The Advising and Counseling Center is located on the Gardner campus near
the library and across from the Student Services complex. It brings together
a variety of counselors who can assist you with career
choice, job placement, transfer
services, advising for current MWCC students, disability
services and personal
counseling. The staff is here to assist you with developing an education
plan and setting personal and professional goals.
You may also request counseling assistance from any member of the Advising and Counseling Center staff to address concerns impacting your educational success. The staff is available to help you: resolve concerns with study habits, individual courses, or with instructors or peers; cope with college, family, and employment responsibilities; address problems about test anxiety or confidence building; and guide you through the transfer and career decision-making process.
All MWCC students, after consulting an adviser, may register themselves through WebConnect. There are computers and assistance available at the Advising and Counseling Center to complete this process. Just stop by.
For more information or an appointment call Dawn Fontaine at (978) 630-9568 or email: Dawn Fontaine
Spring 2008 Events
Advising Services
All day students are assigned to a member of the faculty, administrative staff, or the Advising and Counseling Center to receive academic advice, information about the curriculum, college policies and support services. Every effort is made to assign an adviser who is familiar with the student’s field of study. In addition, students who have academic advising questions, and are unable to connect with their own adviser, may stop by the Advising and Counseling Center and make an appointment to meet with a Center adviser.
Throughout their enrollment at MWCC, advisers guide students by: helping them select courses that meet degree requirements; explaining academic standards, college policies and procedures; and helping them access support services. Students should meet with advisers often to ensure they are making wise academic and career decisions. They should also consult advisers: prior to adding or dropping courses, before changing curricula, if they are experiencing difficulty in courses, or having problems that interfere with educational progress.
Although faculty and staff advisers are available to assist students in achieving educational goals, students are responsible for making sure they meet degree requirements and other graduation criteria. It is extremely important that students follow their advisers’ recommendations to prevent unnecessary problems. Students may request a faculty adviser other than the one assigned by formally requesting a change at the Record’s Office. Evening students have advisers available to them through the enrollment center (978) 630-9274 or (978) 630-9362 or at the Leominster campus (978) 840-3221 by appointment.
Career Counseling
Deciding which career field and major to pursue should be a thoughtful and deliberate process, yet, at times, it can be difficult or confusing. Career Counselors are available to assist students with the career exploration process. Counselors use a variety of tools including interest and skill assessments in order to help students make these important decisions.
Visit the Career Services website: http://www.mwcc.edu/services/career.
For more information please call Michelle Contey at (978) 630-9482 or email: Michelle Contey
Job Placement
Job placement services are offered to students seeking either part or full-time employment. Full-and part-time positions are posted on the Job Board across from the Advising & Counseling Center for all interested students. Job openings from employers in business, industry, social services, and health fields are included. MWCC’s job referral system assists students in obtaining employment related to their fields of study. Seminars and individual sessions on resume writing and interviewing techniques are also offered. An annual job fair is held during the spring semester, giving students the opportunity to meet and interview with employers. Employers visit the college campus during the academic year with full-and part-time openings.
Visit the Job Placement website: http://www.mwcc.mass.edu/services/job/default.html
For more information please call Pat Brewerton at (978) 630-9254 or email: Pat Brewerton
Transfer Counseling
Transfer advising is offered for students who want to continue their education beyond MWCC. The transfer office works with many four-year institutions developing articulation agreements that ease the transition for transferring students. Currently, MWCC participates in Joint Admissions programs with the Massachusetts public colleges and universities. Additionally, the college has many agreements with Massachusetts private colleges established to ensure a smooth transfer process. Annually, students transfer to more than sixty different colleges and universities across the United States.
Visit the transfer services web page: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.
For more information please call Nancy Greenlaw at (978) 630-9321 or email: Nancy Greenlaw
Disability Services
All curricula at MWCC are open and accessible to all qualified individuals with disabilities. A disability, defined as a “handicap” under Federal law, is any significant disabling condition that interferes with any substantial life activity. Substantial life activities include: the ability to care for oneself, the ability to walk, the ability to hear or see, or any other ability considered to be a major life activity. Examples of disabilities include, but are not limited to, spinal cord injuries, visual impairments, specific learning disabilities, head injuries, hearing impairments, arthritis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, mental/emotional disabilities, seizure disorders, and communication disorders.
MWCC has various types of assistance available to support qualified students with disabilities. Appropriate documentation is required. Available supportive services include, but are not limited to: reserved parking, elevator privileges, note-takers/scribes, extended time exams/alternative testing, study skills/tutoring, personal/vocational counseling, consultation with faculty addressing individual issues, assistance in obtaining auxiliary aids (e.g., tape recorders, spell check, etc.), and the use of adaptive computer technology.
Visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website: http://www.mwcc.edu/services/disability
For more information please call Donna Thibault at 978-630-9120, email: Donna Thibault or call Linda Gagnon at (978) 630-9197, email: Linda Gagnon
Personal Counseling
Counseling staff is available to assist students with personal, social, academic, educational, career and health concerns. Professional counselors provide a confidential atmosphere for students to discuss and explore feelings, attitudes, values, lifestyles. No matter is too big or small. When appropriate, counselors will assist students with a referral to a community resource. The college counselor can assist students directly or introduce them to a counselor who will best meet their individual needs.
Visit the Counseling Services website: http://www.mwcc.edu/services/counseling
For more information please call Dawn Fontaine at (978) 630-9568 or email: Dawn Fontaine