Middlesex Community College: Mass. State Senator Credits Education From MCC As Her “Start”

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

11/17/2021

State Senator Diana DiZoglio was born to a single mother on the day of her high school graduation. To support them, her mother worked as a nurse’s aide before putting herself through school at a community college to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

“Without some form of higher education,” Senator DiZoglio’s mother told her, “life can prove very difficult.” Inspired, and following in her mother’s path, she enrolled at Middlesex Community College.

Starting part-time until she grew more comfortable in a higher education setting, Senator DiZoglio balanced her studies while waitressing and took advantage of being able to take both day and evening classes. Once she found success at MCC, she felt more secure in her studies.

“Ultimately, I had such a fantastic experience at Middlesex,” she said. “I ended up graduating with a 4.0 and it was around this time in my life that things truly started to click and make sense.”

While studying Psychology at MCC, Senator DiZoglio found her confidence through small class sizes and guidance from professors. Being able to connect with them on a personal level helped her “get the most out of my experience at Middlesex.”

MCC Anatomy and Physiology Professor Anne Miller – who worked as the Director of the Honors Department at the time – encouraged Senator DiZoglio to apply to Wellesley College.
After graduating from Middlesex in 2008, she transferred to Wellesley to continue her studies and earn a bachelor’s degree in both Psychology and Spanish. For Senator DiZoglio, Miller “saw potential in me when I didn’t see it in myself.”

In addition to her studies while at Middlesex, she had the opportunity to work as a Spanish tutor and to participate in a Service-Learning Experience at Girls Inc. in Lowell in the nonprofit’s after-school programs.

Calling the college “a fantastic choice,” DiZoglio said, “my experience at MCC was truly invaluable in instilling me with the knowledge and confidence I needed to step up my game and take my work to the next level.”

Her Service-Learning experience at Middlesex was the beginning of Senator DiZoglio’s work with youth and community centers. After graduating from Wellesley, she provided counseling and mentorship to underserved communities in addition to performing outreach into the community. This led to a job working at the State House where she was “able to continue doing that important work.”

The position taught her the positive differences she could make within the community through public service and community outreach. “I saw areas of state government that worked very well and others that needed improvement to ensure all families, regardless of zip code, have equitable access to succeed,” she said.

Inspired by this work, Senator DiZoglio ran and was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2012. In 2018, she ran and became State Senator for the 1st Essex District where she represents Methuen, Newburyport, Haverhill, Merrimac, Amesbury, Salisbury and parts of North Andover – many cities and towns of which Middlesex also serves.

Having the opportunity to attend a community college – Middlesex in particular – helped Senator DiZoglio have increased access to an education. In addition to allowing her to work while taking classes and saving her money on tuition costs, MCC was closer to her Methuen home, offered small class sizes, and provided “unique opportunities in alternative training or certification.”

“Community college was for me what it is for so many other people – a way to get started,” Senator DiZoglio said. “A way to make a positive change. A way to step it up. It’s the open door to further opportunity.”

Part of the Social Science pathway, the Psychology program at MCC helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. For more information, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_socsci.aspx to discover a path to a career in STEM at Middlesex.

If you have ever taken a class at MCC, you are an alum! To share your story – and join the free Alumni Association – contact Amy Lee, Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations, at 978-656-3028 or leea@middlesex.mass.edu. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/alumni for more information.

Registration for MCC’s WinterSession and Spring 2022 semester – starting on Monday, January 3 and Monday, January 24 – are now open. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information and to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.