Middlesex CC Alumna Working on Frontlines of Pandemic

Now working on the frontlines of COVID-19 in the healthcare field, Alicia Gentile got her start at Middlesex Community College. As a Dual Enrollment student, Gentile appreciated MCC’s small class sizes and opportunities for growth. Having received flexible course options, supportive advisors and professors, and a strong foundation of knowledge and experience, Middlesex put her on track to help her in her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree and a career as a nurse.

“My overall experience at MCC was amazing and really shaped who I am today,” she said. “I always loved learning before I got to MCC, but MCC helped me cultivate that love and channel it into action. I felt confident because of MCC and I feel as though I was able to create a solid path for myself.”

From Groton, Gentile was a Liberal Arts & Sciences major at MCC who worked as a Supplemental Instructor in Anatomy and Physiology. As a Dual Enrollment student, Gentile took college-level courses starting in high school. Working towards her high school diploma while earning college credit helped her gain college experience and further challenged her academic abilities in a positive way.

A commencement speaker at her graduation from Middlesex in May 2016, she transferred to the University of San Francisco (USF) to receive a bachelor’s degree in Nursing with a minor in General Business.

“I’m grateful to have felt confident leaving Middlesex,” she said. “I was confident in my ability to take on difficult classes, and I was confident in the foundation MCC provided me. I don’t think I would be as prepared for USF if I didn’t attend Middlesex, and it really just made my transition to San Francisco – a city across the country – much easier!”

While she was studying at USF, Gentile was eager to get started in the healthcare field and earned an EMT Certification. She started work as an Emergency Response Specialist at Genentech, Inc – a biotechnology company in San Francisco – while in college and is continuing in that role as she prepares to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse. For even more hands-on medical experience, she volunteers in the ICU at a local hospital.

Although she calls working in the healthcare industry during these times “sad and stressful,” Gentile believes she has learned a lot of perspective from working throughout the pandemic – about her patients and her treatment of them in particular.

“Many of my patients have not been able to see their families during very vulnerable and difficult times in their lives and I had to become part of their family to support them emotionally,” she said. “I celebrated birthdays with them, I FaceTimed their families with them, I sat with them when they couldn’t fall asleep, and I prayed with them when their families weren’t there. I experienced some of the most amazing recoveries and felt so grateful to be a part of that.”

Her passion for nursing and the healthcare industry started at Middlesex. It was her experience with her professors at MCC who made such a positive impact on her success.

“MCC just made me feel supported,” she said. “I really felt like the teachers wanted me to succeed and wanted me to learn, and my educational efforts were acknowledged. It was really

encouraging to have so many teachers that rooted for me!”

Stacey Hubbard, MCC Professor of Math, Science and Biotechnology, influenced Gentile the most as a confidant and support system for her next steps. From answering her questions to fostering her love of science and healthcare, Hubbard helped push Gentile to pursue her goals. And when Gentile was struggling to determine where she should go for her bachelor’s degree, Hubbard guided her through the decision.

“I felt like she truly cared about where I decided to attend,” Gentile said. “I truly appreciate her for her unbiased help, especially during a time where I felt like I had so many outside influences.”

Gentile is grateful to Hubbard – and her other professors and advisors at Middlesex – for their guidance and support. She recommends that students who want a supportive learning environment that is designed for student success, should come to MCC for this experience.

“These teachers truly want you to succeed, learn and become the best version of yourself,” she said. “You’ll feel supported and you’ll walk away with a solid foundation for whatever you decide to pursue next!”

MCC is celebrating 50 years! If you have ever taken a class at MCC, you are an alum! To share your story – and join in on the 50th anniversary celebrations – contact Amy Lee, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at 978-656-3028 or leea@middlesex.mass.edu.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/alumni/ for more information and to join the Alumni Association.

MCC’s Spring 2021 semester starts on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, including Spring Mini-mester I. Spring Mini-mester II starts on Monday, March 29. For more information and to register for courses, 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!