SUCCESS Scholar Program

About the Program:

The SUCCESS Scholar Program at MWCC is a high impact cohort-based program that provides students with opportunities for academic success, career investigation, identity exploration, and leadership development to increase the retention, graduation, and transfer rates of program participants. Program integration into the student experience through collaboration with other campus support services is an intentional part of the program to encourage participants to utilize campus resources and services to the fullest.

Students are encouraged to join SUCCESS Scholars at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) through targeted outreach that follows a hybrid approach. As an opt-out program, eligible students are identified early within the new student onboarding process and receive regular messaging about the program that encourages engagement. Eligible students may reach out directly for more information and are automatically enrolled unless they request not to join. Faculty and staff may also refer students, who will be enrolled, if they meet eligibility requirements. After their first year, SUCCESS Scholars at MWCC can elect to continue to be supported by the program until they earn their certificate or degree, or they can be referred to another program, such as a TRIO SSS program. Students not interested in continued retention services will be assigned to an academic or faculty advisor. By design, students are aware that they are receiving services through SUCCESS. SUCCESS Scholar counselors serve as a bridge to all services provided by the college for all SUCCESS Scholars.

Student Eligibility

Students who are eligible for MWCC’s SUCCESS Scholar program include:

First-time & continuing students
Full-time & part-time students
English language learners
Students with developmental needs in English and mathematics
Students in at least one foundation-level course (receive priority)

Cohort Focus Population

In line with the legislative intent to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable student populations, the use of SUCCESS services at Mount Wachusett Community College among the following populations is actively tracked and encouraged:

First-generation college students
Minoritized students (i.e., Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Cape Verdean, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and multi-racial students)
Students with disabilities
LGBTQIA+ students
Economically disadvantaged students

Support Services

The following supports are available to SUCCESS Scholars at MWCC:

Academic Advising

Career & Transfer Advising

Case Management

Coaching

Community Building

Community Events

Discussion Groups

Individual Degree Planning

Learning Assessments

Mentoring

Scholarship Advising

Student Planning

Summer Programs

Workshops

Support Network

The SUCCESS Scholar Program at MWCC is currently supported by the Director of Advising & Student Success, four full-time SUCCESS Counselors, two SUCCESS coordinators and an LGBTQIA+ SUCCESS Counselor.

In addition to one-on-one counseling sessions, a six-hour College Readiness Summer Bridge program and other workshops and activities, SUCCESS Scholars can elect to work with a SUCCESS mentor. SUCCESS mentors are students who have completed the first year of the SUCCESS Scholar Program and participate in regular training and professional development. They work with a small group of students to build community and connection.

SUCCESS receives funding through the Massachusetts legislature and is supported by the 15 state community colleges, the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC), the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), and the SUCCESS Leadership and Coordinating Committees.

SUCCESS at Mount Wachusett Community College