Student Finds Her Path – And Place – at Middlesex Community Colle

From the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, when Sandy Myra first arrived at Middlesex Community College, she was uncertain of her ability to succeed in American higher education. With MCC’s support and available resources – along with her determination – Myra gained confidence to excel in her coursework as she strives to become a nurse.

Myra – who now lives in Lowell – has a passion for helping people, especially for those who are struggling in difficult situations. Having experienced a feeling of hopelessness herself when she was unsure of whether she could afford an education, she said she “thought my life had no meaning and nothing good could ever come out of me.”

Being able to come to Middlesex – and be successful – has changed Myra’s outlook.

“Part of my hope was restored by MCC,” she said. “The teachers and students are patient and always ready to help. I felt lost when I started going to MCC, but the teachers didn’t try to rush me to get in line right away. They understood what I was going through and took their time with me until I was fully settled in at MCC.”

Myra’s first introduction to Middlesex was through Maria Cunha, MCC’s Program Director of Out of School Youth Program, who helped her adjust to academic life. From guiding her through the application process to making sure she had the right supplies – including a laptop – Cunha helped Myra feel as though she belonged at the college.

Calling her start at Middlesex “scary and fascinating,” Myra noticed differences in the classroom here versus in Africa. Differences ranged from trying to understand American English to managing her schedule – growing up, homework stopped in middle school – while also balancing a full-time work schedule. One of her favorite parts about MCC was being in a classroom full of diverse learners who brought with them different perspectives, including her own.

“Interacting with them really opened my eyes and broadened my knowledge about different societies, cultures and beliefs that I never knew of,” she said. “Being able to share where I came from – the cultural beliefs and history of my country with other students ­– was also a great pleasure. The bond that this created is something that I will always cherish.”

Participating in clubs such as the African Cultural Club, Bible Study and the Women’s Leadership Network – as well as spending time with her classmates – helped make MCC a safe and happy space for Myra. She also took advantage of many of MCC’s resources, including help from Supplemental Instructors and tutors at the Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE) – all of whom she believed were “helpful, smart and down-to-earth” and helped her find her path.

Myra had a lot of possibilities for a major, including international relations and criminal justice due to her interest in helping others. Inspired by her biology professor Dr. Mariluci Bladon’s passion for science, Myra realized she wanted to become a nurse and applied to MCC’s Corporate Education and Training’s (CET) Nurse Assistant certificate program.

“Coming from a third world country, I want to be able to help people from my country and other countries as well who have limited access to medical care,” she said. “I also plan to educate people with better ways of taking care of themselves so they can live healthy lives.”

Participating in CET’s Nurse Assistant program helped Myra gain relevant experience in the field and showed her “a close up of what nursing felt like.” While working through the program and also taking her credit classes at MCC was challenging, Myra was especially grateful to be able to complete the practical portion of the certificate. She enjoyed having a real opportunity to take care of residents, which motivated her to work her hardest and complete the program.

The experience also taught her the value of kindness, understanding that “offering a glass of water, holding a resident’s hand, and just being a good listener is enough to put a smile on someone’s face.”

While she learned the theoretical knowledge and skills she needed to be successful in her career, having a hands-on practical experience showed Myra that she did have a place in healthcare. As she has just finished her nursing prerequisites, she hopes to enter MCC’s nursing program.

Middlesex as a whole is helping Myra find her path, including staff, faculty, classmates and the various opportunities open to her. Now working for the Guild for Human Services, Myra believes she is as successful as she is because of her education at MCC.

“I offer direct care to individuals with intellectual disabilities and other health conditions,” she said. “I wouldn’t have this job if not for the Nurse Assistant program and the critical thinking skills I acquired at MCC. Middlesex Community College reignited a light in me that I thought was forever lost.”

MCC’s CET programs provide academic, professional and personal enrichment for students of all ages and stages in their lives. For more information about the Nurse Assistant certificate program, as well as other programs and noncredit courses, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/careertraining/or contact Sheila Morin at morins@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3608.

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!