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 4th cohort for the 2024-25 school year. Lisbeth Tineo and Sabi Marte, two incredible leaders from the inaugural cohort, are leading the Fellowship this year.
Meet the Fellows
Alyza Sokla
“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
Early College Institution: Middlesex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Annalisa Charles
“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 Institution: Massasoit Community College
Postsecondary Institution: Suffolk University, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Political Science (Pre-Law)
Hometown: Boston, MA
Carrigan MacLeod
“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
Early College Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Biology
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Christa Stewart
“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
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
“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
Early College Institution: Salem State University
Postsecondary institution: Salem State University, Expected Class of 2027
Major: Biology
Hometown: Lynn, MA
Esperanza Knudson
“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
Early College Institution: Bunker Hill Community College, Franklin Cummings Tech, & Wentworth Institute of Technology
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Amherst, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Boston, MA
Imani Githure
“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 Institution: Quinsigamond Community College & Worcester State University
Postsecondary Institution: Quinsigamond Community College & Worcester State University, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Worcester, MA
Jordan Dell’Ova
“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 Institution: Northern Essex Community College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2027
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Haverhill, MA
Marianny Diaz Cabrera
“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
Early College Institution: Merrimack College
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Melanie Cerin Aldana
“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 Institution: MassBay Community College & Framingham State University
Postsecondary Institution: MassBay Community College, Expected Class of 2026
Major: Biotechnology
Hometown: Framingham, MA
Sebastian Rivera
“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
Early College Institution: Middlesex Community College & UMass Lowell
Postsecondary Institution: UMass Lowell, Expected Class of 2028
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Lowell, MA