Rekindling a Passion to Study Criminal Justice and Law at MCC

Growing up in Brazil, Middlesex Community College student Alexsandro Vieira was always interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice or law, but did not see how that was possible in his homeland.

“As I grew, I came to realize how the criminal justice system in Brazil was filled with corruption and dishonesty,” said Vieira, 21, of Woburn. “By my last years in Brazil, I was confident that I was going to study chemical engineering, since I always showed excellent performance in math, chemistry and physics.”

In 2015, after doing some research, Vieira decided to come to Massachusetts to pursue his academic goals. He enrolled at Woburn High School his senior year, to improve his English and receive assistance in applying for colleges. His guidance counselor recommended starting at a community college.

“I chose Middlesex because I found within the institution a great possibility to improve my English skills,” he said. “At MCC, I am drafting my path of one day becoming a lawyer.”

Registration is now open for Fall 2019 courses at Middlesex. Classes start Wednesday, Sept. 4, on the Bedford and Lowell campuses, or online – and financial aid is available for those who qualify. For a complete listing of fall-semester courses, visit: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/

Vieira plans to graduate in May with an associate degree in Criminal Justice. In the fall, as he continues the journey to law school, he plans to transfer to UMass Lowell to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a minor in legal studies.

It took Vieira three years, rather than two, to earn his AA degree, since he worked full-time as a bartender and could not take a full course load. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and in his free time practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and plays soccer.

“If everything goes as I plan, I will become a police officer in the near future, while studying to obtain my law degree. I am passionate about the U.S. criminal Justice system and wish to one day perhaps become a prosecutor for the state.”

Regardless of where his career takes him, Vieira will not forget his experience at MCC. “Middlesex was the starting point of my future career and opened the doors and gave me

an opportunity to improve my English skills,” said Vieira, who is a member of two honor societies: Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

“What I like the most about MCC is the convenience of having two campuses, and the flexibility I encountered with class scheduling.” And it was at Middlesex where he rediscovered his passion for the justice system, Vieira said.

“The faculty members in the Criminal Justice Program have been a great help to me. They always told me that I could do better, and every day I strive to do so.

“I do realize that corruption and dishonesty will be found anywhere I go,” Vieira admitted. “But, I believe here in the U.S. it happens in a much smaller amount – and here is where I want to have a legal career.”

For more information about MCC’s Criminal Justice Program, visit: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/criminaljustice.

To learn more about Middlesex, or to register for fall-semester courses, visit https://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, 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!