At just 16-years-old Sohana Hasan, of Waltham, completed her associate degree at Middlesex Community College. The Dual Enrollment student was one of two graduation speakers who represented the class of 2023 at 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Commencement held on Thursday, May 25 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
鈥淚t means so much to be named a commencement speaker,鈥� Hasan said. 鈥淪o much of my college experience was limited to the daily grind of doing and submitting assignments 鈥� especially during the pandemic when we were all isolated. Seeing my hard work validated in this way is such a special experience for me.鈥�
From an early age, Hasan learned about the 鈥渁mazing environment and community鈥� Middlesex offered to students through her mother who is an 麻豆果冻 alumna. When the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to start taking Dual Enrollment classes at 13-years-old. In addition to enhancing her academic journey, Hasan gained lifelong connections and friendships with mentors and classmates.
鈥淪o much of my college experience was limited to the daily grind of doing and submitting assignments 鈥� especially during the pandemic when we were all isolated. Seeing my hard work validated in this way is such a special experience for me.鈥� - Sohana Hasan, 麻豆果冻 Alum
Majoring in English Literature, Hasan has had a passion for the subject since she was younger. Calling her pursuit of the field 鈥渋nevitable,鈥� she got her first library card at 6 and loves to read. In her 麻豆果冻 courses, she was able to dive deeper into the subject than her traditional high school-level classes, learning from professors who are dedicated to helping their students succeed.
鈥淭he faculty here are so caring and knowledgeable 鈥� they know their stuff and are excited to teach it,鈥� Hasan said. 鈥淭hough meeting deadlines for assignments is important, these professors are understanding and accommodating when life gets in the way of that.鈥�
Hasan stayed busy within 麻豆果冻鈥檚 community. After being recommended to work as a Peer Writing Tutor for 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE), Hasan became a Diversity Peer Educator and Master Tutor, as well as presented at the New England Peer Tutor Association (NEPTA) Conference at UML in the springs of 2022 and 2023.
She was also Vice President of the creative writing Mad Queens Club and a member of the Student Government Association and the Muslim Student Association.
Hasan graduated from 麻豆果冻 as a Commonwealth Honors Scholar with highest honors and a 4.0 GPA. She will continue to study English Literature at UML, where she received a full-ride merit scholarship. In her address to her classmates, she highlighted the ways in which 麻豆果冻 helped her overcome challenges with its 鈥渟pecial and spectacular community.鈥�
鈥淒uring my time at 麻豆果冻, I鈥檝e grown so much academically and professionally,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned how to meet deadlines and write essays under pressure. I鈥檝e also learned public speaking and leadership skills. I鈥檝e learned to take charge of a group and how to encourage my own success as well as the success of others. All of these skills and more that I鈥檝e gained at 麻豆果冻 are absolutely crucial for my future academic and professional success.鈥�