Middlesex Community College's Prepare To Attend College Sets Up Students For Success

Winchester MA

13 July, 2022

5:05 AM

Description

Press release from the Middlesex Community College: July 12, 2022 At Middlesex Community College's most recent Prepare to Attend College (PAC) graduation ceremony, one of the most common themes in students' speeches was the positive impact the program has made – and will continue to make – on their lives. Part of the English Learner Institute (ELI), PAC is a free program that allows non-native English speakers to develop their skills. They are then able to go on to take college-level courses at Middlesex and beyond, as well as enter the workforce. Offered three times during the year, students can participate at the time that works best for them. "PAC is an opportunity for students who come from countries across the world to learn to speak and write in English," said Audrey Nahabedian, MCC's Dean of Workforce Development. "Enrolling in these free courses provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to attend college in the U.S. or receive high-quality opportunities for their careers and futures. It's a win-win for the students and the institution as these courses familiarize students with MCC, leading to many of our graduates registering at the college to enroll in for credit courses." At the Wednesday, June 29 ceremony, MCC President Phil Sisson, Provost Arlene Rodríguez, and other members of senior college leadership were on hand to congratulate students from PAC's two courses. Students received a certificate and read from a script they had written for the ceremony. The moment of recognition for each student also presented an opportunity for them to practice the skills they learned in their classes from instructor Charles Zhang. "PAC classes are fun and useful," Zhang said. "The courses attract a rich pool of people from around the world. Evidence shows that students who put in a good effort and complete our PAC program become happier and more confident. They also understand this country a bit better and have bigger visions for their lives." Yanxia Gou, from China, graduated from MCC's PAC One course. In her speech, she thanked Zhang for his commitment to students. "Charles understands well his students and is very nice and caring to everyone," Gou said. "He can use simple ways to explain many hard concepts and help me build more confidence and interest. Because of his passion and great teaching ways, we learn how to talk with each other in English, we get to know each other, and become good friends." For Karla Zepeda, from Mexico, MCC's PAC Two course was a chance to practice the English skills she learned in college. "My PAC Two class is full of people from different parts of the world ¬– Latin America, China, Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia," she said. "We are here for different reasons, fulfilling a dream. A dream that seems impossible when there is a language barrier. However, this course has helped us to gradually take down that barrier to come across endless better opportunities for us, and the best of all, for free." This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author's own.