Our Impact

Program Model 

MCAC recruits, intensively trains, and places recent college graduates as full-time, near-peer college advisers in high schools across the state with high percentages of underrepresented students. MCAC defines “underrepresented students” as students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), students from low-income backgrounds, and students residing in rural communities.  

MCAC college advisers are embedded in the partner school to work collaboratively with school administrators and counselors to foster a college-going culture; provide one-on-one advising to students and their families and assistance with navigating college admissions, financial aid, and planning processes; facilitate college and career exposure activities for students; and assist students with identifying their “best fit” postsecondary option whether a 4- or 2-year postsecondary institution, industry-recognized certificate program, military or national service, etc.  

Impact Snapshot

Number of high school seniors served each year (average) = 5,000 

Number of high school students, grades 9-12, served each year (average) = 18,000

MCAC has demonstrated that, on average, MCAC partner schools see a 2.98% increase in college enrollment in 2- and 4-year institutions after the first-year of partnership with positive impacts after the first year. In the case of enrollment at 4-year institutions, MCAC partner schools see a 3.1% increase in enrollment after the first year of partnership and a 3.83% increase enrollment during the second and third year of partnership. Additionally, MCAC partner schools in rural areas have seen a 9% increase in college enrollment within three years of having a MCAC college adviser.  

Students who received advisement from a MCAC college adviser were: 

  • 30% more likely to apply to at least one college; 
  • 27% more likely to apply for a scholarship; 
  • 27% more likely to submit the FAFSA; and 
  • 19% more likely to be accepted into at least one 4-year institution. 

Student demographics in MCAC partner schools (average): 

  • 54.5% are Black, indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) 
  • 78.4% are from low to moderate-income backgrounds 
  • 32.8% are from rural communities 

College adviser demographics in MCAC (average): 

  • 54% were first-generation college students 
  • 50% were Pell-eligible as undergraduate students 
  • 29% were advised by a MCAC college adviser while in high school