Updates from the President
Upcoming Events
- August 29 & 30, 9 a.m. – New Student Orientation, both campuses
- August 29, 2 p.m. – Division Meetings, both campuses
- August 30, 2 p.m. – Convocation, Bedford Quad
- September 4 – First day of classes
- September 26 – MA Community College Night at Fenway Park
- September 27, 8 a.m. – Trustees Meeting, Trustees’ House, Bedford
- October 5, 2:30 p.m. – Faculty Staff Association meeting, Lowell
MCC in the News
- MCC prof lauded for online ed http://www.thevalleydispatch.com/entertainment/ci_32054726/mcc-prof-lauded-online-ed (Valley Dispatch 8/7/18)
- A photo finish for camera buff http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_32051680/photo-finish-camera-buff (Lowell Sun, 8/5/18)
- Veterans Centers earn plaudits as military-friendly http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_32051668/veterans-centers-earn-plaudits-military-friendly (Lowell Sun, 8/5/18)
- Transferring from community college is now a lot easier https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/2018/08/17/transferring-from-community-college-now-lot-easier/25Fq2bhBa7ZVoxI1GpWe6K/story.html?event=event12 (Boston Globe 8/17/18)
- Dental Hygiene grant for MCC http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_32080631/dental-hygiene-grant-mcc (Lowell Sun, 8/19/18)
- Bravo Stephanie Valdes: Visually Impaired Middlesex CC Alum Sets Her Sights High http://rumbonews.com/site/?p=76266 (Rumbo News, 8/15/18)
Current Grant Initiatives
AANAPISI Grant Update
The Chelly Foundation Scholarship for AANAPISI Students
We are pleased to announce the establishment of a new scholarship supported by the Chelly Foundation which will provide educational assistance for female students of Cambodian heritage. The scholarship may be used to cover tuition, fees, books, materials, and other eligible costs for students.
The mission of the Chelly Foundation is to support positive changes in people’s lives (especially children) through literacy, education and other means. Since 2015, the Chelly Foundation has been furthering this mission by providing educational opportunities, primarily to young women from villages in the Chumkuri District of Kampot Province in Cambodia.
MCC 360 Update
Welcome to Dr. Robin F. Marra who joins MCC this month as our new Analytics Officer. Dr. Marra is a former professor of political science at Franklin Pierce University and has taught at Southern Methodist University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to a Master of Science in Analytics, Dr. Marra has extensive experience in scholarly research as well as being the founding director of the Polling Institute at Franklin Pierce. During the 2000 NH Presidential Primary the Polling Institute was the most accurate in predicting Sen. John McCain’s double-digit win over then-Governor George W. Bush. Dr. Marra will be working with MCC administrators, faculty, and staff as we implement data analytics as part of our MCC 360 efforts and will oversee the Institutional Research Office as part of the Institutional Effectiveness area.
Academic Divisions
Communications
Communications alumni Brian Chhom ’18, Nick Bunzick ’17, and Cristina Rivera ’17, screened their short film, “Static” at this year’s Boston Independent Film Festival. They created the film in their “Film Production” class (COM 105). Nick is currently studying at Emerson College, Brian is headed to Fitchburg State this fall, and Cristina is freelancing while working a full-time job. They plan to enter “Static” into more film festivals this fall.
In August, Rick Pozniak, communications adjunct, taught community policing, public relations and public speaking to 56 officers attending the Lowell Police Academy. The July 26 edition of the Billerica Minuteman reported on his crisis communications course offered at MCC, describing it as a unique course that is not readily available in communications programs at local colleges and universities.
Nursing
We welcome Jeanne McIsaac RN to the nursing department. Jeanne’s education includes a nursing degree from Somerville Hospital School of Nursing, a Baccalaureate degree from Chamberlain College, and a Master’s degree in Nursing Education from Salem State University. Jeanne has teaching experience as an adjunct faculty member in a variety of educational settings that serve diverse student populations. These include: Roxbury Community College, Bay State College, and Regis College/Lawrence Memorial. Jeanne will also bring her 25 years of clinical expertise in maternal/child health nursing to her classroom. She is a great addition to the full-time nursing faculty team. We are very excited to welcome Jeanne!
Student Affairs
Office of International & Multicultural Affairs
New Coordinator of Student Diversity and Inclusion
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. Malachi Robinson, a graduate student at Merrimack, will be working as Coordinator of Student Diversity & Inclusion in the Multicultural Centers on the Lowell and Bedford campuses. In this position, Malachi will play a leadership role in the development and implementation of campus initiatives that work to support our students who are from diverse backgrounds. A New Jersey native, Malachi graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s degree in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, and is pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education at Merrimack College.
Grant Awards
The Out of School Youth Development Center is pleased to announce the awarding of grants from the Tomfohrde Foundation and the Greater Lowell Workforce Development Board.
This summer, more than 40 students from Vietnam, Afghanistan, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Colombia, Venezuela and Morocco received four weeks of intensive English classes as part of MCC’s English Learner Institute, with the support of a $10,000 Tomfohrde Foundation grant. Students focused on improving their reading and writing skills in order to be better prepared for the College Placement Test and college classes.
Supported by a $101,000 Greater Lowell Workforce Development Board grant, the Out Of School Youth Development Center will provide HiSET instruction and case management for youth, ages 16-24. In addition, funds will provide youth from Lowell and surrounding towns with the opportunity to receive pre-employment opportunities, such as job shadowing, internships and assistance with short-term training or enrollment at MCC. Our staff is grateful for the support given to the program for the last 15 years. Hundreds of young men and women have been able to complete their HiSET/GED and were able to continue their education or seek employment in the community.
Sports and Recreation
Deborah Botker and Nick Papas have coached MCC Soccer for many years and have just finished their final season. They are wonderful individuals who have given their time to run practices and games, communicating with team members, helping promote/recruit, and so much more. They have our utmost respect and gratitude. Though their full impact on student athletes is hard to measure, it is certain they will have a lasting impact on the lives and development of our students. While we are sad to see them move on, we couldn’t be more grateful for their selflessness and commitment to their teams and student athletes.
Civic & Service-Learning
MCC has welcomed Patrick Kenney to the Civic & Service-Learning team. Patrick is available on both campuses with his primary office located in the Lowell Cowan Center, Room 407. An alumni of the college, Patrick knows MCC well and has expressed the positive sense of “coming full circle.” Since his graduation from MCC in 2008, Patrick has furthered his education at the University of Massachusetts where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Master of Public Policy and Administration, and a Master of Education in Higher Education. He specifically focused a Capstone project on Embracing Critical Service-Learning Through Faculty Development. Patrick has worked myriad roles in Student Affairs with an impressive array of responsibilities allowing him hands-on opportunities to further his understanding of student development. He most recently served as the District Manager and Director of Scheduling in the office of Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, where he gained invaluable insight into civic and social responsibility, and community engagement. Joining Patrick, will be a Part Time Service-Learning Program Assistant and a Merrimack Graduate Fellow. We are also delighted to welcome back Faculty Fellow Mike Cermak!
We are also pleased to announce that Melissa Chandonnet has joined the Civic & Service-Learning team. Over the last seven years, Melissa has served as the City Program & Site Manager for the Jumpstart Program at MCC and Northern Essex Community College. Previously, Melissa also served at MCC as a Multicultural Specialist in the International & Multicultural Office, and as the Coordinator for the Multicultural Achievement Peer Program (MAPP). Through her numerous roles at the college, Melissa has had the opportunity to further her understanding of student development and success. Melissa is currently a graduate student in the Higher Education Administration Program at Southern New Hampshire University and has earned a bachelor of science in Retail Marketing & Management at Johnson & Wales University. Please join us in welcoming Melissa back to MCC as the Service-Learning Program Assistant!
Enrollment
Admissions
It is hard to believe we are coming to the end of another summer in the Office of Admissions & Recruitment. Admissions staff have been very busy working with prospective and current students to enroll at MCC. In addition to our typical enrollment activities, we have also been focusing on working with our community partners to offer on-campus recruiting events, and have been on the road visiting different organizations. On-campus recruiting activities have included organizations such The ASPIRE program from Mass General Hospital, the Lowell Police Student Academy, and the TRIO Upward Bound College Fair. Staff have also been busy traveling and have visited organizations and events such as Youth Build, Upward Bound College for a Day, Tewksbury Job Seekers, National Night Out in Lowell, and the Career Transition Educational Opportunity Fair. These events all occur in addition to our regularly scheduled campus tours, information sessions, and one-on-one appointments with students.
We are also welcoming a new VISTA volunteer in to our office. Wayva Lyons joined our team on August 22 as a Research Assistant, tasked with gathering data and examining factors that contribute to the non-enrollment/attendance of students at MCC – the majority of whom are low-income and/or first generation. Although the college has had a long relationship with the AmeriCorps VISTA program, this will be the first time a volunteer will be working with Admissions & Enrollment. We are excited for Wayva to get started!
Lastly, this month we will be saying goodbye to Marilynn Gallagan, Dean of Admissions. Marilynn joined the Middlesex community as a part-time Admissions counselor in 2001, and became full time in Admissions in 2002. Her dedication to students and profound work ethic were quickly recognized and she was soon offered the position of Director of Enrollment Communications & Support; overseeing the call center staff and back-end processing for the college. Before this time the call center and the processing center were separate departments. With Marilynn’s attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, timeliness in execution of tasks, and supervisory skills, the area flourished. In September 2006, Marilynn was named Dean of Admissions. In her 12 years of leadership, the Admissions has developed into a critical department of the Enrollment area. Her staff work closely with her, and know that they will always receive dedicated guidance and support. Marilynn’s retirement will be a great loss to the Admissions area, but her leadership, caring and ability to develop her staff will not be forgotten. We wish her an enjoyable retirement.
Enrollment Management
Lowell Student Information Center
The Enrollment Management division is pleased to announce the addition of Paradis Saathoff to the staff of the Lowell Student Information Center (SIC). Paradis is a 2017 graduate of MCC and is continuing her education at UMass Lowell. Along with her experience as a student at Middlesex, Paradis brings several years of customer service experience in banking and retail. Paradis will work late afternoons/evenings in the Lowell SIC, assisting students and supporting Advising staff. Please join us in welcoming Paradis and please stop by to introduce yourself when you have a chance.
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
The college has been re-evaluating options for transferring incoming AP credits. See an updated listing of transfer equivalencies posted at https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/priorlearning/downloads/apequi5.pdf
Spring 2018 Dean’s and Merit Lists
Congratulations to all students who made the Spring 2018 Dean’s and Merit Lists! All students making the lists can be found at https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/studentinformationcenter/
Summer 2018 Graduates
Graduates are in the process of being awarded for Summer. Please note that the Summer 2018Diploma Release date is September 21.
Registration – Key Fall 2018 Dates
Last Day to Withdraw
Full-Semester November 26
Minimester 1 October 12
Minimester 2 December 7
Drop for Nonattendance Due
Full Semester September 21
Minimester 1 September 21
Minimester 2 November 16
Midterm Grades Due
Full Semester October 26
Minimester 1 October 5
Minimester 2 November 30
Grades Due
Full Semester January 2
Minimester 1 October 31
Minimester 2 January 2
Beginning of faculty pick-up for student evaluations November 27
Institutional Advancement
Marketing Communications
Email Signature Graphic Available
As part of Marketing Communications’ continuing efforts to consistently brand the college, a new email signature graphic has been created. All college employees are welcome to place this image in the footer of their emails. You can access the graphic from the Marketing Communications website at https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/marketing/logo.aspx
New Marketing Campaign Goes Live
The college’s new Discover Your Path marketing campaign officially launched August 1 with a new digital billboard featuring five of our amazing students and alums. The digital billboard can be seen through the end of the month on Route 3 northbound, near Exit 31.
One of the students featured is Evan Rees, a 2015 graduate who is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Cornell University. In addition to appearing larger-than life on the digital billboard, Evan was featured on the front page of the latest issue of RUMBO News. Learn more about what Evan is doing now and how he discovered his path at MCC.
The rollout of the new campaign will continue through September with print and online advertising in more than a dozen outlets. Also, look for new Cowan Center lobby graphics, as well as new lamp-post banners on both campuses.
Don’t Be Shy: Send Us Your News!
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. Please include the “4-Ws” info – who, what, when & where – with your Request Form. We will do our best to share your good news with the wider community. Below is a story that just ran in the Lowell Sun on one of our student stories:
Meet Enomanhon Adoghe!
The Lowell Sun recently ran a nice story about MCC grad Enomanhon Adoghe and her journey to becoming a professional photographer: http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_32051680/photo-finish-camera-buff
We know there are plenty more great student stories out there. So, please email your student-story ideas to: Marketing@middlesex.mass.edu
Technology
Service Desk News
In an effort to respond to the needs of the college community, the MCC Service Desk will be making the following service improvements starting on September 4: The number of on-site Service Desk staff will increase. Service Desk staff hours will change to accommodate the needs of early-morning classes and events (7 a.m.). Between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., on-site staff will be answering the Service Desk phone and email, as well as assist with classroom technical emergencies. Between 5 p.m. – 7 a.m., off-site phone assistance (or online chat) is available after hours, holidays and weekends. Walk-in Service Desk hours are 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday in Bedford (AR-203) and Lowell (LC-402). As always, the Service Desk can be reached at 978-656-3301 or at servicedesk@middlesex.mass.edu. Please visit our MCC Technology Center Web Site for information: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/technologycenter/
Network Upgrade
The Technology Center recently upgraded the college’s network infrastructure campus wide. Work was completed on time and with minimal interruption to users. This upgrade provides the college community with the following benefits:
- Network bandwidth is increased overall, meaning faster performance.
- 4 times increase (10GB to 40GB) between the campuses.
- 10 times increase (1GB to 10GB) in locations identified as high network usage locations.
- More reliable and stable network connections, due to replacement of obsolete equipment.
Middlesex Connector 