Middlesex Community College: Alumna Set Up For Academic & Financial Success With Start At MCC

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

7/21/2021

When Zarais German-George was considering where to go to college after graduating from high school, she knew attending a community college would save her money on tuition. Her mother and siblings pointed her toward Middlesex Community College where she ended up having “the best part” of her college experience.

“The thing about MCC is that they want all their students to succeed, which is why there are so many resources available,” she said. “The staff and faculty’s interest in wanting to help me move forward and do great in the professional world was what made me love MCC so much.”

From Lowell, German-George started at Middlesex as a Psychology major, but made the change to Criminal Justice in her second year. Her interest in the program sparked from her passion for helping other people. Because of MCC’s small class sizes, she was also able to get to know her professors and learn how best to communicate with them.

“I had the best experience with MCC’s Criminal Justice program,” she said. “All the professors were really nice and caring, and really worked hard so their students would succeed.”

After graduating from MCC in 2020, German-George transferred to Salem State University and is majoring in both Criminal Justice and Psychology. It was her Criminology class taught by MCC professor Heloisa DaCunha that helped her decide to pursue a career in Public Service, possibly as a Criminologist or working with victims of crime and juveniles in the criminal justice system.

“I am forever grateful to have met Professor DaCunha because she really helped me grow as a person and academically,” German-George said. “I always loved going to her class as her genuine passion for the subject made it easy for me to learn and stay engaged in class.”

German-George not only found her academic and professional path at Middlesex, she was also exposed to a diverse community of people and cultures. Calling her first time at the college a “cultural shock,” she was in awe of the community and all of the people who formed it.

“The best part of being an MCC student was the diversity of the school and getting to learn from different cultures and be enriched by their greatness,” she said. “Working in the Multicultural Center gave me the opportunity to first-hand receive training on diversity and equity that helped me grow personally and professionally.”

During her time at Middlesex, she made sure to spend a lot of her time getting tutoring at the Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE). This helped her to strengthen her skills, increase her knowledge, and get the most out of her education. She was also president of Dance Club and participated in the International Students, African Cultural, Asian Students in Alliance, Women’s Leadership Network and Outdoor Adventures clubs.

“I always loved being on campus,” German-George said. “There was always something fun and educational happening.”

In addition to working and being active on campus, German-George participated in a few Service-Learning opportunities while at Middlesex. For a Sociology course, she volunteered at a Martial Arts School in Lowell named Grodojo. In her Law Justice course, she spent time working at MCC’s Food Pantry, including running a personal hygiene donation drive and researching food and housing insecurities in community colleges.

The affordability of tuition, accessibility to resources, small class sizes, diverse and welcoming community, and support from professors helped jumpstart German-George’s academic path, as well as made her professional goals clearer.

“Attending MCC helped me grow academically because help was always available,” she said. “The staff and faculty made my MCC experience an unforgettable one. It will always live in my heart.”

Part of the Public Service pathway, the Criminal Justice program at MCC helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. For more information, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_pubserv.aspx and discover your path to a career in Public Service at Middlesex.

If you have ever taken a class at MCC, you are an alum! To share your story – and join the free Alumni Association – contact Amy Lee, Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations, at 978-656-3028 or leea@middlesex.mass.edu. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/alumni for more information.

Featuring flexible course formats and a variety of student support services and resources, MCC is registering now for the Fall 2021 semester. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu or call 1-800-818-3434 to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.