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Posts published in “News”

A Message from Student Life

By editorialteam on March 24, 2020

Hi All,

As many of you are beginning online classes this week and others are preparing to begin those that have transitioned to online next week, I wanted to encourage each of you to stay connected with one another through email, social media, chat rooms, etc.

In an effort to stay in touch with each of you I will continue my weekly Student Life Updates each Monday morning. My hope is to offer tidbits of helpful information, funny stories, photos, links and more. Additionally, I will include a weekly contest to give students an opportunity to stay engaged at MWCC, take a little break from academics, and maybe even win some prizes! read more

Alphabet Soup Panel Highlights LGBTQ Issues

By editorialteam on March 21, 2020

Local advocates discuss public safety, pronouns, and more

By Nicholas Papini
Assistant Editor

MWCC’s Sexuality & Gender Alliance (SAGA) club hosts events and discussion panels throughout the year, including the Alphabet Soup Panel Discussion, which took place last fall. This panel brought to light the lesser known issues the LBGTQ+ community faces, including preferred pronoun usage and public safety.

The panel members included: John Gatto from the Justice Resource Institute; Melissa Manzi, MWCC’s mental health counselor; Kate Milligan and Toni Diaz from Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc. (YOU, Inc.); and Shane Franzen from Fitchburg State University. The event was hosted by the SAGA club and their advisor, David Iannaccone. read more

Working Together Toward Wellness

By editorialteam on March 19, 2020

MWCC health professionals’ tips for all-around fitness

By Ryan Lyesiuk
Observer Contributor

Living a healthy lifestyle is beneficial to all individuals, particularly college students seeking better overall health. Improved overall health often leads to better classroom performance, improved sleep, less anxiety, and better general mood. This is according to Jason Snoonian, Director of the Mount Wachusett Community College Fitness & Wellness Center (Mount Fitness), Katherine R. Kusza, Registered Nurse at MWCC, and Nancy Regan, staff assistant in health services at MWCC. read more

COVID-19 Coronavirus Threatens Health and Economy

By editorialteam on March 18, 2020

Faculty and staff discuss potential risks and ways to prepare

By Nicholas Papini
Assistant Editor

The COVID-19 coronavirus may not yet be a medical threat to the average American, but they will certainly feel the virus’s effects on the economy.

Katherine Kusza, Health Counselor at MWCC said, “[the] coronavirus is not a concern in Massachusetts according the the CDC or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of February 26, there have been 18 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States, excluding the passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. One of those cases was in Massachusetts. However, on February 25, the CDC announced that they expect an increase in spread of the virus in communities. read more

It’s Never Too Late to Succeed

By editorialteam on March 3, 2020

Transitions to College program helps nontraditional students achieve their goals

By Maya Douglas
Observer Contributor

The Transitions to College program is a grant-funded program which supports non-traditional students to ease their way into the college lifestyle.

The program is led by Kim Kayser, program advisor and coordinator. Kayser’s goal for the Transitions program is to be able to accept more students in the future, since the program has a limited number of slots and there is a waiting list.

She also hopes to remain the counselor for her students even after they graduate out of her program.Kayser said that her foal is for her students to graduate or obtain a college certificate, but more importantly, for students to try their best. She notes that many students would never attend college withouut the opportunity to participate in this free, supporting program. read more

Three New Art Installations on Display

By editorialteam on February 27, 2020

Photos courtesy of Thomas Matsuda

Tule Lake. Inspired by the WWII Japanese American Internment Camp. Last crosswalk, 2nd floor. Wire, cloth. Wes Ringwood.

  • Mont Sainte-Victoire. Inspired by the series of paintings of this mountain by Paul Cezanne. Multipurpose room. Colored yarn. Deb Boudreau.

    Summer Memory. A childhood summer camp that was demolished. Main entrance. Broken record, acrylic paint. Emily Payson.

Dare to Do Double Duty

By editorialteam on February 23, 2020

Dual enrollment students tackle high school and college credit

By Hannah Bennett
Observer Contributor

The Dual Enrollment program allows students who are 16 years old or older to enter the college environment and earn college credits before they graduate high school. However, there are requirements for every applicant to fulfill before and after acceptance into MWCC.

Sixteen-year-old first-year transfer student Maddie Faneuf has only attended classes at the Mount for a few months, but she has joined the SGA (Student Government Association) and explored several services provided by the college in that short time. read more

Harassment in the Workplace

By editorialteam on February 21, 2020

Students and professors discuss a prevalent problem

By Brandon Feliz
Observer Contributor

Working in a hostile work environment can be one of the most difficult and confusing things someone can go through.

It can be especially frustrating when it is a full-time job, likely to be the place where one spends most of their waking hours. More time is spent at full-time jobs than anywhere else for the average U.S. citizen. One third of an American’s life is spent at work, according to www.gettysburg.edu. Statistics also show that people’s jobs can contribute to workaholism, insomnia and divorce, and that stress from work is estimated to be the fifth-biggest cause of death in the U.S., according to the Business Insider. When workplace harassment occurs as well, working to make ends meet can become a monumental task. read more