta, Senior Manager of Engagement, at leslie@ma4ec.org.