Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges

Claire Netto is an environmental science & conservation major at GCC and will be graduating this spring. She will be attending Mount Holyoke College in the fall as a biology or restoration ecology major. She hopes to become a field researcher in population and/or behavioral ecology. Claire has a passion for science and hopes to add to the advancement of her field, while conserving and restoring habitats for wildlife.

“Environmental protection is something that I will fight and advocate for my entire life. I enjoy the outdoors, particularly learning from and about the natural world. I also love water coloring and embroidery, along with a variety of other crafts. I like to combine ecological components with my artwork. My goal is to always view the world through a lens of curiosity and hope.”

Claire Netto

Hailee Galandak-Cochran graduated from high school with a commitment to learning, but without the ability to afford college. She spent four years pursuing volunteerism, service work, and independent study focused on sustainable food systems and community development.

In 2016, Hailee founded Friends for Change, a trauma-informed after-school youth club in her home community of Bellows Falls, VT. Hailee saw there was a need for programs and safe spaces for community youth. She enlisted community support, found a youth-friendly space, and developed a fundraising program and training for volunteers.

Also in 2016, Hailee came to Greenfield Community College. With generous scholarships, Hailee was able to attend GCC at first part time and later full-time while leading Friends for Change and supporting other volunteer projects. Her Environmental Science major is a strong foundation for a future career combining ecosystem science and community development.

Hailee Galandak-Cochran

Cassandra Robin is in the Business Administration Hospitality Management major at Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable.

“My plan is to continue to reach my educational goals and achieve the success of an Associate in Science degree. Maintaining membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is an educational goal that is vital to my academic plan. I hope to further my education in a corporate hotel internship program. My ideal job or internship would be to enroll in the Disney World College Program to continue my interests in hospitality and to learn new skills in management and culinary arts.”

Some of Cassandra’s hobbies include cooking, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. As a volunteer for her church and other organizations, it is important to her to participate in community service in her area.

Cassandra Robin

Noah Lamperti is currently in his fourth and final semester as a History Major at Cape Cod Community College. He will graduate with his Associate in Arts degree next month, and in Fall of 2020 he will be transferring to get his Bachelor’s degree at UMass Amherst. He plans on pursuing a career in either education, or public history. His dream job would be working for the U.S. National Parks Service!

Noah’s hobbies include fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and reading. He has a passion for the outdoors, and ever since he was old enough to work, he worked outdoors as a landscaper.

“Currently, my goal is to graduate college debt free with my four-year degree. Through hard work in my current occupation, as well as the amazing opportunity of a lower cost Community College education, I look forward to entering the workforce without the burden of student loans.”

Noah Lamperti

Lexis Grandel is a dual enrollment student at Cape Cod Community College. She will be transferring to the College of the Holy Cross next Fall to major in chemistry on the pre-med track, with a double concentration in biochemistry and neuroscience. Her dream is to attend medical school and become a doctor, preferably a pediatric radiologist. Her inspirations on this academic journey are Dr. Fauci and Dr. Oz; Dr. Fauci is an alumni of Holy Cross.

Some of her hobbies include photography, spending time with friends, and staying active and healthy. She volunteered as a patient transport volunteer for the past three years at her local hospital and enjoys helping her community.

“I am a first generation college student and am excited for this journey. I will always remember that my college education began at Cape Cod Community College at the age of sixteen, and I am forever grateful for that.”

Lexis Grandel

After obtaining a degree in Architecture in his home country of Albania, Elidijon Tafa came to Bunker Hill Community College in the Fall of 2017 to pursue a degree program in Visual Design. At BHCC, Elidijon served as a Senator of the Student Government Association, Vice President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a member of the Art and Design Club, and as a Student Employee in Student Central, BHCC’s centralized student service center.

Elidijon planned BHCC’s Annual Blood Drive with the American Red Cross, served as a member of the Curriculum Committee, and participated in numerous leadership experiences, including the Faces of Leadership and Voices of Dialogue Conferences at BHCC and the 2017 Fall Leadership Conference of the Community College Student Leadership Association. Elidijon is currently working as a Communications and Marketing Intern at All In Energy and plans to pursue a career in promoting inclusive clean energy.

In addition to being named a member of the PTK All-Massachusetts Academic Team, Elidijon was this year’s New Century Workforce Scholar and was awarded a $1,250 scholarship for this honor.

Elidijon Tafa

Prepsa Ghimire came to Bunker Hill Community College from Kathmandu, Nepal in the Fall of 2018. As an electrical engineering major, Prepsa strongly advocates for opportunities for women and people of color in STEM programs. In 2019, she reactivated and served as President of BHCC’s chapter of MAES (Minority Association of Engineers and Scientists) and represented the college at the 2019 General Assembly in Long Beach, California. Not only is Prepsa a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, she also served as a New Student Mentor and as a Notetaker and Tutor in the Office for Disability Support Services.

Prepsa recently transferred to UMass Amherst and plans to continue studying Electrical Engineering. Prepsa’s future goals include working to develop robotic limbs for people who have been impacted by injury, war, and conflict. Her long term goals include getting a PhD, teaching, and returning to Nepal to build a school for her community.

Prepsa Ghimire

Oumaima Erragragui came to Bunker Hill Community College from Morocco in the Fall of 2017 to study electrical engineering. At BHCC, Oumaima became deeply involved in student life and served in several leadership capacities at the college, including as President of Alpha Kappa Mu, BHCC’s 5-Star Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and in that role expanded the capacity of the society to serve more students. She also served as a Senator on the Student Government Association, President of the Arab Club, a member of the Curriculum Committee, and as an ACE (Achievement, Cultural Competency, Excellence) Mentor in the Office of Learning Communities.

Oumaima is a 2020 Hack.Diversity fellow, a unique internships-to-employment program that provides diversity consulting and training for companies. She also volunteered as a tutor in BHCC’s Math Space, and for the past two years taught Math to youth in a Summer program for the El Huda Society. Her future goals include transferring to a four-year university and completing a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering.

Oumaima Erragragui

Jimmy Phan is a Fine Arts major at Berkshire Community College, a member of the campus Green Team, as well as a student Ambassador. He has twice been named to the Dean’s list, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. During his time at BCC, he has been a part-time lab assistant, and attended numerous student leadership conferences.

Jimmy Phan

Travis Costello is a Liberal Arts major in the Honors Program at Berkshire Community College. As a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Officer, Travis serves as the Vice President of Service. He works as a TRIO intern on campus, is the Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees, and is a member of the Educational Affairs Committee. Travis also spends time volunteering at his local soup kitchen.

Travis Costello