Academics and Athletics: Aiding Access to Higher Education in Holyoke, Massachusetts

Presenter: Ethan Mullen

Faculty Sponsor: Ellen Correa

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Education & Educational Research

Session: Poster Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM, Auditorium, A13

ABSTRACT

Latinx students are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college than any other racial group (Santiago et. al, 2024). In 2023, the graduation rate at Holyoke High School was about 77%, 12 percentage points lower than the Massachusetts average of 89.2%. Additionally, 82.3% of Holyoke High School students are of Latinx origin (Cohort 2023 graduation rates, 2023). Thus, the need to address the inequity of unequal access to education among Latinx students is prevalent in the community of Holyoke. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke offers opportunities for academic, athletic, and personal development, encouraging their members to pursue higher education. I have partnered with them for this critical civic engagement project to compile an electronic resource to guide members in navigating the path to post-secondary education, in addition to organizing a series of basketball clinics with UMass Student-Athletes to demonstrate the academic opportunities achievable through sport. This resource outlines important dates, explains components of the college application process such as the Common App, FAFSA, and Standardized testing, and highlights information about local opportunities both at UMass Amherst and nearby community colleges. Through these resources and these clinics, I hope to show Latinx students in the community of Holyoke that academic opportunities after high school are attainable for them.

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