Updates From the President

Innovation + Student Support @ MCC

The Mid-Term Open Forum on Thursday, Nov. 9, shined some light on a few of the innovative projects underway at MCC, and really highlighted how we are working together in very creative ways to support student success and retention. I found the presentations interesting and informative, as well as helpful in letting other committed faculty and staff to better understand some of the creative solutions being introduced to campus.

The “MCC 360” Title III grant is another vehicle through which Middlesex is building the infrastructure to better support and promote student success and retention. To research how data and data analytics are being used to drive student success, I recently attended the EDUCAUSE Conference. The conference attracts a wide range of colleges and technology vendors, and I was able to take a focused dive into emerging technologies and practices that directly support student success.

A few of my takeaways:

We have a lot of data on our students that we currently are unable to use to effectively promote student success.
Data can point us in the right direction, highlight issues, and give us timely warnings – but it takes a professional educator to design and implement the appropriate intervention and success strategies.
Emerging tools will provide faculty and advisors with actionable information that will help us keep students on the path to success.
Intervention teams using a case-management approach may be an effective model for supporting student success.

There is no silver bullet that will instantly permit us to help a very diverse group of students succeed. No technology will replace the positive interactions with our students that we engage in every day. However, as an institution with a long history of innovation and leadership, we must continue to explore emerging technologies and embrace promising tools that can assist us in helping our students in the most effective ways possible.

The latest issue of PROFILES magazine will be on campus this week. Our Fall ’17 issue highlights the many ways MCC supports our first-generation students. This issue also spotlights four current “first-gen” students – Hamid Bouagal, Stacy Holmes, Jennifer Khuy and Theresa Sherman – who are successfully progressing toward their goals.

Keep up the excellent work!

– Jim Mabry

Upcoming Events

November 25 – City of Lights Parade, 4:30 pm, Downtown Lowell
November 28 – MCC Night at UMass Lowell Riverhawks Hockey vs Bentley, 7 pm, Tsongas Arena
December 5 – Trustee Meeting w/Student Government, 5:30 pm, Nesmith House, 229 Andover St., Lowell
December 8 – PTK Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 5pm, Bedford Café East
January 2, 2018 – Wintersession begins
January 22 – Spring Semester begins
January 23 – Collegewide Open Forum, 2 pm, Bedford Campus Center

MCC In The News

Community college food programs grow (Campus News, 11/15/17)
MCC in top 100 for Asian-Americans (Lowell Sun, 11/5/17)
21-class salute for Police Academy (Lowell Sun, 11/4/17)
MCC Hospitality degree called one of best in state (Lowell Sun online, 10/29/17)
MCC awards over 1,750 Student Success Grants (Bedford Minuteman, 10/26/17)

Current Grant Initiatives

AANAPISI Grant Update

College Financial Literacy Workshop

In November, Robert Baumel, Director of Financial Aid Office, gave a presentation to students on the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the Asian American Connections Center. The goal of the workshop was to help students gain a better understanding of the financial aid process, and to ask questions about the application process. In addition, Rob discussed the financial aid procedure for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution.

This workshop was the second in a series of workshops that the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) is hosting on campus, as well as in our local communities, in an effort to increase college financial literacy.

Intensive English Institute (IEI) Pilot Year Update

Middlesex Community College launched a new Intensive English Institute this semester. Through networking and recruiting, we were able to reach MCC students and community members from the Greater Lowell area and beyond.

Our IEI students represent a wide range of countries and cultures, including Vietnam, India, Russia, Africa, Spain, Syria, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. As we continue to grow in diversity, in addition to the cultures currently represented our in-coming spring semester students will represent their native countries, which include China, Turkey and Afghanistan.

In the IEI, our students attend rigorous classes each week, Monday through Thursday, and participate in our “lunch and learn” experience. During “lunch and learn,” under the direction of Gillian Nsuh, Supplemental Instruction Leader, our students support their studies with targeted language lessons. They also participate in a conversation group led by Caitlin Jordan in our Academic Center for Enrichment; and work together as a student-lead study group, where they rotate roles; facilitator, time keeper, recorder, and presenter.

Lunch with Faculty Series

On November 7, the Asian American Connections Center hosted the first Lunch with Faculty, the first event in what will become a monthly series of events. The focus of the series is to support MCC students with their career-development process by exploring career options, learning networking skills, and job-search strategies.

The series is designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in conversation with faculty members outside of the classroom. Ashli Ree, Associate Professor in Fashion Merchandising, was the first faculty guest speaker. Students were able to learn about her career path, and obtain valuable career advice. Students asked questions about what skills and experiences guided Professor Ree to her current position, as well as hear about challenges that she had to overcome in order to achieve her career goals.

Be sure to check Newscaster for the next Lunch with Faculty event.

MCC 360 Update

The MCC 360 kick off presentation occurred Wednesday, November 8th, in Cafe East of the Bedford campus. Representatives from EAB demonstrated Navigate, the enterprise management software, which the college is purchasing with funds from our current Title III grant. The intent of the kickoff was to help the college become familiar with the various modules and functionalities of Navigate, and to better understand our business processes related to student access, communications, advising, and registration – as well as technology and workflow audits. The PowerPoint presentation that accompanied the kickoff can be seen on the MCC 360 webpage: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/mcc360/. There is also a video of the day’s presentation for those who were not able to attend.

The next step is building the teams that will implement EAB Navigate. There will be a meeting with our EAB partners on January 10th for this purpose. In addition, a guide to building teams for EAB Navigate has been posted on the MCC 360 webpage.

Academic Affairs

First-Year Experience

IDS 105 ‘Interdisciplinary Weekend Course: Global Business’

Students, along with faculty, staff and Peer Champions/Mentors Tianna Guerra and Rhaisa Rhoden, filled the Student Lounge and Café East on November 3 and 4 for the IDS 105 weekend course on “Global Business.” From the time the activities began on Friday with a trip to the Peabody Essex Museum, until late afternoon on Saturday, students were engaged in activities and rich discussions that lasted the entire weekend.

On Saturday, Keynote, Rob Kaulfuss, presented his topic on “Perils and Possibilities: Is the Global Economy on a Sustainable Path?” Students were attentive, while also taking copious notes and asking many thoughtful questions. After that, the plenary panel, Prabha Dublish, Co-Founder of Womentum, Paula Murphy, Director of the Massachusetts Export Center, and Rafael Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of Enel Green Power North America, Inc., continued to engage students, while also educating and challenging them about each of their particular areas of expertise.

Just before lunch, the students attended the faculty-facilitated sessions with relevant topics: Michael Cermak’s “Fair Trade: Ethics and Scandal in the Effort for Justice and Sustainability in Internationally Traded Foods”; James Dottin’s “Foreign Direct Investments: The Transformational Impact on the World’s Emerging Nations”; Ashli Ree’s “Globalization of Samsung: From a Humble Trading Company to a Multinational Conglomerate”; and Peyton Paxson’s “Global Media and Ethics: An Overview.” The same interesting topics were offered after lunch, as students continued in their weekend course.

Once the students returned from their chosen sessions, Binnur Ercem engaged them with a film, “The Economics of Happiness,” followed by thought-provoking, lively discussions.

The weekend course finally came to an end as students gathered their backpacks, notebooks, water bottles, world maps and food – but not before Stacie Hargis reminded everyone of their assignment and due date. The “IDS 105-Global Business weekend” course came to an end, but the course was not over because the students still had to submit their assignments. Yes, there was an assignment, and a very comprehensive one at that!

As the students left Café East, they appeared very different than when they began their weekend journey. Not only was there a lot more chatter, but also signs of friendships and connections.

Library Services

Pop-up Librarians

The MCC library has begun to offer library services at various locations across both campuses. Throughout the year, the three “Pop-up” librarians will be extending our reach by bringing library resources and services to students outside the library walls. Look for Kara Schwartz, Joanna Gray, and Kim Money, who will be coming soon to a building near you!

Presentation

Carrie Salazar presented a lightning round at the Dartmouth College annual library conference in October, where she discussed the MCC librarians’ collaborative process in creating their information literacy rubric, which will be used for both outreach and as an assessment tool.

Office of Professional Development

Call for Spring 2018 Minigrant Proposals

For any faculty or staff member interested in submitting a minigrant proposal for spring 2018, the deadline is December 15th. For more information, please visit our PD minigrant webpage at https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/professionaldevelopment/minigrants.aspx or email Peter Shea at sheap@middlesex.mass.edu.

OER Update

Three members of the MCC community participated in a keynote panel discussion on open educational resources at the recent fall 2017 New England Faculty Development Consortium (NEFDC) conference held on Friday, November 17th, at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Faculty member Patricia Richard joined librarian Donna Maturi as they discussed OER implementation at Middlesex. The panel moderator was Peter Shea, MCC’s Director of the Office of Professional Development.

Assignment Design & Digital Learning Workshop for Educators

MCC PD is co-sponsoring an Assignment Design & Digital Learning Workshop for Educators to be conducted by Alan November, the well-known digital learning pioneer. The day-long workshop will take place at Northern Essex Community College on Wednesday, January 10th (with a snow makeup date of Thursday, January 11th). Any interested faculty should contact Peter Shea at sheap@middlesex.mass.edu.

Academic Divisions

Business, Education & Public Service

Business

Nine student teams pitched innovative ideas at the DifferenceMaker@MCC Idea Challenge Pitch Contest on Thursday, 11/16. Students from various disciplines, including business and engineering, presented. Ideas included technology, energy, agriculture, food, and product innovations. The first place winners, ClassRoots, will go on to pitch at UML’s IDEA Challenge in the spring. ClassRoots is a social networking application that organizes assignments by class, offers discussion forums, and has an integrated messaging platform for seamless communication with peers.

Guest judges included:
• Judith Hogan, Dean of Business, Legal Studies, and Public Service
• Diana Coluntino, founder of New Vestures Co-Working Space
• Raymond Hamilton CTO & Co-founder, invisaWear
• Susu Wong, founder of Tomo360

Find out more here: https://ideacentermcc.wordpress.com/

Fashion Merchandising

Students visited various fashion businesses on Newbury Street with Professor Ashli Ree to learn about the different types of visual merchandising. Students also discussed the shopping experience of being in a physical store environment compared to online shopping.

Ashli Ree also met with her Fashion Merchandising Advisory Board members to discuss transfer options and internship/career opportunities for the students.

Hospitality and Culinary Arts

The MCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Programs were recently featured in an article in the Lowell Sun. Here is the link.

Humanities

Art Department

Jan Arabas, Professor of Art, exhibited a major installation piece as part of the exhibition, “Marking Time 2017: The Boston Printmakers 1947-2017 CELEBRATING SEVENTY YEARS.” The exhibit was hosted by the Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit, MA. Arabas is a long-time member of the Boston Printmakers and has won multiple jurors awards in the international biennales hosted by the organization.

English Department

English Department Hosts Four Community Events

The English Department, Office of Student Engagement, and Commonwealth Honors Program joined forces to host four literary events. Poet Jill McDonagh read her award-winning poetry on October 18th in Bedford. On November 14th, Poet Juan Matos and Poet/Translator Rhina Espaillat presented a moving bilingual poetry reading in Lowell. On November 15th, fiction writer Kevin McIlvoy read from his latest collection in Bedford. Middlesex students and faculty read their original works of poetry and fiction at the open reading on November 22nd in Bedford. Thanks to English faculty Tom Laughlin, Jonathan Bennett and Willy Ramirez for making these events possible.

Music Department

MCC students performed at the Arts & Crafts Fair on November 18. Singer Cynthia Long, voice student of Anna Ward, was accompanied by Brent Kincaid, MCC class of 2010. Guitarists Trevor Sullivan, Brian Horn and Ryan Overoye, students of Raley Beggs, were also featured. They performed in the Bedford Campus Center as people shopped.

On Sunday, November 19 there was a master class for flute and cello students from Arlington High School in the Concert Hall of the Bedford campus. MCC faculty member Orlando Cela gave flute students Hannah Summers and Alex Colety a short individual lesson, and Renée Delgado, cello, worked with cello students Aidan Klingsberg and Charlotte Bell.

A series of public master classes will be a new component of the MCC Music Department Outreach Program. MCC music faculty members and guest artists will be giving public lessons/master classes to advanced students from area high schools. This will give talented high school students an opportunity to work with our music faculty and to perform in public at the college. These master classes will be presented on both campuses throughout the academic year.

Orlando Cela working with Hannah Summers. Renée Delgado with Charlotte Bell. MCC faculty member Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta accompanied on the piano.

December concerts in A World of Music Concert Series in the Concert Hall, Bedford

Friday, December 1 at 8:00 pm. MCC Faculty Recital. MCC Music faculty members Raley Beggs, guitar; Orlando Cela, flute; Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, piano and Anna Ward, soprano will perform works from the Renaissance until the present. Works for a variety of combinations by John Dowland, Gabriel Fauré, Jacques Ibert, Hong-Da Chin and Gabriela Lena Frank will be performed.
Monday, December 11 at 12:30 pm. MCC Student Recital. Student instrumentalists and singers will be featured.

STEM

Teaching with Tablets

At the November 7 STEM division meeting, the focus was on teaching and highlighted some of the great faculty work that is done in STEM. John Smith, Michael Williamson, Robyn McDonough, Aisha Arroyo, Ryan Fried and Syeda Begum presented to faculty on how they use tablets in their teaching to enhance student learning. They shared with their peers how they use the tablet and what they have learned from its use. The presentations were well received and were followed up with a discussion with Joe Patuto on best practices and future options for use in teaching.

Engineering

On October 26th, the fourth Engineering Panel was held with over a hundred students in attendance on the Bedford Campus, Café East. This is a great career “feel-good” night in which five engineers working in the industry give their stories from college to where they are today.

On November 2nd, Dr. Bradley Lehman from Northeastern University visited the “Introduction to Engineering” classes to facilitate a laboratory on solar panels. Students had hands-on experience with solar panels and voltage readers, and were able to determine the ultimate power achieved with the panels.

The Computer, Engineering and Technology Department is excited to announce the new Associate Degree in Science Program for Electrical & Computer Engineering Students. Please spread the work to interested students. Beginning Fall 2018!

IT/Cybersecurity

On Thursday October, 19th, two classes of Ryan Fried’s IT students went to the Bartlett School in Lowell to talk about internet safety to a group of 6th-, 7th- and 8th-graders. In a world where everything is connected to the internet, and kids are connecting to social media without understanding the consequences of putting their information online. This presentation was timely and encouraged a conversation that a lot of parents aren’t sure how to handle.

Mathematics

In October, the Math Department administered the first round of the Student Math League (SML) exam. The SML at Middlesex is a member of both the AMATYC (American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges) and the NEMATYC (New England Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges) Student Math Leagues. The League has grown to more than 165 colleges in more than 35 states, including Bermuda. It currently involves more than 8,000 community college math students. Any Middlesex student, full- or part-time, who has not earned a two-year college or higher degree, is eligible to participate. However, every student is welcome to join the fun, even if they have a degree. Two tests are given, one in October and one in March. The test is one hour long and contains 20 multiple-choice questions. Many questions assume a knowledge of precalculus mathematics: algebra, trigonometry, geometry and probability. Many of the questions are more like puzzles, and can be solved with a minimal knowledge of college-level mathematics.

We had 58 students take part in the SML this fall. The top five scorers make up the team. They are Steven Oslan, Adenine Pall, Donald Knott, Stephany Pang and Bonse Seraphine. Steven Oslan came in second in the Northeast Region of the league. Our team is currently in third place in the Northeast Region. In 2014 and 2016, our SML came in first in the New England region and was awarded plaques that have been placed on each campus. Professor Dora Ottariano coordinates the SML here at MCC, with help from Professors Michael Williamson, Tonka Zelenkova, Aisha Arroyo and Robyn McDonough.

Science

In November, the newly formed International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) student chapter held a re–showing of “Focused Trends from FDA: What are they focusing on during their inspection?” in the Federal Building Assembly Room. Four industry professionals, three professors (Paul Patev, Korynn Stoyanoff and Patricia Richard) and 33 students were in attendance.

Peter Shea, Donna Maturi and Patricia Richard will join others as Open Education Resources (OER) panelists at the New England Faculty Development Conference (NEFDC) on Friday 11/17.

Mariluci Bladon, Biotech Program Coordinator; Michele Stein, CET Department Chairwoman; Ryan Fried and Kate Sweeney attended the annual Massachusetts STEM Summit at the DCU center in Worcester on Nov. 14, 2017. The summit promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and workforce development from early childhood through adulthood. The theme for the 2017 Summit – Progress Through Partnership – celebrated the rich tradition of creative collaboration that has been the hallmark of the Commonwealth’s powerful STEM movement since its earliest inception.

Stephen Smith, a SCI 201 research student, under the direction of Jean Cremins, is following up on news reports concerning the bacteria found in commercial ice, such as bagged iced in grocery stores as well as restaurants. He will report his findings December 14th at the Health Fair in Lowell.

Jean Cremins presented at the October’s SoTL meeting on the strategic use of images in Bb to make courses more welcoming, organized and content rich. She also presented at the New Faculty Institute on November 8th on Bb’s new accessibility feature, “Ally” and tech tools to enhance student success.

The Belize Coral Reef Experience will take place June 13-27, 2018, under the direction of John Savage and Paul Patev. MCC’S “International Fellowship to Belize” is a 3-credit course and 1-credit “Coral Conservation Lab” with in-country travel and research. Students study coral reef ecosystems and the global perspectives of complex environmental issues, including marine resource management and the importance of reefs in Belize culture. Activities include data collection while scuba diving and/or snorkeling.

Paul Patev and Doug Moffat, coordinators of The Journal Club, will be holding meetings once a month on Thursday afternoons in LP405. Participants read a small selection of scientific journal articles focused on a chosen current scientific topic of interest prior to the meeting, and discuss their thoughts in a casual, open-forum format. The first meeting was held Nov. 16.

Mariluci Bladon has been invited to participate on the Biotechnology Education Foundation Steering Committee. She participated in a teleconference with multiple colleges and universities to share information and decide new improved communication among the various Institutions. She also attended the Biotechnology Education Foundation’s 2nd Annual Champions for Biotechnology Education Awards Reception on Nov. 8th. Professor Bladon accompanied seven Biotechnolgy students for a visit at Shire Human Genetics Therapies in Lexington on October 27th. They met with the managers and directors of the department dealing with different projects utilizing protein purification.

Enrollment

Enrollment Management

E-forms

Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, and Advising are reviewing eForms that have been designed for their departments. There are a number of Financial Aid eForms scheduled to be published to students within the next few weeks. Advising is reviewing various processes, such as the Three-Peat Process and Credit Overload Process in order to build an optimal and streamlined electronic process for students and staff. All veteran documents will be converted into eForms. Student Account and Health and Wellness documents are scheduled to be stored in Etrieve Content before the end of the calendar year.

Cultural Competency Workshop

Katharina Lach, Evelin Ovalles and Serrahtani Parrish participated in a cultural competency workshop that is being offered as part of the AANAPISI grant. The workshop focused on improving cultural awareness, understanding, and interactions with Asian American students and the community.

Health Records

A big welcome to Carrie Fantasia and Kathryn Johnian as they join the Registrar’s Office and the Enrollment Management division. The submission of health records now reports to the Registrar’s Office; please note that students should be bringing their health records to the Lowell Student Information Center or the Bedford Student Center.

Academic Calendar

The 2017-2018 academic calendar has been updated and incorporates two Mini-mesters. Spring Mini-mester I classes will run from January 22 through March 16; and Spring Mini-mester II classes will run from March 26 through May 18. Please see the revised academic calendar at https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/academiccalendar/Downloads/2017-2018g.pdf

Student Evaluations

It is time again to administer Student Evaluations for the Fall 2017 Semester. Full- and part-time evaluations will be available for faculty, beginning Tuesday, November 28. Faculty should pick up evaluations at the appropriate location, which is listed below.

All completed full-time evaluations must be returned by December 15,and all completed part-time evaluations by December 22.

Fall 2017 Final Grades

As the close of the fall semester nears, final grades must be entered through our online system by Monday, January 2, 2018, at 10:00am. In December, the Registrar’s Office will begin collegewide prerequisite checking and graduation review, so it would be greatly appreciated if all grades could be entered at your earliest convenience.

Office of Admission and Student Recruitment

The Office of Admission and Student Recruitment continually tries new ways to attract different populations. We love it when prospective students visit campus because students are always very impressed with our facilities, classrooms, and the services we offer. Kristie Faletra and Jen Migliozzi hosted students from Essex Technical High School interested in MCC’s Dental programs, and there are plans to do the same with Somerville HS. Jenna Engelsen toured the Bedford campus with Billerica Memorial High School seniors and parents on Billerica’s “College Visit Day.” The students were able to discuss MassTransfer and had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Jenna to discuss interest in specific programs.

We also recruit in non-traditional venues. Jenna attended an Open House at Salem State University at their request and promoted Middlesex as an option. Alison Handy represented MCC at two fairs, the Lowell General Employees Resource fair and the Boston Children’s Hospital Employee and Family Resource Fair. She also attended the MCI Framingham women’s prison re-entry fair.

In addition, Alison is serving on the City of Cambridge College Success Initiative, a committee formed to support Cambridge students and families with obtaining a post-secondary credential. Committee members include representatives from various programs throughout the City of Cambridge, such as the Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge Rindge Latin School, Lesley University, Department of Youth Services, City Manager’s office, UAspire, and the Department of Human Services.

While we have always recruited in southern NH, we are making additional efforts in this area and focusing more resources. Camille Brown is launching a six-month series of lunchtime high school visits the first Friday of each month at Nashua High School North. In the past, we have been limited to a fall visit and a spring college and career fair. We feel this will increase our visibility and create more opportunities for conversations to promote MCC in the Nashua community. Also, in October we participated in the NH Job Corps Center Educational Fair at a recently opened center in Manchester that serves many MA residents.

Jeff Tejada, Alison Handy and Kristie Faletra are participating in Lawrence High School’s Application Weeks. This is an event that happens on several days over a three-week period that provides students the opportunity to apply to college and have their questions answered on the spot. This is sponsored by the Gear Up grant-funded program.

We are also constantly striving to increase our international student numbers. We’ve recently entered into an agreement with the International School of Advanced Learning, an intensive English language school located in Allston. We now have agreements with five language schools in the Boston area. These agreements allow students to attend MCC after successfully mastering language skills. We are very happy that plans are underway to enhance English-language instruction on the Middlesex campus under the AANAPISI grant, because that is the primary reason we are unable to offer admission to international applicants.

Finance

Middlesex Community College, Office of Finance is pleased to announce and welcome Christina Kelley to the team in her new role as Director of Procurement.

Christina began her career at MCC in 1997 , at The Career Place as a Database Administrator. Christina has a strong background in database development, data analysis, automating processes, overseeing office operations including purchasing, and training on policies/ procedures.

Christina Kelley’s excellent work at the Career Place provides a strong base in support to faculty, staff, and student success, said CFO Frank Nocella.

Christina earned her Bachelor’s degree from UMass Lowell.

Student Affairs

International, Multicultural and Veterans Affairs

Many of the students, faculty, and staff at Middlesex have family and friends who have been directly affected by the recent hurricane that has devastated the island nation of Puerto Rico. Several in the MCC community were looking for ways to contribute and support those dealing with this natural disaster. During the month of October, the Latinos Unidos and Women’s Leadership Network club members collaborated and held a bake sale in order to raise funds to contribute and support those affected by the recent hurricane. These student organizations chose to send the raised funds to The Boston Foundation because they were impressed with this organization’s commitment to relief efforts, reconstruction, and economic recovery projects in Puerto Rico. In support of the partnership with The Latino Legacy Fund, the students donated a total of $860 toward Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico. Thank you to all that contributed to this worthy cause.

As part of the International Peace Series, a Soup and Stories program was held on November 13. Students, faculty and staff spent their lunch hour hearing a fascinating personal story told by guest speaker Luis Cotto, Executive Director of Egleston Square Main Street (ESMS), while enjoying delicious soup in the Lowell Campus Cafeteria. Luis, who has just traveled to Puerto Rico on a humanitarian mission carrying supplies to those in need, described an overview of global warming and the consequences of Hurricane Maria on the island. After the presentation, MCC’s Glaisma Perez Silva moderated a lively discussion.

Institutional Advancement

Marketing Communications

Add Your Headshot to Your Online Directory Profile

Thanks to everyone who participated in the professional headshot photo session Marketing Communications conducted before November’s FSA meeting. We took 58 faculty and staff headshots before the November FSA meeting, and 48 in October.

Everyone should have received communication about distribution of their headshot, and most of the photos have been sent out. If you have questions about your headshot, contact Beth Noel at: noele@middlesex.mass.edu

Faculty and staff are encouraged to add their headshot to their online MCC Directory profile. To do this, log into myMCC and click on your name in the upper right corner. Select “about me” and click the “edit” button under your name. In the picture section, click on “upload picture.” You will then be directed to locate the photo that you saved on your computer. Once your new picture is loaded, click on “save and close.”

Online Directory updates are important. While you’re adding your new headshot to your profile, please take a moment to update the rest of your information. The online Directory is an important communications tool for prospective and current students.

Profiles magazine is on campus!

The fall issue of Profiles, our alumni and friends magazine, is now on campus. “First-Generation Student Success” is the theme and the cover story features Ann Buskey’s TRIO Student Success Program, which supports 200 first-generation students each year.

We also include profiles of Bryan Wint, Director of Academic Advising & Academic Pathways; Sierra DeWalt, new student member of the MCC Board of Trustees; and alum Jasmine Lo, who is starting a paralegal career. (If you are unable to find a print version of the magazine on campus, please contact Marketing Communications: marketing@middlesex.mass.edu)

Here’s a link to the online 2017 fall issue of Profiles.

Wintersession and Spring 2018 Marketing Campaigns

Campaigns to promote Wintersession and 2018 Spring Semester are well underway. Marketing Communications has produced postcards, print ads (in six local publications), online ads, social media posts and ads, on-campus promotions (including table tents, TV monitor slides, and posters), news releases, and radio spots (on Pandora and iHeart Radio) to market these enrollment periods.

Adult Learning Center

On August 8th, The Adult Learning Center welcomed Karen Spengler as the part-time Links Program Coordinator and Advisor. Karen comes to MCC with a dozen years of experience in higher education. She has worked with both traditional-aged students and adult learners in residence life, student leadership, Disability Services, educational coaching and advising. Links is a transition program designed for adults who have obtained a high school equivalency credential and would like to start college with focused academic support and advising. Karen is based on the Bedford campus but will be overseeing the expansion of the Links Program to the Lowell campus in the spring semester.

Corporate Education and Training

Corporate Education and Training delivered or will be delivering:

• Medical Administration Program and First Aid/CPR trainings for LifeLinks. The courses are conducted at MCC in order to provide employees exposure to taking classes in a college setting.

• Effective Communication Skills and Managing Change trainings for Minuteman Senior Services at the Meetinghouse.

Corporate Education and Training collaborated with Resource Development to complete and submit a Workforce Training Fund Grant for Monogram Gourmet Foods in Wilmington. Topics will include ESOL, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, LEAN Manufacturing, Math in the Workplace, Excel, Programmable Logic Controller Programming, and Project Management courses.

Conducted a Workforce Training Fund Program Information Session on Wednesday, November 8th from 8:30am—10:30am in the Federal Building. Kristen Rayne from the Commonwealth Corporation provided an overview of grant options and presented content on the Workforce Training Fund.

Community Education and Training

30 students successfully completed our newly developed Customer Service training program with instructors Jan Romano and Laura Kangas. Several of the participants are employees from Lowell General Hospital and the Career Center of Lowell.
9 students earned their Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Certificate, November 2017. We will be running an accelerated Nurse Assistant/HHA program during the winter intersession beginning December 18.
Seeking a RN educator: If you are a R.N. educator and have an interest in teaching part-time (once per year) in our Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide program, please e-mail Caitlin Campopiano at campopianoc@middlesex.mass.edu
24 students completed our SHRM HR Certification Exam Prep course, November 2017 to prepare to sit for the high stakes exam, Jan/Feb 2018.
26 students completed our SHRM HR Essential course with business faculty, Patricia Morrow. This program is a great intro course for those just starting out in HR or for small business owners.
17 students completed our 8-week social media certificate program, taught by MCC alumni and PR business owner Angela Mastrogiancomo.
15 students learned how to create a successful Digital Media Marketing campaign with instructor Beth Noel.
Enrollment is now open for the spring 2018 semester! Catalogs will be on-campus shortly: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/careertraining/

M.I.L.E.S.
(Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education for Seniors)

UPDATE: A big thank-you to our MCC staff and faculty who taught this fall: Edward Alessi, Patrick Cook, Jessica Frost, Stan Hitron, Rob Kaulfuss, Emily Norton, and all our MILES class facilitators. MILES is always looking for volunteers to facilitate a 2 hour class.

NEW for MCC: Any MCC faculty or staff member who volunteers their time for MILES will be able to use those hours toward college service. Share your passion with the community. Members love to learn about healthy eating, fitness, history, politics, poetry, art, diverse culture, theater, travel. A great photo from Cindy Mattson’s floral design MILES class in action is attached. If you are interested, please contact Lauren Ellis, ellisl@middlesex.mass.edu or x3669.

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, March 21 from 2 – 4 pm is our MILES spring 2018 opening session. Bedford campus, Café East. Keynote speaker is Joan Vennochi, Associate Editor and Columnist from the Boston Globe.

College for Kids

It is barely winter, but our College for Kids summer 2018 planning is under way. Be on the look-out for more programs offered on the Lowell campus. College for Kids summer enrollment begins February 20, 2018.

Office of College Advancement

Save the Date! MCC Celebrates #GivingTuesday
On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Middlesex Community College is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to charitable giving. Celebrate this day by making a gift to the MCC Foundation.

Your gift to the MCC Foundation can:
• Empower a young student who struggles to finance his/her college education.
• Inspire an adult learner who needs news skills and education to begin a new career path.
• Support scholarship awards which range in value from $500 to $5,000 annually.
• Provide funding for innovative, sustainable academic enrichment and campus projects.
• Address areas of greatest need for the college.

To donate: http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/donate
Thank you for your support.

MCC Foundation Scholarship Application Open – Deadline is December 15th!
The MCC Foundation Scholarship Application is currently open, and the deadline for students to apply is FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15. The application and instructions can be found at: www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/scholarships.

For a list of the awards available, go to: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/fscholarship.aspx.
Please encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to apply for awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. All awards are applied for the spring 2018 semester.
For questions regarding the application, the MCC Foundation Scholarships, or the online application process, please contact Amy Lee, at leea@middlesex.mass.edu.

Office of Institutional Research and Planning

The Office of Institutional Research and Planning supported the implementation of three collegewide surveys this fall – two for students, and one for faculty and staff. The first survey, a Facility Conditions Assessment, was requested by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) to evaluate students’ impressions of all of the public campuses. Second, the Wisconsin Hope Lab survey was sent to all MCC students to assess food insecurity in the community. Both the DCAMM and Hope Lab surveys were required by the DHE. Finally, working with the Office of Student Engagement, MCC employees were given the opportunity to fill out the National Faculty and Staff Health Assessment. This national survey was designed to describe faculty and staff employees’ health behaviors in order to provide better services and support. Approximately 20 percent of MCC employees responded. The Office of Institutional Research and Planning will work with the Office of Student Engagement to disseminate the findings.

In an effort to provide public access to enrollment information and demographics, the Office of Research and Planning has developed Fall Enrollment Dashboards using Tableau. This information will be updated each fall with enrollment information as soon as it is available. The dashboard can be found at https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/strategicplanning/

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