Nervous about the cost of tuition and if she could keep up with her coursework, Molly Anderson, of Derry, N.H., was hesitant about going to college. Her mother recommended she apply to Middlesex Community College where she has become a successful double major, student employee, and active member of the community, including as the Student Representative for 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Commonwealth Honors Program (CHP).
鈥淭he Commonwealth Honors Program has advanced my education and awarded me excellent opportunities,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淢y biggest goal as the honors program Student Representative is to foster a strong community among the honors students and be a bridge between students, faculty and honors staff to improve the program for everyone.鈥�
In her new role, Anderson spotlights the student perspective in the honors program. She attends meetings with CHP faculty and staff to provide feedback from classmates and promotes the program by visiting classrooms and attending events, such as Fall Fest and Open Houses. She is also working on creating a CHP club and will assist the program on Assessment Day.
鈥淢olly brings enthusiasm and dedication to her role and will be an advocate for the program and a mentor for students taking honors classes,鈥� said Binnur Ercem, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Professor of Sociology & Cultural Anthropology & Director of the CHP. 鈥淲e are very excited to have her on our team.鈥�
A History, Politics and Global Studies and English Literature major, Anderson learned about the benefits of the CHP from professors Deborah Botker and Kathleen Baker. Through the program, she has worked on projects on topics she is passionate about, dove deeper into research, and presented her research at the annual honors conference.
鈥淢y biggest goal as the honors program Student Representative is to foster a strong community among the honors students and be a bridge between students, faculty and honors staff to improve the program for everyone.鈥� - Molly Anderson, 麻豆果冻 Student
In addition to professors Botker and Baker, Anderson credits English faculty member Nicholas Papas for providing valuable guidance and insight toward her majors. Their advice has also assisted her in exploring what is available to her in terms of her future career options.
Through her classes, Anderson built the confidence she needed to become a tutor for 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE). As a Peer and Embedded Writing and Reading Tutor, she works as part of a diverse and supportive team helping other students.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned things I would never learn if I wasn鈥檛 a tutor, including how to approach writing and reading from different angles,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his job has also reiterated how important having support is.鈥�
Anderson appreciates all of the opportunities and support she received in her classes and jobs at 麻豆果冻. This includes being awarded the Debra Chemelli Evans Scholarship at the Fall 2023 Scholarship Ceremony.
Planning to transfer to a four-year school after graduating from 麻豆果冻, she feels well-equipped to reach her dream of completing a college degree 鈥� one she once was not sure was possible.
鈥淢y main goal in life is to help wherever and whenever I can,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥溌槎构� provides me with the education and the hands-on experience needed to do that.鈥�