Early College / Dual Enrollment Archives - Mount Wachusett Community College

Kaitlyn Fales

Kaitlyn Fales came to MWCC in 2016 as a Pathways Early College Experience student. During her time at the Mount, her grades earned her membership in the Alpha Beta Gamma International Business Honor Society and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Her 4.0 grade point average earned her the President’s Key upon her graduation, as well as the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Business Administration Curriculum Award.

Upon graduation from MWCC in 2018, Fales spent the summer giving back as a resident assistant in the Upward Bound Math and Science Summer Program in Fitchburg. The program provides support for college readiness among high school students.

Fales continued her education at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island where she will be graduating with Honors in May with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. She is a member of the Honors Program, President and Co-Captain of the Velocity Dance Team, President of the Bryant Applied Math and Statistics Association, Senior Advisory Council Member, and College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Student Advisory Council for Applied Mathematics and Statistics. She was awarded the Presidential Scholarship, Bryant University’s highest scholarship for four years in recognition of exceptional high school academic performance.

She completed the Prudential Actuarial Internship Program in the summer of 2020, a part of the company-wide internship program, in which only 2 percent of applicants earn. Her performance led to an employment offer from Prudential following graduation. However, while she was very successful at the work and enjoyed it, she knew that she wanted to continue her education, and ultimately declined the offer.

Over the past six months, Fales has been preparing graduate school applications, with the intention of pursuing a doctorate in statistics and an eventual career in the research sector. As of this writing, she has received acceptance from Rice University in Houston, TX with a full scholarship, teaching assistant position, a stipend for living expenses and additional fellowship for her promise as a scholar, as well as Penn State University, Baylor University, and North Carolina State University, all with full funding support.

“I can’t believe that it has almost been 5 years since I started in Pathways, and how far I have come since then,” noted Fales. “This program has completely changed the course of my life, and I could not be more grateful. Please keep doing the amazing work that you do because these programs make such a tremendous difference.”

“Kaitlyn’s story is such a beautiful testament of the power of our programs, and of the connections that we make with our students,” expressed Fagan Forhan, Assistant Dean of K-12 Partnerships and Civic Engagement. “Kaitlyn was able to find her passion, have a voice and choice in her classes, feel and understand the real-world connections and possibilities open to her. Stories like these are why we do the work that we do.”

“The Pathways program at MWCC truly gave me the knowledge and the confidence to go after my dreams and opened so many doors for me” added Fales.

The Pathways Early College Experience is an opportunity for motivated students to get a jump start on college. The goal of Pathways is to provide 20 high school students each year the ability to earn their high school diploma and an associate degree while completing their junior and senior years of high school taking courses at MWCC. Learn more about Pathways today.

Jonathan Blouin

The Gateway to College program offered me the second chance I needed and that little extra push to get my schedule in order.

Bella Ballin

29 Who Shine Award Recipient Bella Ballin Recognized at State House Ceremony

At just 18, graduating scholar Bella Ballin has already reached many milestones. Last week, as MWCC’s recipient of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s “29 Who Shine” award, she achieved another.

“I fist-bumped the governor and that was the highlight of my day,” she said with a smile.

Ballin, who will graduate from MWCC on May 18 with an associate degree in Liberal Arts: Chemical Science, and on May 20 with her high school diploma through the college’s Pathways Early College Innovation School, was among the 29 public college and university honorees recognized during the sixth annual celebration at the State House. She and her MWCC mentor, Academic Counselor Natalie Mercier of the Division of Access & Transition, were recognized by Gov. Charlie Baker and top education officials during the May 9 ceremony.

“Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and I congratulate all 29 of the 2016 award recipients and thank them for their substantial contributions to their campuses and local communities,” Governor Baker said. “Each of the 29 Who Shine honorees represent our future citizenry and workforce and have already made a positive impact on the Commonwealth.”

Diagnosed at age 16 with Multiple Sclerosis, Ballin chose to accelerate the pace of her education by tapping into the opportunities available through MWCC’s unique Pathways program, which has allowed her to simultaneously earn her high school diploma and an associate degree at no cost through school choice funding.

At MWCC, she has been named to the President’s List every semester for maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She served as a math and chemistry tutor within MWCC’s Academic Support Center, as president of the student math Club, and has volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. Additionally, she participated in MWCC’s Leadership Camp, Leadership Retreat and Women in Leadership forum. This spring, Bella was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and received the MWCC Alumni Award.

She was accepted into numerous four-year institutions and plans to transfer this fall to Carnegie Mellon University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science, then return to Massachusetts to build a career in science.

“It’s exciting to see how this exceptional group of student leaders have chosen to put their brainpower and civic engagement to work in so many different ways that benefit our state — through STEM, through the arts, and through teaching, and medicine,” said Secretary of Education Jim Peyser. “We wish all of them well in their next steps, whether in their careers or additional scholarly pursuits.”

Sarah Raulston

When Sarah Raulston graduated from Mount Wachusett Community College at the age of 18 years old in the spring of 2015, she not only earned an associate degree and her high school diploma, she also completed the first two years toward a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

The ambitious Baldwinville teen got a jump start on her academic studies and career goals at age 16 through MWCC’s Pathways Early College Innovation School. She is believed to be the youngest student accepted into the University of New England’s six-year Doctor of Pharmacy program. The day of her admission interview, she was competing against traditional four-year college and university graduates from as far away as California for a spot in the selective program.

Sarah, who has earned an associate degree in MWCC’s new Liberal Arts Biological Sciences program, has known since middle school that she wanted a career as a pharmacist, after discovering a keen interest in how medicine is used to treat and heal disease.

“I knew I wanted to go to pharmacy school, so I wanted to get a head start. I think it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. High school is fun, but dual enrollment is such a good opportunity to get ahead. I think Pathways is a great way to start.”

Rachel Vargeletis

Rachel Vargeletis entered the Pathways Early College Innovation School in her junior year of high school after not being challenged enough in class. Feeling she needed more, she found the Pathways program at Mount Wachusett Community College. because

“I honestly wasn’t challenged in high school, which might sound silly, but I really wasn’t. It wasn’t for me, the high school setting, it wasn’t giving me what I needed. I felt like I needed more, so I sought more,” Rachel said.

The goal of Pathways is to provide high school students the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and an Associate’s degree. This is completed entirely with courses at MWCC in partnership with the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District. All Pathways students are considered Mount Wachusett Community College students and have access to MWCC services including counseling, advising, career services, fitness center, and leadership activities offered by Student Life.

“With Pathways, I’m getting my associate’s degree next week, and also my high school diploma next week. And it’s all for free! That helps tremendously because there was probably no way I was going to easily afford college,” said Rachel who graduated in 2017.