When she first started college, Stephanie Kem, of Lowell, set a goal to get out of her comfort zone and become more involved in activities. Joining the A.S.I.A. Club at Middlesex Community College strengthened her confidence and opened the door to a variety of new and exciting opportunities. Without this experience, she said, “my life would have never been the same.”
“It’s still fresh in my mind how I felt on the first day of school – all shy and unsure of where to begin, especially how to approach people in order to make new friends,” Kem said. “At MCC, I found it possible to engage in activities with people who had a similar background to mine, and I experienced an increase in self-esteem and found a side to myself I had never seen before.”
Kem was asked to take over the president role of the student-run club with her sister by Virak Uy, MCC’s Director of Asian American Student Advancement Program. In the beginning, the experience felt overwhelming, particularly having to speak to a large group. As she got more comfortable, Kem learned how to plan and lead meetings, as well as host events.
Her new confidence also inspired Kem to tackle other challenging opportunities, including becoming a tutor for MCC’s Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE). Though she almost gave up in her Anatomy and Physiology class, Professor Chunlei Gao motivated Kem to stick with it. Struggling and learning how to work through it prepared Kem to be a great tutor for her classmates. “I learned how to effectively by there for people,” she said.
A nursing student, Kem brought her passion for helping others into her student leadership roles at MCC. She believes one of the best parts about being engaged in college is building connections within the community. Calling her time at Middlesex “fulfilling,” her experiences allowed her to reflect on what it means to be a first generation student with parents who are immigrants.
“Though they weren’t able to completely finish their education, they chose to sacrifice every effort to support me and my sisters,” she said. “They gave it their all so that my sisters and I could accomplish what they were unable to. To honor their legacy and pass on my success to the next generation, I aim to live up not only to their standards, but also to mine.”
With a sister who is a pharmacist and a mother who works in a clinic, Kem was drawn to the healthcare industry. Having already started at MCC in the Early College Promise Program, a friend recommended she apply for MCC’s nursing program. The more affordable tuition combined with access to hands-on experience in the field made Kem excited to continue at MCC.
“At MCC, I found it possible to engage in activities with people who had a similar background to mine, and I experienced an increase in self-esteem and found a side to myself I had never seen before." - Stephanie Kem, MCC Student
After she graduates from Middlesex, Kem plans to continue her education to get a bachelor’s in nursing. MCC’s “welcoming community” has provided her with a safe space to learn, grow and experience new opportunities .
“All in all, I can proudly say that I have come such a long way and that gaining these experiences was essential for my development,” she said. “That’s what I really like about this college, it’s a small place, but you can feel how lively and strong the community is.”