Updates from the President

Strategic Transformation Summit

Our Oct. 19 Strategic Transformation Summit (STS) highlighted what makes Middlesex a wonderful institution to lead. During the day, I felt a huge sense of dedication and applied energy as faculty and staff came together and rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Your willingness to stay focused – as well as civil – and come up with creative and “out of the box” suggestions and ideas is a testament to your professionalism and commitment to the college.

I have received only a very limited amount of feedback from the STS, but am eagerly waiting to discover what innovative ideas surfaced from the many discussions. The day was designed from the ground up to foster open, honest, and inclusive dialogue. During my opening morning comments, I shared senior leadership’s assessment of the current educational environment and the compounding budget difficulties. We feel strongly that these issues need to be directly addressed and we feel strongly that we have the will and ability to meet these challenges. By calling on the dedicated faculty and staff at the college, we can work together on holistic, strategic, and entrepreneurial solutions.

Over the next six weeks, the Strategic Planning Committee will begin sorting through the ideas and suggestions and will draft a preliminary report. Once this report has been reviewed by senior leadership, it will be posted on the SharePoint site for wider review and comment.

Your work will help us forge new institutional paths as we move forward. For all of the effort you put into STS, I want to extend a big “thank you” from senior leadership.

College Dialogues

I have held two small group College Dialogues this semester. These Dialogues lasted two hours each and have explored an assortment of issues from a broad range of institutional perspectives. I have enjoyed both immensely. There is nothing like fresh baked cookies to get people to open up and talk freely! To sign up for a session, please go to http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/CollegeDialogue 

Recent Activities

• The Science Department invited me to a department meeting and we had a wonderfully candid conversation where I learned more about their joy of working with our students, as well as some of their frustrations. Their openness allowed me to better understand the goals of this dedicated department.
• The college was recently awarded a U.S. Department of Education grant that is part of the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program. Grant funds will be used to implement the “eMCC: Success from the Start” program to improve the student experience and better assess academic performance. The program will greatly propel the college’s efforts to build an integrated data system, begin the use of data analytics, and provide a more accessible student portal. The following experienced and capable individuals will be leading this effort, each supported by an extended team.
  • Program Coordinator: Jennifer Luddy, Dean of Institutional Research
  • Professional Development Activity Director: Peter Shea, Director of Professional Development
  • IT Activity Director: John Giblin, Computer Services Programmer
  • Enrollment Services Activity Director: Scott O’Neil, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Data

There will also be a Title III Steering Committee, which I will appoint.

• On Oct. 3, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, joined Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Senator Edward Markey, city and university leaders in a roundtable discussion of a recent federal grant to repair eight bridges in Lowell. Bridges included in this $13.4 million grant included one of the five bridges that connect the Cowan Center to the city.

• Representative Seth Moulton headed a Business Roundtable discussion sponsored by the Middlesex 3 Coalition. In this discussion, local business leaders from the Route 3 corridor talked about issues impacting their businesses. Representative Moulton discussed his efforts to work collaboratively in a divided Washington.

• The U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William Heidt was on campus three times on Oct. 5. In the morning, he had a spirited discussion with students, and in the afternoon he attended a reception at Nesmith House. In the evening, MCC hosted an open community forum where Ambassador Heidt presented an interactive program on current affairs in Cambodia. The event was well attended by members of the college and the community. At the evening event, the college announced the U.S. DoE Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program (ANNAPISI) grant that will help accelerate MCC’s ongoing efforts to connect with the local Asian community. Dean Pam Flaherty will be leading this effort.

• MassBay Community College inaugurated its new president, Dr. David Podell, in a wonderfully simple student- and faculty-centered ceremony on Oct. 6. We wish President Podell a successful tenure at MassBay.

• The FSA meeting on Oct. 6 was very well attended and was another opportunity for information sharing and frank dialogue, all of which highlighted the value of a participatory and shared governance system. MCC has a strong culture of positive and professional decision-making to promote student success.

• On a personal note, my highlight for the month was on Oct. 14, when my youngest daughter Tess married Justin in a wonderful ceremony in Leesburg, VA. It was a bright autumn day filled with happiness and joy for family and friends. The “brunch for dinner” was a huge hit and everybody danced until they dropped.

And Finally

It is an honor to work with the dedicated and hardworking people we have at MCC. This college is an outstanding place to work and every day we get to engage with students, energize their learning, and empower their success. I wish you all a wonderful month.

All the best,
Jim Mabry

Upcoming Events

• Oct. 28 & 29 – Murder at the Nesmith House (performed by the MCC Theater Dept.), 6:30 p.m., Nesmith House
• Nov. 8 & 14 – Higher Education Strategic Framework Regional Workshops to be held at MCC
• Nov. 9 –  PTK Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 3 p.m., Bedford Campus Center
• Nov. 19 – MCC Arts & Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bedford Campus
• Nov. 26 – City of Lights Parade, 4:30 p.m., downtown Lowell
• Dec. 6 – Board of Trustees Meeting w/Student Government, 7:30 a.m., Nesmith House

In The News

• Gov. Charlie Baker Appoints Middlesex Community College Trustees (September 25, 2016)
• Middlesex Community College wins $50K Grant for Morocco Program (September 27, 2016)
• U.S. Ambassador: Lowell has ‘best-organized Cambodian community’ (October 6, 2016)
• Healey to hold opioid abuse forum in Lowell (October 11, 2016)
• Middlesex Community College Earns $1.7 Million Grant to Support Asian-American Students (October 12, 2016)
• Community College Daily: Funding Round-Up (October 13, 2016)

News from the Divisions

Academic & Student Affairs

Academic, Career & Transfer Department

Director of Advising and Academic Pathways Bryan Wint has been spearheading the implementation plan for the Commonwealth Commitment Program here at the college. Bryan has been providing training to a variety of areas including Advising, Admissions, TRIO, Deans, faculty and other staff on this and other transfer initiatives. Bryan will continue to provide these training sessions to other areas in the coming weeks.

Bryan also led two training sessions for newer advisors in anticipation of the upcoming registration period. Topics included advising practices, DegreeWorks, transfer policies, as well as advising tools and resources. Some 20 staff and faculty attended these sessions.

Save the Dates: Our Annual Transfer Fairs will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Lowell and Thursday, Oct. 27, in Bedford, both from 10 am-1 pm. We will host over 30 public and private institutions at these events and they are a great opportunity for our students to explore their transfer options. We hope you will encourage your students to attend.

NACADA (National Association for Academic Advising) has accepted an MCC proposal to present at their upcoming Region 1 Mass Drive-In Conference at Northeastern University on Nov. 4. Our panel presentation is entitled, “Complete College America: Building Collaborations between Academic Advising and Academic Departments at Middlesex Community College.” MCC panelists include Pat Bruno, Dean of Academic Advising, Transfer and Career Services, Bryan Wint, Director of Advising and Academic Pathways, Ellen Grondine, Dean of K-16 Partnerships, Judith Hogan, Dean of Business, Education and Public Service (BEP) and Jane Fain, Transfer Counselor, Advising Liaison to BEP Division.

Assessment and Professional Development Offices

One of the most important trends in higher education today is the open educational resources (OER) movement which promotes online textbooks and other educational materials at no cost to students.

This summer, an OER Council was formed with representatives from each of the state’s 15 community colleges. The council’s first initiative was to request proposals from Massachusetts community college faculty interested in adopting or creating open educational resources for any courses required for STEM pathways. Proposals that were accepted would result in faculty receiving stipends for revising their course designs to accommodate OER adoption.

Several MCC faculty, including teams from the Math and English departments, submitted proposals — all of which received funding. The total amount awarded to our MCC faculty OER “heroes” will be $7,750. Once completed, these projects will save MCC students over $144,000 in textbook costs.

A second call for OER proposals will occur in November. For more information, please contact Donna Maturi or Peter Shea.

Business, Entrepreneurship and Legal Studies

Professors Kim Morrissey, Ashli Ree and Stacie Hargis of the Business Department recently presented at the AAC&U Global Learning conference in Denver. Their presentation was called: “Preparing Business Students for a Global Workforce.” They discussed their approach to implementing global issues and learning goals into programs to enhance student experience. They used their collaboration with each other and UMass Lowell in creating global assignments for business students as the basis for this work.

Dean Judy Hogan, Asst. Dean Deb Walsh and Prof. Stacie Hargis recently attended the annual NACCE Entrepreneurship conference in Sacramento. Dean Hogan was selected by NACCE to attend on a full scholarship, and Prof. Hargis presented at the conference on “What Are You Waiting For? Let Them Start Now.” Her session was well attended and well received by the conference attendees.

Prof. Halye Sugarman has been working with Paralegal students to get the Paralegal Club going this semester. The Paralegal Program has a relationship with the Lowell Election Bureau, where club members will be volunteering on Nov. 8, helping answering phones and directing voters to their correct polling locations.

Prof. Ron Brevard’s Criminal Justice class will be hosting Congresswoman Niki Tsongas to speak to his Wednesday morning class on Nov. 2. He has reserved the Assembly Room at the Federal Building from 8-10 that morning and is able to invite other student classes to attend.

The Center for Leadership & Engagement

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  With over 100 student-athletes on the ice, field, or court this semester, MCC sports is thriving! Intramural volleyball and flag football teams are currently in playoffs, and the intramural basketball season is starting this week. Twenty-four enthusiastic student-athletes showed up to tryout for the MCC Hockey Team. Led by experienced coaches George Jacobs and Phil Loranger, the MCC Hockey Team is scheduled for the season home opener on Saturday, Oct. 29. at 9:10 pm at the Chelmsford Forum.

  Over the past few weeks, campus-wide “Every Vote Matters” efforts have elicited several hundred new voter registrations at MCC. Civic-engagement staff and volunteers have shared information, encouraged conversation about critical topics, and have been preparing the college community for the state and federal election. To learn more about the candidates and issues and opt to receive election reminders visit https://mcc.turbovote.org/ .

Enrollment

In Admissions, we live in the future. We are always recruiting for the next two academic terms at the same time. October is one of our busiest months, as we are concentrating not only on enrollment for the spring semester, but for fall 2017 as well. In this month alone, staff is visiting 27 high schools, attending 8 college fairs targeting graduating seniors, 2 fairs targeting adults, and 2 community agency visits. In addition, we are hosting 5 Health Information Sessions, one each for the Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and  Diagnostic Sonography programs, and a general session that covers all Health programs. We also have a campus tour scheduled on each campus, and all admissions counselors have time set aside to meet with students.

At the end of the month is the Fall Admissions Open House. This will be held the morning of Saturday, Oct. 29, beginning at 9:30 on our Bedford campus. Prospective students will have opportunities the entire morning to engage with staff from across the college to learn about the many services we offer. They will also be able to meet with deans, assistant deans and faculty. This fall we are grouping the academic areas by the seven academic pathways, Arts & Humanities, Business, Education & Public Service, Health, Social Science, and STEM, and explaining how students can begin their college career, even if they are uncertain of what they want to study. We will also give parents and students the chance to learn about MassTransfer and Commonwealth Commitment programs and how both can lower the cost of earning a degree. In addition, we will offer multiple tours of our beautiful campus.

Large recruiting events such as the Open House are successful because of the support we receive from the campus community. The Admissions team would like to thank everyone in advance for the role they play.

Enrollment Management

Welcome and Announcements

Welcome to David Fredriksen who started full-time as an Enrollment Assistant in the Enrollment Management Center on Oct. 3. David is an MCC graduate and earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He had previously worked parttime in the EMC.

Congratulations to Judith Bonczar, Janine Daunais, Carolyn Delehanty, Lisa Gibson and Vanessa Ruiz for their years of service to the college which was recognized on Oct. 19.

Spring Registration Opened October 11

Through the cooperation of many across the college, Spring Semester registration, including WinterSession, opened on Tuesday Oct. 11. This early opening provides MCC students the opportunity to plan and select class schedules that best meet their needs. The Oct. 11 opening includes:
• A Register Early campaign to encourage students to meet with their advisors and select classes
• Expanded WinterSession offerings, providing more options for students
• Schedule Planner, a new online tool to help students select their best schedule.

Schedule Planner Now Available

Schedule Planner has been added as an option in MiddleNet. It allows students to build their best schedule with ease. With Schedule Planner, students can select the classes they need, and the program will build schedule options based on campus selections and time restrictions designated by the student. Students may print or email their schedule options, create a shopping cart of selected classes, and register through a direct link to MiddleNet.

Spring 2017 Registration Letters, Emails and Texts

Spring 2017 registration letters were sent to 8,835 current students to inform them of the upcoming registration period and to provide them information pertaining to the Register Early campaign, their advisor assignments, and how to register. The registration letters were customized and covered approximately 12 different student populations. Some of these populations included: first-time freshman, transfer, continuing, students close to graduation, and those students who had totally withdrawn from the college in the previous months. The college additionally sent text messages and emails to these students. During the first three days of spring registration, which started Oct. 11, 582 students had already registered for spring courses, representing 6.6% of the 8,835 population.

Transcripts/Graduation/Transfer Credit

Beginning Oct. 3, students requesting a Middlesex Community College transcript can only do so by using a student self-service option that is available on the student’s MyMCC portal and on the college’s website. With the implementation of the e-transcript process, the college will no longer be generating individual paper copies for students.

The Registrar’s Office continues to process Fall 2016 graduation applications. The Fall 2016 graduation date is Jan. 10, 2017. Please encourage qualified students to apply for Fall graduation. Graduation fliers have been posted in the Enrollment offices, and students are being encouraged to graduate through notices via MCC TV, Newscaster, Facebook and Twitter.

The Enrollment Specialists have been setting up or are available for training faculty, professional advisors and admission counselors in how to bring in transfer credits from other colleges, and how to use the MassTransfer course equivalency database. If you are interested in receiving training, please contact Pat Hunt at huntp@middlesex.mass.edu or Evelin Ovalles at ovallese@middlesex.mass.edu.

Midterm Deficiency Grades

A general Newscaster went out to remind faculty that mid-term grades are due by 5 pm on Oct. 28. Letters to those students receiving mid-term deficiency grades will be mailed out by Nov. 2. Students receiving deficiencies are encouraged to speak with their instructors or advisor, or seek out the assistance of the Tutoring Centers.

Banner Users Group (BUG)

The Banner Users Group (BUG) has been working on implementing the functionality that will allow students to declare a preferred name. Admissions and the Technology Center have updated the Admissions Application and MiddleNet to include an option for preferred name. Testing the functionality of preferred name is in progress. Test scenarios include the ability for preferred name to be entered into Banner, listed on class rosters, and an option in MiddleNet where students can enter preferred name. The Policy Committee is currently looking at best practices regarding the use of preferred name in different college communications.

Document Imaging Project

Softdocs will be onsite in October to assist MCC staff with the configuration of the Etrieve suite. This Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution will allow the college to scan college documents, and store and retrieve them electronically, the ability to create electronic forms that can be used by students and staff, and an automated workflow function that can guide and control processes throughout the college.

Nursing and Allied Health Division

Denise Garrow-Pruitt, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of Allied Health, has completed training and testing (scoring a 100%) to be a site surveyor for Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). She will be conducting accreditation visit at other colleges nationally. Congratulations Denise!

Huge congratulations to Claudia Guillen, CMA RN, for receiving 10-year programmatic accreditation for the Medical Assisting Program. Programs that are superb generally receive seven years. Claudia has done an outstanding job and exceeded all expectation.

Two faculty in the Dental Hygiene Program, Leah MacPherson and Maureen Strauss, presented “Strategies to Improve Clinical Teaching” at the New England Dental Hygiene Educator’s Meeting at Massachusetts ADHA annual session on Sept. 24.

STEM News

Program News

• Engineering: The Engineering Program will be holding an Engineering Panel Night on Nov. 2, in the Bedford Café. Organized by Professor Michele Stein, this panel offers an opportunity for students to engage with established practicing engineers who will discuss their journey from academics to where they are today.
• Science: Jean Cremins and Patricia Richard attended a Writing Across the Curriculum Workshop facilitated by Milena Gueorguieva, from UMass Lowell, designed to help faculty in the disciplines improve teaching practices to help ELL students become more proficient writers.
• Biotechnology students had several experiences this month to enhance their classroom learning. They visited Zoll Corp. and Masy Bio Services to learn about good manufacturing practices (GMP), and also researched state-of-the-art equipment at the recent ISPE Product Show – Gillette Stadium. The Biotechnology Program currently has students placed at many local companies, such as Sigma/Aldrich, Genzyme, Repligen, Lantheus Medical Imaging, Shire Human Genetics Therapies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Lonza, Masys BioSystems, Novartis and CreaGen.

Pathways Center

For the month of September the Pathways Center had in excess of 500 students visit, including a record number of well attended, scheduled group study sessions. The center held a Welcoming Event this month to introduce students to services and staff, which drew in excess of 100 students. The Center also provided classroom visits, held a peer mentor training, held 4 hiring rvents, and presented 3 career-related presentations/workshops to the MLT, Nursing and Biotechnology students.
The Center also hosted an external evaluater of our STEM Starter Academy initiatives this month. The evaluator reported that students appreciated the Pathways Center as a supportive environment where they felt that both peers and staff cared about them. In addition, students indicated that they appreciated the resources available in the Pathways Center – most notably people who helped them to navigate career or college systems, but also the physical resource of a quiet, comfortable place to study.

Advancement

The Career Place

1st Annual Aleta DeGusto Memorial Scholarship
The Career Place created a scholarship for computer skills training in Microsoft Office, in memory of Aleta DeGusto, who passed away suddenly in July 2015. The Microsoft Office WorkSmart 4-week program offers students the opportunity to learn Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook.

Aleta DeGusto, former colleague and Career Coach of The Career Place for 7 years, was deeply committed to the success of The Center’s job seekers. Aleta believed in helping each and every customer gain necessary skills to help achieve their goals.

The Career Place staff recently hosted a breakfast to award the scholarship in Aleta DeGusto’s memory. It was The Career Place’s pleasure along with Janine DeGusto-Dougherty (Aleta’s Sister) to present Gordon, the inaugural recipient of the Aleta DeGusto Memorial, with this scholarship as it will give him the opportunity to upgrade his skills to compete in his field with confidence.

On behalf of The Career Place staff, we want to congratulate Gordon and extend our best wishes for continued success.

Career Centers Offer New Retail Training Program
Career Source in Cambridge/Chelsea and The Career Place in Woburn, through the Metro North Regional Employment Board, recently received a $400,000 grant for a new retail training and certification program. The goals of the program are to provide skilled workers in the retail industry, and help job seekers find entry-level jobs and advance in retail careers. Together, Career Source and The Career Place will serve over 300 jobseekers and retail employees and 50 retail employers. As part of this program, the career centers offer a 2-week Customer Service & Sales Fundamentals course that runs every month, job placement assistance, and ongoing coaching to help workers continue to develop their skills and move ahead in their careers. Labor officials and retailers gathered at the CambridgeSide Galleria on Wednesday, September 26th to launch the new program. Jon B. Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, and Malden Mayor Gary Christenson were among the guests. Kathleen Dachowski, instructor for the program, talked about her rapid career growth in the retail industry, and how the retail sector provides career opportunities not only in sales, but also in management, security, logistics, marketing, technology and finance. Career Source and The Career Place provide employment assistance to job seekers and businesses as part of the One-Stop Career Center System in Massachusetts, and are chartered by the Metro North Regional Employment Board. The Metro North Regional Employment Board, which serves 20 communities north of Boston, is one of 10 organizations nationwide to be awarded the retail grant by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

Corporate & Community Education and Training

Personnel Updates

• We are pleased to announce that Sheila Morin has been promoted to Director of Community Education and Training and Lisa Tuzzolo has been promoted to Director of Corporate Education and Training. Please join us in congratulating Sheila and Lisa as we move forward in Institutional Advancement.
• As of October, Terrence Downes the Executive Director of Homeland Security will also be the Director of the MCC Law Center, following the retirement of long-time Law Center Director Ken Dunn.

Community Education and Training News

• Twenty-Four (24) registered Dental Hygienists from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine successfully passed our Local Anesthesia Certification course on October 10. The course consists of an intensive online pre-study and a 3-day practice in our dental clinic. Thank you to our dedicated dental hygiene faculty and staff to make this program a continued success.
• MCC’s Department of Public Safety presented knowledgeable and pertinent information on Active Shooter Awareness to a crowd of over 50 people at our MILES Opening Session on October 6. A crowd featuring both MILES members and local business partners, our MCC Public Safety team delivered expert advice on a touch subject in a very thoughtful and sensitive way. A big thank you goes out to our MCC Department of Public Safety.
• ALL CALL FOR MILES INSTRUCTORS: Our MILES members are a dedicated lively group thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to learn from our esteemed faculty and staff here at Middlesex Community College. Our MILES classes are Monday-Thursday, 2-4pm March/April and October/November. If any MCC faculty or staff are interested in teaching a 2-hour session (your choice of the topic!) please contact Caitlin Campopiano at campopianoc@middlesex.mass.edu. Webpage: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/careertraining/miles.aspx

Corporate Education and Training News

• Delivering customized non-credit Financial Strategies for employees at Enterprise Bank.
  Delivering customized non-credit Microsoft Word for employees at Washington Savings Bank.
• Offering Medical Administration Program class for LifeLinks. The course is conducted at MCC in order to provide employees exposure to taking classes in a college setting.
  Delivering a non-credit advanced manufacturing training program through a Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant. The program is designed to prepare unemployed or underemployed for entry-level positions in either electronics or machining. The students start the foundational courses at the Lowell Campus, and then take their hands on machining and electronics training at Greater Lowell Technical High School. The program ends in March 2017 with the students taking over 400 hours of training.
  Delivering a Medical Assisting Certification Test Prep course for the employees at Lowell Community Health Care.
• Delivering a Business Writing and Report Preparation course for the employees at Vertifi Software.

MCC Program on Homeland Security
In October, Executive Director Terry Downes attended “Enhancing School Safety by Building Resilience: Complex Trauma as a Challenge and Opportunity” at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. Sponsored by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc., the featured speaker was Dr. Julian Ford, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Medical School.
On October 16, Terry was the featured guest on WBZ Radio/CBS Boston’s “Weekend Live” broadcast. For two hours, he provided live on-air discussion and analysis of the current international terror threat matrix, including the start of the military campaign to liberate the City of Mosul, Iraq from ISIS forces; international military cooperation against ISIS, al Qaeda and other terror groups among sometimes competing nation-states; and the state of U.S. military readiness after ten years of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Terry continues his work as a member of two regional opioid-abuse reduction task forces.

Institutional Advancement

Murder Mystery at the Nesmith House
Join the college community for a fun and entertaining evening to benefit the MCC Performing Arts Scholarship Fund! “Murder at the Nesmith House” will be performed on Friday evening, October 28 and Saturday, evening October 29. beginning at 6:30 pm. This production is being directed and acted by members of MCC’s Theater Department under the supervision of Karen Oster, Chair of Performing Arts. A limited number of tickets are available for each night’s performance. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Ticket prices are $75 and will support MCC performing arts students!

Order tickets online at www.middlesex.mass.edu/mystery. For more information, please contact Colleen Cox at coxc@middlesex.mass.edu or Dennis Malvers at 781-280-3514.

MCC Arts & Crafts Fair
Middlesex Community College’s 24th Annual Arts & Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 19, on the Bedford Campus. The fair will feature over 60 crafters who will be offering items, including fresh baked breads and pies, jewelry, bee products, themed gift baskets, quilts, pet items, license plate art, tea accessories, and many holiday crafts.

Annual Fund
Information about the 2017 MCC Foundation Annual Fund will be in faculty/staff mailboxes soon. Over the last decade, through the generous contributions of faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, the MCC Foundation Annual Fund has raised over $500,000 and funded 125 grant projects that promote student success. Your support is deeply valued!

Ways to Give:

• Online: http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/donate
  Gifts may also be designated to any MCC Foundation program or fund.
• Payroll Deductions (Full-Time Employees only):
  Download the form at http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/AF
• Mail:
  Middlesex Community College Foundation
  P.O. Box 716, Bedford, MA 01730

MCC Foundation Scholarships
The 2016-2017 MCC Foundation scholarship applications are now available to MCC students. The deadline to apply is December 9, 2016. Please encourage students to take advantage of these scholarship opportunities. For a complete listing of these scholarships and more information on the application and the selection processes, please go to this webpage: http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/scholarships or contact Amy Lee leea@middlesex.mass.edu. Watch for additional information Newscaster.

Connections with Alumni
Everyone who works at MCC has had opportunities to meet remarkable students throughout the years. Many have stayed in touch with the students, celebrating their successes. The Advancement Office would like to hear from faculty and staff who are able to provide information about MCC alumni – their careers and life accomplishments. MCC Advancement and Alumni offices appreciate the good work performed by alumni each day and want to encourage long-lasting relationships with the college. Please help the Advancement Office maintain accurate data on alumni. Tell the Advancement office about the impressive alumni you know. They could become commencement speakers, distinguished alumni award recipients, advisory board members, classroom presenters, student mentors, ambassadors for Middlesex Community College, etc! Contact Dennis Malvers at malversd@middlesex.mass.edu or Amy Lee at leea@middlesex.mass.edu.

Institutional Research and Planning

• The Office of Institutional Research and Planning, the Technology Center, and Enrollment Management continue to work together to provide Argos training to data stewards in the college community. This tool provides staff with more independent access to statistics on our students, thereby supporting ongoing enrollment and retention efforts. Staff is available every Friday morning in LC213A to demonstrate and answer questions.
• On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, over 400 faculty and staff gathered at the UMASS Lowell ICC for the Strategic Transformation Summit. In his opening comments, President Mabry described the convergence of challenges currently faced by Middlesex Community College, as well as other community colleges in Massachusetts and around the country: declining enrollment and state support, along with increasing cost and competition. He encouraged participants to bring forth their best ideas and as much as possible wear “thick skins” in preparation for potentially difficult conversations. The morning comments closed with an MCC video titled “The Way Forward Begins Today” that further emphasized strategic thinking and constructive dialogue. During 45 morning and afternoon sessions, faculty and staff generated ideas to increase enrollment, retention, revenue, effectiveness, and efficiency. In the next few weeks, Strategic Planning Committee members will work together to synthesize the information collected into a directional document to be presented to the Cabinet before Thanksgiving.
• Please note the new information is being added to the Strategic Transformation SharePoint site so be sure to check out new information and articles.

Marketing Communications

Marketing Communications is working closely with Enrollment Services and Admissions to boost enrollment and increase community awareness of our many programs of study and course offerings.

Bedford Campus Open House – Our fall open house will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, in Bedford. We expect a good crowd of potential students coming out to meet with program deans, faculty, and admissions and financial aid advisors. Thanks to our new targeted-online marketing efforts, our last Walk-In Enrollment session attracted more than 300 students. (That’s up from the 70 people who attended the previous Walk-In event!)

Register Early & Win Big! –Spring Semester registration has opened and we are spreading the word that students who register early get the best selection of courses to fit their busy schedules – and stay on track to graduate on time. Also, students who register by Friday, Dec. 23, will be entered into a raffle to win prizes, such as free three-credit courses and bookstore gift cards. Please encourage your students to visit the website for complete details: www.middlesex.mass.edu/RegisterEARLY

Wintersession – Registration has also opened for Wintersession, which runs Jan. 3-20, 2017, on the Bedford campus or online. The condensed, three-week format of these courses is an ideal time for students to reduce their spring-semester course load, or complete a course that won’t fit into their regular fall or spring schedules. For a full list of Wintersession offerings, visit: http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/wintersession

The Commonwealth Commitment –This new statewide program, when combined with MassTransfeer, can save qualified students an average of 40 percent of the cost of earning a bachelor’s degree. However, to qualify, students must enroll in the program before they complete 15 credits. Please encourage your students to explore the wide range of degree programs, transfer options, and college costs at all 28 public undergraduate campuses, by visiting the new MassTransfer web portal: http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer

Did You Know?
You can request one of our new MCC lapel pins from Marketing Communications? Just fill out this form: http://bit.ly/MCCLapelPin

Government & Community Relations

Learn the Latest Campus Closing & Delayed Opening Info, visit: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/winter/default.aspx

• Director of Public Safety Daniel Martin has been working with NEMLEC STARS to engage community schools in enhanced lockdown procedures/A.L.i.C.E. In the past month they have visited schools in North Andover and Groton.
• The Public Safety Department recently assisted the STEM Department with securing the new Cyber Security Lab and its classrooms located in the Pollard Building. A state-of-the-art camera was installed to monitor activity in the area and to aid in the protection of assets provided by a grant. Since the new install less than two weeks ago, Public Safety was able to assist in and resolve some ongoing concerns in the area with a favorable outcome.
• The Government Relations and Public Safety departments were invited to attend a seminar on the very important topic of Domestic Violence put on by our community partner, Enterprise Bank. Guest speaker, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, discussed the in-depth involvement and outreach that is needed for these criminal acts, and ways to protect victims and potential victims.
• MCC administrators from Compliance, Public Safety, Government Relations, and Academic & Student Affairs attended the Statewide Campus Safety and Violence Prevention conference at the DCU Center at the end of September. Sessions and panels focused on sexual assault, active shooters and threat assessment, as well as a lunchtime session that focused on Sexual Assault: Brain, Experience, Behavior and Memory. The conference was attended by 350 professionals from across the Commonwealth with 46 private colleges and 29 public institutions represented.
• The Annual Safety & Security Report was disseminated at the end of September in accordance with the Clery Act. This is important information for faculty and staff to know, including emergency procedures and notification policies. Any questions regarding the report can be directed to Alisa Chapman, Director of Compliance. or Dan Martin, Director of Public Safety.
• October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many of our students experience and/or witness domestic violence. A number of students have utilized resources and services at the dollege to help them through these situations. If a student contacts you and discloses that they are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please contact Alisa Chapman, Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, to get the student the appropriate resources and accommodations they need:  chapmana@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3620.
• As part of Title IX general awareness, please refer any students who are pregnant and requesting excused absences, time off, extended deadlines, etc. to Alisa Chapman. These cases are handled in a specific manner required by law. Students should contact Alisa directly for resources and guidance: chapmana@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3620.
• MCC Campus Resource Officers, LPD Officer Tom Hickey and BPD Craig Naylor, recently took part in the national “Coffee with a Cop” campaign. Officers Hickey and Naylor set up stations on each campus, offering free coffee and Munchkins to students who stopped by to ask questions and have conversation with our CROs.
• Campus Resource Officer Hickey responded to a report of a theft in the Pollard and Talbot buildings on Oct. 14. Officer Hickey was able to apprehend and subsequently arrest the male suspect (the suspect was not affiliated with MCC). Items taken included a student’s backpack, a staff member’s keys, and a professor’s briefcase containing a college-issued laptop, and were removed from unlocked classrooms and offices. Due to the value of the items, these were deemed to be felony offenses. Officer Hickey once again stresses the importance of making sure all valuables brought to campus are kept in locked receptacles.
• Patrick Cook, along with President Mabry, Trustees Chair Jim Campbell, and Phil Sisson, Judy Burke and Colleen Cox delivered a presentation on MCC to the Lowell City Council subcommittee on education. The MCC team used the public meeting to answer questions about the college’s growth, as well as exciting new opportunities, such as our Cyber Security Program and the construction underway at the Boston &  Maine railroad depot.
• Patrick and Dan also attended the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon celebrating women in business. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas was the keynote speaker at the event. Government Relations and Public Safety personnel also attended the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce luncheon which featured Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and his efforts to expand his community-based programming. Additionally, Government Relations took part in the Lowell Plan’s annual business breakfast, and helped contribute materials to a new promotional video spotlighting Lowell, which included MCC’s role as a downtown economic supporter.

Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey spoke with MCC”s Public Safety team at the statewide campus safety conference held in Worcester.

embers of MCC’s Public Affairs and Student Affairs met with fomer Boston Police Superintendent Edward Davis at the Department of Higher Education’s first statewide campus safety conference

Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey met MCC’s Campus Resource Officers Craig Naylor and Thomas Hickey at the DHE’s campus safety conference.

Officer Thomas Hickey had a steady stream of students stopping by to have a Coffee with a Cop on the Lowell campus.

President Mabry and Chairman Campbell shared a laugh with Lowell philanthropist Nancy Donahue and Steve Joncas at the annual Lowell Plan breakfast

Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno, an MCC alum, joined Officer Craig Naylor for the college’s first Coffee with a Cop on Main Street in Bedford

Human Resources News

UPDATE your Employee Data in MassHR Employee Self Service

MCC Human Resources is reviewing our systems and processes to deliver more effective and efficient services to our workforce. Having the most accurate and current data about each employee is critical. For the next several weeks, we are asking each MCC employee to please login to the MassHR Employee Self Service system and review your Personal Information Summary in the HRCMS system. Every employee paid by Middlesex Community College – including Career Source, The Career Place and Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School – has an HRCMS six-digit User ID number so you can login in. For those of you who submit your time sheets in HRCMS online, check your paycheck amounts or access your W-2 statements, simply login at https://hrcms-prod.state.ma.us/psp/H92PRD/?cmd=login Or you can access the Employee Self Service link by first logging in to the MyMCC portal and looking for the Employee Self Service icon below. If you forgot your HRCMS six-digit User ID, please contact the Human Resources Office (Barbara Malobecki at malobeckib@middlesex.mass.edu and Idania Coa Cepeda at coai@middlesex.mass.edu ).

To Login you need your six-digit HRCMS User ID and your password.

Once you’re in HRCMS Employee Self Service, look for Quick Links on the left side of the screen.

Select ‘Personal Information Summary’.

Review and update if needed each of these data items:

1. Home/Mailing Address Phone Numbers – Be sure to add your mobile (cell) number. Check off which one is Primary.
2. Emergency Contacts – Add people who we should contact in an emergency. Check off which one is Primary.
3. Ethnic Groups – Ethnicity and Race Human Resources thanks you in advance for taking a few minutes to review your Personal Information Summary!

*********************************************************************** The search for our Executive Director of Human Resources is making progress. In the meantime, your MCC HR Department team is available to assist you and answer your questions:

• Mary Chatigny, Interim Director of Human Resources, Cataldo Bldg. (Bldg. 10), Bedford, 781-280-3624 – chatignym@middlesex.mass.edu
• Darcy Orellana, Associate Director of Human Resources/CDO, Cataldo Building (Bldg. 10), Bedford; 781-280-3559 – orellanad@middlesex.mass.edu
• Reginald Nichols, Assistant Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action Officer; Enrollment Center (Bldg. 9), Room 107, Bedford; 781-280-3536 – nicholsr@middlesex.mass.edu
• Julie Kelley, Employment & Benefits Coordinator; Cataldo Building (Bldg. 10), Bedford; 781-280-3531 – kelleyj@middlesex.mass.edu
• Idania Coa Cepeda, Administrative Assistant; Cataldo Building (Bldg. 10), Bedford; 781-280-3527 – coai@middlesex.mass.edu
• Barbara Malobecki, HR Generalist; Cataldo Building (Bldg. 10), Bedford; 781-280-3672 – malobeckib@middlesex.mass.edu