Community Partnership Results in Scholarship for MCC Students

August 31, 2021 – Middlesex Community College, a proud community partner, partnered with Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, with a local presence of 330 employees in Westford, Massachusetts and 10,000 employees worldwide, to establish the Juniper Scholars Pilot Scholarship with the Middlesex Community College Foundation to support students in underserved communities studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“As part of our equity mission at Middlesex, the college is working to provide our students with experiences inside and outside of the classroom that lends to their success in terms of their education and professional careers,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “Our partnerships with companies such as Juniper Networks make this possible. We are excited to have our hardworking and dedicated students learn relevant experiences from knowledgeable professionals at an esteemed company.”

The Juniper scholarship will provide four Middlesex students with funds to go toward their academic expenses and other costs for three years, including when they transfer to MCC’s partner institution the University of Massachusetts Lowell. MCC’s recipients include Computer Science majors Hannah Guillen, Tales Arajuo Mota, Raul Olivares and Electrical Engineering major Kwadwo Bempah.

The students will also receive a monthly mentorship with a Juniper employee with whom they will meet monthly, as well as a job-shadow experience after they have completed 30+ credits. With the scholarship, Juniper’s goal is to “create a pipeline for under-represented students” at the company, according to Hillary Weingast, Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity and Deputy General Counsel, Juniper Networks.

“Juniper appreciates the challenges and obstacles for many students in our community,” Weingast said. “We were able to combine the life and career experiences of our employees to create the Juniper Scholars model and secure buy-in from our local leaders, as well as support from Corporate Inclusion and Diversity and Community Engagement teams. Juniper is committed to increasing our own culture of inclusion and diversity and is striving to make a difference internally and in our communities.”

A recent graduate from MCC, Guillen’s goal is to start a career as a software engineer. She chose to come to Middlesex because of its proximity to her home in Wakefield, affordability of classes, and the college’s flexibility to allow her to work while taking classes. With this scholarship, Guillen looks forward to achieving her academic and professional goals while learning from and being supported by a professional mentor at Juniper.

“As a woman looking to go into a STEM career and a daughter of immigrant parents, I am so blessed and thankful to receive this award and am excited to be mentored by a professional in my career,” Guillen said. “It is important for me to make these connections at the beginning stages of my career. Not only will I be able to gain an up close experience, but I am also fortunate enough to have someone I trust teach me all the different sides there are to my career.”

Now living in Lowell, Araujo Mota is an international student from Brazil who appreciates the financial support and recognition of his hard work that the scholarship gives him. Expecting to graduate in Spring 2022, he is hoping to use his education and in-person experience as a bridge between a career in computer science to engineering.

“The Juniper employees have gone through a similar situation to what I currently find myself in, so I believe that the mentoring that they provide will be something that will serve me for a lifetime,” he said. “Having mentors in a field that you are pursuing a career in opens innumerous chances to stand out.”

Olivares started at MCC to be close to his family and job after hearing great reviews about the college. Being awarded the Juniper scholarship provides him with financial support to be able to work fewer hours and focus more on his studies, as well as the chance to find a job in a field in which he enjoys.

“I am looking very forward to the mentorship to be able to see what the daily life in my career will be like from individuals who are in the field,” Olivares said. “Having a personal interaction with a professional while earning my degree will help me to know what information will be best to learn and practice, so that I can be better prepared.”

From Ghana and now living in Lowell, Kwadwo Bempah was encouraged to apply for the scholarship by his professors. Bempah is looking forward to honing his skills, including making himself more hirable. An avid learner, he is looking forward to having a “guiding hand” through the process.

“My goal is to avail myself of any and every opportunity that comes my way – it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about myself,” Bempah said. “Having a connection and mentorship with a professional is crucial for personal and professional development. It means having absolute access to another person who has succeeded in treading a similar path as mine as a personal compass in navigating the space that I’m in right now.”

With this partnership, Middlesex students will receive financial support and valuable practical experiences, while Juniper deepens the diversity of their company with qualified and eager to learn students.

“It’s critically important that Juniper enhances a diverse and inclusive workplace environment,” Weingast said. “We recognize the importance of enriching our organization with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities and to enable people to be valued and respected for bringing those differences to our workplace. Enhancing our diversity and culture of inclusion is key to our long-term economic growth, company success and global competitiveness.”

MCC’s Fall 2021 semester will feature flexible course formats – including on campus and online – and a variety of student support services and resources. To register for classes, visit www.middlesex.mass/edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

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 education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!