MCC Continues to Develop STEM Programs to Offer to Students

Middlesex Community College is dedicated to helping students succeed. To inspire students to continue in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics paths, MCC provides educational and networking opportunities for students to hear active professionals speak on their fields.

Running September through December 2020, MCC is offering an Engineering Seminar Series. Students have the chance to hear from professionals across the world share their experience as engineers and what they do in their positions. The virtual series has included speakers from a range of topics in engineering and from all over the world, including Mexico and Greece.

Michele Stein, MCC’s Chair of Computing and Engineering Technology, created the series as a way to show students all of the different paths they can take with their degree.

“There’s still a need for engineers right now, even in the pandemic,” she said. “The series features people from all over the world – that’s the nice thing about Zoom. When you listen to these professionals tell their different experiences and diverse backgrounds from all over, it’s very inspirational. These engineers are just like our students and our students can see if they were able to do it, they can too. It’s motivating.”

Christopher Ingemi is an alum and scheduled speaker who works as a Bridge Designer with BSC Group in South Boston. From Newton, Ingemi started at MCC as an adult learner in 2013 after being laid off from his construction job due to the recession.

Although he was unsure of what he wanted to pursue when he first arrived at MCC, he enjoyed his math and science courses – especially with professors Regina Goodwin and John Savage – and was encouraged to go into engineering.

“I know how difficult it is for an older student looking to make this type of career change and I hope to inspire some to keep at it,” he said. “I’ve seen a few talented people drop out or discontinue and I believe I can help prevent that from happening to others.”

During his time at MCC, Ingemi helped other students by working as a math tutor in the college’s Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE) and as a Supplemental Instructor for chemistry. After earning a solid foundation at MCC, he continued his education at UMass Lowell to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

His advice to students now – “If you see yourself as already being successful, then it is less likely you will become discouraged when things get difficult.”

Stein believes it is important to show students all of the different ways they can be involved both in engineering and in other fields of STEM.

“Engineering is an amazing career,” she said. “If it’s something you want, you can do it. You just have to work hard and be passionate and excited about it. People go on to have amazing jobs that inspire students to want to be involved.”

When she first started at the college, the program only offered courses in civil and mechanical engineering. In the past few years, she has added electrical, chemical and biomedical. Stein is determined to keep building the program with high-quality content offerings and networking opportunities. While engineering can be an overwhelming field, she believes Middlesex has the tools necessary to set students up for long-lasting success.

“Doing your first two years here and then transferring to a four-year school – for some students, it’s the key, it’s what they need,” she said. “Engineering is hard and to be in a huge auditorium learning these subjects, versus being in a classroom of 18 to get you through and help you learn the material is really going to help a lot of people.”

Mass. STEM Week is October 19-23. MCC is hosting several virtual events throughout the week in order to highlight the different careers students can pursue in STEM-related fields, including the Engineering Seminar Series. The events also include a Q&A with a food scientist, a Diplomat in Residence event for computer science and IT majors, information sessions with local businesses, the first annual STEM film fest featuring documentaries, and a STEM trivia night.

Many of MCC’s STEM Week activities are sponsored by MCC’s STEM Starter Academy (SSA). The SSA is another way for Middlesex to help students succeed and persist in STEM, including its new Pathfinders program. According to Joshua Felch, MCC’s Program Coordinator of SSA, in the program, students are matched with a professional success coach to help them progress throughout their degree.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_stem.aspx for more information on all of MCC’s STEM offerings.

Register for MCC’s Mini-mester II, an accelerated, eight-week session that starts November 2. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information and 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!