Table Of Content

Mount Wachusett Community College Fall 2011 Volume 3* Nui i to College + = 3 1 Money in rour Pocket siTtflTRfiffi The Ticket for You? rners Business Students and a World of Career Options Test Your Online Class Readiness From Soldier Student to MountWachusett Community College NONPROFITORG 444 Green Street U.S.POSTAGE Mount Gardner, MA01440 PAID fTtk Wachusett ACADEMIC MARKETING ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER www.mwcc.edu/cf Enrolling easy: is Continuing Students • Go to www.mwcc.edu, click on "iConnect,"or • Contact the Advising Center at 978-630-9284, or in person New/Former Students: Students new to MWCC, or those who MWCC have not taken courses at in the past 12 months can: • Apply online at www.mwcc.edu/cf, or • Contact the admissions office at 877-324-6815, or in person All new students are required to attend a new student welcome session, complete college placement testing, and must meet prerequisite requirements prior to course selection. 8 Week Cycle 2 courses Course Schedules begin Oct. 31! • Courses fill fast and new sections open continuously. Find the most up-to-date listings online: www.mwcc.edu • To obtain a print version of the class schedule, call 978-630-9284, email Start near ... Go far [email protected], or pick one up in person at the Advising Center. WF^ ^lf! Wacftusiett Jfllount Community College (gazette MWCC Start near ... Go far • Anywhere . . . Anytime . . . Will Get You There! OPEN HOUSE! APPLY NOW! OPEN HOUSE 5 - 7 PM LEARN ABOUT: . • Academic programs • Student life Gardner Campus -Tues., August 23 • Financial aid • Childcare • The Veterans Center for Excellence • So much more 444 Green St., Gardner I Call Gwen, 978-630-9566 • Transfer opportunities Munchies and give-aways! fftk Mount Wachusett To RSVP, please contact the campus where you plan to 4^r Community College attend the open house, or email [email protected] o — Visit Mount Wachusett \ Contents CD Community College CareerFocus -CD on the web at www.mwcc.edu/cf O Publisher: Daniel M. Asquino President of MountWachusett CommunityCollege GO Features Co-editors/Writers: Nichole Carter, Janice O'Connor Editorial Support/Writers: Robin Duncan Sarah McMaster 2 The Top Five Excuses Used by Adult Learners Photography: KimAnderson, DanaArmstrong, Ed Collier Not to Go to College Janice O'Connor ... and advice from other adult learners about Cover Photo: DanaArmstrong why these excuses don't fly Cover Design: Stephanie Pinto Contributors: KimAnderson 4 Create Your Future Through Visual Art & Design Karen Costa Forget your ideas of the "starving artist." Mount Wachusett Community College Creative careers are on the rise! Board ofTrustees 6 New Center of Excellence Helping JamesGarrison, Chair Tina M. Sbrega,Vice Chair Veterans Transition to College Mark P. Hawke, Secretary Serving those who have served their country Carolyn H. Horvitz(StudentTrustee) Richard Cella 8 3 + 1 = Big Savings for Students Dr. FrancisG. Couvares Three years toward a bachelor's degree at MWCC, at MWCC prices SheilaM.Daly ScottB. Howard 10 Business Degrees: The Flexible Career Choice YvonneW. Hunter How can you go wrong with a business degree? Enough said. Raymond F. LaFond MigdaliaVelez 12 Is a Career in Public Safety the Ticket for YOU? MWCC Administration Pursue a career of personal satisfaction and "security" Dr. Daniel M.Asquino, President 14 Education Key to Success in Diverse Region Ann S. McDonald, ExecutiveVice President & SeniorStudentAffairs Officer In the face of enormous challenge, English-as-a-Second Language SharynA. Rice, SeniorVice President,Advancement& and immigrant students demonstrate great determination External Affairs 16 Are Online Courses the Right Choice for You? Robin Duncan,Vice President, Marketing & Communications Dr. MelissaFama,Vice President,AcademicAffairs Online courses are amazingly convenient ... for the right student JacquelineE. Feldman,Vice President, Lifelong Learning & Workforce Development Faculty & Student Profiles PatriciaGregson,Vice President,Access &Transition Programs RobertLaBonte, Vice President, Finance &Administration 3 MWCC Debra Boucher, Assistant Director Diane Ruksnaitis,Vice President, Human Resources & of Enrollment Services AffirmativeAction Officer An adult learner passionate about helping other adult learners MWCC seeks to provide equal educational and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of age, 5 Thomas Matsuda, MWCC Art Professor ancestry, color, creed, disability, genetic information, gender, Noted artist of traditional Buddhist sculptures brings marital status, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, international experience to the classroom veteran status, oranyotherprotectedclasses. CareerFocus is published three times a year by Mount Wachusett 7 Kelly MacLean, 3+1 Graduate Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440 in partnership with Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Ml Mother of four completes her bachelor's 48106. degree online through MWCC's 3+1 program Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthematerialprintedmaybereproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, 1 5 Maria Mesquita Batchelor, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage Dental Hygiene Student retrieval systemwithoutthe permission ofthe publisher. Brazilian dentist, and most ©2011 MountWachusettCommunity College recently, MWCC Dental Hygiene student, brightens smiles intercontinentally In Every Issue fftk Mount Wachusett Facts and Finds \^J Community College 877-324-6815 Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf CareerFocus Pall 2011 I I I CO O O CD O The 1<+ fU/i Excuses Adult Learners Use Not to Go to College ... and Advice From Other Adult Learners About Why These Excuses Don't Fly By Nichole Carter Also, most colleges, including MWCC, cater to busy adults.At You wake up every day MWCC, courses are offered at to return to the same multiples campuses day, evening, job youhave been and online. Many parents like draggingyourselfto taking online courses, which allow for the past 10 years. them to complete their courses However, you don't without having to arrange childcare. see a way out. More Through online learning, students sitting at a computer take their classes when their crunchingnumbers you don't care children go to bed, on their lunch about; or performing mind-numbing breaks, orwhenever it's convenient data entry; or performingwork for them. that, let's face it, was fine 10 years ago, but is starting to wear on you You will probablyfind that, when you begin learning material that physicallynow. resonates with you, you will have a You've always been interested in lot more energy and time to get the helping people, or computers, or work done than you thought. nursing, or [insertyour interest You mightbe sorely out ofpractice here] butyou're not sure ifyou can at playingfootball today, though you hack going to college at this point. might have been great at it 20 years You don'thave time.You're afraid of ago. Likewise, you mightbe a great "I can't afford it." package that meets their needs.A math.Your catwants youhome at student today though youweren't You maythink that college is out of majority ofMWCC students receive night. The excuses are endless. whenyou were younger.You're more your reachbecause ofcost. However, some sort offinancial aid. rB"eoFauolcrlhyemiros,sptaossassdiiusbllttea,nl"tesadrainyresercsDt,eorbcorolaflege mmeoxotprieevraimteaentdcu.erYeto.oudrhaawveupaolno.t oYfoug'rreeat tcsochlhalonelgayerosmuhaityphsibnaekr.me"oaFrvieaniaalnfacfbiolareldtaaobildtehaonsde hMaovsetpcoalylmegeens,tipnlcalnusdianlgloMwWinCgCy,ou to enrollment services at Mount "We have students come inwho are who qualify forboth full-time and payyour bill monthlyinstead ofin Wachusett Community College, absolutelybrilliant andhave no idea part-time students," says Mary one lump sum. who was also an adult learner who oftheir potential," says Boucher. Buffone, MWCC's associate director Buffone encourages all students returned to college herself. 'You "Returningto college ends up being offinancial aid. Buffone encourages consideringcollege to fill out the have to make a choice whether you such a confidence-builder for them." students to apply early. This gives FAFSAform, the first step in the are goingto live the life ofyour them the best chance ofa financial financial aid process, by goingto dreams or a life ofexcuses." Leave this excuse in the past, along www.fafsa.ed.gov. withyour 20 year-old mediocre high Here are some top excuses. We'll school report card. Buffone points outthat money work on debunking each one. can be available from sources you C&CA*4£ #Z may not have thought of. "Many E#CU4l #1: "I don't employers offertuition assistance, so "I didn't do have the time." it's worth asking about." wTehlelrewfohreen, II wwaons'tindhoigwhelslchionol. WHeo'wreevearll,dtohiinngkaofmitlhleitoinmtehitnhgast. Waphpernoxiitmcaotmeelsy $d4o,w5n75toaiyte,aMr,WCcoCst,sat college." is wasted in your life when you're significantly less than most other unhappywith your career path. You mighthave been really great We tend to compensate for our colleges. at fieldhockey or football while you were in high school.You might have unhappiness with otherhuge "When students are leery about slept in until noon on the weekends. time and money wasters.You may cost, I tell them that this is an You might have worn flip-flops in the constantly go shopping, eat out, investment in their future.While it winter time. Who you were in high or play mindless games on the may be difficult now, it can increase yscohuooalrehatsodaliyt.tlYeoruerlevvalaunecse,tionwtehroests, ycooumrpsuetlefr,beaclaluisneaynoautrtpermopftestsoiofneeids ysaoyusrCeaarronlinCgulploitnesn,tiMaWl ClaCterasosni,"stant and yes, your skills, have evolved. not feedingyou. director ofenrollment management. 2 Fall 2011 CareerFocus Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf 877-324-6815 I I So you've taken courses in the past? Will they count? Our lives are rarely a straight path. Instead, you may have many past college and work experiences.You might have a certificate from five years ago, two courses you took seven years ago, etc. For students with this type ofbackground, their first question is, does any ofthis count toward a degree or certificate I would like to work toward now? The scoop MWCC First ofall, most associate degrees require about 60 credits. can accept up to 30 ofyour past credits toward a degree.While past credits generally are accepted, the college does not accept coursework where significant changes have occurred in a given field (for instance, computer and technology fields change constantly). Science credits for the nursingprogram cannot be any more than five years old, either. For those with significant life experience in a certain subject matter, CLEP and Dantes tests are available that allow you to test out of certain courses, at an affordable price. CLEP and Dantes credits may even transfer, in some cases, ifyou decide to continue your education MWCC. after shoes, Boucher encourages some perspective. "I had an advisee who said that shejust couldn't do it. Atthe same time, I had seen this student conquerhuge personal challenges in her life, not related to her academic career at all. I told her that makingitthrough math was just one more opportunityto grow her life skills." b&CAA4*> #S: "I don't know what want to study." I You know that youwant to earn a degree in something, youjust aren't sure what that somethingis yet! Do you keep putting offcollege until An Adult Learner Passionate About Helping Other Adult Learners the bolt ofinspiration comes? "Students can always enroll in Debra Boucher LiberalArts & Sciences,which gives them avariety ofcourses to Assistant Director of Enrollment Services get started where they can explore MWCC Debra Boucher came to as a student at age 33 after being a stay-at- their interests,"explains Cullins. home mom for 13 years. "When I was 'college-age,' circumstancesjust didn't "I can't do math." "From there, they can make an allow for me to go to college. Instead I started a family," she says. appointment with career services So you haven't done calculus since yourjunior year ofhigh school. So to take assessments to help them By her early 30s, Deb had three children who were increasingly independent. what?You won't be thrown into figure out their interests and what "I realized that my'gig1 as a stay-at-home mom was coming to an end. I calculus your first semester (and types ofcareers would suit them." decided it was time to fulfill my lifelong dream ofgoing to college." maybe not at all ifyour degree or Puttingherselfon a 10-year plan, Boucher completed her associate degree certificate doesn't require it).When at MWCC, her bachelor's degree at Mount Holyoke College, and will hold her you enter as a new student, you will master's degree in counseling at the end ofAugust. be placed in courses that match the level you are at and you will start "When I started, I wasn't sure what I wanted to study. So, I studied what I there. found interesting and engaging," she says. "I realized my true interest is in counseling." For those who see math as an insurmountable challenge, like Boucher now has a career as assistant director ofenrollment services where walking the entire length of she is passionate about helping other adults on a similar path returning to the Mohave Dessert with no college. 877-324-6815 Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf CareerFocus Fall 2011 I I GO o o Feature u_. i— CD Create Your Future Through O %U4#1$a&%l Design Forget your ideas of the "starving artist." Creative careers are on the rise! By Kim Anderson her B.F.A. from Illinois State University and her ho says you M.F.A. in sculpture from can'thave a UMass,Amherst and has creative career? exhibited sculpture, ceramics and MWCC At mixed media drawings in galleries several degree throughout the U.S. catalogs, signage, kiosks, websites, and certificate packaging and posters. programs The college also offers courses MWCC offers both associate and allow students in ceramics usinghand-building to pursue careers in the creative methods and the potter's wheel; cperrotgifriacmatsetchoamtppurtoevridgeraspthuidcendtessign industries.Accordingto the Bureau sculpture using wood, stone, clay, with the visual design, ofLabor Statistics Occupational bronze and other materials; painting communication, and computer OutlookHandbook, careers in the inwatercolors, acrylics and oils; creative industries are expected and two-dimensional and three- graphic skills necessary to obtain an tFpohrogotrmoogawrrat1p,2htyph,eeracctarereneteartnshdirndoeutsghihegnf2i0et1lo8d.are rtpahoieunnotdipenpgdo,rctsuucrnurilitpcytuutlrouemeaxonpfeddrcrieearnwacimenigca,sw,ell- WJdioimhnengnPsGaiacolhlneearclyo,,deddsiiirsgepncl.taeMyMdsWWbwCyCoCrPC'rksofEeasssotr yecneotanrtryi-cnlouelevleetlgheepioorrsieutdniiuovcnearitsniiottnyh.eatfiaelfdoourr-to continuingto grow. while experiencing small class sizes. created by students, alumni, For the associate program, MWCC and professional artists. Pacheco students can choose a print orweb At students can pursue: The department, which recently received his bachelor's degree from media concentration. In the print won a grant from the National Yale University, studying under concentration, students learn page Art Endowment oftheArts, offers William Bailey, and his MFA in layout software, design theory and There are many areas ofthe field an associate degree program for painting from Boston University, techniques, and preparing design where those with an art degree students interested in entering the studying underJamesWeeks. workfor print. Students also mayfindwork including fine arts, art field or transferingto a four-year The program offers opportunities learn advanced computerskills design and teaching. Students college. for students to gain experience such as digital imaging, electronic rinouMtiWnCeCly'seaArrntapssroocgiraatemdaengdrees MinWtChC$'RsaAyrmtopnrdoMg.raLmaFisonhtoauisneed oseurtvsiicdeeloefatrhneincglapsrosjreocotmstthhraotugh iwlelbusctroantcieonntraantdiowne,bstduedseingtn.s Ilneatrhne transfer to prominent four-year FineArts Center along side the include teaching assistantships, basic and advanced techniques of cMoalslseagceshuasnedttusniCvoelrlsietgieeosfiAnrctluadnidng EtharseteWfiunllgy-Geaqlulieprpyeadnsdtuidtiionsclaunddes wcoomrmkusnhiotpisesa.nd volunteering in local icnrteeartaicntgivefefwecetbives,itwees.llS-tduedseingntesd,are Design; School ofthe Museum taught basic design theory, digftal a"full range ofart classes, from ofFineArts, Boston; UMass, imaging and electronic illustration drawingto portfolio preparation. Computer Graphic Design Amherst; UMass, Dartmouth; and MWCC skills and techniques. In addition, Maine College ofArt in Portland. Did you know that is one Graphic designers are responsible students learn basic hypertext ofthe only communitycolleges in Graduates have also transferred for the creative concept, design, markup languages and top level to Smith College,Williams College, Massachusetts that offers a bronze layout and execution ofprinted authoring software usingwhat you Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School sculpture class?According to Joyce and digital materials such as ads, see is what you get (WYSIWYG) Miller, chair ofthe art department ofDesign, and the School ofVisual atMWCC, "The advanced sculpture brochures, logos, annual reports, technology. Arts in NewYork. course offers students the What makes MWCC's art opportunityto create small-scale department unique from other bronzesculptures, usingthe lost wax programs is that it provides students technique." Also,Thomas Matsuda, associate professor ofart, recently incorporated stone andwood carving into the sculpture curriculum. "What makes our program unique is it's a solid foundation art program which is equal to a four- year progra'm.We offer classes in all the traditional media and also have access to both gas and electric kilns," says Miller, who received 4 Fall 2011 CareerFocus Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf I I Creative Faculty. Graphic design students also develop professional portfolios and take part in service learning projects in the community and college. Some ofthe projects include poster design, web site creation, signage and identity creation. i 'I Photography According to MWCC's photography instructor Bob Mayer, who has spent manyyears working professionally as a photographer himself, photography is a growing field.With credentials or East Meets West in MWCC's Art Wing training in photography, students can pursue careers as photojournalists Thomas Matsuda or event, restaurant, product and possess some sort oftalent and organisation can have successful portrait photographers. MWCC careers in the field, and notjust Through his artistic pursuits, associate professor ofart,Thomas MWCC provides a well-rounded actingcareers. "There are other Matsuda collaborates with fellow artists throughout the world, then brings education and training in portrait, kinds ofjobs besides actingthat you the experiences and perspectives back to his students at MountWachusett commercial, product, wedding and can attain with a degree in theatre," Community College. stock photography. Students gain Steele says. hands-on experience in studio, Most recently, the noted artist oftraditional Buddhist sculptures, stone outdoor and window light. For example, students canenter lanterns, contemporary sculpture and abstract drawings traveled to Qatar, the field in a number ofdifferent takingpart in "2 x 2," a four-person exhibition designed to inspire culture With photography growing in roles including acting, directing, and dialogue by unitingtwo artists from theWest and two from the Middle the self-employment sector, the Ijj marketing, education and East. Prior to that, he has participated in exhibitions and symposiums program takes a practical focus by playwriting. throughout the U.S., Japan, England, Egypt, Romania and other countries. incorporating a curriculum that not A only teaches photography, but also concentration in theatre through Matsuda earned his BFA in drawing and paintingfrom Pratt Institute, and focuses on business management and MWCC's LiberalArts degree program his MFAin sculpture from UMass,Amherst. He started his art career as marketing to prepare students for provides students the opportunity a lithographic printer in NewYork, creating abstract drawings, paintings, small business operation. to transfer to a four-year college or and prints influenced by Eastern philosophy. His interests led him to university.Those concentratingin accompany a group ofJapanese Buddhist monks on a peace pilgrimage that Advantages ofthe program include theatre have transferred to UMass, involved walking acrossAmerica for six months. He then spent six months a digital approach, as well as the Amherst, Bridgewater State and inArizonawith the Navajo. affordability factorwhen compared to Salem State Universities, along other photography schools. "It gives with Emerson College and Lesley Following these experiences, he traveled to Japan in 1983, where he the student expertise at afraction University'sART Institute in apprenticed under the renowned sculptor Koukei Eri for two years, ofthe cost ofother photography Cambridge. before movingto a remote mountain village for 10 years. There, he carved schools,"says Mayer. . There are also opportunities to gain sculptures from wood he hauled out ofthe mountain forests and from stones This program concentrates on experience through productions* he selected from riverbeds. Matsuda carved over 200 sculptures in Japan the necessary skills for students . with MWCC's Theatre at the Mount, for various temples, shrines, villages, businesses and individual patrons, to enter the field ofprofessional which provides more year-round and exhibited his work in many major cities. Major commissions include a digital photography. Today's productions than most four-year seven-ton marble Buddha for the Grafton Peace Pagoda in Grafton, NY. photographeris artistic, technically colleges and universities. In 2009, Matsuda, who teaches drawing, design and sculpture at MWCC, and technologically skilled, as well as organized "Prayer FlagsAround the World," a traveling exhibit featuring business savvy. Tap into your creative side. Be a star! pieces by international artists that continues to make its way around the globe. Theatre One ofMWCC's stars is Emma These varied experiences influence his work and are used in the classroom According to Professor Gail Steele, Roberts. She became involved in to provide students with a worldly perspective on art and culture. Matsuda director ofMWCC's Theatre at the Theatre at the Mount and has since explains, "I share my experiences with my students and believe they serve Mount, a theatre degree allows gone on to theAmerican Repertory as an inspiration ofthe possibilities ofwhat can be done in art and how students to pursue careers both Theatre Institute in Cambridge, exciting it can be." becoming the youngest actor accepted on and offstage. Steele says that by the institute at age 17. -Janice O'Connor students who are creative and 877-324-6815 Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf CareerFocus Pall 2011 5 I I . CO o o Feature u_. CD CD i— OCO New Center ST Excellence Helping Veterans Transition to College Serving those who have served their country By Janice O'Connor Student Success. MWCC was Since 2010, the Gardnerresident "As these men andwomen transition one of15 colleges in the country has been takingtwo to three courses from service to college, they Coming from a longline selected to establish aveterans per semester as he works toward encounter many barriers,"Larkin ofveterans and with success center through a Fund for a degree. "This school has been explains. "They seek an environment a passion for serving the Improvement ofPostsecondary phenomenal,"he says. "I get all that is veteran-friendly. Often in the U.S.Army, Erik Education (FIPSE) grant from the the support that I need,whether feeling all alone, theyneed guidance, Goroshko anticipated U.S. Department ofEducation. it's through disability services or patience, and support in making — a long military career. Serving as national models, the academic counseling.You don't see sense ofthe unfamiliar to be Those plans abruptly centers are being created to help that anywhere else, and you don't part ofsomething.The Center of changedwhen the ease the transition to college life see a community college that is so Excellence has transitioned to infantry squad he was leadingwas forveterans and their families, as dedicated to veterans." somethingmore than a place to ambushed in Iraqin 2006. Following well as to provide ongoing support receive support and services. It is a routine mission escorting an for current active members ofthe A veteran-friendly environment a place that has brought similar- explosives team sent to detonate military and their families. minded men and women togetherto aGobroosmhbkot'hsatshqauaddbweaensdoinsciotsvewraedy, "I always wanted to better myself FMrWoCmCt,heveitneitriaanlsporeicnetiovfecsopnetcaicatlat support each other." back to the base when it was hit by with an education," Goroshko says. personalized assistance from the The new Center ofExcellencMeWfoCrC a mortar round and an improvised "Career advancement wouldhave center's assistant project director, Veteran Student Success at explosive device (IED), killing one of gone furtherwithin the enlisted Kristine Larkin, and the veterans' addresses the unique academic, the nine men and wounding several ranks, but at the time, school wasn't academic coach,TomTobin, a Navy financial, physical and social needs others.A sergeant in the National an option because we were atwar." veteran. ofveterans transitioningto college Guard, Goroshko suffered ahead life, Larkin explains. Specifically, the injurywhen the bomb exploded center provides support to returning and ultimately made the difficult veterans seekinginformation decision to retire after 12 years of about their education and other GI service. benefits. Now, at 34, the father ofthree is In addition to offering a long transitioning to life as a college list ofspecialized services, the student to help determine which center has established strong direction his future will take. internal relationships with other departments as well as local community providers to support Easing the transition to its veterans, Larkin explains. In college life collaboration with the college's Goroshko is one ofnearly 200 TRIO Student Support Services veterans attending Mount "Visions"program, the Center of Wachusett Community College and Excellence refers veteran students tapping into an array ofservices to workshops to learn basic skills on available through the college's new time management, active learning Center ofExcellence forVeteran strategies, memory strategies, Veteran students JeremyPrattandErik Goroshko. 6 Fall 2011 CareerFocus Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf 877-324-6815 I I test-taking strategies, and stress management techniques.Also, in collaboration with the college's disabilities coordinator, the Center ofExcellence advocates for veteran students to receive resources to assist with overcoming physical and learning disabilities, communication issues, and psychological or other medical challenges such as post traumatic stress syndrome. Referrals are also arranged for veterans seeking services from community providers for assistance with personal counseling, obtaining shelter and food, transportation to areaVA centers and other needs. A "touch of home" Moreover, the Center ofExcellence provides veteran students with the ability to relax, study, get a cup of coffee and snack, as well as use the computers and other adaptive technology available at the center, MWCC'sStudentVeterans ofAmerica club raised$500fortheMontachusettVeterans Outreach Centerin Gardnerthrough acar Larkin says. The Center ofExcellence washand bake sale duringthe spring2011 semester. Picturedfrom left, KristineLarkin andTom Tobin ofMWCC's VeteransSuccess trulyrepresents a "touch ofhome" Center,MVOCExecutiveDirector CharlesBollingerIII, and student veterans TrevorStacy, ChrisAkey, JeremyPratt, Michael Valila, forveteran students at MWCC, James Colbert, BrianLaPrise and Chris Shea. designated aYellow Ribbon School bythe U.S. Department ofVeteran believe all the resources that the outlet, andwhat I found was MWCC, center and college have to offer.The whichhas helped me a great deal Center of Excellence for Affairs. Veterans Success Center is a place with that emptiness and with a long- Veteran Student Success BusinessAdministration major Ray that has afeeling ofcamaraderie." term goal that I had to get a college Greeno, a 24-yearArmyveteran, says education," says Greeno. Services AretiredArmy master sergeant who the centerhas played an important served a year supervising main gate JeffMurray, an eight-year Navy Tailored admissions and role in his transition into college. operations at Forward Operating veteran and also a Business advising counseling "I was so overwhelmed when I first Base SpeicherinTikrit, Iraq, Greeno Administration major, says the center started classes inJanuary, that said the adjustment to civilian life has helped him access services such • Career services counseling Iwanted to do an about face and is challenging on manyfronts. For as tutoring, and has served as a go home," says Greeno, anAthol one, he grappledwith afeeling of resource forbecoming involved on • Transfer assistance resident. emptiness after retiring earlier than campus. "The centerhelps me get in anticipated. touchwith otherveterans,"he says. "I 1 Veteran benefits and financial "thTealaksisnigsttaonmceyIprreocfeesisvoerdsfarnodm the "I had to find somethingto get my love it." aid advising Veterans Success Center got me mind going, because I felt myself Like Murray, many ofthe student • Assistance for students with going in the right direction. I couldn't sinking into ablackhole. I needed an veterans affiliated with the center are disabilities also active in the student veterans club, which this year affiliatedwith • An orientation course geared the StudentVeterans ofAmerica. toward veterans This semester, the chapter raised $500 to benefit a local veterans • Referrals to on-campus and organization. off-campus service providers Rebecca Gilbert ofLeominster served 1 Textbook loan program four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, usingher musical talent in flute and • Emergency, scholarship and piccolo to perform throughout the yellow ribbon funds U.S. and abroad in theAlbany Marine Corps Band stationed in Georgia. 1 An adaptive technology loan After returning to Massachusetts, program she became determined to make the most ofexpanded education benefits • Study groups offered to veterans under the Post 9/11 GI bill, enacted in 2009.A 1 A mentoring program LiberalArts major, Gilbert is active in MWCC's veterans club, math club, • Tutoring JohnNiekrash, left, CEOandfounderofWork VesselsforVeterans, recently delivered student newspaper and Student • Computers and a quiet study laptop computers toBusinessAdministration majorRay Green andseveral other GovernmentAssociation. MWCCstudent veterans, through an initiative ofthe college's new CenterofExcellence area for students "It's a really good opportunity for me." forVeteran StudentSuccess. 877-324-6815 Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf CareerFocus Fall 201 I I CO o Feature Li- as CD OCtJ 3 + 1 = Big Savings for Students By Kim Anderson In the program, students will complete 84 credits duringtheir first Interested in earning a three years at MWCC, before bachelor's or master's degree, attending MCPHS.At MCPHS, but nervous about cost? students will take an additional 20 After all, a private college credits, which creates a bridge to the or university education master's program, before completing with room and board can the final 40 credits in the master's cost over $50,000 a year or program. Through this seamless more. Imagine startingyour transfer program, students who earn education at MountWachusett an associate degree at MWCC and Community College and then become licensed registered nurses transferringto a private four-year can gain experience in the nursing college, without payingfour-year field while earningboth a master's MWCC prices. It's possible. Start at degree in nursing and training to and transfer through one ofseveral become family nurse practitioners at 3 + 1 programs. MCPHS. AmongtheMWCCalumni and3+1participants whograduated in May2011from What is a 3 + 1 Program? Nichols College with a bachelor's degree inBusinessAdministration were Gloria Cor- 3 + 1 and Beyond? rea, Patrick Cochran andJessica Soto. A 3 + 1 program is a transfer agreement that allows students to education because it prepares the State College is an accredited college complete their first three years of steps, planning and coaching, while that provides online degree options college at MWCC, at MWCC prices, saving time and money," says Limari in a variety ofprograms, including college before transferringto a bachelor's Rivera, transfer counselor at MWCC. business, health care, public safety program at a participating private Students register forthe program and information systems. ceodlulceagteioornuantivMerWsiCtCy.wYielalrlcyo,stanless dasusroicnigattehedierglraesetpsreomgersatme.r oftheir BChaasretdeirnONaekwprBorivtiadiens,oCnolninneect3i+cu1t, MMWoCunCt'sIddaenCtoalllheyggeiene program than $5,000.The 3 + 1 and 3 + 1 and At MWCC, students can participate transfer opportunities for all MWCC graduates now have the option of Beyond programs allow students pursuing a bachelor's degree in to complete three years at MWCC in 3 + 1 programs with the following dMegree pCrogramPs. HS dental hygiene from Mount Ida in colleges and universities: before transferring into a master's Newton. The new transfer program program. will enable participants to transfer their dental hygiene and general The 3 + 1 and 3 + 1 and Beyond MassachusettsCollege../PharmacymjHealthSciences education credits to Mount Ida. programs are types ofarticulation BELLEYUE UNIVERSITY agreements.Articulation Once in the bachelor's degree agreements are contracts between RealLearning forReallife Massachusetts College of program, students will pursue one two or more institutions that allow Pharmacy and Health Sciences offour concentrations including specific credit at one institution to management (online or on-campus); (MCPHS) be accepted for entry or advanced Bellevue University education (online); forensic science standing at another. MWCC recentlyformed a new 3 + 1 For students interested in pursuing (on-campus); or pre-professional (on "An articulation agreement is an aagfroeuer-myeenatrwaictchreBdeiltleedvuuneivUenrisvietrsyity, aagmraesetmere'nstdweigtrheeM,CthPeH3S+a1llows cstaumdpeunst)s.fTohreprparcotigcrea,maswiwlellplraespare excellent opportunity to further your lSotcuadteendtisngBrealdlueavtuei,ngNefbrroamsakna.y gprraodguraatmestoofenMtWerCCth'esMnCurPsHinSg feodrucgartaidouna.te school or a career in MWCC Master ofScience in Nursing (MSN) associate degree program FamilyNurse Practitioner Bridge can qualify forparticipation in this Program at theWorcester campus. program. Theywill be able to take many oftheirjuniorlevel courses at MWCC toward their degree program atBellevue.All Bellevue courses will "An articulation agreement is an be taken online. excellent opportunity to further ^(CharterOalc an education because provides STATE COLLEGE it the steps, planning and coaching, Degrees Without Boundaries Dia Moua, beingpinnedduringMWCC's dental hygienepinningceremony inMay while saving time and money," 2011,plans topursue a bachelor'sdegree Charter Oak State College through one ofMWCC's new transfer Established by the Connecticut says Rivera. programs. legislature in 1973, Charter Oak 8 Fall 2011 CareerFocus Mount Wachusett Community College www.mwcc.edu/cf 877-324-6815 I I