Mission

The mission of OACES, 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. 

Open to all students, OACES strives to foster academic excellence; personal and professional growth; and strong, connected communities that empower students to thrive as leaders in academia, industry, and society.

Vision Statement

Imagine an MIT experience where all students are connected, happy, excelling, expanding their boundaries, and inspired to follow and achieve their passions.

Values

Diversity and Inclusion: We create an inclusive community that values, respects, and engages diverse perspectives and talent — and that encourages all members of our community to thrive, develop, and contribute to their full potential.

Excellence: We are driven to go the extra mile to support all students through collaborative effort and individual creativity. Guided by self-awareness and the confidence that each of us contributes to OACES's mission, we are inspired to excel.

Integrity: We practice ethical decision-making and create an environment of trust and fairness through honest, responsible action that reflects care for the individual and the common good.

Personal Connections: We value the uniqueness of each individual and seek to build positive relationships that foster a strong internal and external support network for our students.

Student-centered: We guide, support, and empower students to achieve their full intellectual potential, develop a well-grounded, confident sense of self, and act on their ability to contribute to the world.

Visionary: We help create opportunities that embolden each MIT student to discover, develop, and deploy his or her unique skills thereby building tomorrow's leaders today.