Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges

Brittany is honored to have been nominated for the All-MA Academic Team. Brittany currently works per diem between 24- 32 hours weekly within the community as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She loves her work and is continuing her education at Berkshire Community College where she plans to obtain her associate degree in nursing. After graduating from Berkshire, Brittany hopes to transfer to a 4-year college where she can continue her academic pursuits and reach her goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Brittany is also a full-time single mother: when she is not working or studying Brittany can be found spending time with her daughter. Brittany says that her daughter is her motivation for returning to academia after more than a decade and pushing through when things get tough. In the future, Brittany hopes to work in an acute care setting such as the emergency department or a critical care unit. Brittany hopes that this environment will give her the knowledge and skills needed to eventually follow another passion: teaching. Brittany says that her dream is to one day take all her experience in and love for nursing and pour it into others, helping to nurture and teach the nurses of tomorrow.

Brittany Durand, Berkshire Community College

Rain Hajjar graduated from Taconic High School in 2020 with high honors and will graduate from Berkshire Community College this spring with an associate degree in biological science. Rain plans to return in the fall to complete the pre-nursing requirements and eventually pursue the associate degree in nursing program. In addition to being a full-time student, Rain works at Balderdash Cellars and makes time to volunteer in the community. Her favorite volunteering experience was working with the animals at Hancock Shaker Village through the Berkshire Youth United program while she was in high school. Rain has made the Dean’s list every year since starting at Berkshire two years ago. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and being outdoors, and puts her passion into everything she does.

Rain Hajjar, Berkshire Community College

Esha Boyd came to Bristol Community College from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Raised by her grandmother in poverty, Esha had a difficult childhood in an area marked by gang violence, and often felt hopeless. She went to prison at the age of seventeen, where, Esha says, she worried that she had completely ruined her life. Luckily, she soon learned that she was wrong. Esha opened a successful small business and sold it in 2018. Esha has a desire to help those who grew up the way that she did, with little opportunity and a lack of role models. She wants to be an example of what hard work and patience can do. Esha plans to obtain her master’s degree in social work with the hope of opening a small residential treatment facility for at-risk youth. She is dedicated and committed to doing the work it takes to bring awareness and reform to the criminal justice system.

Esha Boyd, Bristol Community College

Corinne LePage is a Liberal Arts major at Bristol Community College. She also works part-time at Bristol as a Peer Mentor and Tutor. Being an active student leader is important to Corinne, and she is a member of numerous college organizations and performs a variety of volunteer work. In the fall of 2022, Corinne will transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. After she graduates, Corinne hopes to conduct research on how island biodiversity contributes to the regulation of climate and diseases. Corinne’s greatest aspiration in life is to make a significant positive impact on the environment and she is confident that her educational and career goals will help turn her dream into a reality.

Corinne Lepage, Bristol Community College

Iman Fritis Cherif is a Biomedical Engineering major at Bunker Hill Community College. Iman’s dream is to apply engineering principles to biology and healthcare, looking for innovative ways to treat diseases and prevent illness. Iman is passionate about helping others and wants to help empower women in STEM fields by creating more STEM education opportunities targeted at women and girls. Iman is a proud first-generation immigrant to the United States and the first engineer in her family. She believes that every woman has the potential to succeed through education.

Iman Fritis Cherif, Bunker Hill Community College

Sabrina Soltani is a 34-year-old single mother who was born in Mascara City, Algeria. Sabrina is pursuing her associate degree in computer science and plans to go on to earn advanced degrees in computer science engineering. Sabrina chose to pursue higher education in the midst of the most difficult time in her life and is committed to continuing to chase her academic dreams despite the challenges. Her goal is to be a role model for all individuals who have had to put their dreams aside because of challenging circumstances.

Sabrina Soltani, Bunker Hill Community College

Mary Dunaway is a 28-year-old student in the Medical Assisting program at Cape Cod Community College. A mother of two, Mary’s children have been her motivation throughout her academic journey. She will be the first to graduate from college in her family and is looking forward to her upcoming graduation in May. She plans to work in medical assisting and return to further her education later down the road.

Mary Dunaway, Cape Cod Community College

After dropping out of high school, Dylan first came to Cape Cod Community College eight years ago to receive his GED. The college offered him a sense of community and compassion that he struggled to find elsewhere. After a long and challenging journey, he is now graduating and moving on to UMass Amherst. He intends to major in English with a practice of writing specialization. After earning his BA, he hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an English professor. Teaching English has been a longtime dream of his. He has been inspired by those who taught him at Cape Cod Community College, and he hopes to share that same inspiration with his future students.

Dylan Girouard, Cape Cod Community College

Larissa Nichols is finishing her last semester at Cape Cod Community College and will be receiving an Associate of Science degree in Funeral Service. After graduation, she will be spending her time completing an apprenticeship at Masciarelli Family Funeral Homes in her hometown of Lunenburg, Massachusetts. Larissa hopes to be able to serve her community with compassion and support in the future and is very excited to begin a career in funeral service.

Larissa Nichols, Cape Cod Community College

Courtney Cunat Spencer is a second career student at Cape Cod Community College studying nursing. Her future education goals include earning a Ph.D. in nursing research focusing on periviable neonatal care. Her biggest cheerleaders are her husband Colin and son Percival. She is so thankful for the supportive professors and staff she has had the honor to learn from at Cape Cod.

Courtney Cunat Spencer, Cape Cod Community College