Browse by Category

MWCC Student Trustee Among “29 Who Shine” at Massachusetts Colleges and Universities

Christine L. Eck

Twenty-nine outstanding 2013 graduates of Massachusetts community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts will be honored for academic achievement and their contributions to the Commonwealth during a Statehouse ceremony on May 2 sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

MWCC Student Trustee Christine L. Eck, a human services major, was selected as this year’s recipient of the award. A Barre resident, mother of three and an active volunteer on campus and in her community, Eck is recognized on campus as a champion for the college and for public higher education.

In addition, she is a representative on the statewide Student Advisory Council, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and a student ambassador on campus. She serves as vice president of the Human Services club and previously served as secretary of MWCC’s Student Government Association. Among her many activities at MWCC, she spoke before members of Congress on the issue of student financial aid and attended the Massachusetts Public Higher Education Advocacy Day in 2012 and 2013 to meet with legislative staff to discuss a variety of issues affecting college students. This semester, she interned at a Worcester school working with special needs students.

After graduating this spring with an associate degree, she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and ultimately work as an applied behavior analyst, as well as continue volunteering in the human services field.

“I would like to make a difference in the lives of others; to help them overcome obstacles so they can live a healthy, happy and independent lifestyle,” she said.

Each of the student honorees selected a faculty or staff mentor who provided them with motivational support and intellectual guidance on campus. At Mount Wachusett Community College, Eck selected Professor Janice M. Gearan, chair of the psychology and social services department.

“Professor Gearan is an excellent, amazing, inspiring professor and mentor. She has helped me reach academic goals that I never thought I could achieve.”