After moving from the Dominican Republic to the United States nine years ago, Pedro Rentas, 38, faced challenges in career advancement due to the lack of a college degree. Despite learning English, getting married, becoming a citizen, and securing a job at a bank, Rentas struggled to compete for promotions. Finding himself at Northern Essex Community College last summer, Rentas discovered MassReconnect, a program that offered free community college tuition to students over 25. He immediately enrolled and is set to graduate in December with an associate’s degree in business administration. Rentas is on track to become the first among his six siblings to earn a college degree.
MassReconnect, launched by the Healey administration less than a year ago, has seen remarkable success in encouraging older students to pursue community college. The program provides free tuition, fees, and a stipend for books and supplies. According to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the data show that students over 25 accounted for almost half of the community college system’s enrollment growth in the past year. There were 4,500 MassReconnect beneficiaries this fall, with over 2,000 being new students. The enrollment of students over 25 increased by 12%, or 2,635 students, in fall 2023 compared to fall 2022. The largest increases were among Black, Hispanic, and male students over 25.
Despite these positive trends, the challenge of student retention remains. Community colleges have historically faced low completion rates. To address this, colleges must prioritize support and advising for students to ensure they have the necessary resources to succeed. Retention rates for MassReconnect students will be closely monitored to evaluate the program’s long-term impact.
Massachusetts policymakers should also track student outcomes after graduation to determine the impact of returning to school on earnings. The state’s data system, which already tracks earnings of high school graduates, should be expanded to include individual colleges and demographic cohorts. This data will help measure the success of MassReconnect in not only increasing enrollment but also improving the lives of its participants.
The MassReconnect program has made a significant difference in the lives of many, empowering individuals like Pedro Rentas to pursue higher education and advance their careers. By providing support, advising, and monitoring student outcomes, community colleges and the state can ensure that students succeed and ultimately reap the benefits of a college degree.
