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Curry College proudly launched its inaugural College MAP (Mentoring for Access and Persistence) Summer Program, welcoming high school students from Boston for a transformative weeklong college readiness experience designed for rising 11th and 12th graders.
The program focused on preparing students academically and emotionally for a practical transition to higher education, as part of Curry’s broader commitment to increasing college access for historically marginalized youth in Greater Boston. The program was generously funded by the Ernst & Young U.S. LLP.
“We are honored to host the first cohort of 18 College MAP students,” said Lisa Rodrigues, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs. “This program is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping students see themselves on a college campus—not just as visitors, but as future college students.”
Throughout the week, students engaged in academic workshops, community-building activities, and immersive experiences, including a ropes course at Treetop Adventures in Canton; workshops on mental health, healthy boundaries, and financial wellness; and a session with Curry’s Admissions Team to demystify the college admissions process. A highlight was attending a New England Revolution soccer game at Gillette Stadium, where students were invited onto the field during the pre-game ceremonies to help carry out the Center Circle banner—a thrilling, unforgettable moment.
Students lived in campus residence halls, dined in the Marketplace, and accessed campus resources like full-time students, gaining a firsthand understanding of college life.
“This week was fantastic!” said scholar Wentoly Amaya. “I learned it is always good to expose yourself to something you’ve never done before. It helped me understand myself better and I learned a lot from different people.”