MCC’s New TRIO Directors Are Preparing for the Fall Semester

One of the things Middlesex Community College does best is offer students personalized support. Two of MCC’s newest hires – Jennifer Stach and Joanne Jaber Gauvin – and their teams provide services for students to improve their grades, stay in school, graduate and transfer to four-year schools through TRIO Programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Stach is MCC’s Director of the TRIO Program for Student Achievement for students who have a documented disability. Working in collaboration with the Office of Disability Support Services, the program assists students in applying for scholarships and financial aid, literacy education workshops, tutoring, executive functioning support, and academic and transfer advising.

“TRIO students go everywhere and do amazing things,” Stach said. “We work hard to know what our students’ individual needs are and to help our students get all the support we can provide.”

As the Director of the Student Success Program, Gauvin is returning to Middlesex and the TRIO Program where she once worked as the lead advisor. The program supports eligible students who meet low-income requirements or are first generation in their family to go to college. Services include academic, career and transfer advising and tutoring in math, writing and reading.

“Our goals are to help our students complete their education at Middlesex and transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree, and we will work as hard as they do to help them meet their goals,” Gauvin said. “We have great advisors who are knowledgeable in so many area and students can expect a warm environment in which they can come for assistance in almost anything.”

Both programs are planning visits to four-year colleges around Greater Boston as well as cultural events at museums and libraries during the Fall 2022 semester. Workshops will help students build skills to help them with time management, test prep, financial literacy and study habits.

Having worked in higher education for her entire career – including in Admissions at Middlesex – Stach understands the college experience at several levels. She holds a master’s in College Student Development and Counseling from Northeastern University and is earning a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Organizational Studies.

“My most recent position was as an Academic Coach helping students who had not had great outcomes in high school find success in college,” Stach said. “I really fell in love with that work, so when the opportunity to return to MCC arose, I jumped at it. I really appreciate the work that MCC does in making education accessible for so many people.”

Gauvin has also spent her career working in the student affairs side of higher education. Throughout all of her positions, the part she enjoyed most is building connections. This includes collaborating with colleagues and helping students “from all walks of life.”

“MCC is a very special place,” Gauvin said. “Community here is very special and their focus is clear – student success! Coming back to work here is such a privilege.”