(L-R) GtC students Romilla Cardoso, Meagan DeRocha, Jahath Harriott, Joseph Alamo, and Matthew Janes
(L-R) GtC students Romilla Cardoso, Meagan DeRocha, Jahath Harriott, Joseph Alamo, and Matthew Janes

March 5, 2015 – Massasoit Community College’s Gateway to College students had the opportunity to participate in the 2015 Opportunity Nation Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. on February 25-26, 2015.

Opportunity Nation is a national campaign and part of the Be The Change organization. Made up of a collaboration of more than 300 businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits and civic organizations, the goal of Opportunity Nation is to expand economic mobility and close the opportunity gap in America.

The Summit, hosted by Opportunity Nation in coordination with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Business Roundtable, United Way Worldwide, and Jobs for America’s Graduates, brings together political and business leaders, service agencies, and students in a powerful cooperative agenda. Youth are given the chance to network, learn from each other, and create partnerships, giving them the tools they need to succeed.

The National Gateway to College Network invited only four Gateway to College programs to join them at the Summit. Four students and two staff, Cheryl Ryan and Balbina Cardoso, represented the College in Washington. As part of the event, Opportunity Nation produced a video entitled “We Got This,” in which Massasoit student Joseph Alamo features as one of the only students interviewed.

Jahath Harriott, a current Massasoit Liberal Arts Transfer Computer Science student and peer tutor in the Gateway to College accelerated program, served as the social media coordinator for the Summit. He was asked to take on this role after making an impression on Opportunity Nation organizers at an event in Boston.

Opportunity Nation’s full press release is available here.