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The Gateway to College program at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has received a Program Excellence Award from the Achieving the Dream network.
MWCC’s Gateway to College Early College program serves students wishing to enter post-secondary education and earn college credits while completing their high school diploma. To date, 608 students have graduated from the MWCC Gateway to College program.
“You’ve worked tirelessly to ensure the continued success of your students along with members of your team and leaders in the Gardner Public Schools and many other school districts across North Central Mass, all the while building alignment and a robust early college high school experience for so many students,” noted Stephanie Davolos, Director of Gateway to College Initiatives at Achieving the Dream. “Our network’s continued improvement is due to exemplary programs like yours.”
“We are thrilled to be recognized with the Program Excellence Award,” stated Sharmese Gunn, Academic Coordinator and Resource Specialist for Gateway to College. “Our students in Gateway to College have worked tirelessly to help us accomplish our mission, which is for them to graduate with their high school diploma and college credits. Our students have gained confidence as students and changed the trajectory of their lives. Thank you to our MWCC community, Department of Access and Transition, Early College faculty and staff, Gardner Public Schools, and of course our Gateway to College families. It truly takes a village!”
“Gateway to College programs provide a critical second chance for vulnerable high school students and a powerful testament to the importance of wraparound supports and creating a sense of belonging in college. Nearly 75 percent of program graduates nationwide continue their postsecondary education,” said Emily Froimson, Executive Vice President of Achieving the Dream.
ABOUT ACHIEVING THE DREAM
Achieving the Dream (ATD) leads a growing network of 277 community colleges committed to helping their students, particularly low-income students and students of color, achieve their goals for academic success, personal growth, and economic opportunity. ATD is making progress in closing academic achievement gaps and accelerating student success through a unique change process that builds each college’s institutional capacities in seven essential areas. ATD, along with 75 experienced coaches and advisors, works closely with Network colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia, including 35 Gateway to College programs in 18 states, to reach more than 4 million community college students.