UMass received a $75,000 grant from BayCoast Bank, funding the university’s College and Career Awareness Initiatives that allows for local seventh and eighth grade students to visit the UMass campus and experience an “interactive, academically focused campus tour led by university students.”

“I am thankful for BayCoast Bank’s partnership as we work together to get more kids to and through college on the SouthCoast,” said Mark A. Fuller, chancellor of UMass Dartmouth. “As a first-generation college student, I know how daunting earning a college degree can seem, and I’m proud of our efforts to demystify the experience.”

More than 48,000 students visited the campus over the past eight years, including every seventh and eighth grader from Fall River and New Bedford public schools.

“While a picture may be worth a thousand words, there is no greater impact than actually experiencing the magic of a visit to the university’s campus — feeling the energy and excitement in person can have a powerful, transformative impact on our young students and their educational aspirations,” said Nicholas M. Chris, president and CEO of BayCoast Bank. 

In addition to tours, the grant will also fund the College and Career Summit where eighth graders see keynote speakers, university officials and UMass students speak about their experiences in secondary education.