Alray graduates giving others a second chance at college

Through the Alray Scholars Program, Oscar, who is the big brother in his own family, finally received the opportunity to be a “little brother.” In 2018, Oscar was accepted into Alray and was matched with Alray graduate, Jamel, for mentorship. Oscar was able to learn from Jamel’s experience of navigating college coursework, financial aid, and work. Beyond the shared educational experience of returning to college, they quickly connected over their love of basketball and often played basketball together. Oscar reflects on his relationship with Jamel: “Jamel was not just a mentor. He was like a big brother. We did activities together and bonded on a personal level.”

Now, Oscar is back to playing the role of a “big brother” to his own siblings and Alray Scholars. Oscar is currently mentoring scholar Joel, who graduated a year after Oscar at Mary Lyon Pilot High School in Boston. Oscar shares his reasons for volunteering as a mentor: “I understood the value of being there for someone who has gone through something similar as I have. My skills and experiences are free to share, so I am passing them down to my mentee.”

Oscar graduated from Suffolk University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He currently works as a Communications Coordinator at Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Oscar attributes the success he has had in his education and career to his Alray mentor and hopes to be a part of Joel’s and other Alray scholars’ success stories: “Having a mentor helped me succeed, and now it’s about paying that forward…it’s about shaping the next generation and building a community where we lift each other up.”

In 2018, when Sabs first met her Alray mentor, Laura, she expected their relationship to be strictly professional. “On paper, Laura seemed so different from me,” she recalls, “but when we met, she was bubbly, cracking jokes, and cheering me on in ways I didn’t expect.” That connection grew into a lasting bond, with Laura offering encouragement during some of Sabs’ toughest academic moments. Sabs vividly remembers one instance when she was struggling to complete a 15-page teaching philosophy paper. “I had been struggling all semester, and Laura texted me constantly to push me through it,” Sabs says. “I submitted it minutes before the deadline, and we celebrated like it was my birthday—going out for dinner and drinks and posting photos on Facebook.”

Inspired by this relationship, Sabs decided to pay it forward and become a mentor herself. “My relationship with Laura gave me the initial push. If she could be my cheerleader and we’re not even related, why couldn’t I do that for someone else?” Sabs was matched with Alray scholar Esmeralda because of their shared experience of having attended UMass Boston. However, for Sabs, their relationship went beyond talking about UMass Boston: “It was like finding twins in the desert. We complemented each other so well. We were honest with each other. We respected one another’s boundaries.” Even though Esmeralda graduated from UMass Boston in May 2024, they continue to check in on one another. 

Sabs graduated from UMass Boston in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and now works as an Early College Career Counselor at New Mission High School in Boston.