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 encourage 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. Beginning in fall 2022, all SUCCESS Scholars at MWCC will be supported by the program until they earn their certificate or degree. It will be the choice of the SUCCESS Scholar after the first year if they would like to stay with the program or be referred to another program, such as a TRIO. 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 following student populations are actively recruited for SUCCESS at Middlesex Community College:

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:

Coaching

Career Advising

Scholarship Advising

Academic Advising

Case Management

Basic Needs Counseling

Community Events

Publications

Discussion Groups

Individual Degree Planning

Assessments

Tutoring/study groups

Summer Programs

Workshops

Community Building

Student Planning

Support Network

The SUCCESS Scholar Program at MWCC is currently supported by the Associate Director of Advising & Student Success, two full-time SUCCESS counselors and one SUCCESS coordinator. The SUCCESS Scholar Program is growing in 2022-2023 with the hiring of two additional full time SUCCESS counselors, one additional SUCCESS Coordinator, an LGBTQIA+ SUCCESS Counselor and a Men of Color SUCCESS Counselor. Students participate in one-on-one coaching sessions, a six-hour College Readiness Boot Camp, and other workshops and activities.

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