The Commonwealth Honors Program Welcomes Massasoit Community College!

The Commonwealth Honors Program Welcomes Massasoit Community College!

By Tony Fagundes Jr.

  Brockton, Ma. After years of being an independent Honors Program, (since 2000), on June 19,2012, Massasoit Community College earned the esteemed honor of becoming a member of The Commonwealth Honors Program. According to Professor Susan Martelli, "This is a very exciting time for MCC and its students." Martelli is co-coordinator of the Honors program along with Professor David Lafontaine at the Canton campus. Both professors along with Dr. Charles Wall, President of MCC, and Dr. Barbara Finkelstein, VP of Faculty and Instruction, have worked diligently to provide students of MCC with a solid foundation on their journey towards a successful future.

   A team of 3 highly respected individuals from Middlesex Community College, Fitchburg State, and The University of Massachusetts- Amherst, visited our campus on November 9, 2011. They came to Massasoit to interview Wall and Finkelstein, as well as the coordinators, professors of honors courses, and students. They found Massasoit's community eager to expand and make the most of this opportunity.

   Massasoit believes in providing students with all the academic knowledge and resources to be successful on their path toward future success. There are approximately 120 students enrolled in the Honors Program every semester between the Brockton and Canton campuses. According to Professor Susan Keith, "It is important the students hear about the Honors Program and utilize it to enhance their education." Beginning in the spring semester of 2013, MCC has added an American Literature 2 course to the Honors Program. One of the program's goals is to offer Honors courses in all divisions. The students at Massasoit have a wonderful opportunity to use the Commonwealth Honors Program, which is now recognized by four year colleges, to their advantage. Graduates of Massasoit's Honors Program have the benefit of acceptance to any Commonwealth Honors Program at any Massachusetts college or university.

  One of the mission statements of the Honors Program is, "to create enriched educational opportunities for academically talented and highly motivated students." This is a belief Martelli and Keith, as well as the faculty of MCC, maintain. One of the Honors Program goals remains to recognize honor students as an important part of our college community. Another of their goals lies with the professors being accessible to the students and encouraging them on their career paths. As Martelli states, "We want to encourage excellence in all degree programs and expand course offerings into other disciplines."

  Massasoit Honors students are proud of their accomplishments as Colleen Newell, Honors student and also a member of Phi Theta Kappa states, "Being in honors is a privilege to be taken advantage of and looks great on a transcript." She has used the Honors Program to enhance her education as well as her transcript. Newell only wants what is best for her family, and the Honors Program is her springboard to success.

  Massasoit was an independent honors program for about 10 years. Since its acceptance by the state the sky is the limit now for the college and its students. Numerous students involved in the Honors Program have already benefitted from the program. Many previous Massasoit graduates have gone on to earn a multitude of scholarships to various four year colleges. Future Massasoit students will definitely benefit from all the hard work that Wall, Finkelstein, Martelli, and Lafontaine have put into the Honors Program. Honors courses require more work than non-Honors courses for motivated students willing to take on the challenge.

  Community service is also an integral part of being involved in the Honors Program. The Honors Program Association, sponsored by Student Life, offers community service and social opportunities to students enrolled in the Honors courses. Massasoit Honors students have participated in various activities, such as volunteering for the Special Olympics and collecting clothes and food for less fortunate families. Students have also served meals at local soup kitchens and read to children in shelters. The idea of giving back to the community is imperative among Massasoit's Honors students.

  From a personal perspective, I've just completed my first Honors course, and it was, for lack of a better term, an "honor" to participate in the course. The professor was fantastic and always made time for the students. The students in the class were very intelligent. It has been a great experience to share ideas and be among some of the best and brightest students Massasoit has to offer. Being involved in the Honors program has even made a difference in my life personally as well as academically. I have a greater feeling of self- confidence and pride that I never felt prior to going through the course. It's not just on paper or in brochures; the Honors program can really make an impact in one's education and life.