MCC Student Connects With Community and Explores New Pathway

After moving from Ghana to Dracut, Dorothy Boateng joined Middlesex Community College on the advice of a family friend. The college’s opportunities helped her explore different study options and engage with peers, leading her to find a community and a meaningful career path.

“Once I joined MCC and heard about the different programs at the college, I started to research career options,” Boateng said. “Right now, I am interested in becoming a medical laboratory technician and look forward to learning more about the field and becoming good at the craft. This feels like something I want to do.”

Before joining MCC, Boateng studied computer science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. During her transition, she found guidance and became more comfortable with the college environment through MCC Professor Jose Pacheco-Saya. In the spring, Saya encouraged Boateng to become a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader, through the Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE), to support his biology course.

As an SI, Boateng helped students with navigating and understanding online platforms such as Blackboard and Zoom, as well as developing their time management, communication and study skills. The role allowed Boateng to build her academic confidence and gave her a clearer idea of the career path she wants to pursue. She also found she enjoyed talking to classmates.

Boateng currently works in MCC’s Office of Student Engagement (OSE) as a Student Greeter. During her office hours, she prints MCC IDs and welcomes and informs students about OSE services and how to create and organize a club. The opportunity has allowed her to meet new students and find a sense of belonging at the college.

“I do not look at my position at OSE as a job,” Boateng said. “The role has become a part of me. I am more open to speaking with people and have become less shy. By getting more involved in activities, I no longer rush home after class and try to have more conversations.”

After graduating from MCC, Boateng plans on furthering her education by transferring to a four-year state school. Based on her positive experiences at Middlesex, she encourages incoming students to socialize and be open-minded as they start their academic journeys.

“Students should get involved in school activities,” Boateng said. “They make you less reserved and give you a community to rely on. Once I started to make changes in my routine and put myself out there, I felt great. They were some of the best decisions I ever made.”