Updates from College Leadership

Table Of Contents

• Featured Video
  • Interdisciplinary Studies: Career Exploration
• Featured News Story
  • Resident turns to MCC to help find path
• Upcoming Events
• Awards, Presentations & Publications
  • Diversity and Equity Workshop
  • Drawing Discourse
  • National Young Arts Foundation Prize
  • Outstanding Dissertation Competition
• Community Submissions
  • AANAPISI Grant
  • College Advancement
  • College for Kids
  • Community Education and Training
  • Corporate Education and Training 
  • Homeland Security
  • MCC Employee-Alumni Gathering
  • MCC Foundation
  • Multicultural Career Institute
  • New Student Ambassadors

Featured Video

Interdisciplinary Studies: Career Exploration

Featured News Story

As a teenager, Michelle Shipka was doubtful that college would be in her future. Her hands tremble from an undiagnosed condition and she suffers from episodes of depression and anxiety. As someone on the autism spectrum, she has difficulty reading social cues and suffers from sensory issues. [Read More]

Upcoming Events

• March 5, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. – Spring MCCF Scholarship Event, Nesmith House
• March 18, 2020 – MILES Opening Session
• March 23, 2020 – Mini-mester II Begins
• April 2, 2020 at 5 p.m. – PTK Induction Ceremony, Bedford Campus Center
• May 21, 2020 – Commencement Exercises
• May 29, 2020 – MCCF Foundation Presents Scared Scriptless
• July 6 – August 13, 2020 – College for Kids
• September 2020 – June 2021 – MCC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Awards, Presentations & Publications

Diversity and Equity Workshop

Reggie Nichols, Assistant Director of HR/AAO, and Darcy Orellana, Ed.D., Associate Director of HR/CDO assisted Terracorps, a Lowell based land conservation non-profit, with a diversity and equity workshop for their team.

Drawing Discourse

Professor Jan Arabas had work selected for the prestigious juried exhibition, “Drawing Discourse” at the University of North Carolina, Ashville. This years annual international survey of contemporary drawing was chosen by renowned artist William Beckman. Professor Arabas’ piece, “Exploding Forest #1,” was selected by Mr. Beckman from 1053 entries, submitted by 366 artists, from 5 countries. A total of 44 pieces are included in the exhibition.

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National Young Arts Foundation Prize

Nathaniel Abreu recently was a 2020 winner of the National Young Arts Foundation prize for Classical Music/Cello. Currently a dual enrollment student, Nathaniel will graduate in May with both his high school requirements completed and an associate’s degree from MCC. He has performed in MCC student recitals and for college activities, and he has taken various music courses at the college. Below is information about the competition from their website: YoungArts’ signature program is an application-based award for emerging artists ages 15–18 or in grades 10–12 from across the United States. Selected through a blind adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of highly accomplished artists, YoungArts winners receive valuable support, including financial awards of up to $10,000, professional development and educational experiences working with renowned mentors, and performance and exhibition opportunities at some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions. Joining a 20,000-strong alumni community, they receive creative and professional development opportunities and connect with an extraordinarily rich network of peers.

Outstanding Dissertation Competition

Darcy Orellana’s dissertation entitled “Organizational Culture in Community Colleges: Making Connections to Diverse Student Success” was selected as the 3^rd place winner in the Outstanding Dissertation Competition hosted by the  American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, Inc. (AAHHE)  and the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  She will be attending the 2020 AAHHE’s 15^th Annual National Conference to be recognized and present her study.

Community Submissions

AANAPISI Grant

On November 6, 2019 the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) hosted a meet-and-greet with the cast members of Cambodian Rock Band as one of our grant initiatives to hold engagement activities with community-based organizations at MCC. The all Asian American cast are actors in a play that combines the history and consequences of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime with a musical concert highlighting the arts of the 1970s.

Students and staff engaged in a community and cultural dialogue with the cast, who were invited to the college by Virak Uy, Director of PAASA. The cast spent two hours speaking with students and staff in a conversation about cultural identity in the arts, meaningful connections to the play’s plot of family bonding and sacrifice, and career opportunities for Asian Americans in theater. Forty plus years after the historical event in Cambodia, many of our students are still struck by the absence of dialogue about the consequences of the regime. One student in particular commented about the value of having attended the play:

“As a newcomer to the United States, it was powerful for me to see the Americans’ view of a history I never witnessed, but I hear so much about. The play brought a lot of emotions out of me because I was able to engage in memories that my older family members may have had.”

– Farrorza Lim, Global Studies ‘2020

College Advancement

Please join us as we celebrate and thank MCC employees that are also MCC alums! We are hosting two opportunities to meet and greet President Mabry and the Advancement Team, one on each campus: Monday, February 24^th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.at the Trustees House on the Bedford Campus and on Wednesday, February 26^th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in the 5^th Floor Reception Area, Cowan Center, Lowell. We hope to see you there!

Community Education and Training

Enrollment is open for non-credit Community Education classes for winter/spring 2020. Check out the new personal enrichment and cooking classes listed on pages 14-16. As a newly added HR benefit, some PER classes are eligible for a 50% tuition waiver for MCC employees with a signed waiver form. The form can be obtained online at the MCC HR portal site. More info:

• https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/uniflip/sp20noncredit/
• https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/humanresources/downloads/tuitionform.pdf
• https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/humanresources/downloads/2019grid.pdf 

College for Kids

Break out your yellow submarines, silver hammers, and octopus gardens for a fun-filled jaunt down memory lane with the Fab Four themselves, the Beatles! Join Community Education on Wednesday March 18 at 2pm for our opening MILES session, Café East. Keynote Speaker Rod Griffith will discuss the Beatles – 50 years later – with in-depth insights into the studio workings of their last album, Abbey Road, as well as the political and social climate of the pivotal years of 1968-1970, both in the world of music and pop culture. Rod is currently an active board member of COOL – the Cultural Organization of Lowell. https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/careertraining/miles.aspx

It may be winter but summer 2020 is planned. Registration for College for Kids ages 8 -17 is open! Full and half day programs are offered July 6 – August 13. Ever popular classes such as Cakes and Cupcakes, Healthy Eating, Theatre, Fashion Design, and Aviation are back.

New programs: Junior Farmer, Dungeons and Dragons, Creative Sculpture, Zip and Zap Electricity, Sports 101, Dark Room Digital Photography. https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/collegeforkids/summer.aspx

Questions, email Lauren Ellis at ellisl@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3669

Corporate Education and Training 

Corporate Education and Training delivered or will be delivering:

• ESOL training for Diamond Antenna and Microwave Corporation in Littleton. This course is being conducted through the Express Program within the Workforce Training Fund.
• Leadership Development training sessions for Lowell General Hospital.
• Leader as a Team Builder and Overview of Management/Supervisory Skills courses at CTI in Lowell.
• Microsoft Excel training for Monogram Gourmet Foods in Wilmington. This course will be taking place on the MCC Bedford Campus
• Medication Administration Recertification training for LifeLinks. The courses are conducted at MCC in order to provide employees exposure to taking classes in a college setting.
• English Composition I offered at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office in Billerica.
• Team Building, Advocacy for Clients, and Myers Briggs courses at CTI in Lowell.
• Collaborated with the Education Department to offer two courses: ESOL Beginning and Intermediate Communication for Early Childhood through the Career Pathways Grant. The courses are taking place on the Lowell Campus.
• Combined First Aid/CPR training for LifeLinks. This course is being conducted at MCC in order to provide employees exposure to taking classes in a college setting.
• Microsoft Word training for Monogram Gourmet Foods in Wilmington. This course will be taking place on the MCC Bedford Campus.

Corporate Education and Training collaborated with Resource Development to submit a Workforce Training Fund Grant for Community Teamwork (CTI) in Lowell.  That grant was awarded. Training will include Managing Workplace Conflict, Dealing with the Problem Employee, Management and Supervisory Skills, Quality Supervision, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Strategic and Tactical Planning Approaches, and Business Writing.

Additionally, Corporate Education and Training hosted a Workforce Training Fund Program Information Session on Thursday, January 9th from 10:00am—12:00pm in the Trustees House. Kristen Rayne from the Commonwealth Corporation provided an overview of grant options and content on the Workforce Training Fund.

Homeland Security

Homeland Security Program Executive Director Terry Downes was interviewed on WCAP Radio on January 7, following the U.S. drone strike that killed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qasem Soleimani. Terry provided analysis and context, and discussed the history of U.S. / Iran / Iraq relations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

MCC Foundation

The MCC Foundation Scholarship Application for fall 2020 awards will open on February 15, 2020. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 27, 2020. Please encourage your students to apply.

For more information or if you would like to serve on a scholarship review committee, please contact Amy Lee, leea@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3028.

Multicultural Career Institute

Every December, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston decorates a large holiday tree in its entry way with flags from around the world. The tree was one of the first sites that students from the Multicultural Career Institute saw during their field trip to the museum this past December 12.

The MFA trip was the final program for the Institute—a 9 week series that ran out of the Asian American Connections Center at MCC this past Fall. The Institute covered a wide range of professional topics, including resume and cover letter writing, elevator pitches, salary negotiation and more. By participating in the Institute, students not only enhanced their academic and professional profiles, but deepened connections with staff and other students in the Institute.

The MFA field trip also encouraged students to search for career opportunities in places that they might not have considered before. The MFA offers an array of job opportunities that extends way beyond art. It is home to over 1,000 employees who work in a wide range of professional fields such as, business, marketing, education, membership, event planning, public relations, technology, security, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and customer service.

Students also had the opportunity to explore art at the museum, including the Art of Asia exhibit, which houses works from many of the students’ home countries and cultures. The field trip also offered students an opportunity to bond and connect with one another in an engaging and educational setting outside of MCC.

The Institute will continue out of the Asian American Connections Center next semester. Programming will include new topics like understanding the gig economy, connecting personality to career path, social media, and more.

New Student Ambassadors

The Office of International, Multicultural & Veterans Affairs launched the Multicultural this spring with a one-day training in January for MCC students. Researched and developed by a UMass Lowell Graduate Fellow of the Program for Asian American Student Advancement, the Multicultural Council consists of a diverse cohort of student ambassadors and allies from the multicultural clubs and organizations at Middlesex Community College. Through a series of skill development seminars, members of the student council aim to promote campus-wide multicultural inclusion by fostering diversity and empowering underrepresented identities.

The council is advised by Maria McDuffie Clark, Tiffany Laudano and Linda Thiem. In alignment with the college’s Diversity and Equity value, the Multicultural Council provides a platform for students to access unique development opportunities with the goal of promoting multicultural education. Student ambassadors of the council will act as a liaison to promote inclusiveness, student empowerment, and intercultural enrichment on our campus-community. Their first collaborative event as a council is scheduled to debut in April executed as a festival on the Bedford Campus.

Updates from College Leadership

Table Of Contents

• Featured Video
  • Middlesex Community College Turns 50!
• Featured News Story
  • MCC grad, now at UMass, an example of successful transfer
• Upcoming Events
• Awards, Presentations & Publications
  • Adult Learning Center
  • Career Development Diplomat in Residence
  • Career Development Employer Panels
  • Career Development Internship Fair
  • MCC and Aved Electronics Recognized by English Works Campaign
  • MCC Greek Festival
• Employee News
  • Enrollment Management
  • Financial Aid
• Community Submissions
  • Corporate Education and Training
  • Fall 2019  Final Exam Schedule
  • Financial Aid Community Outreach
  • Financial Aid Extends Hours for our Fall 2019 FAFSA Wednesdays Workshops Continues into December
  • Full-Time, Adjunct and World Language Student Evaluations
  • Spring 2020 Registration

Featured Video

Middlesex Community College Turns 50!

Featured News Story

LOWELL — Edye Benedict wanted to pay for her own college tuition. Growing up in Concord, the proximity and affordability of Middlesex Community College made it an easy choice.

Now a 2018 MCC graduate, Benedict attends UMass Amherst with the assistance of the MassTransfer program. [Read More]

Upcoming Events

• November 30, 2019 – City of Lights Parade, 4:30 p.m., Lowell
• December 3, 2019 – Trustee Meeting w/Student Government, 5:30 p.m., Nesmith House, Lowell
• December 4, 11 & 18, 2019 – Financial Aid FAFSA Workshop
• December 5 – 8, 2019 – MCC Noises Off by Michael Frayn Theatre Production, 7:00 p.m., Academic Arts Center
• December 9, 2019 – Winter Open House, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Trustee House Bedford
• December 12, 2019 – FSA, 2:30 p.m,, Cowan Center Lower Café
• December 12, 2019 – MCC End of Year Celebration, 4:30 p.m., Nesmith House, 229 Andover St., Lowell
• December 12, 2019 – Alumni Association Reception, 6 p.m., Nesmith House, 229 Andover St., Lowell
• December 16, 2019 – Winter Open House, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Cowan Center 5th Floor
• January 2, 2020 – Wintersession Begins
• January 22, 2020 – Spring Semester Begins
• March 23, 2020 – Mini-mester II Begins
• September 2020 – June 2021 – MCC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Awards, Presentations & Publications

Adult Learning Center

On both October 23 and 29, Maggie Yi, an Honors student at MCC pursuing a degree in the nursing program, graciously shared her time with students from the Adult Learning Center (ALC) on the Bedford campus. Ms. Yi emigrated from China several years ago and has been navigating both the challenges and opportunities of being a parent, a spouse, an employee, and a student in a foreign country.

Currently many of the students enrolled in the ALC are educated immigrants from a variety of countries and were eager to hear about Maggie’s experience as both an immigrant and as a student at MCC.  ALC students came to both discussion sessions with questions about the challenges they were facing as they are pursuing their own goals in a new country.

Thank you Maggie for taking the time to visit the ALC and  inspire our students as they make their way down their own personal and professional paths at MCC.

Career Development Diplomat in Residence

In collaboration with the Veteran’s Resource Center and STEM Starter Academy, Career Development has hosted speaker, Phil Beekham, Diplomat in Residence with the Department of State, for 2 of 3 programs so far this semester. All are welcome to the final one on 11/19 from 11-12 in Cafe East.

Career Development Employer Panels

In collaboration with the English Department, Career Development hosted two employer panels to address the importance of writing in the world of work. Panelists spanned all of our pathways and shared how they use writing for their careers.

Career Development Internship Fair

On Thursday, November 14, the MCC Career Development Office hosted an internship fair on the Lowell campus. The 56 students who attended this event had the opportunity to practice their “elevator pitch” with representatives from 20 employers and to learn more about internship and career opportunities. Employers represented a wide range of fields including human services, education, cyber security, engineering, criminal justice and business. Also in attendance was Hellenic American University to share information about summer internships in Greece.

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MCC and Aved Electronics Recognized by English Works Campaign

Aved Electronics (North Billerica), in partnership with MCC, was presented a Certificate of Recognition by the English Works Campaign for their civic leadership and support of English language training programs for immigrant workers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Additionally, Corporate Education and Training hosted a Workforce Training Fund Program Information Session on Thursday, November 14th from 10:00am—12:00pm in the Federal Building. Kristen Rayne from the Commonwealth Corporation provided an overview of grant options and content on the Workforce Training Fund.

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MCC Greek Festival

Middlesex Community College held its first-ever Greek Festival on Wednesday, November 6, when MCC’s 2019 Greece International Fellows invited the college community to experience Greece through their eyes. Having returned from their study abroad experience in Greece, the 2019 Fellows produced the MCC Greek Festival to share their experience with the MCC and local community. At the Festival, Fellows gave presentations on Greek history and culture and spoke about their experiences abroad. Dr. Ermioni Karachaliou traveled from MCC’s partner institution, Hellenic American University, located in Athens, Greece to share her experience with MCC’s Greece Fellowship program. Eight students from the Hellenic American Academy, a local elementary school in Lowell, made a special appearance to perform traditional Greek dances. Professor David Kalivas and his wife, Ioanna, taught attendees Greek dances. Everyone had the opportunity to sample traditional Greek food from a local restaurant. The MCC International Fellowship Study Abroad courses are academic opportunities for students to study the culture, history, and language of a particular country. The 2020 International Fellowships will offer students the opportunity to study abroad in Greece or Portugal. We can’t wait to see what the 2020 Fellows will create for next year’s festival!

Employee News

Enrollment Management

We are happy to welcome MCC’s new Registrar, Kayla Boyd!  Kayla has an extensive background in enrollment, registration, and technology.  Most recently she served as the Associate Registrar at Boston University’s School of Public Health where she focused on system applications and implementations while supervising the key processes within the Registrar’s Office. Prior to this position she served as an Enrollment Specialist, Manager of On Campus Registration and Assistant Registrar of Technology. Kayla has a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychobiology and a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of New England.

Financial Aid

Two new employees joined the Financial Aid Department recently. We are very happy to have Nefertiti Durham and Arron Grace on board. Both Nefertiti and Aaron work out of the Lowell office and are exceptional assets to Middlesex and the Financial Aid team. Please join us in welcoming them to the MCC community.

Community Submissions

Corporate Education and Training

Corporate Education and Training delivered or will be delivering:

• Noncredit advanced manufacturing training program through a Mass AMTC Tech Hire Grant. The program is designed to prepare unemployed and underemployed for entry-level positions in either electronics or machining. The students take their foundational courses at MCC’s Lowell campus, manufacturing training at Greater Lowell Technical High School, and electronics training at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. This program began on November 18, 2019, with the students planning to take over 400 hours of training.
• Boot Camp courses in ESOL and Mathematics through the Career Pathways Grant in collaboration with the Education Department.
• Teachers Handling Difficult Situations courses at CTI in Lowell.
• First Aid/CPR and Medication Administration Recertification trainings for LifeLinks. The courses are conducted at MCC in order to provide employees exposure to taking classes in a college setting.

Fall 2019  Final Exam Schedule

The detailed final exam schedule has been posted with exam dates, times, and room locations. Please make sure to review your final details at:

https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/finalexams/downloads/fallfindet9.pdf

Financial Aid Community Outreach

Financial Aid counselors recently met with seniors at Lowell High School to discuss the financial aid process. This annual event is sponsored by Lowell High Schools College and Career Center.

In October and November Deb Marsella spoke as a volunteer presenter to families at six local high schools regarding applying for financial aid and evaluating financial aid offers. This event is part of the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority’s (MEFA) College Financing Seminar Series.

Financial Aid Extends Hours for our Fall 2019 FAFSA Wednesdays Workshops Continues into December

The financial aid department is extending hours (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) the first three Wednesdays in December for students and families seeking assistance with the FAFSA application and financial aid processes. For more information, please click here.

Full-Time, Adjunct and World Language Student Evaluations

E-mails went out alerting faculty that they can begin picking up for their student evaluations.

Full-time evaluations must be returned by December 13 and Adjunct and World Language by December 17. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Gibson (gibsonl@middlesex.mass.edu), Daniel Moynihan (moynihand@middlesex.mass.edu) or Fay Hourihan (hourihanf@middlesex.mass.edu).

Spring 2020 Registration

Spring 2020 Registration opened on November 12, 2019 for returning students and is off to a good start. Registration letters were mailed to all currently enrolled students with information on how to register for Spring classes. Early registration is being actively promoted as the best way for students to meet scheduling needs and complete degree requirements.

Postcards will be mailed in November and December to promote MCC’s Wintersession and Minimesters and Walk-In Registration hours. Walk-in registration/advising postcards will additionally be mailed in early December to notify students of our December and January walk-in hours in Bedford and Lowell, as listed below.

• Dates: December 16 (Monday) through December 19 (Thursday)
  Walk-In Hours will be from 9am until 5pm Monday – Thursday
• Dates: January 6 (Monday) through January 17 (Friday)
  Walk-In Hours will be from 9am until 5pm Monday – Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Fridays throughout this period.

Key Dates for Spring 2020

Last Day to Withdraw
Wintersession – January 13

Full-Semester – April 17
Minimester 1 – February 28
Minimester 2 – May 1

Drop for Nonattendance Due
Wintersession – January 7

Full Semester – February 11
Minimester 1 – February 11
Minimester 2 – April 1

Midterm Grades Due
Full Semester – March 13
Minimester 1 – February 21
Minimester 2 – April 22

Final Grades Due
Wintersession – January 23

Full Semester – May 20 at Noon
Minimester 1 – March 13 at 5pm
Minimester 2 – May 20 at Noon

Updates from College Leadership

Table Of Contents

• Featured Video
  • Smart Start 2019
• Featured News Story
  • National Streaming Theatre Series with a Connection to Middlesex Community College
• Upcoming Events
• Awards, Presentations & Publications
  • College Advancement
• Employee News
  • Program for Asian American Student Advancement
• Community Submissions
  • College Advancement
  • Corporate Education and Training
  • Financial Aid
  • Middlesex Activities Council

Featured Video

Smart Start 2019

Featured News Story

National Streaming Theatre Series with a Connection to Middlesex Community College

In Arlington, Virginia, high school students are delving into imperialism, the Black Lives Matter movement, feminism, immigration issues, and First Amendment rights, not in their social studies classes, but in their drama program.

“Signature in the Schools” brings Arlington’s Signature Theatre into public schools.

“At the heart of it, it’s a program that has become about giving kids a voice and a way to understand difficult things happening in their world,” said Education Director David Zobell.

This is just one of the youth theater programs across the United States spotlighted in “Let’s Play,” a docuseries on the streaming Stage Network, an online platform dedicated to showcasing the dramatic arts. The show is directed and hosted by Karen Oster, Middlesex Community College’s Chair of Performing Arts. [Read More]

Upcoming Events

• November 5, 2019 – Business, Public Service and STEM Open House
• November 13, 2019 – Humanities, Social Science and Education Open House
• November 16, 2019 – Arts & Crafts Fair
• November 30, 2019 – City of Lights Parade, 4:30 p.m., Lowell
• December 3, 2019 – Trustee Meeting w/Student Government, 5:30 p.m., Nesmith House, Lowell

Awards, Presentations & Publications

Community Education and Training

On October 10, our fall MILES Keynote speaker was a success! Local Author, Jose Ramirez enlightened the MILES members about his experience coming to the United States as a Cuban refugee. He shared the history surrounding Pedro Pan and what his life was like living without his parents all the way to meeting his lovely wife, Judith. Mr. Ramirez has a series of books that showcases his life story, specifically, “Defining Moments: A Cuban Exile’s Story about Discovery and a Search for a better Future.  He was simply amazing!

SAVE the date, as our spring 2020 MILES keynote session will be on Wednesday, March 18 when we learn a bit more about the Beatles!

Employee News

Program for Asian American Student Advancement

The Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) welcomes a new UMass Lowell Graduate Fellow Whitney Tang to the team. She will be working in the Asian American Connections Center on the MCC Lowell Campus.

Whitney completed her AA in Liberal Arts and Sciences at MCC and transferred to UML where she received her BS in Public Health – Community Health. She is currently continuing her studies at UML in the MPH – Epidemiology program. As a graduate fellow, Whitney will be coordinating the Multicultural Achievement Peer Program (MAAP). This peer-mentorship program provides Asian American students a unique opportunity to receive guidance from UMass Lowell’s student mentors who will help with their transition from MCC to a four-year school like UML.

Community Submissions

College Advancement

Corporate Education and Training

The Corporate and Community Education & Training staff attended the New England Workforce Network (NEWN) Conference on Friday, October 11, 2019, at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA.

Financial Aid

MCC’s three-year cohort default rate is the lowest amongst peer institutions in the state.

“A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school’s borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.”

– U.S. Department Education – http://www.ed.gov

The U.S. Department of Education released official cohort default rates on September 23, 2019. The national average cohort default rate for two-year public colleges is reported at 15.9%. Middlesex Community College’s default rate is reported at 9.2%, significantly below the national average – an incredible difference in comparison to our peer colleges.

Federal student loan borrowers in most cases are required to begin repaying their student loans six months after leaving school or dropping below full time enrollment. When a borrower does not make a payment for approximately nine months, they will default on their loans.

The recently announced repayment averages for former Middlesex students is a testament to the many conversations Financial Aid staff has with students who accept Federal Loans to fund their college education.

These important conversations regarding repaying borrowed funds can be considered part of the reason default rates are low for our college. In addition, students entering the workforce after attending Middlesex is evidence of the quality of education MCC provides as well as diverse programs offerings and areas of study complimented by the caliber of teaching. administrative staff and student commitment to learning.

Middlesex Activities Council

Middlesex Activities Council (MAC) hosted their inaugural Spirit of Boston Welcome Cruise on Tuesday, September 24 to kick-off our school year. One hundred students and 10 advisors attended this fun, festive, sold-out event.

During the sunset cruise, students and advisors enjoyed a fantastic meal and packed the dance floor all night! New and returning students danced and connected with each other and fun was had by all.

A big thank you is in order for the wonderful advisors, Karonika Brown, Kirsten Morrow, Donna Corbin, Virak Uy, Mary Ellen Powers, Susan Lavallee, Mary Rohnstock, Susan Ryan, and Valerie Morse.

MAC has many upcoming events for MCC students throughout the year. Next is Fright Fest at Six Flags New England on Saturday, October 26. Please share this opportunity with your students!

Updates from College Leadership

Table Of Contents

• Featured Video
  • MCC Convocation 2019
• Featured News Story
  • MCC Veterans Resource Center a vital program
• Upcoming Events
• Awards, Presentations & Publications
  • Music Department
• Employee News
  • Civic & Service-Learning and Career Development
  • eTutoring
  • Marketing Communications
  • Office of Mutlicultural & International Affairs
  • Student Development
• Community Submissions
  • AANAPISI Grant
  • New Students Attend August FYE at MCC

Featured Video

MCC Convocation 2019

Featured News Story

MCC Veterans Resource Center a vital program

The Middlesex Community College Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to helping veterans achieve their educational and career goals.

Military service members who are beginning a college career — or returning to complete an academic program — can choose from a variety of degree and certificate programs offered on campus and online. [Read More]

Upcoming Events

• October 3, 2019 – FSA, Lowell Cowan Center Lower Café, 2:30 p.m.
• October 7, 2019 – Dual Enrollment Information Session
• October 10, 2019 – MILES Opening Session
• October 10, 2019 – Open Forum, Lowell Cowan Center Lower Café, 2 p.m.
• October 24, 2019 – Board of Trustee Meeting, Bedford Campus Center Café East, 8 a.m.
• October 28, 2019 – Mini-mester II Begins
• October 29, 2019 – Health Careers and Biotechnology Open House
• November 5, 2019 – Business, Public Service and STEM Open House
• November 13, 2019 – Humanities, Social Science and Education Open House
• November 16, 2019 – Arts & Crafts Fair

Awards, Presentations & Publications

Music Department

The Middlesex Music Department is proud to announce that student Anthony Rolli has been accepted to Berklee College of Music. Congratulations to Anthony!

Employee News

Civic & Service-Learning and Career Development

The Offices of Civic & Service-Learning and Career Development are pleased to welcome Jessica Feiner as the part-time Program Specialist for Experiential Learning. See the full introduction HERE.

eTutoring

In an effort to provide improved online tutoring services for students, MCC has become a coordinating institution in the Northeast eTutoring Consortium.

The Northeast eTutoring Consortium is a group of colleges and universities committed to providing high-quality online tutoring for both online and face-to-face students, the Northeast eTutoring Consortium offers immediate access to online tutoring across many subject areas – including an Online Writing Lab.

Nancy Thompson joins us as the Coordinator of the Northeast eTutoring Consortium. Nancy has worked with eTutoring for 20 years. She began as a tutor, having been trained by another online tutoring service, and quickly moved into the role of master tutor, providing support and training for tutors and quality review. On February 1, she assumed the role of coordinator of eTutoring while it was housed at Charter Oak State College. She brings many years of experience as a professor of English and humanities. Nancy received an M.A. at the University at Albany and an M.F.A. at Goddard College, and she has special interest in the intersections of religion, history, and society.

Marketing Communications

Marketing Communications welcomes two new employees to their department, Caroline Eaton and Caitlin Buckley. Caroline is the new Administrative Assistant who comes to us from UMass Lowell. Caitlin is the new Staff Writer, previously at the Greater Boston YMCA. Both are excited to join the MCC team!

Office of Mutlicultural & International Affairs

The Office of International & Multicultural Affairs has been selected again as a site for a Merrimack College fellow as part of the Higher Education Fellowship Program.  Kofi Boateng will be working as the Coordinator of Multicultural Student Retention in the Multicultural Centers on the Lowell and Bedford campuses. In this position, Kofi will play a leadership role in the development and implementation of campus initiatives that work to support and retain our students who are from diverse backgrounds. An MCC alumnus, Kofi is originally from Ghana and graduated from UMass Boston with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Currently, Kofi is pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education at Merrimack College. Previously, he worked as a social worker in the North Shore for 5 years as well as lived and studied abroad in Spain. In his leisure time, Kofi plays and coaches soccer.

Student Development

The Student Development team is pleased to welcome Sothy Gaipo who has recently transitioned to a full-time coordinator role with the STEM Starter Academy. See the full introduction HERE.

Community Submissions

AANAPISI Grant

On August 22, 2019 the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) hosted a special orientation for new Asian American students to build a foundational connection to the program and the Asian American Connections Center. The program assists students in transitioning to Middlesex Community College by providing the opportunity to meet and build connections with faculty, staff and current MCC students connected to PAASA, an introduction to the wide range of college resources MCC has to offer, and a karaoke party to celebrate their entrance to the college. Thirty one upcoming students participated in the one-day special orientation that was offered in addition to our campuses’ new student onboarding process. The orientation also engaged fourteen current student volunteers who are actively connected to PAASA. The volunteers participated the entire day to further build strong student-to-student connections by leading a scavenger hunt, participating on a student panel and leading activities during the games and karaoke portion of the event.

New Students Attend August FYE at MCC

The First-Year Experience (FYE) at Middlesex Community College took place August 12-27 with over 700 new students who attended the Smart Start session with a 91% course completion.

Students who attended completed the new online orientation, were enrolled in the FYE/IDS 101 course, and participated in the Financial Wellness and Resources and Services workshops. The college community also met our new students as they worked in teams while on their MCC Scavenger Hunt to find those places and offices on campus important to their success.

Transitions are not always easy, but the hope is that our new students feel a sense of belonging and connection to each other and the college community.

One student’s reflection after attending the FYE/IDS 101 course:

“I would love to let you know that my first year experience was amazing. We were given assignments by our instructor and learned a lot of lessons in her class such as, knowing the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic after reading, I Missed the Marathon. Then, we got signed up to do an engagement activity and I did the Fitness Trail with two orientation students and a few other members of the MCC community. After our final day of meeting, the teacher assigned us a project that is based off of our personal, academic and professional goals and I got all A’s in that class… I feel like all first year experience students at MCC either in Lowell and Bedford should know that MCC does provide you so much dedication and education… I know that right now it’s taking me a while to get used to my schedule, but I now know where I am exactly going and what my assignments need to be and that I can always talk to my professors if I need help with anything.”

Updates from College Leadership

The 2019-2020 academic year is officially underway and I have enjoyed reconnecting with faculty and staff these last few weeks as we have prepared to welcome students back on campus. I hope you all had the opportunity this summer to relax and reset. I myself, used the summer months to reflect on my mission and vision for the college and I am excited for us to continue working together, to connect resources and systems that support our students along their paths to success.

The success of our students is a testament to the transformative experience that happens here at Middlesex. Our students are our best ambassadors and we only have to listen to their personal stories to know that it is the dedicated faculty and staff of this institution that play a crucial role in their educational success. But don’t take my word for it, watch the college’s new television commercial (below) and listen to recent graduate Randy Nguyen as he shares what MCC meant to him.

All the best.

Jim Mabry

Table Of Contents

• Featured Video
  • Discover Your Path – Randy Nguyen
• Featured News Story
  • Linda Nara named new MCC student trustee
• Upcoming Events
• Awards, Presentations & Publications
  • Communications
  • Community Education and Training
  • Summer STEM Starter Academy
• Employee News
  • Lowell Student Information Center
  • MCC Libraries
  • Allied Health
• Community Submissions
  • Asian Students in Alliance
  • Career Development
  • College for Kids
  • Enrollment Management – Key Fall 2019 Dates
  • Enrollment Management – New Policies
  • MCC Libraries

Featured Video

Discover Your Path – Randy Nguyen

Featured News Story

Linda Nara named new MCC student trustee

The Middlesex Community College board of trustees has named Linda Nara of Lowell student trustee for the 2019-2020 academic year.

An international student from Cambodia, Nara has been studying at MCC since January 2018. She is pursuing an Associate degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences with a History, Politics & Global Studies concentration. She expects to graduate in May, then earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees before returning to Cambodia to launch a diplomatic career. [Read More]

Upcoming Events

• September 26, 2019 – Trustee Board Meeting, Trustee House, 8 a.m.
• October 7, 2019 – Dual Enrollment Information Session
• October 10, 2019 – MILES Opening Session
• October 28, 2019 – Mini-mester II Begins

Awards, Presentations & Publications

Communications 

Communications adjunct Rick Pozniak is working with the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism to create guidelines on how the media covers mass shootings. He lectured on public relations to graduates of the crisis communications program at Israel’s Tel-Aviv University.

Community Education and Training

On August 13^th, D’Youville Health and Wellness Center hosted a ceremony to celebrate 12 student graduates from our C.N.A for Success program. The C.N.A. for Success is a DESI-Funded ESOL-Integrated Certified Nurse Assistant training collaboration between MCC, Abisi Adult Education, International Institute, and D’Youville. The 3^rd cohort will begin in October 2019. Congratulations to all who support this program!

Summer STEM Starter Academy

Summer STEM Starter Academy opportunities included research experiences and free courses at MCC and UML. SSA also awarded 6 students with a summer math scholarship. Bridge programs and accelerated math courses offered extensive academic support with hands-on experiences impacting student success.

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Employee News

Lowell Student Information Center

Welcome to Nancy Fields! Nancy Fields works as an administrative assistant in the Lowell campus Student Information Center. She previously worked in the Enrollment department in 2014 and graduated from MCC in 2015 with a Communications Concentration degree. After leaving for almost 4 years, she’s excited to be back and starting her new journey here with everyone at Middlesex. Nancy is also a photographer and the co-founder of Girl Magic, which is a space where women empower each other through collaboration, photography, and sisterhood.

MCC Libraries

The MCC Libraries welcome new Coordinator of Library Services Tracy Joyce to the Bedford campus. Tracy hails from the Nutmeg State (CT) but has called Massachusetts home since she completed her undergraduate degree at UMASS Amherst in 2006. In 2010, Tracy completed her MS in Library & Information Science from Simmons University. Her career in academic libraries includes tenures at small colleges in the region, most notably, Bay Path University (Information Literacy Librarian), Wheelock College (Learning and Research Services Librarian), and most recently Mount Ida College (Applied Sciences and Business Liaison and Reference Services Librarian). Tracy worked as a part-time evening librarian in Lowell before taking on her new role at the college. Tracy enjoys providing services and resources to help students succeed and looks forward to working with the MCC community.

As Tracy takes the helm in Bedford, we also welcome Jordana Shaw back to the Lowell campus as Coordinator of Library Services. Tracy, Jordana and our Student Success Librarians, Kim Money Priddy, Kara Schwartz and Joanna Gray along with Assistant Librarian Rip Rybnikar have worked tirelessly throughout the summer. In June at Mount Wachusett, Joanna conducted a workshop for Group Administrators from across the state on uploading OER materials to the Massachusetts Community College Hub on OER Commons. In July, students in the Summer STEM & Pathways Exploration Bridge programs participated in customized library orientation sessions in Lowell with Jordana. In August, IDS and FYE Quick Start students took part in a newly crafted library immersion experience with Kim, Kara, Rip and Tracy. Designed to engage, enlighten and inform, students learned that librarians, library resources and services offer them a critical support network, which can positively impact their success at MCC.

Allied Health

The Nursing and Allied Health Division is pleased to welcome three new full-time faculty.

Elizabeth Stone is a new full-time faculty in Dental Hygiene.  Elizabeth earned her Dental Hygiene certification from Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists, her BS in Dental Hygiene from Northeastern University, and is currently pursuing her MS Ed. From St Joseph’s College.  Elizabeth has extensive experience as a clinical dental hygienist, specializing in periodontics. Elizabeth has been teaching part-time in our dental hygiene department since 2006.

Two new full time faculty are joining the nursing department to replace faculty who retired.

Sharon Hamel comes from Northern Essex Community College where she taught for 8 years.  She brings her expertise and passion for simulation to MCC, where she will be coordinating the Nursing Skills and Simulation Lab.  Sharon’s education includes an associate degree from Northern Essex Community College, a bachelor‘s from Salem State College, and a master’s degree from Saint’s Joseph College.  Sharon is also certified in Simulation from Drexel University.  Sharon has expertise as an emergency medical technician and a critical care flight nurse, with many years’ experience working in Lowell hospitals as a critical care and emergency department nurse.

Susan Miller has been teaching part-time in the nursing department for the past four years.  Susan has a bachelor’s degree from Luther College, Iowa, and a master’s degree Framingham State University.  She has also earned the distinction of Certified Nurse Educator.  Susan has extensive clinical experience in cardiology, gerontology, ophthalmology, and urology.  Over the past four years, Susan has demonstrated her ability to teach and her ability to grow the nursing profession by mentoring others.

Community Submissions

Asian Students in Alliance

On August 1, 2019 the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) and their Program Specialist, Linda Thiem led a experiential learning retreat for the officers of MCC’s Asian Students in Alliance (A.S.I.A). Eleven members of the alliance attended the one-day retreat in Chinatown, which provided an opportunity for past leaders to pass on the responsibilities to students who are interested in becoming officers of the A.S.I.A student group for the Fall 2019 – Spring 2020 year. Using Boston’s Chinatown as the contextual learning environment, participants examined the mission of the alliance, utilized key geographical markers in Chinatown as places of experiential learning about leadership, activism and community development, and integrated their individual cultural identities in understanding their unique leadership styles.

MCC’s students commented in their surveys after the trip:

“I learned how to be an effective leader, and I was able to share my ideas with others. I learned a lot from ASIA’s previous leaders, and the retreat made me want to get to know more about other people around me.”

“The most important thing I learned during this trip was how much Asian culture has impacted the cities around me and the need to keep our culture alive. Through the retreat activities I also learned about myself, that I’m really good at making connections, and as a leader that’s an important skill to use to get others engaged.”

The retreat helped to create a pathway for new officers of the A.S.I.A group and to show gratitude for the officers of the prior year. New officers received events and programming for the upcoming academic year, which helped to create an atmosphere of excitement to engage other students for the upcoming fall semester. Advising the officers of the Asian Students in Alliance allows the AANAPISI grant to meet one of our initiatives in fostering mutual support and leadership for Asian American students on campus.

Career Development

This summer Career Development staff met with MCC alumni on visits to companies such as Black & Veatch in Burlington and Gillette in Boston to learn about career paths, competencies and internships. The team has been joined by STEM faculty and staff, Alumni Relations and Reps from UML and WIT.

College for Kids

College for Kids launched a number of new programs this summer, two of which deserve a special highlight! Our new Farm to Table: Healthy Eating class taught by instructor, Gina Mustoe, was a huge success! The program hosted 12 students who learned how to cook safely in the kitchen with proper cutting skills and health eating recipes. The week began with the students utilizing the squash, zucchini, cherry tomatoes and fresh mint grown from our own MCC Community Garden. The students also made ranch dressing, strawberry salad with a vinaigrette dressing, fresh homemade pasta, ravioli and red sauce. They finished the week with a health pizza challenge, which the Marguerite pizza took the championship! Yum!

LEGO City Planning was phenomenal. Students built a city, all with LEGO’s. Kids wasted no time planning their city, and began building day one. All the way from a subway station, to multiple tower buildings, to residential, commercial, industrial and governmental zones. The program focused on what it takes to run a city, the services provided and how certain services are strategically placed in a city through zoning. Instructor, Eric Kingsley of Brickapalooza, really put these kids to work with LEGO City Planning! Can’t wait to see what we have in store for next year!

Enrollment Management – Key Fall 2019 Dates

Add/Drop

Course additions:

• New students must register by 8/30.
• Continuing, Transfer, and Visiting Students may add a day class until Saturday 9/7.
• New Students registered by 8/30 may also add a day class until 9/7.
• Evening/weekend classes may be added by Continuing, Transfer, and Visiting Students before the second class meeting as follows:
• 9/16 for Monday classes.
• 9/17 for Tuesday classes.
• 9/11 for Wednesday classes.
• 9/12 for Thursday classes.
• 9/14 for Saturday classes.

New students may add an evening/weekend class only until the first meeting.

• Web classes may be added until 9/7 for Continuing, Transfer, and Visiting Students. New Student registration in web classes is required before 9/4.

Course drops, withdrawals and refunds:

• The last day to drop a class for 100% refund is 9/10. 50% refunds are granted from 9/11-9/17.
• No refund is made after 9/17.
• Go to https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/studentaccounts/downloads/wrs2019.pdf for complete Withdrawal/Refund information, including for Minimester classes.
• Thursday 11/21 is the last day to withdraw from a full-term class.

Last Day to Withdraw

• Full-Semester – 11/21/19
• Minimester 1 – 10/11/19
• Minimester 2 – 12/6/19

Grades – Drop for Nonattendance

• Full Term – 9/20/19
• Minimester I – 9/20/19
• Minimester 2 – 11/15/19

Grades-Midterms

• Full Term – 10/25/19
• Minimester 1 – 10/4/19
• Minimester 2 – 11/27/19

Grades-Final

• Full Term – 1/2/20
• Minimster 1 –  10/28/19
• Minimester 2 – 11/2/19

Minimester 2

• Registration open until 10/28/19

Enrollment Management – New Policies

Student Program Change Policy

Once a Middlesex Community College student is admitted into a specific open enrollment program or certificate program, the student has the option to change a program once per semester. For Fall 2019, in order to change a program, students must submit a completed and signed Change of Program Request form by September 20. Students are required to meet with and obtain the signature of an academic advisor to discuss career and educational goals. Students who receive Veterans benefits must also meet with a Veterans Certifying Official. Change of Program requests forms can be obtained through the Student Information Centers or on the website at: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/studentinformationcenter/downloads/programch19.pdf

Dual Major Policy

Students may earn additional Associate Degrees or Certificates either by concurrent completion of the requirements of the credential or by subsequent study after the first degree is received.  To receive an associate degree and certificate from Middlesex Community College, students must complete courses that meet the requirements of both programs and follow specific dual major policy guidelines. In many instances, certificate courses can automatically be applied to associate degrees. Students seeking a dual major should meet with an advisor to understand dual major guidelines and requirements and complete the Dual Major form found at: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/studentinformationcenter/downloads/dualmaj19.pdf

MCC Libraries

The MCC Libraries offer these exciting new resources for the fall semester:

• American Mosaic databases: The African American Experience and The Latino American Experience document the rich heritage and current culture of these groups in the United States.
• Credo Instruct platform: modules that help students acquire crucial information literacy and critical thinking skills they need to thrive in their academic careers and beyond.
• OverDrive via the SAILS Network- use your MCC library card to check out current ebooks, audiobooks and magazines!

Updates from College Leadership

Summer is in full swing and the warm weather is certainly here. I hope you are all able to spend some time outside enjoying the sunshine. As usual, I have been out many mornings, running, biking and swimming.

Both campuses are buzzing with energy and excitement this summer with students enrolled in our summer course sessions, College for Kids Summer Programs, and the STEM Starter Academy Math Booster, to name a few. It is also a busy time for facility upgrades and classroom refreshes.

But summer also provides the college with an opportunity to reflect on the past year and prepare for the coming semester. We complete evaluations, finalize budgets and reports, and close the books on the previous fiscal year. We are also engaged in planning, both operational and strategic initiatives that will give us focus for the coming year. This summer we completed our 5-year NECHE accreditation report, an effort led by Provost Phil Sisson and Five-Year Interim Report Faculty Chair Cathy McCarron. This document shows the significant progress MCC has made since its last major accreditation report in 2014.

In late July, the Strategic Planning Committee, along with the President’s Cabinet, participated in a two-day Strategic Planning Retreat, led by facilitator Nicki Harrington from Collaborative Brain Trust. During the two days, we covered a lot of ground and the Strategic Planning Committee is now ready to get to work with the campus community on building a collaborative and transparent process for deciding where the college is going over the next few years. More information on the retreat and the Strategic Planning Process will soon be available on the Strategic Planning web page.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and we’ll see you back at MCC in September.

All the best.

Jim Mabry

Table Of Contents

• Featured Video
  • Commencement 2019
• Featured News Story
  • Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno Delivers the 2019 Middlesex College Commencement Address
• Upcoming Events
• Awards, Presentations & Publications
  • AANAPISI Financial Literacy Workshops
  • Corporate Education and Training
• Employee News
  • Student Support Services

Featured Video

Commencement 2019

Featured News Story

Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno Delivers the 2019 Middlesex College Commencement Address

Bedford Chief of Police Robert Bongiorno delivered the 2019 Middlesex Community College Commencement Address on May 23 in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, a room full of attentive degree candidates and family members, President James C. Mabry and his Cabinet, along with faculty, professional staff and administrators. [Read More]

Upcoming Events

• August 14. 2019 – Staff Appreciation Cookout, Lowell Campus, 12 – 2 p.m.
• August 20, 2019 – Foundation Board Meeting, Trustee House, 8 a.m.
• September 3, 2019 – Convocation/Professional Day, ICC/Lowell Campus
• September 4, 2019 – Fall Semester Begins
• September 26, 2019 – Trustee Board Meeting, Trustee House, 8 a.m.

Awards, Presentations & Publications

AANAPISI Financial Literacy Workshops

In early June, the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) co-hosted a two-part workshop series on Financial Literacy for MCC’s Asian American students and their families. The first workshop occurred on June 5, 2019 and was co-hosted by our Financial Aid advisors, where students met with Gina Pearce and Dany Mot. Many students were able to start their 2019-2020 FAFSA application, and many came back for the second workshop the following week. The second part of the series was co-hosted by MCC’s Financial Wellness Program on June 12, 2019. Students met with a staff member from a local credit union to learn how to budget their daily and monthly expenses. Students also worked closely with MCC’s Financial Specialist, Anita Negi. Anita walked the students through an online module for managing money, which is available to all students through our MCC portal. Our students had various opportunities to participate in games, raffles and giveaways throughout the series.

Corporate Education and Training

The Advanced Manufacturing Graduation was held on June 25 at the Custom Group Center for Manufacturing Technology (CMT) in Woburn. The program was funded by the Department of Higher Education. Thirteen students completed over 230 hours of training and all received a Computer Numerical Control Operator certificate of completion.

Additionally, CET hosted a Workforce Training Fund Program Information Session on Wednesday, June 19 from 8:30—10:30 a.m. in the Trustee House. Kristen Rayne from the Commonwealth Corporation provided an overview of grant options and content on the Workforce Training Fund.

Employee News

Student Support Services

The TRIO Program for Student Achievement (PSA) welcomes a new program Director, Kaleigh Tardiff. The TRIO PSA works with students with documented disabilities. Kaleigh has done wonderful work over the past several years working at MCC as an Assistant Coordinator and teaching students with significant disabilities in the Transition Program. Kaleigh received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education from Merrimack College. Kaleigh brings much experience working with students with disabilities both teaching and working in the education fields.

The Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (ICEI) Program welcomes a new part-time Disabilities Learning Specialist/Senior Educational Coach, Leslie Stafford. Many of you know Leslie from her years of work here at MCC in the Disability Support Services Department and most recently as the Program Director for the TRIO Program for Student Achievement. Leslie received both her undergraduate degree in Psychology and her graduate degree in Counseling at the University of New Hampshire, Durham. Leslie brings a wealth of experience to this position in working with students with a variety of disabilities.

Updates from College Leadership

Dear Colleagues,

Summer is upon us and I am hoping that everyone will take some time this summer to reconnect and recharge. Everybody has their own way of doing this, but whatever works for you, please get out there and go for it.

This summer, I am planning on spending time with my family, including our brand new granddaughter who was born three days before graduation. I will also be out running new trails, biking new roads and swimming in Walden Pond. I also hope to have a chance to attack that large pile of books next to my bed that just never seems to diminish in size.

At MCC, I will have more time to roam the campuses so don’t be surprised if I pop in some day to see how you are doing. It is always fun to connect with the interesting individuals who do so much for our students.

All the best.

Jim Mabry

Table Of Contents

• Featured Video
  • #NextStep on my Path
• Featured News Story
  • Reaching for her dreams
• Upcoming Events
• Awards, Presentations & Publications
  • Admissions
  • Entrepreneurship
    
  • Multicultural Career & Networking Forum
• Community Submissions
  • Intensive English Institute
  • Khmer New Year Celebration at the Asian American Connections Center
  • MCC Alumni Association
  • Music Department
  • Student Affairs

Featured Video

#NextStep on my Path

Featured News Story

Reaching for her dreams

No obstacle could keep mother of three from her degree. Read more: http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_32641054/reaching-her-dreams#ixzz5pKx5gR7D

Upcoming Events

• June 10, 2019 – MCC Foundation Board Meeting, 8 a.m., Middlesex Meetinghouse, Billerica
• June 11, 2019 – Board of Trustees Meeting, 8 a.m., Federal Building, 3rd Floor Courtroom, Lowell
• June 18, 2019 – BHE Meeting, 10 a.m., UMass Boston Alumni Lounge, Boston
• June 19, 2019 – Workforce Training Fund Grants Info Session
• June 24, 2019 – English Learner Institute Begins
• July 8 to August 15, 2019 – College for Kids

Awards, Presentations & Publications

Admissions

May is a busy month not only for our current students, but also for our new, incoming students! Admissions held three On Site Registration events at Greater Lowell Technical High School, Dracut High School and Lowell High School. At each event, students were able to meet one-on-one with a representative from Admissions or Advising, select their personalized schedule for the fall, and receive important information about starting as a new student at MCC. We registered a total of 83 new students in an estimated 900 plus credits! Big thanks to the Advising and the Student Information staffs for teaming up with us and making these events such a positive experience for new students.

On May 14^th the Admissions and Advising teams collaborated with Student Affairs for the Admitted Student Family Night. About 35 new students and their families attended this first time event. Student Engagement coordinated a reception and workshop sessions for the families, while the Advising and Admissions staffs were able to connect with new students and get them started on next steps for the fall, whether that was scheduling a placement test appointment or even registering them for fall classes. Many thanks to Financial Aid, Financial Wellness and Student Accounts for their participation as well.

This fall, the Admissions team looks forward to engaging with various areas of the college. Our goal is always to be as informed as possible about the numerous opportunities available to our students. Please feel free to invite a member of the Admissions team to your meeting or share information with us via email. We are always eager for new and updated information regarding programs, events and engagement activities.  We hope you enjoy the summer months.

Entrepreneurship

For our “Intro to Entrepreneurship” (BUS 130) class, students plan and launch a business, then pitch at an MCC Shark Tank. Students also donate their net-profit to the Lowell Boys and Girls Club. In total, students this semester are donating $1,539.77. Donations over the years come to $10,722.

The winning team from the Fall DifferenceMaker@MCC Idea Challenge moved on to the DifferenceMaker at UMass Lowell competition to win $4,500 to develop their idea of a clean, nonpartisan, voter education app to assist busy people with their civic duty.

Conscious Capitalism – a speaker series hosted by the IDEA Center invited Megan Schleck, CEO of new start-up COIN. COIN is a conscious investing platform that empowers people to make a difference with their money.

Students enrolled in Launch Your Business Now, an applied-entrepreneurship certificate program designed for students to start or grow a business, pitched to the Everyday Entrepreneurs Venture Fund on May 16th. The committee gave out $50,000 in seed funding.

Multicultural Career & Networking Forum

On April 25, the Program for Asian American Student Advancement hosted a Career & Networking Forum to provide students an opportunity to network and learn about different careers from professionals in various fields. Additionally, students were able to hear about the career paths from the panelists who also offered career advice. After the panel discussion, students got the opportunity to practice their networking skills and connect with members of the panel over lunch.

The Career Forum panel included:

• Jenny Chang, Executive Director for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission
• Kenneth An, Director of the Boston Area Office of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• Lada Lau, Assistant Director of Co-op in the Kennedy College of Sciences at UMass Lowell
• Kirirath Saing, Multicultural Program Specialist for Element Care
• Vichtcha Kong, Business Development & Community Relations Officer at Washington Savings Bank
• Superintendent Richard K. Richardson, Lowell Police Department
• Patrolwoman Andeth Vann, first Cambodian female police officer in the Lowell Police Department

Community Submissions

Intensive English Institute

In Fall 2017, MCC launched an Intensive English Institute (IEI), offering 18 hours per week of noncredit, high-intermediate and advanced English language instruction. Now, IEI will be expanding from 20 students to up to 40 students. For domestic students the cost is only $450 per semester. Interested individuals should contact Marilyn Glazer-Weisner.

Khmer New Year Celebration at the Asian American Connections Center

On April 17, the Asian Students in Alliance (A.S.I.A) hosted a celebration in the Asian American Connections Center to celebrate the Cambodian New Year, a three-day festival honoring the harvesting season in Southeast Asia.

More than 50 people participated in the celebration, which included faculty, staff and students. The event was planned by student leaders from the A.S.I.A group. A.S.I.A also collaborated with a local clothing boutique, Kravant Boutique, to showcase traditional Cambodian clothing that is typically worn for celebratory occasions. Alumni Vattara Heng, who is now at UMass Lowell, helped to MC the event where the MCC community learned about Khmer culture, tasted Khmer traditional foods, and danced to Cambodian folk and contemporary music. First-semester student, Pichraksmey Hoeu, fluidly performed a classical dance, which contributes to the preservation of Khmer identity and culture for Cambodian youth in Lowell.

MCC Alumni Association

On Monday, May 13, the MCC Alumni Association Board met for its spring meeting at Osteria Nino in Burlington. Over the past year, the Alumni Association has increased alumni engagement with the college by 41% through marketing and social and fundraising events.  To get involved with the Alumni Association, go to www.middlesex.mass.edu/alumni or contact Amy Lee at leea@middlesex.mass.edu; 978-656-3028.

Music Department

The MCC Student Recital on May 6 featured singers, guitarists, pianists, French hornist, bassoonist, cellist and compositions by Music Technology students.

Five music students performed in the Piano Men fundraiser on May 8. Em Russell, bassoon; Robin Panariti, French horn; Margaleet Katzenblickstien, cello; and Mason Borsini, percussion performed in the orchestra, and Heather Demers, voice, sang a selection with the orchestra. Orlando Cela conducted.

MCC music students performed at Commencement, Tylor Hoyt sang the National Anthem. Cellist Nathaniel Abreu performed “The Swan” by Saint-Saens. And a vocal ensemble of singers Heather Demers, Abbie King, Celine Lizotte, Em Russell and Diana Sears performed “God Bless America.”

Student Affairs

MCC students traveled to Houston, Texas, to assist with rehabilitation after Hurricane Harvey. They helped restore four homes with a nonprofit organization that supports low-income seniors, veterans and those with disabilities. Their mission is to revitalize communities, and rebuild lives.

Updates from the President

Making Connections for Success

The concept of student success runs through our strategic plan, Transformative Education, and is the primary focus of the entire college community. Everything we plan, implement and assess is based on positively impacting student success.

Over the last three years, through the innovative and collaborative work of faculty and staff at the college, we have streamlined our enrollment processes, implemented a Success From Day One program, and worked to get students better connected to the college. All of these efforts are based on research, data and best practices for improving student success. We have made tremendous progress, but we still have work to do.

For two years, we piloted a new academic calendar that included faculty involvement in student orientation and advising, as well as professional-development activities during the week before Labor Day weekend. This year, we are piloting a video-based online orientation for new students, along with opportunities for these students to attend FYE and IDS courses during the summer. For more information on the New Student Onboarding process, click here. We believe these new initiatives will help get students connected and prepared for the start of the semester. Once the semester has begun, additional academic and co-curricular programs will further promote student success.

This fall, we will be starting the semester with a full day of professional-development activities for faculty and staff on the day after Labor Day – Tuesday, Sept. 3 – and classes will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 4. The Spring 2020 semester will begin with a full day of professional-development activities on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 – and classes will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 22.  Download a copy of the updated Academic Calendar.

During fall and spring semesters there will be the equivalent of two additional Professional Days, but these may be broken up into half-day and asynchronous segments. The Professional Development Advisory Committee, under the leadership of Peter Shea, will work with groups across campus to design engaging, flexible and valuable professional-development opportunities.

We are still searching for the best way to start the semester, taking into account how to have faculty and students ready to go on the first day of class, while also maintaining a robust professional-development agenda at the college. We look forward to a meaningful dialogue about these issues in the coming months and welcome your input on these matters. We recognize that ongoing professional development is a key to meeting the needs of all our faculty and staff, as well as maintaining MCC’s status as the premier community college in the Commonwealth.

All the best,
Jim Mabry

Table Of Contents

• Upcoming Events
• MCC in the News
• Current Grant Initiatives
  • AANAPISI Grant
• Academic Affairs
  • Arts, Humanities & World Languages
  • Dental Hygiene
• Student Affairs
  • Office of Student Engagement
• Institutional Advancement
  • Adult Learning Center
  • College Advancement
  • Community Education & Training
  • Corporate Education & Training
  • Marketing Communications

Upcoming Events

• March 25, 2019 – Mini-mester II Begins
• 4:30 p.m. April 10, 2019 – Lowell Open House
• 5-7 p.m. April 18, 2019 – PTK Induction Ceremony, Bedford Café East
• 4:30 p.m. April 23, 2019 – Bedford Open House
• 8-9:30 a.m. April 25, 2019 – Board of Trustees Meeting, Trustees House, Galvani Room
• May 8, 2019 – “Piano Men: The Music of Elton and Billy”
• May 23, 2019 – Commencement

MCC in the News

• Build Your Own Course (Inside Higher Ed, 2/27/19)
• Scholarships help those planning medial careers (Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, 3/8/19)
• Get the lowdown on social media with MCC noncredit certificate program (Lowell Sun, 3/10/19)
• Venture fund fuels dreams of MCC student entrepreneurs (Lowell Sun, 3/11/19)
• Entrepreneur to open MCC’s MILES program (Lowell Sun, 3/12/19)
• Nursing assistants in Lowell program enriched by roots far away (Lowell Sun, 3/16/19)
• MCC News: MCC to honor poet at festival (Bedford Minuteman, 3/20/19)

Current Grant Initiatives

AANAPISI Grant

“Getting Lao’d”

On March 11, the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) hosted a screening of the film “Getting Lao’d.” Filmed over 14 years, the documentary follows a new generation of young pioneers as they re-imagine Lao media in a communist country. After 25 years of silence, the private Lao music and film industries are reawakening. The film features many of the country’s most prominent musicians and filmmakers, and is perhaps the most comprehensive examination of the media landscape in Laos. Following the film, faculty, staff, students and community members had a unique opportunity to engage in a conversation with the award-winning filmmaker, Dr. Steve Arounsack, about the rise of modern music and film, as well as the challenges around censorship and the business behind these two industries.

Academic Affairs

Arts, Humanities & World Languages

“The Music Man”

The MCC Theatre Department presents “The Music Man” April 10th- 14th visit http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/performingarts for tickets

Music Department Student Activities

On February 7, Anthony Rolli, MCC guitar student of Raley Beggs, and his band “Northwoods” performed at “The Middle East” music venue as part of a larger concert. They are promoting their new album “Ebb & Flow.”

On February 8 Fatima Al-Muntafik, also a guitar student of Raley Beggs, performed as part of the Boston Classical Guitar Orchestra (BCGO) to open for a concert featuring the trio “The Great Necks” at First Lutheran Church of Boston.

Dual-enrollment student Nathaniel Abreu gave a cello recital on Wednesday, February 27 in the Bedford Concert Hall. He played the “Suite for Solo Cello No. 4 in E Flat Major” by J.S. Bach, “Solo Sonata” by George Crumb, and the first movement of the “Sonata in E Minor for Cello and Piano” and “Romance for Cello and Piano” by Gabriel Fauré. Abreu  was assisted by Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta in the last two selections. He has won several concerto competitions, including the New England Conservatory Prep Concerto Competition, the Concord Orchestra Concerto Competition, and most recently the Arlington Philharmonic Concerto Competition. He studies cello at New England Conservatory with Sam Ou.

World of Music Concert Series

March Concert

“Reflections: Art and Music”

A collaboration between the Art and Music departments, this event on March 15 opened with a faculty art exhibit in the new Academic Arts Center in Lowell and concluded with a concert in the Recital Hall. The exhibit featured sculpture, painting, ceramics, stained glass, photography, collage and works on paper by Angela Alés, Bill Bradbury, Jeanne Cronin, Joe Eiler, Meredith Fife-Day, Mary Hart, George Herman, Tamara Krendel, Yary Livan, Roneld Lores, Margaret Rack and Carolyn Stock. The concert included music which reflected the cultures, images and emotions of the artwork. MCC faculty members Orlando Cela, flute, Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, piano, and Anna Ward, soprano, were joined by David Clark, composer/double bass, and Steve Hunt, piano. Works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Olivier Messiaen, Chinary Ung, Jaime León, Jacques Ibert, David Clark and Beau Kenyon were featured.

Upcoming Concerts in April

“Holes in the Floor Cello Quartet”

This Boston-based ensemble will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ian Wiese, Jeremy Crosmer, Claude Debussy and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Friday, April 5 at 8:00 pm Concert Hall, Bedford Campus

“Chamber Music for Oboe, Flute, Cello and Piano”

John Ferrillo, Principal Oboe of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Elizabeth Ostling, Associate Principal Flute of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, William Rounds, cello, and Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta, piano, will perform music for various combinations of these instruments. Works by Franz Joseph Haydn, Aaron Copland, Olivier Messiaen, Maurice Ravel and Philippe Gaubert will be featured.

Friday, April 26 at 8:00 pm, Concert Hall, Bedford Campus and
Sunday, April 28 at 3:00 pm Academic Arts Center, Recital Hall, Lowell Campus

For information about the entire series, please visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic/

MCC Visiting Writers Series

On 2/25, the MCC Visiting Writers Series featured poet January Gill O’Neil, a few days after her poem “Hoodie” was published in the New York Times. An audience of over 85 students, faculty, and community members showed up to hear her read from her newest book, “Rewilding,” as well as from her other books of poetry, and answer questions about poetry, her work, her writing process, and creative writing programs at Salem State University, where she is Professor of English.

Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene students and faculty attended Massachusetts Dental Hygiene Association’s (MDHA) annual lobby day at the Statehouse on February 26. Each student had the opportunity to meet with elected officials to advocate for several pieces of legislation put forth by MDHA. Many focused on advocating for a bill that would establish a mid-level oral health care provider, Dental Therapist. Dental Therapists are dental hygienists with advanced training and certification, who would be able to deliver basic but critically necessary care to underserved populations in Massachusetts.

Student Affairs

Office of Student Engagement

The MCC Hockey Team wrapped up an excellent 2018-2019 season with a 5-4 victory over Mass Maritime. The Owls finished the season strong after an up and down first month. They played one of their strongest schedules in recent years with games against Mass Maritime, WPI, and UNH. While these match-ups were very difficult, MCC was able to defeat all three teams this season!

Coach George Jacobs and Assistant Coach Steve Resca were dedicated to improving the team over the course of the year, leading to hard-fought victories. Special recognition also goes to MCC student and team manager Michael Cadden, as well as the captain and assistant captains Ian Wright, Joe Stackhouse and Ron MacDougall. In addition to their on-ice leadership roles, they promoted the team’s success this season and in growing school spirit around campus.

Institutional Advancement

Adult Learning Center

Congratulations to MCC’s Adult Learning Center Staff and Students

The Middlesex Community College Adult Learning Center (ALC) offers free classes for adults on the Bedford campus and at the McDevitt Middle School in Waltham. The program administration is proud to report that the center recently achieved a student skills gain score of 68.3 percent, exceeding the expected target by 216 percent! These results place the ALC third in the state for students’ Measureable Skills Gains.

The Adult Learning Center is a grant-funded program through Massachusetts Department of Education and is required to meet an annual Measurable Skill Gains Target. This standard includes outcomes in the areas of Educational Functioning Level improvement, High School Equivalency (HSE) credential attainment, and post-econdary education and training enrollment after a student exits the program. Congratulations to both the students and staff at the Adult Learning Center for all of their hard work and commitment to academic success.

College Advancement

MCC Foundation 2019 Scholarship Awards

On March 6, the MCC Foundation awarded 62 scholarships to 49 students, totaling over $65,000 in scholarship awards. More than 200 guests attended the ceremony, including scholarship representatives and donors, guests of scholarship recipients, and MCC faculty and staff. It was an inspiring ceremony that celebrated student success and the generosity of the scholarship donors.

Community Education & Training

C.N.A for Success Graduation

Congratulations to our C.N.A for Success graduates who completed their program on March 14! Community Education, in cooperation with the International Institute of New England, Lowell ABE Center, and D’Youville Life & Wellness Community, offered a 16-week training program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. Our students were trained in essential ESOL, cultural competencies, and MCC’s 100-hour Nurse Assistant program. C.N.A for Success is designed especially for English Language Learners seeking a career in the in-demand healthcare field. The International Institute of New England serves a diversity of clients with a range of educational and professional backgrounds. The faster immigrants learn English, the more quickly they can obtain a good job, advance in their careers, and participate more fully in civic life. A special thank you to our MCC staff: Caitlin Campopiano, Kathy Gehly, Angel Pepin, and dedicated nursing faculty Debra Shaw. Please read more at the Lowell Sun.

MILES Opening Session

Please join us for our MILES opening session on March 27 at 2 pm in Café East. Keynote speaker Bill Cummings, author of “Starting Small and Making It Big: An Entrepreneur’s Journey to Billion-Dollar Philanthropist.” Bill will also meet with President Mabry and students from MCC’s credit Entrepreneurship Program.

Noncredit Programs

The following noncredit programs began in March: Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia Certification, SHRM HR Essentials, Nurse Assistant/HHA, CompTia A+ Exam Prep, Digital Media Marketing, Management and Leadership Series, Intro to SQL, Art Seminar: The Works of Edgar Degas, Sparking Wines, DIY Holistic Happiness.

Corporate Education & Training

Corporate Education and Training recently delivered, or will be delivering:
• Beginner/Intermediate Microsoft Excel training for Aved Electronics at the Cowan Center.
• Effective Problem Solving at Nova Biomedical in Billerica.
• Collaborating with the Early Childhood Education Department to offer Supervised Field Placement and Guiding Children’s Behavior through the Region 3 Professional Partnership Grant.
• First Aid/CPR and Medication Administration Recertification trainings for LifeLinks. The courses are conducted at MCC in order to provide employees exposure to taking classes in a college setting.
• Authentic Leadership Presence training for Lowell General Hospital’s Main Campus.
• Customized training for Advanced Level – English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Monogram Gourmet Foods in Wilmington.
• Introduction to Python and Leadership Skill Development trainings at Juniper Networks in Westford.
• Personal Protection/Active Shooter training at CTI in Lowell and Juniper Networks in Westford.

CET also hosted a Workforce Training Fund Program Information Session on Wednesday, March 6th in Trustees House. Kristen Rayne from Commonwealth Corporation provided an overview of grant options and content on the Workforce Training Fund to local employers.

Marketing Communications

NEW Marketing Communications Request Form

We are excited to announce that we have streamlined the Marketing & Social Media request forms. You will now be able to request marketing services, press releases, and social media services all in the same form.

The form has been shortened in length to make it easier to fill out and we have added the ability to upload files with your request (Please note: to upload files you will need a Google account. If you do not already have a google account, you can create one using your college email address).

Additionally, all requests submitted will be sent back a receipt via email. If you have any questions about the new Marketing request form, please email marketing@middlesex.mass.edu for assistance. NEW Marketing Request Form

Please, Tell Us Your Stories

Don’t forget: Marketing Communications is always looking for “good news” to include in news releases and social media. So, don’t be shy: Please let us know when you or your division/department receive an award or grant – or any other good news about students, faculty and staff.

Submit an online Marketing Communications Request Form to request a news release. Include the WWWW info – who, what, when & where – with your Request Form. We will do our best to share your good news with the wider community.

Downloadable Templates

To better support the marketing needs of the college, Marketing Communications has created a series of Microsoft templates that are MCC branded. These templates can be used by anyone in the college community, and enable individuals and departments to create their own communications without having to submit job requests to Marketing Communications. Find the templates on the Marketing Communications page.

Updates from the President

#EndCCStigma

Steve Robinson, president of Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio, recently started a social media campaign – #EndCCStigma – designed to change the way parents and high school students see community colleges. His thesis states that in order to recruit more students straight from high school, it’s time to admit that community colleges have an image problem.

As we all know, many four-year college graduates start at community colleges – national statistics show that among all students who completed a degree at a four-year college in 2015-16, 49 percent had enrolled at a two-year college in the previous 10 years. And, community college are a great way to reduce the financial stress and necessity of taking out college loans for many students

Yet, as Robinson says, we are all too often still viewed as second class.

So he (and other community college leaders joining the campaign) are tweeting links to columns by students who found purpose at community colleges and transferred to four-year institutions. They are highlighting pieces in which alumni talk about “overcoming the stigma” of attending a community college, testimonials from celebrities such as Tom Hanks, and data on the benefits of attending community colleges.

MCC will be taking part in this #EndCCStigma campaign and sharing our own stories about student success. Alumna Fiona Almeida (Class of 2014) will be sharing her #EndCCStigma story on our Middlesex Pathways blog as our next guest contributor.

I encourage all of you to join in and share your stories on Twitter to help #EndCCStigma.

All the best,

Jim Mabry

Table Of Contents

• Upcoming Events
• MCC in the News
• Current Grant Initiatives
  • AANAPISI Grant
  • MCC 360 Update
• Academic Divisions
  • Communications
• Student Affairs
  • Advising
  • Enrollment
  • Financial Aid
• Institutional Advancement
  • College Advancement
  • Community Education & Training
  • Corporate Education & Training
  • Marketing Communications

Upcoming Events

• March 25, 2019 – Mini-mester II Begins
• 4:30 p.m. April 10, 2019 – Lowell Open House
• 4:30 p.m. April 23, 2019 – Bedford Open House

MCC in the News

• EDITORIAL: From too-common tragedy, extraordinary drive (Lowell Sun, 2/8/19)
• MCC Honors program (Lowell Sun, 2/10/19)
• MCC a Military Friendly School (Lowell Sun, 2/12/19)
• MCC News: Poet to read at Middlesex Community College (Lowell Sun, 2/13/19)
• NACCE Observes National Entrepreneurship Week with Launch of New Book on Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (Broadway World News Desk, 2/19/19)
• BOOKING: Greater Boston author readings Feb. 24-March 3 (Boston Globe, 2/22/19)

Current Grant Initiatives

AANAPISI Grant

Asian American Connections Center – Spring Open House

On February 5^th, the Asian American Connections Center held a Spring Open House to involve the MCC community in learning more about the programming and services offered by the staff. Students, staff and faculty enjoyed a delicious Khmer meal from a local restaurant and engaged in a showcase of performances from students.

First-semester student Jian Suos shared her creative-writing piece, which centers her characters on the Asian American narrative. Second-semester student Max Phommashinh shared with guests his hobby of break-dancing and its role in the lives of young Southeast Asian men in Lowell. Julie Lun, the center’s graduate fellow from UMass Lowell, read her college-entrance essay that highlighted the realities and responsibilities associated with growing up as a woman in a Khmer-American household. Julie used comedic buffers to tell a deeply, personal story that is reflective of the Southeast Asian students at MCC. The Open House attracted more than 30 guests who learned about many of the initiatives that has been implemented to enhance the college experience for MCC’s Asian and Asian-American students.

MCC 360 Update

Works continues on the MCC Navigate platform that will provide students with timely access to advising support as well as assistance in selecting and enrolling in courses. The coming weeks will see an information campaign to make students aware of the self-service features and advantages of Navigate with the goal of 100% student use for Fall 2019. Continuing the training sessions we began in the late summer and fall, there will be ten “Introduction to Navigate” training sessions for faculty and staff this spring. Also, we continue to develop a robust collection of online training materials available in the PD Blackboard site. Title III implementers are also exploring Navigate Intelligence, an analytics application that will show advisors select risk factors in connection with student profiles and thereby provide faculty and advisors with additional information for their work with students. The creation of dashboards and visualizations of information is also taking place with a data warehouse to be fully in place later this Spring. The dashboards and visualizations will provide the college community with student trend information in aggregate to inform analysis and the development of institutional strategies to better serve students. In addition, the Title III External Evaluator report on the first two years of the project will soon be made available to the college through the FSA website.

Academic Divisions

Communications

Rick Pozniak, Adjunct, Communications, was a Judge in the annual New England Newspaper and Press Association newspaper industry awards competition, for daily and weekly papers which recognized excellence in news reporting, photography and website design.

Academic Affairs

The Pathways Center Welcomes Students Back to MCC after Winter Break

On January 24^th, the Pathways Center (located in Cowan Center, Room 306) hosted a Welcome Back Bash for students to kick-off the spring semester. More than 60 students attended and enjoyed making new friends, meeting the Pathways Center staff, and finding out all that the Pathways Center does to support students and their academic success. Refreshments were served and participants engaged in fun and games, including ping pong, chess, Uno and Jenga. There were several giveaways of MCC T-shirts and other branded items. Former MCC student Jose Jimenez and current student Manuel Abreu were winners in the North Face backpack raffle drawings.

For more information about the event or the summer programs, visit the Pathways Center at https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/pathwayscenter/ or contact Audrey Frater, Director of the Pathways Center, at fratera@middlesex.mass.edu.

Dual Enrolled Students Awarded Scholarships through the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Starter Academy Grant

Middlesex Community College’s Pathways Center held a Dual Enrollment Scholarship Dinner on January 31^st, honoring 22 dual-enrolled students with a STEM Starter Academy Scholarship. Students were nominated by a high school representative or MCC faculty member based on their interest in a STEM-related field and academic achievement. The scholarship covers the cost of one MCC STEM course. The dinner took place from 6-7 p.m. in the Lowell Campus Cafeteria. Parents and guardians joined the scholarship recipients in celebrating their awards, and recipients received certificates highlighting their accomplishment. Students were also made aware of opportunities to enroll in the STEM Starter Academy summer programs, which are offered free of charge through the Pathways Center, and are designed to help students succeed in STEM subject areas, like math, as well as engage in STEM-career exploration.

For more information about the event or the summer programs, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/pathwayscenter/ or contact Audrey Frater, Director of the Pathways Center, at fratera@middlesex.mass.edu.

Student Affairs

Admissions

The Admissions staff began the New Year assisting the Advising Centers during the very busy Walk-In Enrollment weeks. In addition to our regular recruitment activities, such as campus tours and health-admissions overview sessions, we continue to be busy off-campus as well – visiting high schools and community programs, attending college fairs and holding On the Spot Admissions Events. Jeff Tejada visited with the Strive-Department of Youth Services Program. Jenna Engelsen attended a busy college fair at Tyngsboro High School. Jason Reynolds, along with Kristie Faletra and Jeff Tejada, participated in a day-long On the Spot Admissions event at Nashoba Valley Technical High School. Additionally, Jennifer Migliozzi hosted On the Spot Admissions events at North Reading High School and Wilmington High School.

We also have had a number of campus visitors. Jason Reynolds toured the Bedford campus with a group from the Bedford Bridge Program. Jeff Tejada hosted a group of students from the Lowell Career Academy, who toured both campuses and had the opportunity to take the campus shuttle.

Lastly, Admissions staff have been busy seeking professional development opportunities. They had the opportunity to participate in Cultural Competency training, sponsored by the Asian American Connections Center, and on February 15th the entire Admissions staff took part in a staff retreat. After taking Strengths Finder, the staff came together to better understand their strengths with the help of facilitator, Judith Kramer. It was a great way for the staff to get to know one another and learn how our individual strengths have an impact on our students.

Save the Date! We will be welcoming prospective students and their families to campus for Open Houses on the following days: Wednesday, April 10, at 4:30 pm in Lowell, and Tuesday, April 23, at 4:30 pm in Bedford. We appreciate that many of you will be joining us for those events! We will also be welcoming high school students for our biannual Pathway to Success Day on Wednesday, April 3rd in Bedford.

Enrollment 

Spring 2019- Key Dates and Activities

Mini-mester II is being actively promoted and students can register until March 25.

Drop for Nonattendance Due Dates
Mini-mester II– April 10

Last Day to Withdraw
Full-Semester  – April 11
Mini-mester I  –March 1
Mini-mester II – May 3

Faculty and staff should have conversations with students who are struggling before the withdrawal deadlines to discuss the option of withdrawing versus completing the course. Faculty and staff should encourage students to speak to Financial Aid or other applicable areas (e.g. Veterans & International students).

Midterm Grades Due
Full Semester – March 15
Mini-mester I – February 22
Mini-mester II – April 26

Final Grades Due
Full Semester  – May 22
Mini-mester I – March 15
Mini-mester II  – May 22

Student Evaluations available for pick-up

March 11 – Mini-mester I
April 22 – Full term and Mini-mester II

Graduation Application Deadlines

February 22 and March 22  – Please encourage eligible students to apply as soon as possible by selecting “Apply for Graduation” from their MyMCC menu.

Summer 2019

Summer 2019 registration opens on February 25.  Online, day and evening classes will be offered during all summer sessions.  Key sessions are:

Quick Start (May 28-June 14): 3 weeks – Classes generally meet 4-5 times a week
Session 1 (May 28-June 27): 5 weeks – Classes generally meet 3 times a week (TWR)
Session 2 (May 28-July 24): 8 weeks – Classes generally meet 2 times a week (MW or TR)
Session 3 (July 9-August 8):  5 weeks – Classes generally meet 3 times days a week (TWR)

Fall 2019

Fall 2019 registration is scheduled to open on April 8.  Students will be receiving letters with registration information by the end of March 2019.  Promotion through text and e-mail will be sent following the mailing of student letters.

2019-2020 Catalog Update

It’s time to update the Academic Catalog! Starting in March, every area will be asked to review and make major changes, and/or minor edits and corrections, to the catalog.  The goal is to have all the change and edits completed by the end of April.

Two Acalog training sessions have been scheduled for anyone who will be involved in updating the catalog. The dates and times are:

BEDFORD: March 13, Wednesday 2:30 to 4 pm in AR 101  (Snow date: March 29)
LOWELL: March 26, Tuesday 2:30 to 4 pm in Lowell LC 203

If you would like Acalog training, please contact Evelin Ovalles at ovallese@middlesex.mass.edu.

25 Live

MCC is transitioning from R-25 to 25Live Pro, the newest version of CollegeNet’s academic and event scheduling application. 25Live is fully hosted by CollegeNet and enables event planners and academic schedulers to search and schedule dates, venues, and resources all in one program.  User training will take place the week of March 18 for room approvers, with full roll-out later this year.

Financial Aid

The start of a semester at MCC is always a busy time for the Financial Aid Team. The 1819 Academic Year welcomed two new members to the department, our Director, Barbara Winchell, and Gina Pearce, our newest Senior Financial Aid Counselor.  We encourage all to come and meet these two wonderful additions to the department.

MCC Financial Aid offers assistance with FAFSA filing throughout the year. Our front office staff Karen Tarr, Mona Barck, Dany Mot, and Nat Frissore regularly provide students and their families with hands-on assistance in both our Lowell and Bedford Offices.

In addition to in office assistance, outreach to surrounding communities is on the forefront of services that the Financial Aid team offers. Recently, at Lawrence High school, Barbara Winchell, Deb Marsella, Mary Mullens, Gina Pearce, and Roxana Zeledon assisted students with their FAFSA filing.

On Saturday February 9^th the Financial Aid Office hosted the annual FAFSA Day on the Lowell campus.  Coordinated by Deb Marsella, volunteers from MCC and other colleges, the event was again a success and served more than 30 participants. FAFSA day is designed to help students and their families navigate the financial aid process towards success in their college enrollment. Whether it is at a local school, venue, or an IDS class here at MCC, the financial aid staff support students and their families with any questions and concerns throughout the academic year.

Professional development is ongoing in the Financial Aid Department as well, to ensure compliance and to learn and implement new policies and procedures.  Barbara Winchell and Deb Marsella traveled to Atlanta for the weeklong Federal Student Aid National Conference in December. Deb Marsella also presented a session on academic issues that affect financial aid eligibility at our MCC Professional Day.

Here are some additional events MCC’s Financial Aid staff participated in most recently:

Deb Marsella presented financial aid planning information to parents at local schools as part of MEFA’s College Planning Seminars.

Jackie Crotty, Deb Marsella and Gina Pearce presented to Senior English classes at Lowell High School.

Roxana Zeledon and Gina Pearce presented to high school students participating in the MCC Admissions Pathways to Success program.

Institutional Advancement

College Advancement

MCC Foundation Middlesex Fund Grant Awards

The MCC Foundation has awarded 10 grants to MCC faculty and staff members totaling $46,649.25 in grant awards.  The funds for the awards are from generous donations from college supporters to the 2017 & 2018 Middlesex Fund.  Attached is a list of the grants awarded and the faculty/staff recipients.

• 2019 MCC Foundation Middlesex Fund Grant Recipients
• 2019 MCCF Scholarships Recipient List

The MCC Foundation is proud to support the work of dedicated faculty and staff members though the Middlesex Fund.  The 2019 Middlesex Fund campaign continues through June 30, 2019. To donate or for more information on the Middlesex Fund, go to https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/mfund.aspx.

MCC Foundation 2019 Scholarship Awards

On March 6, the MCC Foundation will recognize outstanding scholarship students at the MCC Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony to be held at 3:30 pm in the Bedford Campus Center.  At the ceremony, over $65,000 in scholarships will be awarded to 49 MCC students. The MCC Foundation welcomes the entire college community to the event to celebrate student success and to thank the generosity of the scholarship donors.  For more information, contact Amy Lee, leea@middlesex.mass.edu.

Community Education & Training

Community Education offers a variety of activities and educational programs for youth. Exceptional programs are delivered and developed to empower and guide youth as they reach personal goals and achieve academic and professional success. Vacation week, after-school, and summer programs are offered at our Bedford and Lowell campuses.

College for Kids — Summer 2019 College for Kids summer registration is now open! In addition to our existing programs – including  Aviation, Vet Medicine, Science and Web Design – Community Education is offering new programs this year through which students will learn about Healthy Eating, Creative Writing and Drawing. We are very excited to offer new programs geared toward high school students, such as Medical Laboratory Science, Career Exploration, and a high school Theater Production, directed by Karen Oster at our new Academic Arts Center.

The following career training programs began January/February: Accounting Fundamentals, Local Anesthesia Certification, HR Certification Exam Prep, CE course Preventing Medical Emergencies in Dental Hygiene Practice, Tools and Technologies for Technical Writers, ESL for Life in America, MTEL Exam Prep, TEAS Exam Prep, Beginning Portuguese, Digital Photography, Babysitter Certification for Youth, Personal Trainer Certification, Pharmacy Technician training, CE class Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care, Strategies for Working with Student Disabilities, Buying/Financing a Home.

Corporate Education & Training

Corporate Education and Training delivered, or will be delivering:

• Becoming a Strategic Leader and New Leader Onboarding training in Engaging Employees for Lowell General Hospital at the Tyngsboro campus.
• Emotional Intelligence training at E Ink in Billerica.
• Building Competent and Confident Leaders training at Pace Industries in North Billerica.
• Group Leadership and Supervisory Leadership Training at Nova Biomedical in Billerica. Training topics included Effective Communication Skills, Effective Conflict Management Practices, and Mentoring Others and Developing New Leaders.
• Quality Technician Training Program at Nova Biomedical in Waltham.
• Collaborated with the Early Childhood Department to offer Multicultural Communication course through the Region 3 Professional Partnership Grant.
• Introduction to Python training at Juniper Networks in Westford.
• Personal Protection/Active Shooter training at CTI in Lowell and Juniper Networks in Westford.
• Optimizing Productivity through Time Management training at Reliable Fence in Woburn.

Partnered with Shawsheen Valley Technical High School’s Advanced Manufacturing Welding Program to offer Blueprint Reading and Technical Math through a grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED).

Marketing Communications

NEW Marketing Communications Request Form

We are excited to announce that we have streamlined the Marketing & Social Media request forms. You will now be able to request marketing services, press releases, and social media services all in the same form. The form has been shortened in length to make it easier to fill out and we have added the ability to upload files with your request (Please note: to upload files you will need a Google account. If you do not already have a google account, you can create one using your college email address). Additionally, all requests that are submitted will be sent back a receipt via email. If you have any questions about the new Marketing request form, please email marketing@middlesex.mass.edu for assistance.

NEW Marketing Request Form

Please, Tell Us Your Stories

Don’t forget: Marketing Communications is always looking for “good news” to include in news releases and social media. So, don’t be shy: Please let us know when you or your division/department receive an award or grant – or any other good news about students, faculty and staff.

Submit an online Marketing Communications Request Form to request a news release. Include the WWWW info – who, what, when & where – with your Request Form. We will do our best to share your good news with the wider community.