MCC Helps Students Fit Education Into Their Busy Lives

Sebastian Alvarez is building his brand. At 21, he already runs a small, private media production company called Unavailable Media. In collaboration with his best friend, the service has four social media pages and close to 75,000 followers on Instagram. He also works on freelance photo and video projects for major companies. For Alvarez, Middlesex Community College offers him the flexibility he needs to pursue his passion while completing his studies.

Alvarez came to Middlesex to continue his education. He had previously started at a four-year school, but took time off to play in two Under-20 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Championships for Mexico in 2018 and 2019. Now at MCC, he is taking classes to earn credits he can transfer to a top four-year school.

“My MCC experience has been very unique and personal, which MCC is great at doing for people,” he said.” I want to make my own path and so my experience at MCC has been really good because for people who do research, are organized, and stay disciplined with their unique path, the advisors and professors are here to support you – and you will find success!”

The online and accelerated course options Middlesex offers help Alvarez manage his busy schedule. With MCC’s Mini-mesters, students receive the same number of credits, high-quality content, and number of instructional hours as a traditional 15-week course in just eight-weeks.

“I have always preferred online because for most classes all you have to do is get the work done,” he said. “I also move around a lot, so I’m not always in Bedford, Mass., so I like being able to do my classes on a pit stop on the highway or from the comfort of my bed.”

An Accounting major who is from Mexico City and now lives in Lexington, Alvarez is paying for college on his own and chose MCC because of its affordability. In reflecting on his journey and career aspirations, he credits MCC for teaching him “integrity, patience and accountability.”

The first person Alvarez met at Middlesex was Susan Hutchinson, MCC’s Bedford Academic Advisor, and he still goes to her when he needs assistance. He appreciates the “hard work, care and detail she puts into helping her students succeed,” even going as far to say she is “the goat” – the greatest of all time.

Stephanie Pesce, MCC Professor of Honors English and Humanities, has also been a mentor to Alvarez. Although Alvarez is interested in transferring to a business school with a concentration in technology, Pesce challenged him in his Honors English course and offered him guidance.

“She would often meet with me after class not only for extra help but also for transfer mentorship and career advice,” Alvarez said. “I also remember her telling me about why she loves teaching here. When she first started, she taught an array of people – including moms juggling a family and lower income motivated students – and she loves that aspect of the college, which I think says a lot of good things about her character.”

Alvarez benefits from the college’s tutoring service at the Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE) and enjoys playing on the college’s intramural hockey team. He calls the team “a ragged band of chippy grinders.”

One of MCC’s new Student Greeters, Alvarez welcomes people to campus to help them find where they need to go. Although most of MCC’s courses and student services are now online due to the pandemic, Greeters help students who do have to come to campus find their way to the library, pick up items from the bookstore, or meet someone from student services – which is by appointment only.

With the pandemic, Alvarez sees this time as an opportunity to get serious about his education. While he had only intended to take one summer class, he ended up finishing four and is gearing up to apply to four-year schools for Spring 2021.

As for why Middlesex was his choice, he said, “I am still young and finding what I want to do for the rest of my life. The quality of resources here is more than enough for almost anything you want to do.”

MCC’s Mini-mester II – an accelerated, eight-week session ­­– starts on November 2. To register, 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 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!