Tufts College Access Initiative

College Access is a national movement to help students have access to higher education, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. College access both brings attention to the role of higher education institutions to serve students from all backgrounds and encourages students to address barriers or fears they may have about college. College access strives to reach every student and supports them to achieve their goals and aspirations, regardless of their background.

Tisch College’s College Access Initiative provides college access for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Tufts’ host communities. Students from different high schools and youth programs will visit Tufts University and participate in programming that exposes them to college life and encourages them to get started with the college preparation process. A typical day for a high school visitor will include a tour, a meal with Tufts students, student panels, and interactive performances.

How to Get Involved

Tufts students can participate in the College Access Initiative by volunteering to interact with high school students when they visit campus. This may include being on student panels to speak about different aspects of the college experience and answer questions, serving as a tour guide, participating in “ice breaker” exercises, and having lunch with the high school students. All Tufts students can volunteer based on their availability. Students from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

Tufts students can also join the initiative's leadership council that organizes the college access visits. The leadership council will assist with planning tour routes, recruiting volunteers, and publicizing each college access visit. The council is open to all students, but first-years and sophomores are especially encouraged to apply. This is a great way to learn about local youth and the public school systems we partner with!

For more information about the College Access Initiative​ or to get involved, please contact Noel Reyes, Tisch College Associate Director of Community Partnerships.