Welcome to MCC

This Fall semester, we are happy and excited to be back on campus – in both Bedford and Lowell – to welcome all of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Whether you are new or returning, it is nice to see everyone as they walk around campus, head to class, visit the Library, stop at the bookstore or check in with a member of our award-winning support services team.

Here are some of the Faces of MCC you might see on your visit to campus:

President Phil Sisson

headshot photo of personFifth President Phil Sisson shares MCC's mission of equity and accessibility, and wants to continue providing all students with opportunities for success. With over 30 years of higher education experience, President Phil has been with MCC for 11 years. He's excited to have everyone back on campus!




Arlene Rodríguez

person smiles in headshot photoInterim Provost and Vice President of Student & Academic Affairs Dr. Arlene Rodríguez is excited to bring her lifelong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and her over 20 years of experience working at community colleges, to MCC.




Charles Lamin

person smiles in headshot photoA nursing major from West Africa, Student Greeter Charles Lamin enjoys MCC's sociable campus community, affordable tuition and positive reputation. After graduating in a few years, he is looking forward to studying at a UMass campus.




Cristopher Algarra

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MCC's new Engineering Chair Cris Algarra wants to continue providing state-of-the-art technology, classes, experiences and opportunities. From Venezuela, Algarra sees himself in his students and all of the differences they bring to the classroom.




Brooke Stevenson

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From Winchester, Brooke Stevenson is the MCC Student Trustee for 2021-2022. A Commonwealth Honors Program and Student Government Association member, she is pursuing an associate in Criminal & Social Justice and a Paralegal Studies certificate.




Sophorn Soun

headshot photo of personFrom Cambodia and now living in Lowell, Sophorn Soun loves MCC's Asian Connections Center for friendship and support. The Liberal Arts & Sciences major works at Lowell General Hospital and hopes to one day attend MCC's Nursing program.




Aspar Im

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Student Greeter Aspar Im chose MCC for flexible courses and professional certificates. The Studio Art/Fine Art major is from Cambodia and plans to transfer to a college in Boston after graduating from MCC in '22 and hopes to one day work as an animator.



Joey Voto

Joey VotoRecommended to him by friends, MCC had the course selection Student Greeter Joey Voto wanted to take. From Billerica, the Liberal Studies major plans to work with computers in the future. His dream job is to one day work for Apple.




Daniella Dankwa

Student Trustee The 2020-2021 MCC Student Trustee, Daniella Dankwa is a Liberal Arts & Sciences major living in Lowell. From Ghana, Dankwa started at MCC by taking ELL courses and hopes to next attend the college's Nursing program. 




Sam Holmes

Student Greeter Sam HolmesStudent Greeter Sam Holmes is a Computer Science major who came to MCC because it's affordable and close to home. He has enjoyed taking accelerated Mini-mester courses and looks forward to transferring to UMass Lowell to study Computer Systems.



Ashley DeFries

Ashley DeFriesAn Elementary Education major living in Malden, Student Greeter Ashley DeFries' dream is to be a teacher. She came to MCC on recommendation from an alumna and is working toward transferring to Salem State for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.




Karen Oster

Karen OsterMCC's Chair of Performing Arts Karen Oster has extensive experience in the theatre world, including as host of the docuseries "Let's Play." In addition to teaching, Oster directs MCC's annual plays and musicals for the community to enjoy. 




Lynda Zarrow

Lynda ZarrowMCC Graphic Designer Lynda Zarrow sewed and donated masks to people who needed them most throughout the pandemic. An alumna of the Graphic Design program, Zarrow came to MCC as an adult learner looking to turn a new passion into a career.




Eunghee Cho

Eunghee ChoA member of the Rasa Strings Quartet, MCC faculty Eunghee Cho is a cellist. With Rasa Strings Quartet, he has performed in an online concert as part of MCC's "A World of Music" series, as well as an in-person outdoor concert in the summer of 2021.




Kelliann Bazemore

Kelliann BazemoreMCC runs in Kelliann Bazemore's family, including her father who was in the college's first graduating class. An alumna of the Nursing program, Bazemore returned to MCC 19 years to teach and now guides students through a similar path as her own.




Peyton Gaynor

Peyton GaynorFrom Southern Illinois, Student Greeter Peyton Gaynor came to MCC because of the excitement and vibe of Lowell. While he’s still determining what to do next, he wants to transfer to a four-year college after graduating from MCC.




Merilyn Mbombo

Merilyn MbomboFrom the Democratic Republic of Congo, Merilyn Mbombo is a Commonwealth Honors Program member and MCC Nursing student. She considers both to have given her a competitive edge in transferring to a four-year college and getting a job in the future.




Maria Gonzalez

Maria GonzalezFirst generation student Maria Gonzalez is now an Academic Advisor at MCC. An avid runner, she is MCC's Run Club advisor and enjoys sharing her story with students. In 2020, she ran the 4X4X48 challenge to raise funds for the MCC Foundation. 

Last Modified: 8/4/23