MCC Graduate Continues Education as Transfer Student

Jeffrey Day has always been interested in how mechanical things work, spending his free time taking things apart and figuring out how to fix them.

This passion led the Lowell-native to attend Greater Lowell Technical High School where he majored in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

“In high school, I was always encouraged that I could open up my own business because I was always willing to take initiative and kept this willingness to learn more about my craft,” Day said. “Every chance I had, I wanted to demonstrate how much I knew about the trade. I was determined to stand out in my class and my teachers helped me get to that point.”

Having learned his craft well, the next step after graduating from Greater Lowell Tech in 2016 was learning more about how businesses operate. This led Day to study business at Middlesex Community College.

Day struggled with financial hardships and finding a way to continue working as a service technician for A. Fagundes Plumbing and Heating in Lowell — where he has worked since his junior year of high school — while furthering his education. With help from staff at MCC, he was able to make it happen.

He graduated in May 2019 and credits MCC with helping him find his path and build his confidence.

“When I started at MCC, I was unsure about what pathway I wanted to pursue, but one of my first professors, John Femia, assisted me with a pathway that would help me transfer more easily,” Day said. “A lot of the things he taught me I still use today and he’s been great with helping me with recommendations.”

Day, 21, said he grew as a person and was able to make personal and long-lasting connections with other students while attending MCC by taking advantage of opportunities and joining clubs like the Outdoor Adventure Club and Running Club, as well as serving as President of Asian Students in Alliance (A.S.I.A).

“A lot of the events I did attend, from informational sessions, cultural meetings and entertainment gave me a chance to talk to people that I normally would not talk to,” he said. “I learned some new information. At MCC, there is a place for everyone. No one should feel left out.”

Academically, Day said he felt more dedicated to his studies than he did in high school because he was genuinely interested in learning more about the subject matter of every course he took and because the professors found ways to engage him.

“My professors helped me develop skills like public speaking, managing teams and finding ways to think out of the box,” he said.

Following graduation from MCC, Day transferred to UMass Lowell, where he is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

When he is not in class or fixing a heating or air conditioning system, Day loves to travel and has visited every state on the east coast, as well as Texas and Puerto Rico. Travel is a passion he hopes to continue as he finishes his education and builds his career.

Upon graduation from UMass Lowell, he plans to work full time at A. Fagundes and hopes to pursue higher positions within the company.

“There is a lot of room for growth into leadership positions and I want to take advantage of that,” he said.

Registration for Spring 2020 courses at Middlesex Community College is now open. For more information visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration or call 1-800-818-3434 to register.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!