Overview
Throughout my career in higher education, I have seen how systemic barriers can prevent talented, motivated students from reaching their full potential. From food insecurity to housing instability, many students face challenges that have nothing to do with their academic abilities.
Beyond Traditional Support
Traditional student support services often focus on academic tutoring and counseling. While these services are essential, they do not address the fundamental barriers that prevent students from fully engaging in their studies.
A Holistic Approach
At UMass Boston, we developed comprehensive support services that addressed students’ basic needs, including:
- Emergency assistance programs
- Food security initiatives
- Housing support and referrals
- Financial literacy education
- Connections to community-based resources
Data-Informed Practice
Using predictive analytics and early intervention strategies, we identified students at risk before they fell behind academically. This proactive approach enabled timely, targeted support when it could have the greatest impact.
The Importance of Student Agency
Most importantly, our work emphasized empowering students to advocate for themselves and navigate institutional systems independently. Sustainable support means building capacity and resilience—not creating dependency.