MCC Students Advocate for the Importance of Community Colleges

Recent high school graduates, adult learners, veterans, international students, first generation students and more make up the 1,200 students at Middlesex Community College whose needs are ample and diverse – and whose voices want to be heard.

Student Advocacy Day, organized by the Executive Office of Community Colleges, took place on Wednesday, October 23. The day provided an opportunity for students to emphasize the importance of investing in community colleges and the students they serve.

Congregated in the Great Hall of the Boston State House, nearly two dozen MCC students, along with more than 200 student representatives from other community colleges in Massachusetts, shared how their college experiences have shaped their lives. MCC students were joined by President James C. Mabry who offered his support.

“For the 200 students from across the state, including 22 students from MCC, the first Student Advocacy Day was a chance to learn more about the issues facing community colleges, meet with legislators and advocate directly for more resources for community colleges, and a chance to see democracy in action at the State House. The students did a great job making the case and greatly impressed the 10 area legislators they met with.”

Thanks to the large turnout from MCC student leaders, the group split in two and conducted 10 separate meetings with legislators who work closely with MCC, including State Senators Edward Kennedy of Lowell, Diana DiZoglio of Methuen, James Eldridge of Acton, and Representatives David Nangle and Thomas Golden of Lowell, Marc Lombardo of Billerica, James Arciero of Westford, Kenneth Gordon of Bedford, Tami Gouveia of Acton and Sean Garballey of Arlington.

MCC Graduate Senator DiZoglio said, “It was a real pleasure welcoming students from Middlesex Community College to the State House for Community College Student Advocacy Day. Community colleges play a vital role in Massachusetts and I am happy to support them as a proud graduate of Middlesex myself.”

Hustling up and down five floors, students encountered several MCC alumni who now work in the State House, including DiZoglio. A group of students also spotted a glimpse of Cambodian Prince Sisowath Thomico. Senator Kennedy brought the students into the newly-refurbished Senate Chambers, while Representatives Golden and Nangle invited the students into a live House of Representatives discussion – the students watched as first responders and veterans received awards of recognition from the House.

“Student advocacy was a wonderful opportunity for students to meet with the men and women who represent them in the Massachusetts legislature and help make the case for why our community colleges statewide need their support,” said Patrick Cook, MCC’s Executive Director of Public Affairs. “The State Senators and Representatives were very giving of their time and listened to the impassioned stories from our students, who really are the greatest ambassadors our college can offer.”

Each year, 156,000 students attend the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts and receive a wide-range of programs, workforce training, arts courses, campus athletics and clinics for community members. The colleges do their best to provide students with as much support and services as possible – advising, tutoring, food pantries, clothing closets and community partnerships. Many students face daily challenges on top of taking classes to achieve their educational and career dreams.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu for more information and to see all that MCC has to offer.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!