Did you know that some high school students can earn their associate’s degree before receiving their high school diploma? On May 22, 2025, I walked down the stage at Massasoit Community College to receive my associate’s degree. I was part of a program called Early College, and I was one of the few students in my class to earn an associate’s degree before my high school graduation. I walked on that stage with my head held high, having been given the most awards in my Early College cohort, and I proudly wore all of my medals and cords, which showcased both my hard work and achievements. Early College should be expanded to give many students a chance to be successful, as it did for me.

Before I explain why Early College should be expanded, it’s important to understand what Early College is. Early College is a program that gives students an opportunity to earn college credits in high school. This can be different depending on the city and school. High school students earn an opportunity to study in a college environment where their credits are transferable to many institutions, saving students time and money in their college education. Because of this, when I started attending my four-year institution at UMass Boston, I transferred over 60 credits, which led me to save thousands of dollars, and I will be graduating a year early.

Another success that Early College programs can provide students is an opportunity to help underrepresented students learn about college. In Massachusetts, students from African-American and Latino communities, as well as those from low-income communities, tend to struggle more with achieving a college education. The equity gaps in college education are increasing, which makes it harder for these communities to receive an accessible higher education. According to MassINC’s 2025 report, when it comes to Early College, students have a higher rate of college enrollment and tend to perform higher than the average student. When it came to Early College, I learned various skills that prepared me for college, including study methods and preparing for FAFSA, which has been essential in my college education. I also gained a clear sense of where I wanted to focus on my career path, which really helped me with college decisions.

Finally, another reason that Early College should be expanded is that students can learn in a college setting that prepares them for a college education. Though not every program is the same, some programs, like mine, give students an opportunity to learn on the college campus. When it was my turn, not only did I get to learn with actual professors, but I was also able to take advantage of various opportunities. For example, I was able to get a job at my school at the IT Help Desk, and I was able to be a part of various clubs where I rose as a leader, gaining valuable skills. I became a founder of the Active Minds club, then I became the Vice President of Leadership at the MCC honor society, and finally, I was the Student Senate Secretary. These achievements, among many others, have led to the honor of receiving the Massasoit Green Key award. This award is the most prestigious nomination that a student leader can receive at my school. I was so proud, and I was so grateful that I was able to be a leader in my community.

Early College should be expanded because many students receive an opportunity to succeed in a college setting, and can also receive college credits that can be transferred to various institutions. It also addresses a major problem in our education system that can also start to close the gap in college education. I never imagined that I would win the awards that I received, or make the change that I did in my community. Although there were struggles, seeing my parents smile during my graduation who sacrificed so much for me to be successful, was my proudest accomplishment. As a first-generation college student and a daughter of two immigrants, I was so grateful to have been given an opportunity like this. And I’m even more grateful to be a part of UMass Boston because I’m part of the community of nontraditional pathways that the school caters to.