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Posts published in “Profiles”

(Archive April 2020) A Little Help from My Friends

By editorialteam on April 22, 2025

Student Gives Insight Into the Support That Helped Her Succeed

By Jayden Hooper | Observer Contributor 

Rebecca Schlier winning an award for Website Mock-up Design at the 2019 GID Student Showcase
Photo by Betsy Torres

Rebecca Schlier, 22, from Westminster, is a Graphic and Interactive Design (GID) major and is completing her last semester here at MWCC. She spoke about the struggles of being a student while also coping with mental illnesses, and how she has received support here at the Mount. 

Schlier explained the difficulty of juggling homework, daily tasks, and mental illnesses. On bad days, finding the motivation to attend school seems impossible. She feels as though her anxiety and depression hinder the work she does for her graphic arts class.   read more

(Archive March 2020) Profile: Professor Susan Blain

By editorialteam on April 18, 2025

Retiring Professor Gives Insight into Her Long Career at the Mount

By Kristopher Madden | Observer Contributor

From tutoring, advising, and teaching, recently retired Professor Susan Blain is a familiar face to many students. 

“I’m headed to San Diego, where I have a family of five, including three of my grandkids,” said Blain. “I’ll be starting part time in K-12 in a private school… As well as volunteering with human rights organizations, of course.”

Blain’s time at the Mount began as a student in 1983, attending classes as a Business Technology major. She continued to Worcester State College where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.  read more

(Archive February 2020) Profile: Nancy Regan

By editorialteam on April 18, 2025

Health Services Staff Member Supports Physical and Mental Wellness

By Maya Douglas | Observer Contributor 

Nancy Regan
Photo by Thomas Hill Jr.

Nancy Regan, health assistant in the MWCC Nurse’s office, enjoys interactions with students and focusing on mental health. She said for her, health is beyond a passion. She emphasized that health is not only concerning the physical body; mental health and nutrition affect people just as much as illness or injury.

Starting last fall, every Wednesday students meet at the roundabout outside the cafe to go on a half hour walk for “Walking Wednesdays.” Both faculty and students are welcome. Regan said the meeting time is at 12:30 p.m. so that students may take a break from studying to get some fresh air. read more

(Archive May 2019) Far or Near, Volunteer

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

By Rachel Fortier | Observer Contributor

Tami Morin
Photo by Carlos M. Mendoza

Administrative Assistant Tami Morin explained why giving back to the community by volunteering is important.

“It’s important for students to be civically engaged in the community because…it helps improve their skills,” said Morin.

Morin has worked at MWCC for over thirteen years, where she also received her Business degree. She is also a Phi Theta Kappa alumni. Morin works in the Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement which helps to provide service learning and both career and volunteer opportunities. It is also the main location of SOS (Students Serving Other Students). read more

(Archive May 2019) Protect and Serve

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Campus Chief of Police Explains School Safety Protocols

By Eliana Mello | Observer Contributor

Chief of Campus Police and Public Safety Karen Kolimaga
Photo courtesy of MWCC

Karen Kolimaga, Chief of Police and Public Safety, said while it is difficult to keep the school safe due to the open campus environment, there are resources and precautions available for students, staff, and faculty.

The challenges Kolimaga and her staff face is the open campus. Since the campus is open to the public, it is difficult to regulate those entering and exiting the school. To combat this, at least one police officer is on campus 24/7 and security cameras are situated around the school.  read more

(Archive May 2019) Where the Wild Things Are

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Graduating Student Talks About Upcoming Costa Rica Trip

By Rachel Fortier | Observer Contributor

Students will be working on a beach/ocean clean-up in Costa Rica.
Photo from Pixabay

Araya Richard, Liberal Arts and Sciences major, is gearing up for a missions trip to Costa Rica in June.

“Normally, we will be doing a lot of heavy lifting,” said Richard. “It’s going to be a great experience for everyone involved and, from what I’ve heard, the past trips really helped these communities.”

Greg Clement, Assistant Dean of Student Services, has helped students prepare for what they will be exposed to culture-wise. Richard stated, “I feel it will be different talking about it and actually being there.” read more

(Archive May 2019) Kicking and Screaming

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Student Talks About Her Love of Karate

By Aisha Schor | Observer Contributor

Image from PublicDomainFiles

Marie Rodriguez, Business major, practices her karate skills when she’s not studying for classes.

Rodriguez has been attending weekly karate classes for a year, and has managed to earn her yellow belt. “Karate always interested me as a kid,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez explained how the test to graduate from a white belt to a yellow belt was “intense” and “took two hours to complete.” She added that if you couldn’t keep up “you would fail instantly and be sent home because the official test afterwards was even worse.” read more

(Archive May 2019) A Sketchy Profession

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Art Student Gives Advice to Her Fellow Artists

By Casey Merritt | Observer Contributor

Lane working on her frog sculpture for class.
Photos by Casey Meritt

Jackie Lane, Art major, shared advice to help other artists find their medium.

Lane’s goal is for students to see her as an inspiration to continue doing what they love and to not give up on their dreams. “The reason that I’m majoring in art is because I want to do what I love and I think that if it’s something you’re interested in, go for it. You’ll get more practice through it and practice is what makes you a better artist,” said Lane.

One tip Lane offered for fellow artists is for them to publish their work in the literary magazine, A Certain Slant. By publishing in the magazine, art students are getting their names out. read more

(Archive May 2019) Gateway to Success

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Graduating Student Recommends the Gateway Program

By Eliana Mello | Observer Contributor

Rachel Williams is in the Gateway program and advises future Gateway students to stay focused, study hard, and ask for help when needed.

For those in the program, it’s important to attend the Gateway orientation. At the orientation, Williams met with advisors and other students in the program. She said this made her feel less nervous about attending college.

Williams said one benefit of becoming a Gateway student is that the program gave her more time to work while attending class. She is able to choose what time her classes are rather than needing to be in class for seven hours a day like in high school. read more

(Archive May 2019) Courtney Rousse: Developing Her Career

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Photography Major Shares Her Plans for the Future

By Aisha Schor | Observer Contributor

Tampa, Florida 2019
Photos by Courtney Rousse

Courtney Rousse, a photography major, enjoys practicing and learning more about photography both in her free time and through a variety of classes at MWCC.

Though she appreciates and enjoys many styles of photography, Rousse’s heart lies with nature photography. “I love nature photography, that’s what I’m known for,” Rousse says. “I know photography is not an easy job. . . but my dream job is to be a National Geographic photographer. There’s a lot of steps but I know I’ll be submitting my pictures to some nature magazines in the future.”  read more