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
Fifth 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
Interim 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
A 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
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
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
From 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
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
Recommended 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
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 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
An 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
MCC'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
MCC 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
A 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
MCC 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
From 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
From 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
First 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.