MCC Names Daniella Dankwa 2020-2021 Student Trustee

Daniella Dankwa, of Lowell, has been named to the Middlesex Community College Board of Trustees for the 2020-2021 academic year as Student Trustee.

An international student from Ghana, Dankwa has been studying at MCC since January 2019. She has been taking general studies courses – having started with English Language Learners (ELL) courses – and plans to apply to MCC’s Nursing Program to become a registered nurse.

“Comparing my experience adjusting to this country and my new educational experience, I just felt like I need to help people,” she said. “I can use my time and my experience at MCC to help others. I’m excited about all the roles and responsibilities – everything about becoming the Student Trustee. I’m honored and excited to be on the Board of Trustees.”

Dankwa immigrated to the U.S. in March 2018 to join her father and sister. Her goal is to further her education, so she can help people as much as she can. It helps to have her sister with her at Middlesex as the two support each other throughout their academic journeys.

As a future nurse, and hopefully a doctor, Dankwa wants to help make positive differences in people’s lives, as she imagines doing so is rewarding both personally and professionally.

It’s her drive to help others that led Dankwa to work on the frontlines of COVID-19 as a part-time Nurse’s Assistant at a nursing home. She is also a Writing Tutor at MCC’s Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) and continued tutoring as MCC transferred spring 2020 coursework and student services to remote, virtual and limited contact systems because of the pandemic. She figured out the best way for her to connect with students was by calling them and reviewing their writing over an online system.

“When I first started at MCC, I was introduced by the Orientation Leaders to the Tutoring Center and it has really changed my life,” she said. “We have amazing faculty and staff that help you, listen to you and explain everything to you, so I felt the need to do the same for people.”

An active member of the MCC community, Dankwa participates in several clubs including the African Cultural Club and the Philosophy Club. Getting to know the people and places on campus helped her adjust and become a better leader and communicator, which led to her becoming Student Trustee.

“A professor told me if you’re a student and you’re active on campus, it will help you with your academics because you know where to go,” she said. “Being active on campus helped me to develop and build up my skills, especially leadership skills and getting to know people – understanding and respecting diversity, and seeing people’s differences.”

Having the support from the “amazing” professors at Middlesex has also helped Dankwa adjust. She credits them for always guiding her and other students to improve their knowledge and skills, and setting students up for success.

“Middlesex has prepared me very well for my future, my career, my family – everything.”

MCC is now registering for the Summer and Fall semesters, which will feature enhanced online options. 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!