MWCC College Catalog 2008-2009 — Access and Transition Programs

Through the Division of Access and Transition, MWCC administers several College Access and Preparation Programs which provide middle and high school students, as well as adults, with an array of academic, college, and career awareness services including MCAS remediation, academic and career counseling, tutorials, workshops, and activities. Services are generally provided through targeted grant initiatives. In addition, MWCC hosts several annual events and activities designed for students and parents, which are open to the public. All programs are free of charge. For more information on any program call (978) 630-9248.

MCAS Pathways

MCAS Pathways is a Massachusetts Department of Education initiative offered to targeted graduating students who have yet to reach proficiency on the MCAS exam. Students receive MCAS remediation classes and tutoring at MWCC along with academic advising, career counseling, and college admission assistance.

North Central Educational Opportunity Center (NCEOC)

The NCEOC assists adults who wish to continue their education beyond high school/GED. This program provides academic, career, and financial aid advising to eligible participants seeking to complete a high school equivalency program or enroll in postsecondary education. Priority for service is given to low-income adults (age 19 years and older) who may be the first in their families to attend college or complete a college degree. EOC participants may choose to continue their education in short-term vocational training, certificate programs, or two-or four-year degree programs. The NCEOC is funded by a TRIO grant from the US Department of Education.

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Gateway to College

Through this program, eligible students who have stepped out of traditional high school, and are ages 16-20, can enroll at MWCC to earn both high school and college credits. In addition to funding support from Portland Community College, a national intermediary of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its partners, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, this program is offered through a partnership with the Gardner Public School District at MWCC’s Gardner Campus.

Educational Talent Search and Project Excel

The Educational Talent Search TRIO program, funded by the US Department of Education, serves students in grades 6-12. Project Excel, a Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Program funded by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, serves students in grades six through eight. Services offered include: academic counseling, tutoring, career exploration, financial aid and scholarship information, leadership, and enrichment activities. To participate, students must meet the eligibility criteria for these programs.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)

GEAR UP is funded by the US Department of Education and is administered by MWCC in partnership with Fitchburg Public Schools, the University of Massachusetts, the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts, the Spanish American Center, the Fitchburg Juvenile Probation Department and the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority. GEAR UP offers college awareness activities, academic advising, tutoring, after-school enrichment and family support to its students. To be eligible to participate in GEAR UP, students must be in the class of 2011 or 2012 and enrolled in a participating Fitchburg public school. In addition, GEAR UP offers students at MWCC the opportunity to volunteer in one or more of these activities as service learning experiences.

Dual Enrollment: A Head Start on College

Whether in high school or home school programs, juniors and seniors (age 16 or older) can enroll in MWCC classes prior to high school graduation and take courses that may transfer to most two and four-year public and private institutions while completing their high school graduation requirements. Participants are considered MWCC students and enjoy all the same benefits. Students are encouraged to participate fully in college activities and programs, including the Honors Program, academic support services, and other co-curricular activities. Students may enroll at MWCC on either a part-or full-time basis. See page 20 for admissions requirements to the program.

Summer Programs

The Division of Access and Transition provides an educational and recreational summer program to over 400 students in the Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner and Winchendon areas. Included in it’s summer programming are Summer Up, which provides employment opportunities for middle and high school students, as well as safe places to play for local children; MCAS Academy, providing MCAS instruction and recreational opportunities to students; CyberCamp, offering fun computer skill-building activities; KSAP, which offers a structured summer activity program for the children of MWCC faculty and staff; Math and Science UP!, providing hands-on science and engineering projects; and DesignCamp, a science and engineering program held at UMASS Lowell. In addition, the division provided over 100 summer school scholarships to low-income students, allowing them to take the courses they needed to advance in school, totaling over $20,000.

Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS)

A Federal TRIO program, the mission of UBMS is to assist 50 targeted high school students who have the desire to pursue postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and science. Two-thirds of participants must be potential first generation college and income eligible. Currently, Upward Bound Math and Science services participants in the Gardner, Winchendon and Athol school districts.

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