Governor Launches Program to Support Students Returning to College

07:54AM / Sunday, December 14, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced a new pilot program to re-engage students who previously began, but did not complete, degrees and certificates at the state's public colleges and universities.

There are more than 766,000 Massachusetts residents in the "Some College, No Credential" (SCNC) population. The effort is designed to bring greater economic opportunities to Massachusetts residents while boosting the state's workforce and competitiveness.

The learner re-engagement initiative will include direct student outreach and coaching provided by ReUp Education during a one-year pilot. The six institutions taking part include Bunker Hill Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Greenfield Community College, MassBay Community College, Fitchburg State University, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

"Higher education brings better opportunities for families and strengthens our economy, which is why we've invested significantly in making college more affordable," said Governor Maura Healey. "Re-engaging students who didn't complete their degrees is another way to support our residents and strengthen the talent and skills that make up our workforce."

Prior to this pilot program being launched, some public institutions in Massachusetts had established partnerships with ReUp to re-engage learners, including Framingham State University, Salem State University, and the University of Massachusetts Boston.

"For so many residents, life and finances get in the way of completing a credential," said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. "This pilot brings residents guidance and support to return to college, grow their skills, and complete the degree they once started."?

"I'm grateful to our college and university leaders for their ongoing dedication to student success, including their existing and growing efforts to re-engage adult learners," said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. "By bringing students back to complete a degree or earn a credential, we're not only expanding individual access and opportunity, but we're also strengthening our Commonwealth's workforce."

This learner re-engagement pilot program advances a recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education (ACARE) that was highlighted in a report issued in October 2024.?

"There are a number of barriers to adult learners completing credentials and this dedicated effort will help residents overcome them," said Department of Higher Education Senior Deputy Commissioner José Luis Santos. "As someone who was a ‘non-traditional' aged college student myself, I know that added support goes a long way in making it across the finish line, and the student outreach and guidance that come with this effort will be invaluable to helping adult learners reach their goals."

ReUp is a national provider of re-enrollment and success coaching and leads re-enrollment efforts at 140 institutions across 33 states. ReUp engages students through an Education to Workforce Marketplace, which provides comprehensive support across the entire student journey—from initial outreach to graduation—helping learners navigate barriers like cost, time, and uncertainty. Connecting public institutions and learners across Massachusetts through a central platform and live coaching will provide adults returning to college with guided access to programs aligned with their career aspirations and statewide workforce needs.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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