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 Early College Policy Fellowship is a paid 6-month Fellowship program designed to elevate student voices and build leadership, policy, and advocacy skills among Massachusetts students. Fellows are current college students with former Early College experience, and are viewed as key leaders in the movement to strengthen and expand Early College in the Commonwealth. Throughout the Fellowship, the Alliance and external partners provide training in the core skills of movement building: public and civic engagement, legislative advocacy, traditional and social media communications, and grassroots organizing.
The Fellowship is currently in its 5th cohort for the 2025-26 school year. Yaslee Dube and Sebastian Rivera, two incredible leaders from the 2023-24 and 2024-2025 ECPF cohorts, are leading the Fellowship this year.
Meet the Fellows
Omoyeme Agen
“As someone who did not grow up with any family members who went to school in the United States, I had fear and doubts about making it. But by actually experiencing Early College, I truly became a college student.”
High School: New Heights Charter School of Brockton, Class of 2025
Early College Institutions: Massasoit Community College and Bridgewater State University
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Amherst
Major: Biology
Hometown: Brockton, Massachusetts
Eduarda Batista
“I joined the Early College program because I saw it as a chance to explore my interests and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I did not want to wait until college to start asking big questions about my future, I wanted to experience college-level work early, challenge myself, and see what paths felt right.”
High School: B.M.C. Durfee High School, Class 2025
Early College Institution: Bristol Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Dartmoth
Major: Nursing (BSN)
Hometown: Fall River, Massachusetts
Aaron Berube
“I joined Early College because I wanted to challenge myself and get a head start on college gen ed courses. I heard great things from my peers in the Early College Program.”
High School: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Class of 2025
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell
Major: Industrial Engineering
Hometown: Haverill, Massachusetts
Edna Bonsu
“This program has had such a meaningful impact on my peers and me by opening doors that may have otherwise remained closed. It has made higher education more accessible and plausible for students across all backgrounds, especially for those who may not have seen college as a possibility. ”
High School: Lowell High School, Class of 2024
Early College Institutions: Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Amherst
Major: Nursing major, sociology minor
Hometown: Lowell, Massachusetts
Funbi Fatoke
“I joined the Early College program because I wanted to challenge myself and start building the future I imagine for myself. Early College gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone and see what I was capable of.”
High School: Worcester Technical High School, Class of 2025
Early College Institutions: Worcester State and Quinsigamond Community College
Postsecondary institution: UMass Amherst
Major: Biology
Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
Joshua Gonzalez
“Early College gave me the push I needed to close the gaps in my education. It challenged me to grow academically, intellectually, and personally. It showed me what life as a college student really was. ”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2025
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Northeastern University
Major: Health science major
Hometown: Lawrence, Massachusetts
Melody Kungu
“I joined the Early College program in my junior year of high school, after hearing through friends about the benefits and courses they provided. The idea that I could take more interesting course subjects, while also earning free college credits, made it of clear interest to me.”
High School: Lowell High School, Class of 2024
Early College Institutions: University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Amherst
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Lowell, Massachusetts
Zamari Perez Mella
“It’s because of Early College that I now have a clear sense of direction and the motivation to pursue a career in health law.”
High School: Abbott Lawrence Academy, Class of 2025
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: Oxford College of Emory University
Major: Public Health, Political Science
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Emmalene Pirnie
“Early College impacted my future in more ways than I expected. It helped me financially by saving money on tuition and gave me the confidence to take initiative inside and outside of the classroom. Not only am I graduating a year and a half early because of the Early College credits I earned, but I will also graduate with my MBA before the age of 22.”
High School: West Springfield High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institutions: Westfield State University and Springfield Technical Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Western New England University
Major: Marketing Communications/Advertising
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Anike Santos
“Early College was one of the first times in my life where I started to advocate not only for myself, but for others as well.”
High School: Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, Class of 2025
Early College Institution: Massasoit Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Boston
Major: Biology
Hometown: Stoughton, Massachusetts
“I am excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because Early College helped me succeed as a student, which inspired me to promote the progress of Early College programs to make sure every student has the resources they need to succeed and accomplish their goals.” High School: Lowell High School, Class of 2024 “Being a part of Early College has had a big impact on me and has pushed me to further my goals. Being of service and expanding access to Early College so other students can have the opportunities I did is what I’m most excited about.” High School: New Heights Charter School of Brockton, Class of 2024 “Early College has catapulted me ahead in my education and has provided me with endless resources to succeed, I want to help spread this opportunity to other students in an effort to make college access more equitable.” High School: Haverhill High School, Class of 2023 “I am excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because Early College was crucial in my high school education and I think it’s important to create more access to Early College programs.” High School: Salem High School, Class of 2023 “As a first generation student, I saw and experienced firsthand how beneficial Early College is to students who are at a disadvantage with knowledge about colleges, applications, financial aid, or are discouraged about their citizenship status. I want more students to be confident in pursuing postsecondary education.” High School: Lynn English High School, Class of 2024 “I’m excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because I want to provide students with more opportunities, and am excited to get experience in advocacy.” High School: Dearborn STEM Academy, Class of 2024 “I am very excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship to help more students experience the benefits of Early College. Being in a college environment as a high schooler has been invaluable, as I learned many lessons that elevated my academics in high school, and that will be critical during my experience in higher education.” High School: Worcester Technical High School, Class of 2024 “Early College has made a significant impact on my academic career, and I want to guarantee that more students have the opportunity to participate in these programs, giving them a head start on their college experience.” High School: Haverhill High School, Class of 2023 “Early College had a big impact on my educational and personal development journey, giving me confidence and the opportunity to keep pushing to reach my goals. Being a student with only one year of living and learning in the U.S., the program helped me feel confident and connected to my education. I want to help more students to have access to the resources and opportunity that I had.” High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2024 “As a first-generation college student, Early College helped me be confident about my decision to study within a STEM field and reduced the amount of financial stress on me and my family. I want to ensure other students have the same opportunities as I did.” High School: Framingham High School, Class of 2024 “Early College has given me the confidence necessary to believe in myself and pursue higher education. I am excited to inspire students to take advantage of this program, while supporting and encouraging the expansion of Early College. Students deserve to discover their full potential and I am fortunate to have this platform to help.” High School: Lowell High School, Class of 2024 
Alyza Sokla
Early College Institution: Middlesex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
Annalisa Charles
Early College Institution: Massasoit Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Suffolk University, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Political Science (Pre-Law)
Hometown: Boston, MA 
Carrigan MacLeod
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Biology
Hometown: Haverhill, MA 
Christa Stewart
Early College Institution: Salem State University
Postsecondary Institution: North Shore Community College, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Paralegal Studies
Hometown: Salem, MA 
Erika Lara Contreras
Early College Institution: Salem State University
Postsecondary Institution: Salem State University, Expected Class of 2027
Major: Biology
Hometown: Lynn, MA 
Esperanza Knudson
Early College Institutions: Bunker Hill Community College, Franklin Cummings Tech and Wentworth Institute of Technology
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Amherst, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Boston, MA 
Imani Githure
Early College Institutions: Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University
Postsecondary Institutions: Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Worcester, MA 
Jordan Dell’Ova
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2027
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Haverhill, MA 
Marianny Diaz Cabrera
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Lawrence, MA 
Melanie Cerin Aldana
Early College Institutions: MassBay Community College and Framingham State University
Postsecondary Institution: MassBay Community College, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Biotechnology
Hometown: Framingham, MA 
Sebastian Rivera
Early College Institutions: Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Lowell, MA
Ariam Tavarez Caimares
“Early College provided me with the opportunities that made it possible for me to attend college. As an undeclared student, the jumpstart I got from accumulating credits during high school has given me a lot of breathing room to explore potential majors. I want more students in Massachusetts to have the opportunity to do the same. ”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: Merrimack College, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Undeclared
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Destiny Egbuta
“Early College inspired me to elevate myself and gave me a stepping stone to college. Not only will the Fellowship help advance my future, it will also teach me the leadership skills needed to elevate others. This program will help me further my goal of becoming an advocate for educational equity and the growth and success of the Early College initiative.”
High School: Lynn Classical High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institution: Salem State University
Postsecondary Institution: Salem State University, Expected Class of 2027
Majors: Pre-Med
Hometown: Lynn, MA
Elianna Soto Martinez
“Through the Early College Policy Fellowship, I will be able to help more students have access to Early College programs and help students see that your economic status does not define how far you go in your education.”
High School: Fenway High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institutions: Bunker Hill Community College and Wentworth Institute of Technology
Postsecondary Institution: Centre College, Expected Class of 2027
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Boston, MA
Hadassa Guillaume
“Early College has greatly impacted my life and I would love to advocate for policies to ensure that more students have access to Early College programs and feel completely prepared for college. I am excited to be a part of the Fellowship and expand Early College opportunities to students across Massachusetts.”
High School: New Heights Charter School of Brockton, Class of 2023
Early College Institution: Massasoit Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Boston, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Brockton, MA
Ivan Kim
“I never felt more successful than when I saw on my college transcript that I was at a sophomore level before officially entering my first year of college. The thought of what I can do with an extra year while still graduating on time amazes me! I want all students with a strong passion for learning to have access to Early College programs just as I did.”
High School: Lowell High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institution: Middlesex Community College
Postsecondary institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2027
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Lowell, MA
Lana Viola
“The Early College program opened up a lot of amazing opportunities which enriched my education and high school experience. The program helped me get ahead on my courses and also my future. I believe the Early College program is beneficial and impactful on young people’s lives.”
High School: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Northern Essex Community College, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Madhelyn Febrillet
“Early College helped me flourish and grow because of all of the support and resources that were available to me while in the program. I am extremely excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because it will give me a platform to advocate for all the good that the Early College program can do for students.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Nicholas York
“Early College gave me the opportunity to take courses I was really interested in and reinvigorated my love of learning. I want to make sure others have the opportunity to explore their interests through Early College.”
High School: Burncoat High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institutions: Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University
Postsecondary Institution: Worcester State University (transferring to Cornell University, Expected Class of 2027)
Major: Industrial & Labor Relations
Hometown: Worcester, MA
Nikolai-Philip Rodrigues
“I am excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because it provides a platform to advocate for policies that can level the playing field for students from underserved communities. Growing up in Fall River, I recognized the importance of equal opportunities in education, inspiring me to contribute to a more equitable and promising future for the students of tomorrow.”
High School: Durfee High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institutions: Bristol Community College and Bridgewater State University
Postsecondary Institution: Boston University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: International Relations
Hometown: Fall River, MA
Nnadubem Austin Ganobi
“Before I joined the Early College program, I was skeptical on how well I would perform in college-level courses. Early College helped me gain confidence in my academic abilities and eased my worries on pursuing higher education. I’m excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because I hope to inspire other students to take advantage of these opportunities.”
High School: Lowell High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institution: Middlesex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Middlesex Community College, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Enugu, Nigeria
Noelle Gregoire
“I am excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because Early College allowed me to transfer over 50 credits for free to my current institution while exploring different career paths. I have saved thousands and found my passion in Public Relations and Marketing. I would love to pass on my positive experience to more aspiring students out there!”
High School: Haverhill High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Bridgewater State University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Public Relations & Marketing
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Yaslee Dube
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the Early College Policy Fellowship. Early College put me in a better spot academically and emotionally. Being able to take college courses has made me more confident in my schooling and put me on track to graduate early. I strongly believe in the Early College program and am very passionate about ensuring this opportunity for many students to come.”
High School: Haverhill High School, Class of 2023
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Bridgewater State University, Expected Class of 2027
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Akira Mia Matos
“I’m excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because people deserve to know their true potential when it comes to higher education and that’s exactly what the Early College Program did for me. All of the jobs I dreamed of doing as a child required a higher education and that just didn’t seem like something I was capable of fulfilling. I’m excited to join the Early College Policy Fellowship because other people deserve to know their true potential when it comes to higher education.”
High School: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Northern Essex Community College, Expected Class of 2024
Major: Biology
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Arline Ortiz
“Early College transformed my current life and is set to impact my future in a variety of ways. Before I joined Early College, I was unsure how well I would do in the college-level classes and the environment. With the Early College Program, not only did I experience more educational exploration in high school but I also received a scholarship, the Pioneer Scholarship, to help pay for college.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: Merrimack College, Expected Class of 2025
Majors: Criminology / Criminal Justice & Business Administration
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Jaden Pinet
“Early College allowed me to experience a college environment during high school, which helped prepare me for what was to come. I was given challenging work that helped grow the skills that I now use on a daily basis in college. If it wasn’t for Early College, I wouldn’t be confident in my place on this campus or in a college academic setting.”
High School: Charlestown High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institution: Bunker Hill Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Northeastern University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Political Science (Pre-Law)
Hometown: Boston, MA
Josué Emanuel Hernández Escalón
“I joined the Early College Program because I was able to earn college credits while staying on track for my career goals. I was motivated to join the Early College program during my senior year because the program allowed students to learn the fundamentals of college, which was extremely helpful for me. Early College gave me confidence in my college potential, supported me through my classes, and introduced me to the college environment.”
High School: Lynn English High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institution: North Shore Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Boston University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Lynn, MA
Karen Garcia
“By allowing me to take classes on a college campus, the Early College program helped me realize what college really felt like. I received academic support from my high school teachers who supplemented the knowledge I gained from my college lectures. These skills helped me achieve my goal of attending Yale University, which I never could have dreamed of without Early College’s extensive academic support.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary institution: Yale University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Kassidy Thames
“Early College impacted my future because I saw a glimpse of the college lifestyle. I’m thankful to have walked on campus, engaged with college professors, and completed real college assignments. I began to learn how to manage my time and organize my work for efficient results, and I was able to easily transition to my current college courses. This increased my academic excellence and motivated me to become a better scholar.”
High School: Durfee High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institution: Bristol Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Boston College, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Elementary Education & Applied Psychology
Hometown: Fall River, MA
Mariam Ismail
“Early college has been extremely beneficial to my future education. I am thankful for my Early College experience because it allowed me to earn 15 credits, which in turn took two courses off my schedule and lowered the cost of my tuition. It also helped me figure out what majors I wanted to pursue and see if they were a good fit for me, so that I would know what I wanted to major in when I started college.”
High School: Charlestown High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Bunker Hill Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Northeastern University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Health Science (Pre-Med)
Hometown: Boston, MA
Patrick Sainato
“Thanks to the Early College Program, I already finished a year’s worth of classes upon high school graduation and will be graduating from Northern Essex in the Summer of 2023. Early College fosters a community of inspired, hardworking, and dedicated people and encourages students to become productive and enlightened members of society. It has given me the opportunity to enroll in classes I am passionate about, participate in multiple training and networking events, and meet professors who truly prioritize student success.”
High School: Haverhill High School, Class of 2022
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Northern Essex Community College, Expected Class of 2023
Major: Biology
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Shelein Rojas
“Early College impacted the way I communicate professionally. As a high school student I would worry about what to say or how to ask for help because I felt intimidated by professors, so experiencing class as a college student helped me get over that fear. I went into my freshman year of college with confidence in asking for help, and I am able to advocate for my own personal progress by asking for help, soliciting multiple opinions, and receiving feedback.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: Merrimack College, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Communications & Media
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Aleanny Concepcion
“I remember the final exam I worked on for my Introduction to Psychology course. Though it was my favorite class, it was by far one of the most challenging assignments I’ve ever done. The skills I developed in that course helped shape me into the college student I am today. Early College gave me the necessary tools and experiences I needed in order to feel prepared for my current college environment.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Undeclared
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Hannah Graves
“Early College changed the way that I viewed myself, which in turn changed my future goals and life aspirations. It taught me how to advocate for my needs and others, and it allowed me to see success past just getting my high school degree.”
High School: Turners Falls High School, Class of 2018
Early College Institution: Greenfield Community College
Associates Earned: Greenfield Community College, Class of 2020, Gender and Women’s Studies
Postsecondary Institution: Suffolk University, Expected Class of 2022
Major: Sociology, Psychology (minor)
Hometown: Turner Falls, MA
William Kimani
“As I reflect back on my experience in Early College, I joined for the opportunity to gain a degree, but am walking away with the necessary knowledge of how a college classroom works, and the familiarity of professor-student interactions.”
High School: New Heights Charter School of Brockton, Expected Class of 2022
Early College Institution: Massasoit Community College, Expected Class of 2022
Degree Expected: Liberal Arts Transfer Degree
Hometown: Taunton, MA
Mingyue Lao
“In short, the Early College program is a lifesaver for students like me, those who come from low-income families and who’s futures could change in a blink of an eye if given the economic resources necessary in order to attend college right after receiving their high school diploma.”
High School: Charlestown High School, Class of 2020
Early College Institution: Bunker Hill Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Suffolk University, Expected Class of 2024
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Boston, MA
Sabi Marte
“Early College pushed me to my full potential.…I wanted to make sure that in college, I wasn’t going to be behind other freshmen because of the lack of resources and opportunity that my school had for many students.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: Merrimack College, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Social Justice, Education Public Policy (minor)
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
John Mendez
“Learning things like how to study and how to manage my time became crucial pillars that were necessary in order to ensure my success in a college environment. I joined the Early College program because I knew it would give me a supportive network that would assist me as I got over the hurdles that came with taking a more rigorous collegiate course load.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2020
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary institution: Denison University, Expected Class of 2024
Major: Global Health and Biology
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Rohanji Novas
“If it were not for Early College, I would have not gone to college right after high school, I would have not obtained my Biology associates degree at the age of 19, and I would not have been able to transfer from a community college to a four year institution.”
High School: Fitchburg High School, Class of 2019
Early College Institution: Mt. Wachusett Community College
Associates Earned: Mt. Wachusett Community College, Class of 2021, Biology
Postsecondary Institution: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Expected Class of 2023
Major: Biology
Hometown: Fitchburg, MA
Wiralba Pichardo
“Early College impacted my future because I decided to apply to more competitive institutions around the nation. The program was able to set me apart from other college applicants given that I had received a plethora of college level credits and had taken a number of actual college level courses all while in high school.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: Grinnell College, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Sabrin Sefa
“Early College was an opportunity to save time and money in high school while getting ahead with my education. I knew this opportunity would really prepare me to be a full-time college student. Early College led to many self discoveries and helped chart my path.”
High School: Lynn English High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: North Shore Community College and Salem State University
Postsecondary Institution: Boston University, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Biology
Hometown: Lynn, MA
Lisbeth Tineo
“My hope for the Early College Initiative in Massachusetts is to get more students to have access to the program. Low-income/first generation students already struggle more in college due to a lack of resources. Therefore, I hope Early College can expand so that more students like me can have the tools they need in order to succeed in their chosen college environments.”
High School: Lawrence High School, Class of 2021
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: Barnard College, Expected Class of 2025
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Annette Valdouin
“Early College can give students from backgrounds that have been historically cheated out of a proper education a fighting chance to thrive in collegiate spaces, and I for one am determined to see equitable practices such as this at the forefront of the education system in this state.”
High School: Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, Class of 2018
Postsecondary Institution: Boston University, Expected Class of 2022
Major: English Education
Hometown: Holbrook, MA
Interested in learning more?
You can learn more about the Early College Policy Fellowship by contacting Leslie Peralta, Senior Manager of Engagement, at leslie@ma4ec.org.