Bates College is launching a new advising partnership with Matriculate, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving, low-income high school students with near-peer mentors to support their path to college.

Through this initiative, Bates students will have the opportunity to become Matriculate Advising Fellows: virtual mentors trained to guide high school juniors and seniors through the college application process, including building college lists, applying for financial aid, and navigating admissions decisions. This partnership marks Matriculate’s first collaboration with a higher education institution in Maine.

“I’m always thinking about ways that we at Bates can continue to find more avenues to support students in higher education,” said Tyra G. Crosbie, associate dean of admission and director of access. While she ultimately hopes that the partnership will bring more Matriculate students to Bates, she notes, “It’s not just about Bates. The work that we do is about access overall. Matriculate is doing a fantastic job for students across the board and we wanted to be a part of that.” 

The partnership reflects Bates’ deep commitment to access, belonging, and educational equity, values embedded in its work with QuestBridge and the American Talent Initiative, and embodied on campus by its Student Center for Belonging and Community. With strong roots in the Lewiston community and a campus culture grounded in authenticity and inclusion, Bates is uniquely positioned to empower student mentors who reflect and uplift the diversity of the next generation of college students.

“Matriculate is thrilled to welcome Bates College into our suite of partners as we launch our joint efforts this Fall,” said Bryan Contreras, Matriculate’s managing director of Program Partnerships and Growth.

“It’s an honor to work alongside Bates with its deep legacy in serving students from all communities,” Contreras said. “With this new college Advising Partnership, we’re excited for the many Bates students who will have an opportunity to develop their individual leadership skills as they help high school students dream of, apply to, and hopefully enroll at more colleges like Bates.”

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.

The college will begin a soft launch of the partnership in Fall 2025, inviting Bates students to apply to join the program. Those selected will complete virtual training early in 2026 and begin mentoring in March. All advising services are free for high school students.

Dennis Kim ’29 of Fresh Meadows, N.Y., who was a Matriculate High School Fellow, encouraged his Bates classmates to become Advising Fellows through the Matriculate program. “This is an incredible opportunity for Bates students to become Matriculate Advising Fellows and help with prospective students’ applications to some of the most competitive schools in the country,” he said.

“It’s important to increase the visibility of top liberal arts colleges to many first-generation, low-income students and encourage them to apply to these schools,” Kim added. “Schools like Bates are welcoming places for students to thrive in a liberal arts education with a tight-knit community. I believe students like me can benefit from schools such as Bates and the community they provide. The partnership with Bates and Matriculate could make this community stronger and ever-growing.”

Bates joins a growing group of Matriculate Advising Partners, including Georgia Tech, Towson University, and Northeastern University, committed to leveraging student leadership to close the college access gap.

To learn more about Matriculate or apply to become an Advising Fellow, visit www.matriculate.org.

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