Partnership will provide free college application resources to high school students from underrepresented backgrounds.
CONTACT: Kim Oakes, Senior Vice President, Program & Operations, Matriculate, communications@matriculate.org
November 13, 2025, Boston, MA – Northeastern University is partnering with Matriculate, a national nonprofit that helps high-achieving, low-income high school students navigate the path to college with support from trained undergraduate mentors.
Through this collaboration, Northeastern undergraduates will have the opportunity to apply and serve as Matriculate Advising Fellows: virtual, near-peer mentors who provide one-on-one guidance to high school juniors and seniors as they apply to college. Advising Fellows support their students as they build a college list, complete application essays, apply for financial aid, and make informed decisions about their futures.
“We are excited to partner with Matriculate and see our efforts as mutually reinforcing each of our missions. Northeastern gives students the education and experiential work they need to succeed in their future careers and lives, and Matriculate focuses on getting high-achieving high schoolers the leg-up they need by learning from the experiences of students who have been down this path previously,” Ebony Clinton Brown, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, said. “This partnership will not only enable current Northeastern students the chance to provide insights from their own experiences, but also to support, mentor, and cheer on high school students who are beginning their own journeys.”
Matriculate Advising Fellows complete a structured training program focused on college access, equity, and effective mentorship. Once trained, they will be matched with three to four high school students and support them through regular virtual check-ins throughout the year. The program is free for all participants.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Northeastern University, an institution with a long-standing commitment to erasing traditional boundaries to empower students to solve problems and pursue impact,” said Lisa Chick, Chief Executive Officer at Matriculate. “Our aligned missions and shared vision for student success make this a uniquely powerful partnership; we look forward to working with Northeastern to open doors to higher education for students of all backgrounds.”
Jade Benitez, a Health Science major in Northeastern’s Class of 2029, shared, “As a former [Matriculate] High School Fellow, I know just how impactful this program can be, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Knowing that Northeastern will have a full, in-person community of Advising Fellows makes me proud to be part of a university that’s committed to supporting access and equity in higher education. I can’t wait to see the difference this partnership will make for future students like me.”
Dania Alvarado, a member of Northeastern’s Class of 2028 and a Matriculate High School Fellow alumna, shared: “This is an incredible opportunity for high-achieving, low-income students to be able to connect with Northeastern Advising Fellows and be guided by an outstanding, highly motivated group of individuals eager to provide high school seniors and juniors with a blueprint to tackle the college application process together. Northeastern University is a vibrant, diverse, and interconnected community that promotes excellence and global engagement. This partnership affirms Matriculate’s mission to expand access to higher education and Northeastern’s commitment to service.”
Students at Northeastern can begin applying to become Advising Fellows in the fall of 2025. Those accepted will complete training in January 2026 and begin working with students in March 2026 as part of Matriculate’s national advising network. Those interested in becoming advisors should visit Matriculate’s website.
About Matriculate
Established in 2014, Matriculate has served over 20,000 high school students nationwide through its innovative near-peer advising model. Matriculate’s work has been widely recognized for its impact on expanding access to selective colleges. Research shows that students participating in Matriculate’s advising programs are significantly more likely to attend high graduation rate colleges and universities. For more information about Matriculate, visit www.matriculate.org.
About Northeastern University
Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is renowned for our experiential learning model, high-impact research, deep partnerships, and worldwide reach. From day one, we’ve pursued innovative ways of teaching and research that place a premium on experience and engagement with the world. Today, our signature approach erases traditional boundaries, empowering not only students, but faculty, alumni, partners, and innovators to solve problems and pursue impact. For more information about Northeastern, visit www.northeastern.edu.