MCC Establishes Partnership for Leadership and Success

In a continued commitment to providing students with valuable professional development experiences, Middlesex Community College has established a chapter with the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). As part of NSLS, students complete a five-step development program online with a curriculum that hones leadership, communication and team building among other skills.

MCC’s chapter will be led by Steve Rossi, Director of Student Engagement, who believes NSLS helps students develop foundational knowledge that will guide them in advanced leadership experiences at Middlesex. These experiences include the Navigators Leadership Program and Leadership in Action: Paul Sullivan Institute.

“This is a great opportunity for MCC students to think about leadership as they get ready to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year school,” Rossi said. “NSLS introduces students to leadership concepts and practices they can immediately apply to their MCC career and beyond.”

Christian North – who is originally from Santiago, Chile and now lives in Arlington – is a Mechanical Engineering Science Transfer major who expects to graduate in 2022. In addition to attending MCC, North works full-time and is founder of MCC’s Model Aviation Club. After graduating, he plans to transfer to a four-year school to get a bachelor’s in Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineering and pursue advanced degrees. In his work, studies and club participation, North understands leadership requires compromise and finding common ground.

“I understand the importance of leadership training, how to work in different teams, and the importance of communicating clearly among peers to complete projects successfully,” he said. “I also understand the importance of mentorship and networking in the real world.”

Communications major Sabrina Lewis – originally from Worcester and now living in Lowell –plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and start her own business after graduating from Middlesex. As president of Communication Media Club and Fans of Japan Club, Lewis is an active member of the MCC community. She believes NSLS is a great opportunity to learn and progress in her academic and professional career. For her, being a leader starts with communication.

“A leader is someone who not only directs, but is an active listener in line with being a great communicator,” she said. “At MCC, the clubs, events and job opportunities that I have been involved with helped me to be a leader and practice my leadership skills.”

Completed online, the steps to become part of NSLS include an orientation for new members to learn expectations and how the program works; a leadership training day with interactive videos to help them identify goals and overcome obstacles; three live-steamed speaker broadcast events with leaders, celebrities and best-selling authors; three success networking team meetings in small groups to set goals and accountability; and an induction to receive a certificate of achievement and lifelong membership into NSLS.

Additional benefits from NSLS include access to scholarship and award opportunities, a job and internship board, partner discounts and benefits, recommendation letters from admissions officers and employers, a professional communication training tool, and a network of support from across the country.

NSLS joins MCC’s other student achievement programs – Phi Theta Kappa, the honors society for community colleges, and MCC’s Commonwealth Honors Program. To participate in NSLS, candidacy is determined by local chapter leaders. MCC students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher to be selected for nomination.

Contact Steve Rossi, Chapter Advisor at Studentengagement@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3789 for more information.

Registration is open for both MCC’s WinterSession and Spring Semester. WinterSession runs January 4-22. The Spring semester starts January 26. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ 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!