About OACES

Our mission, building on the pioneering legacy of the OME, is to champion the success of students who have faced challenges on their paths to and through MIT. This may include, but is not limited to, students who are first-generation, low-income, transfer, underrepresented, and/or underserved. 

“Vital”... “Thoughtful”... “Dynamic”...

These are among a handful of words used by MIT students, both past and present, to describe the Office of Academic Community, Empowerment, and Success, more commonly referred to simply as “OACES.”

Students and alumni alike also use words like “comfort” and “community” when talking about OACES, an office created by the Institute in 1975 to serve as a valuable resource to help underrepresented minority students navigate this new landscape known as MIT.

Matriculation to one of the world’s top schools of science and engineering comes with inherent challenges of all kinds, and the OACES works closely with students who have faced challenges on their paths to and through MIT to ensure their academic success while building an essential community among undergraduates, faculty, and staff.

Through a multitude of academic, community, and professional initiatives offered by the OACES, students are empowered to thrive in a supportive setting that fosters both a pursuit of excellence and a strong sense of connection away from the comforts of home.

As one MIT alumnus explains, “The OACES is not just another office on campus, but rather it is a place for students to go and get help with every aspect in their hectic lives. Spending time there was a huge part of my MIT experience, both for the growth in character and for the relationships I built while I was there.”