MCC’s Prepare to Attend College Furthers Student Growth

On Friday, December 9, Middlesex Community College’s Prepare to Attend College (PAC) graduation ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of students who completed the Fall 2022 session. As they accepted their award, the students shared a feeling of triumph and gratitude for the opportunity to expand their knowledge and create great potential for their futures.

“PAC supports and guides students from different countries by giving them an opportunity to learn to speak and write English,” said Audrey Nahabedian, MCC’s Dean of Workforce Development. “Students who enroll in these free courses benefit. The knowledge and skills they learn help them if they want to attend college in the U.S. or gather high-quality opportunities for their careers and futures. It is also an opportunity for students to experience learning in a college setting and many graduates decide to continue their education by enrolling in an Associate degree.”

In MCC’s English Learner Institute (ELI), non-native English speakers have the chance to enroll in courses that assist them in building their English skills. Through the institute, students can join the PAC program. Free and flexible, the PAC Program can help students transition their English skills into the workforce and college. MCC offers the program three times a year with various times to choose from.

Before the graduates received their certificates, two student speakers shared their thoughts about their experiences. Both students showed how much they had progressed with their English skills. Instructor of the classes Charles Zhang – who handed out the certificates – was proud of his students’ work.

“PAC classes help students integrate all their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills,” Zhang said. “We make sure students learn and practice certain aspects of American culture, such as being punctual, addressing people, and communicating by email. Students not only get to know the local history through extra reading assignments, but also relate themselves to the people they read about.”

Xiomara Correa, from Venezuela, graduated from MCC’s PAC One course. In her speech, she embraced Zhang’s teaching abilities, good spirit and professionalism. “Thank you, Charles, you have been a wonderful teacher that teaches discipline, respect and understanding,” Correa said. “You are a teacher with inexhaustible patience, and your smile gives us a lot of enjoyable and fun moments in our learning process. I hope we will be your students again sometime. Without a doubt you are a great teaching professional.”

For Neng Zhang, from China, MCC’s PAC Two course established a foundation for him to learn English and feel a part of society. “Charles taught us so much English knowledge not only from books but also from life, which is very helpful for our daily activities. He gave us many reading articles to learn about American culture, Lowell’s history, and some of the influential figures in New England. We appreciate all the free benefits and perks MCC provided, they granted us a beautiful experience that money cannot buy.”