Student Type: Transfer

Josh Goliber

Joshua Goliber graduated in 2017 with his Associate degree in Criminal Justice and now works as a corrections officer. He initially attended a four year school, but decided to attend Mount Wachusett Community College’s Criminal Justice program to move quickly into his career.

“Compared to a private school, I felt I had more of a connection at the Mount. I was closer to the professors, smaller class sizes, it’s kind of like a hidden gem,” said Joshua.

The MWCC Criminal Justice program provides students with academic preparation for career entry, transfer to four year institutions and lifelong learning through Many area public safety professionals, including police officers, corrections officers, and federal criminal justice employees get their start at MWCC. In the program, students can select a law enforcement concentration or a corrections concentration.

“After I graduated, I immediately joined the workforce. I got a job as a Corrections Officer which is totally perfect for what I went to school for. My education at the Mount definitely helped, and the connections that I made there also helped me get my job,” Joshua said. “I would advise anyone who’s considering or debating taking Criminal Justice courses at the Mount to absolutely go for it. I feel the most rewarding career out there, working for law enforcement, is not an easy job, but at the end of the day, I feel that I’m helping people.”

Austin Seppala

When Austin Seppala enrolled at MWCC after spending a semester at a four-year college in Idaho, he was initially unsure of his decision. Seppala recalls wondering if the community college was too small. Within a week of enrolling he had met Debra Boucher, the advisor who was there to support him through the next two years while he earned his associate degree in Business Administration. “I remember thinking to myself that I couldn’t do it; it was during those moments that I would run to Deb’s office and she would talk it out with me.”

Seppala was able to take advantage of numerous services in MWCC’s Visions program. Services that helped him meet his academic and career goals included peer support, field trips, and transfer counseling. Not only was Seppala thrilled with the college’s support services, but he excelled academically, as well. “The professors at ‘the Mount’ were beyond excellent!” Seppala raves.

After graduating from MWCC in 2010, Seppala was offered admission into three institutions, and decided to transfer to Northeastern University, where he is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a management concentration.

“I think it goes without saying that ‘the Mount’ is a supportive place. There is not a person on staff that I didn’t feel comfortable with,” he concludes. Debra Boucher, Seppala’s advisor, says that his story is a great example of the team approach to student success at MWCC. “Austin worked hard, very hard, to achieve his goals, but, like all students, he faced obstacles and challenges. My job as his Visions advisor was to help motivate him and support him during those inevitable bumps in the road.”

— Karen Costa