With 126,000 followers on TikTok and multiple press and media appearances sharing his experience with the MassReconnect program, Business Transfer student Pedro Rentas is a familiar face. Now, he plans to use that recognition to advocate for his fellow students as the new president of the Northern Essex Community College Student Government Association (SGA).

“I’m going to meet with all of the clubs on campus and go into some classrooms. I want people to know who I am and what I can do for them,” says Rentas.

Rentas is well-versed in mass communication. Born in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic, and raised in the city of Higüey, he worked his way up through the broadcasting industry there, eventually landing a role as a reporter for a nationally televised, weekly magazine-style show. Then, in 2015, he had the opportunity to move to the United States with his siblings. Though it meant giving up a career he’d worked hard for, Rentas says it was worth the sacrifice. He eventually settled in Haverhill, married his husband Jesse, and found steady work in banking while his TikTok channel slowly started to accumulate followers.

As his personal brand grew, he thought he could benefit from some business know-how. Rentas first came to Northern Essex in the fall of 2023 for a training program. That’s when he learned about MassReconnect. It was, at the time, a brand new program making community college free for Massachusetts residents over the age of 25 who did not already have an associate degree.

“I think many people who come here from my country think that college here [in the United States] means taking out loans. I’m old, I’m afraid of loans,” jokes Rentas who is now 39. “I heard about the MassReconnect Program and I said, ‘Sign me up! Right away!’”

Rentas immersed himself in classes immediately, taking a full course load. In early 2024, he became involved in SGA. He first served as marketing chair and then became the vice president of the Lawrence Campus. Inspired by his positive attitude and resourcefulness, SGA members then asked him if he’d be the next president.

“I believe that is not enough to just want change,” reflects Rentas. “You must go and make that change happen; I am so proud to be a Dominican who is doing good things for his community.”

Outgoing SGA president Elijah Antunes swore Rentas in as the new president in late November. Rentas says, according to his research, he is the first person from the Dominican Republic to lead the group.

“More than 47% in our community college are Hispanic students, the majority are from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and now the president is also Dominican. This is a door that now is open for more people like me to continue an inclusive and diverse environment.”

Rentas says top issues he plans to address as president include:

Addressing student mental health

Ensuring students have access to food resources

Increasing collaboration with other community college student government leaders

Increasing access to English for Speakers of Other Languages classes

“There are so many people that I want to thank for their support during my journey in the United States and Northern Essex Community College. I don’t want to miss anyone, so to all of you: thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Rentas said.

The SGA meets twice a month on both the Haverhill and Lawrence Campuses and via Zoom. To learn more about the SGA and how to get involved, visit this link. 

UMass has welcomed first graduates to receive the awards

All four University of Massachusetts undergraduate campuses in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell this Fall welcomed 66 community college graduates who are the first to be awarded the UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship, a new two-year $10,000 scholarship given to students in the top 10 percent of their class who enroll at UMass.

Launched in December 2023, the UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship guarantees students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class admission to the University of Massachusetts and a minimum of $10,000 over two years, or $2,500 each semester, to complete their bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is designed to expand access to a bachelor’s degree for historically underrepresented students and encourage timely completion for students at Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges.

“We are thrilled to welcome these talented and motivated students who worked hard to be at the top of their class, earned the UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship, and decided to attend one of our nationally ranked UMass campuses,” UMass President Marty Meehan said. “We are confident students awarded this scholarship will thrive on our campuses as they work toward their bachelor’s degree and then join the ranks of so many UMass graduates working and making a difference in Massachusetts and around the world.”

The UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship is awarded in addition to federal and private grants and financial aid. Students remain eligible for additional aid, based on individual circumstances.

“Since the community colleges have the greatest diversity of any sector of higher education, such a scholarship incentivizes more students to transfer to UMass while diversifying their student body and providing essential financial support for students to succeed,” said Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn, who worked closely with UMass President Meehan to launch the scholarship.

To be eligible for the UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship for the Fall 2024, students must have:

Graduated from a Massachusetts community college in the top 10 percent of their graduating class.

Be eligible for in-state tuition.

Completed the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or equivalent state financial aid application.

Completed their associate degree prior to the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester.

The UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship is among several initiatives aimed at expanding access to a four-year college degree, which data shows significantly increases a person’s income over their lifetime.

Some other UMass’ college affordability initiatives include:

Increasing university-funded financial aid by 73 percent to $406 million annually.

Launching early college programs at all UMass campuses to give thousands of high school students opportunities to earn transferrable UMass college credits for free, creating significant savings on tuition costs.

With the launch of MassEducate, which provides free community college to Massachusetts residents, the university is also exploring additional ways to improve the transfer process for community college students to help more students succeed. Some initiatives under consideration include increasing the number of staff dedicated to helping students with the transfer process, boosting funding for merit-based financial aid, and building additional capacity in key academic programs.

Last year, 44 percent of all UMass transfer students came from a Massachusetts community college, and the university anticipates the number will increase with MassEducate.

The UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship is available to students transferring to UMass Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell. For more information on the UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship, visit the dedicated webpage.