Event Highlights Impact of Grant Funding for Early Education Students

Middlesex Community College held an event for students in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program on Saturday, June 29 to celebrate the success of the program. The coffee hour introduced community members to a cohort of students enrolled in MCC’s Health, Safety and Nutrition course being taught in Spanish.

“I have been working in my own family childcare business for 19 years, and since starting these classes, I am always learning something new,” said Gladis Del Llano, an MCC ECE student. “Without this program, I wouldn’t have been able to attend college and gain more knowledge in ECE. I enjoy getting to meet other students and share, while learning at the same time.”

Representative Vanna Howard was in attendance and learned about the impact of MCC’s ECE Career Pathways Grant on students’ academic journeys.

“I was thrilled to visit MCC’s Lowell Campus and hear directly from students pursuing careers in Early Childhood Education,” Representative Howard said. “The cohort took the time to meet with me to discuss their paths to getting an education at the college. Many of these students have worked in the field for years and are honing skills and advancing their knowledge in order to become even stronger leaders as they brighten the minds and lives of our young children.”

ECE classes are funded through the ECE Career Pathways grant and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). The funding goes toward college tuition, course materials, fees, tutoring services, and career and college advising.

“This has given me the chance to go back to college here in the U.S. and study ECE,” said Isolda Cano-Ramirez, an MCC ECE student. “I am supporting my family back home in Columbia with the money I make here, so to have access to free courses allows me to do that and also support myself. I am leaving a lasting impact on students. Seeing children I used to care for grown up, graduating from high school, etc., that makes me feel accomplished as a caregiver and educator.”

Since the inception of the ECE Career Pathways grant at Middlesex in 2019, over 1,900 students have had coursework paid for toward their ECE certificate, associate and bachelor’s degrees – 366 of whom took classes as part of the 2023-2024 academic year with 50 participating in Dual Enrollment from Woburn, Chelsea and Newton high schools.

“The ECE Career Pathways grant allows us to provide intense, individualized wrap around services for students who are early childhood educators and enrolled in our courses,” said Nancy Pynchon, MCC’s Coordinator of the ECE Career Pathways Grant. “Through the program, students have someone they can reach out to with questions, help with their coursework, and know we are there to support them throughout their academic pathways at MCC.”

Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/education/pathwayspg.aspx for more information and to register.