Middlesex Community College Alum Named to an Elected Position

Middlesex Community College has welcomed 26,000+ alumni over the past 50 years in the college’s storied history. Serving a diverse population of learners, Middlesex is proud to help students find their path on their academic, professional and personal journeys. This past election day, MCC alum Danillo Sena was named to an elected position.

From Brazil, Rep. Sena became the first Brazilian immigrant to be elected to a state legislature in the country. At 14, he moved to Acton ­– where he still lives – and graduated from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School.

Before becoming a state representative, Rep. Sena served as Senator Jamie Eldridge’s District Director and is a member of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. His time at Middlesex – including participating in Student Government – helped him get to where he is now.

“My days at Middlesex set me up to be a leader today because I was involved with the school and worked with administration and staff to advocate for a variety of things that the student body needed,” Rep. Sena said. “I really liked my days at MCC.”

In addition to Student Government, Rep. Sena was involved in the Law Maker and Business Clubs and played on the intramural soccer team. A Liberal Studies major, he credits his English professor Dona Cady and Physics professor John Smith, as well as Rebecca Newell, MCC’s Associate Dean of Student Affairs, for making a lasting impact on his academic career. He still keeps in touch with his contacts at MCC.

“You build relationships that last a lifetime,” he said. “I’m honored and grateful to have met so many wonderful professors.”

Rep. Sena took many engineering and science courses at MCC before realizing his true passion. After graduating from MCC in 2009, he transferred to UMass Amherst to pursue a bachelor’s in political science. Although he did not expect to run for office, Rep. Sena wanted to work at any level of government – local, state or federal.

“I think that’s the most rewarding part of the job, when you impact someone’s life in ways that you probably wouldn’t have imagined that you would be able to do,” he said. “That makes my life easier and gives me great joy to be in a position where I can help people.”

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. 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!