BEAST Building Engagement and Access for Students at Tufts
BEAST is a free, four-day Pre-Orientation program that focuses on the unique social and cultural experiences specific to students who may be the first in their families to attend college, and for students seeking guidance on navigating financial and academic resources at Tufts.
BEAST provides participants support by acquainting them with useful resources, and skills to navigate the sometimes complicated social and academic aspects of college life, all while connecting them to members of our community who are instrumental in helping our students succeed. Additionally, we strive to promote the development of self-awareness and confidence among first years and provide opportunities for leadership development to participants and staff members. This program is aimed to empower students and enhance the student experience for those who are first generation college goers, low income, have undocumented status, or otherwise seek such a program. Our peer leaders will help guide and mentor incoming students, connecting them to the wealth of staff, resources, and communities available to them. Using their personal experience, each leader will share their solutions to overcoming some of the pitfalls common to the first year of college.
Schedule
Program Dates: August 24 - August 28
Our goal for BEAST is to engage students with the resources available to them and the staff and students they can support. As part of this, students will need to understand the structure of Tufts, Boston, and the local community. With that in mind, some events we may partake in include: exploring Boston and its various modes of transport , a financial workshop, and an in-depth discussion with experienced Tufts students sharing insight into their personalized journey as First-Generation/low-income. Although the exact details are subject to change, these activities can help give you a sense of our overall objective: enabling students to be their best selves.
A Typical Day of BEAST
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8 - 9 a.m. | Breakfast in the dining hall with peer leaders |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Workshop on Tufts Campus / Group event |
| 12 - 1 p.m. | Lunch on Tufts Campus with peer leaders |
| 1 - 5 p.m. | Social Activity / Off-campus exploration |
| 5 - 6 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7 - 9 p.m. | Program Sponsored Activity |
| 9 - 10:30 p.m. | Activity with other BEAST students and Peer Leaders/Reflection |
2024 Student Coordinators
Maheen Ali, 2026
Maheen was born and raised in Queens, New York. She is studying biopsychology and biotechnology with the minors of education and urban studies. Maheen is part of DREAM, The Legacy Project, Queer Desis, and many other clubs on campus! She is also an intern at the LGBT Center! Maheen is also involved with research and mentorship programs. In her free time, she just loves scrolling through her phone, dancing, and attempting to learn an instrument
Abigail Pineda, 2026
Abigail Pineda is a rising junior at Tufts University studying Child Studies & Human Development along with Psychology. Abi is originally from Houston, Texas! She participated in BEAST her freshman year and has continued to be actively involved in the FIRST community; as a BLAST Scholar and FIRST Intern. Abi is also involved within the First Gen Collective, DREAM, the Child Development Association, and Mexican Culture Club. Outside of academics, she enjoys traveling, reading, and listening to music. Abi is excited to help coordinate BEAST and make incoming students feel at home!
Staff
Daniela Pozos Nicolau
Associate Director of the FIRST Resource Center
Daniela is the Associate Director for the FIRST Resource Center at Tufts. In her role, she oversees student programming at the center and advises BEAST among other responsibilities. Daniela is passionate about working with students and empowering the FGLI community to reach their own version of success at Tufts and beyond. Outside of work, Daniela enjoys discovering new music, taking walks with her dog and trying new foods
Contact Us
BEAST
beast@tufts.edu | 617-627-2100
BEAST brought us all together, showed us that there are a lot of us on this campus, and that we have a presence.
Molly Laurencin, Class of 2022
Because of the amazing peer-leaders, coordinators, and administrators that helped BEAST, I was able to comfortably seek out advice and help from them when I needed to.
Rossiel Reyes, Class of 2002
We all had a similar goal because of our background and it gave me comfort knowing that I had a community that would support me.
Daniel Trejo, Class of 2022
I have made so many amazing friends through BEAST, and we I know that they will have my back and can truly understand what I am going through!