Steven Thomas, a second-year student at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Roxbury, had an atypical journey to college. At 29 years old, he arrived at the private tech and trades school to build a more stable life for himself and his family. “I have grown so much in the nine months that I’ve been in this school,” Thomas said. “I took summer courses. … I got employment opportunities, co-op opportunities.”

Thomas previously worked selling life insurance and working in sales. When he realized he was having another child, he decided it was time to go back to school.

Thomas’ experience aligns with Franklin Cummings Tech’s goal of providing education that leads to economic advancement for students.

“We’re an access college, which means we’re not going to turn students away [from] education, and so we wanted to make sure that students have the ability to be able to learn a skill, and be able to successfully get employment,” Chief Academic Officer Dr. Marvin Loiseau said.

An essential component of their ethos is access to career opportunities and training to prepare students for their fields. The school’s business advisory council helps ensure its curriculum is up to date with trends in the job market and provides co-op and employment opportunities for students.

The college’s decision to relocate its campus to Roxbury from the South End in early 2026 reflects its commitment to expanding access. With nearby transit hub Nubian Station, students attend from Dorchester, Mattapan, Cambridge, Seaport and surrounding communities.

According to the college, 73% of its students are students of color and 46% are first-generation college students.

“Our college really had a mission to support students who are from underserved communities, and so it was very important for us to be in the community so that students felt comfortable being around campus and being able to access quality education that leads to economic advancement,” Loiseau said.

Beyond its location, the college aims to support students through resources that help them succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

“We have a very robust food pantry where we purchase meals for the students, and we put them out for them,” Associate Dean of Student Affairs Lara Tavares said. “We also do have emergency funds for students that are dealing with unexpected challenges.”

The college’s support services are intended to help students overcome barriers to completing their education. According to Franklin Cummings Tech’s website, the college has a three-year graduation rate of 57%. The college compares that figure with a six-year average graduation rate of 21% for two-year colleges in Massachusetts.

Tavares said the school ensures that students are on track to graduate through weekly check-ins with the Student Affairs team regarding students’ attendance and missing assignments. They then check in individually with students to help them get back on track.

Student organizations also provide opportunities for students to connect with their peers and become involved in campus life.

Thomas serves as vice president of the college’s Associated General Contractors (AGC) chapter, where he helps facilitate tours of construction sites, lunches with project managers and conferences and workshops. He also earned a small scholarship through the AGC organization. This week, he and other AGC leadership will get to know each other at a Celtics game.

“I encourage people with kids to go back to school. Don’t let kids be your crutch of why you can’t do anything,” said Thomas. “And just take one step forward, because I feel like the community that’s here can help you out.”