MWCC Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society Adds New Members

Counselor Hailey Walker, Maya Harrington, Shania Cassey, Michelle Gelphi-Balthazar, Zoe Vanerpuye, and Counselor Meg Quigley
Photo courtesy of Nia Carrignan

GARDNER, MA - May 8, 2026 - The Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society held an induction and fellowship event for its newest members.

Delta Alpha Pi (DAPi) is an academic honor society that recognizes students with disabilities for their academic achievements. To be eligible, students must have completed twenty-four credits and earned an overall GPA of 3.10. DAPi inductees pledge to demonstrate leadership in advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities, to serve as a role model for other students, and to advocate for themselves and other individuals with disabilities. Established in 2017, the MWCC Delta Alpha Pi chapter is one of only fifteen in the Commonwealth.

Welcoming the new members to the DAPi were existing chapter members and Disability Counselors Meg Quigley, MA, and Hailey Walker, MA, CRC who serve as chapter advisors.

Michelle Gelphi-Balthazar, a founding member of DAPi at the Mount shared her feelings about the support members provide each other, "We are all struggling with something and it's wonderful to have people to connect with who are going through the same things."

The Delta Alpha Pi inductees* and members of the Class of 2026 are:

Francheska Alicia-Vazquez, Barre
Shania Cassey*, Gardner
Susan Cormier, Fitchburg
Jen D'Intinosanto, Ayer
Michelle Gelphi-Balthazar, Winchendon
Maya Harrington*, Hudson
Wendy Joubert, Paxton
Taylor O'Dell, Fitchburg
Holly Palmer, Fitchburg
CJ Rebello*, Boylston
Leah Swain, Lunenburg
Zoe Vanerpuye*, Fitchburg

Mount Wachusett Community College Students Named to 2026 Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team

Sabrina Jean-Jaques, Dean Fagan Forhan, MWCC President James Vander Hooven, Joslynn Vautour, and Senator Joanne Comerford.
Photo courtesy of Nia Carrignan

GARDNER, MA - May 8, 2026 - Mount Wachusett Community College students Sabrina Jean-Jacques of Fitchburg and Joslynn Vautour of Winchendon have been named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-State Academic Team in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service.

Jean-Jacques and Vautour were honored during a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House on May 7 alongside students from colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.

The PTK All-State Academic Team program recognizes high-achieving students who demonstrate excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges and serves to recognize and encourage scholarship, leadership, and service among community college students.

"We are incredibly proud of Sabrina and Joslynn for this well-deserved recognition," said Fagan Forhan, Dean, K-12 Partnerships & Civic Engagement and PTK Advisor. "Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to academic excellence exemplify the very best of our MWCC students."

Mount Wachusett Community College congratulates both students on this significant achievement and celebrates the impact they continue to make on campus and in their communities.

SNHU Announces Spring 2026 Dean's and President's Lists

MANCHESTER, NH (05/12/2026)-- It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Spring 2026 Dean's and President's Lists. The spring terms run from January to May.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean's List. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

The following Winchendon students were named to the Dean's List:

Eleanor Iwanik-Harmon
Jordane James
Karen Vongchairueng

The following Winchendon student was named to the President's List:

Matthew Horne

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 93-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the "Most Innovative" regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.

MWCC Dedicates the Dr. John and Mrs. Annette Szivos Mental Wellness Center

GARDNER, MA - May 7, 2026 - Mount Wachusett Community College celebrated the dedication of its Mental Wellness Center on May 6, honoring the generosity and vision of Dr. John and Mrs. Annette Szivos, whose endowment will support mental wellness programming and establish an annual speaker series focused on mental health and wellness topics for faculty, staff, and students.

During the dedication ceremony, MWCC Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Students, Jason Zelesky, emphasized the critical importance of accessible mental health support at community colleges.

"Mental health support is not a luxury at a community college--it is a necessity," said Zelesky. "Our campuses serve students balancing jobs, family responsibilities, financial stress, and the pressure to succeed academically, often all at once. Without strong mental health resources, these challenges can become overwhelming, affecting not only grades, but also persistence, confidence, and overall well-being."

Zelesky noted that investments in counseling services, peer support programs, and accessible wellness resources help students remain enrolled, complete their programs, and build resilience that extends far beyond the classroom.

"When we invest in these services, we send a clear message: students matter," he said. "They matter not just as learners, but as whole humans leading complex lives."

He also recognized the daily efforts of Wellness Outreach Coordinator Lauren Clifford and Senior Mental Health Counselor Dr. Leeanne Hadsel, whose work directly supports students navigating personal and academic challenges.

"Because of the Szivos family, their work can continue to grow in support of our students and their mental health," Zelesky added.

Dr. John Szivos reflected on the importance of mental wellness and personal growth in remarks during the ceremony.

"Long ago, William James, often regarded as the father of American psychology, noted we can change our lives by changing our mind," said Dr. Szivos. "The encouraging truth is that our minds, thoughts, and attitudes are malleable and not fixed; they are capable of growth and change."

He spoke about the role the Mental Wellness Center will play in helping students build resilience and discover new possibilities for themselves.

"The Mental Wellness Center offers our students a doorway of transformation and change with the compassion and support of this exceptionally talented staff," he said. "The Center offers many open doors, and students are empowered to choose the one they wish to open."

Dr. Szivos also shared his family's admiration for the college and its students.

"My wife and I love what this institution stands for and what it offers," he said. "We are honored to support MWCC and its deserving students, staff, and faculty through this gift."

Senior Mental Health Counselor Dr. Leeanne Hadsel spoke about the lasting impact the Szivos family's generosity will have on the college community and the future of mental wellness programming at MWCC.

"The Szivos family's generosity and steadfast commitment to student well-being will make a profound and enduring impact on our mental wellness programming," said Dr. Hadsel. "Their support reflects not only a deep understanding of the critical role mental health plays in student success, but also a meaningful investment in the overall health and resilience of our campus community."

Dr. Hadsel said the endowment will help expand innovative, inclusive, and responsive wellness initiatives that meet students where they are academically, emotionally, and socially.

"Their contribution will create spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to engage in help-seeking, build coping skills, and foster a sense of belonging," she said. "This investment extends far beyond individual programs; it strengthens the fabric of our community."

The Mental Wellness Center dedication reflects MWCC's continued commitment to supporting students holistically and ensuring that mental health resources remain accessible, compassionate, and proactive for all members of the campus community.

Mount Wachusett Community College Announces 55th Annual Student Art Exhibition

GARDNER, MA - May 13, 2026 - The Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) Art Department is proud to present the 55th Annual Student Art Exhibition, showcasing the creativity, skill, and diverse perspectives of MWCC's student artists.

The exhibition will be on view May 11 through May 26, 2026, at The East Wing Gallery in the Raymond LaFontaine Fine Arts Center and will feature a wide range of student artwork produced across disciplines, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and design. This long-standing annual tradition highlights the accomplishments of students and reflects the dynamic learning environment within MWCC's Art Department.

“This annual student exhibition is an integral part of the art program and a wonderful opportunity for students to share their work with their classmates, the college, and the community,” said Art Department Chair, Professor, and Gallery Director, Joyce Miller. "All art faculty and art students collaborate in choosing work, and it is how we celebrate the art students' success, the art program, and the end of each academic year."

Community members, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend and support MWCC's emerging artists.

For more information about the exhibition, please contact Joyce Miller at j_miller@mwcc.mass.edu.