Posts published in “Profiles”

(Archive November 2016) Shivers Trembles with Uncertainty About Trump Presidency, Remains Hopeful

By editorialteam on September 4, 2024

Can We Persevere? Yes We Can-dace!

By Jason D. Greenough | Web/Social Media Editor

For some, it has been a tough week following the Presidential election. The atmosphere surrounding the results that brought Donald Trump into the position of commander in chief has been filled with varying amounts of fear, anger, sadness, and uncertainty, throughout different demographics of the American populace.

Here at MWCC, Students and faculty alike are trying to sort through their own feelings on the events that transpired on November 8^th, with some feeling what they can only equate to grieving, others feeling frustrated and perplexed at how their country has come to this, and others who are cautious, yet hopeful, that the 45^th President of these United States will change his ways from the behavior we have witnessed throughout the last 18 months. Candace Shivers, Associate Professor of Human Services and Sociology here at the Mount, has something to say about the effect that a Trump presidency might have on college students, such as commuting costs. read more

(Archive November 2016) Michelle Valois Says Raise Taxes on 1%

By editorialteam on September 4, 2024

By Rebekah Chiasson | Assistant Editor

Just one day before the election, Democrat and professor at MWCC, Michelle Valois feared internal conflict within our nation if Trump were to be elected. According to ABC, CNN, USA Today, her fears came true with nation-wide Trump protests felt in California, Chicago, and Washington just days after the election of future President Trump. Valois explained, “I am very nervous for the poor and working and middle class, but I am more nervous for Muslims, Mexicans, all people of color, immigrants (legal and illegal), the LGBTQ community, especially trans youth,” and added, “If Trump cannot pass legislation that adversely affects their lives, I fear that his supporters might feel that it is now okay to harass and hurt these most vulnerable and marginalized people.” read more

(Archive November 2016) MWCC Law Professor Weighs in on Election

By editorialteam on September 4, 2024

By Jamie Parker | News Editor

This election was surely one for the books. For professors that teach at MWCC, each field of study sheds a different light on this election. I had the privilege of conducting an interview with Law Professor, James Korman. Professor Korman has been practicing Law in Massachusetts since 1992, “I primarily did criminal and civil litigation. However, I did a fair amount of general practice work as well: Divorce, Real Estate, Contracts and Estate Planning.” Over email, Professor Korman explained how his field of study influenced his opinions this election, his feelings on both candidates’ claims towards the Supreme Court, and his overall feel about this election. read more

(Archive November 2016) Students Speak on the 2016 Election

By editorialteam on September 4, 2024

By Mike Augustus | Observer Contributor

Mark Ramos

Mark Ramos, 32, has now voted in four presidential elections. This time was the most embarrassing election that he has voted in. “Bitter sweet” are the words Ramos used to describe the election results.

Ramos did not vote for Trump or Clinton, but decided to vote for Jill Stein. What she offered during her election run was more appealing to Ramos than what Trump or Clinton offered. It was a bitter sweet election for Ramos because he did not want Clinton in office, but kind of wanted Trump to win. However, once Trump won he didn’t get a good feeling for what the next four years will bring. read more

(Archive September 2016) Schools Helping Veterans

By editorialteam on September 3, 2024

By Nicole Benoit | Observer Contributor

Many colleges in the area have services or offices specifically for veterans. These services provide plenty of help with advising, counseling, and disability. Bringing in outside support systems from outside of the college is another way they help.

Located at Mount Wachusett Community College is a Veterans Success Center run by Robert Mayer. If a veteran is looking for help with anything school related, or just needs someone to talk to, then this is where they would go. Help for students isn’t the only thing provided, trying to educate faculty on certain issues so they can also help and understand their students in class is another reason schools have this service. read more

(Archive September 2016) Forward in Health Experience

By editorialteam on September 3, 2024

By Allison Cormier | Observer Contributor

Service learning and volunteer work are major components in achieving a well rounded college experience, in addition to helping yourself become a better person in society. Forward in Heath, an organization that travels to Haiti and provides medical care, has been helping Mount Wachusett students achieve this for the past two years, and other volunteers for the past 10 years.

Co-founder and vice president of outreach and travel, Paula Mulqueen has been traveling to Haiti to provide medical treatment since 2001. She believes that providing service through international travel helps create a different perspective on life and shape individuals into more compassionate and caring people. She strives to create the best experience to those in her program. read more

(Archive May 2016) Ibsen and Hansberry and Miller, Oh My!

By editorialteam on September 3, 2024

By Courtney Wentz | Observer Contributor

Every other year, MWCC offers a one of a kind class called Modern Drama, taught by Professor Susan Blake.

In Modern Drama, students read and discuss popular plays from the 20th century, like Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, along with a handful of others, plus a professor who is passionate about the topic. “I always loved plays,” Professor Blake said, “I’m always looking for new plays and playwrights.” read more

(Archive May 2016) Leaving it All Behind, Part II: From the Other Side

By editorialteam on August 30, 2024

By Jamie Parker | News Editor

Submitted by Jaime Parker

Anessa and I first became friends at a family reunion in 2011. She was only allowed to come and join us for one day. This was all her father’s side of the family, and her mother did not approve of Anessa being around so many people who were not Jehovah’s Witnesses. But we immediately hit it off. We had not seen each other since we were about four years old, but you would have thought we talked every day. We decided at the end of our fun that it was an absolute necessity that we stayed in touch. We both downloaded an app on to our phones that would allow us to talk to each other without her mom knowing. After that, Anessa and I talked almost daily for years. We even managed to get back together for about a week one summer, because I went and visited her grandparent’s the summer after the reunion, during the same time she did. We were some pretty conniving fourteen-year-olds. After that visit, we continued to talk until her mom found out. read more

(Archive May 2016) Catching Up: An Interview with Jasson Alvarado-Gomez (Part 2)

By editorialteam on August 30, 2024

By John Mossey | Editor-in-Chief

Jasson is the Student Trustee and Student Member on the Board of Higher Education for 2016-2017
Courtesy of Jasson Alvarado-Gomez

JM: What were you able to accomplish this semester? Things you were proud of, things you didn’t expect to accomplish but did?

JA: There are many things that I wasn’t expecting. One thing was my movie. I just wanted to get it done, I wasn’t planning to have a movie premier or to have a big event, but it just happened. About a month ago, people were telling me, “We want to see the movie, we want to see the movie.” So I decided to make the event, and now it’s happening. That’s one of the things that I’m really proud of. But also, I became the Student Trustee for next year and I was also selected to be on the board of Higher Education for 2016-2017. read more

(Archive April 2016) Leaving it All Behind, Part I: Growing Up a Jehovah’s Witness

By editorialteam on August 27, 2024

By Jamie Parker | News Editor

They come to every neighborhood now and then, knocking on your door, and then asking if you have accepted the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now we all have different reactions to this question. Some of us are polite and honest, some are rude, and others lie to get the process over with. But what we never really consider is, what it is like to be on the other side of that situation. Well over this spring break I interviewed my cousin, Anessa – an ex-Jehovah’s Witness – about what it was like to be part of a religion that not only is so involved with how their message gets across, but also how different it was to be raised in that type of environment. However during our interview, I found out much more than that. I found out what it was like to be raised in a very isolated, strict, and overall suffocating environment, and what it is like to leave something like that. read more