MCC Hires Alumna as Newest Criminal and Social Justice Professor

Middlesex Community College welcomed a new faculty member to the college’s Criminal and Social Justice program. Amairanys Rodriguez is a Lowell-native and alumna of Middlesex who found a “truly diverse and cozy” space at MCC to pursue her passion. Now as a faculty member, she wants to provide a similar experience for her students.

“I felt so comfortable at MCC and wanted to give back to the college that helped me when I needed them most,” Rodriguez said. “I am hoping to bring hope, excitement and lots of knowledge from my experiences. I want to be a role model for my students, make sure all their questions get answered, and help them choose the path they want to succeed in.”

Two experiences inspired Rodriguez to work in the criminal justice field. One was participating in the Junior Reserves Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) during high school. She found an appreciation for leadership and being a role model “in and out of my uniform.” The second experience that influenced her decision was seeing someone close to her get arrested.

“I learned a lot more about the system and the injustices, and I knew I needed to get involved because it became my passion,” Rodriguez said. “I have worked in many different entities within the criminal justice system and the mental health field and collaborated with many different people, which helped me become well-rounded in my education.”

After Rodriguez graduated from high school, she was determined to study criminal justice, but did not know how to start. She chose Middlesex because of the college’s campus location in her hometown, which allowed her to stay close to her family. As a student at MCC, she flourished from completing her general education courses in small classes, taking interesting electives that broadened her knowledge, and engaging in the campus community with her classmates.

“MCC is a fantastic way to start because even if someone is a little indecisive, it can help fill in that gap and help students remember why they chose this program in the first place,” she said. “MCC got me started and boosted my confidence in what I wanted to achieve in life.”

Rodriguez continued her education by transferring to UMass Lowell. Although she had originally considered becoming a police officer, she said “life had a different plan for me.” Instead, she went on to earn a master’s degree with the intention of teaching at the community college level.

As a faculty member at MCC, she hopes to show her students all of the different options that are available to them from studying this field. The most important thing Rodriguez wants her students to understand is that education – at MCC in particular – is a great way to get their start in the academic and professional world. This is especially true because “all the staff and faculty here want to see students grow.”

“The world’s criminal justice system needs fresh faces, new people to save lives, and new people we can trust,” Rodriguez said. “We need a new generation of criminal justice-seeking students to help save the world.”