Virtual Events Help Maintain Sense of Community at MCC

In the face of the pandemic, Middlesex Community College transitioned most courses and student services to remote, virtual and limited contact systems starting in the Spring 2020 semester. Middlesex is committed to maintaining a sense of community at a time when connection among students, faculty and staff is more important than ever. MCC’s Office of Student Engagement came together to create a number of virtual student events for the Fall 2020 semester.

While everyone at Middlesex looks forward to having more in-person events and engagement when it is safe, having virtual events provides an outlet and comfort for students, according to Emily Norton, MCC’s Assistant Director of Engagement, Athletics and Retention.

“MCC students are as interested as ever to feel connected to our community,” Norton said. “We’ve seen high engagement in monthly events and are committed to providing a much needed opportunity for students to connect with their peers and feel supported and engaged with the MCC community.”

Events include virtual murder mystery escape rooms, online trivia games, DIY tie dye kits, and handing out MCC Pride Packs that feature a build-your-own Swoops, the college owl mascot. The department has also hosted events in collaboration with other offices across the college, including career panels, speakers, a mindfulness series and a virtual Fall Fest.

The Office of Student Engagement learned a lot from the transition to online formats in the spring. While some clubs were able to meet online, the department realized a need to include asynchronous events in addition to synchronous – much like in courses – for more people to be able to participate on their own time. Some of these events include workout videos and family game night ideas, as well as a virtual version of the annual Student Engagement Celebration.

“We learned how to interact with people in ways that we had never considered before,” Norton said. “The situation is unprecedented so we had no idea what would work and what wouldn’t. This really freed us up to try different things.”

Lauren Norman ­– a Liberal Studies major from Billerica – has attended several of the events, including a Diplomat in Residence talk. She is also a member of MCC’s Philosophy Club and has participated in online meetings. In order to stay connected at Middlesex, she enjoys doing as many events as she can.

“Being engaged on campus through joining clubs or taking part in student events is just as important as doing well in my classes,” she said. “When everything went online last spring, I missed the on-campus events and being able to socialize with other students. Taking part in the events offered this semester has helped me find somewhat of a sense of normalcy.”

Since Norman does not drive, having online events has helped her participate in more activities. Whether she is watching a visiting speaker, working on one of the activities, or talking to classmates in a club meeting, the best part has been the connection to others.

“MCC is such a supportive community and losing that would make these trying times more difficult,” she said. “Knowing that there are other people struggling with the same issues I am and being able to discuss them with others helps.”

Norman expects to graduate in Spring 2022. She wants to transfer to a four-year school to study Political Science with a Concentration in Public Policy. In the future, she is interested in pursuing a master’s in law and working at a disability nonprofit as a lobbyist.

As the pandemic presents a learning opportunity for both the college and students, Norman appreciates being able to continue her education.

“Education is the key to future success,” she said. “MCC does so much to support students, even in this online learning environment.”

Middlesex will continue to host virtual events in the Spring 2021 semester. Registration is open for both MCC’s Spring semester and WinterSession. The Spring semester starts on January 26 and students can take courses during MCC’s accelerated WinterSession from January 4 to 22.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 to register for classes.

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!