Middlesex Community College has named Russell Olwell as the new Dean of Education and K-16 Partnerships. Throughout his career, he has taught at the middle school, high school and college levels and helped create two early college programs in Massachusetts. Most recently, he was Associate Dean of Education and Social Policy at Merrimack College where he also ran the Early College Program.
“I love helping people get started in their careers as educators,” Olwell said. “I have been fortunate to see my students become leaders in the field, including one superintendent and a few principals.”
Coming to work at Middlesex feels like a familiar environment for Olwell. His mother was an alumna of a community college as both a student and employee, and he spent a lot of time at the campus library as a child with her.
“I have long been impressed with MCC’s programs and have had some alumni of MCC in my classes over the years,” he said. “MCC has some wonderful education programs that are leading the state in their K-16 efforts.”
In his role, Olwell will lead a number of MCC’s education programs. These include the college’s education department, early childhood education grant program, early college, dual enrollment, GEAR UP, Upward Bound and Talent Search efforts. He looks forward to supporting students and faculty in his department at MCC.
“I love helping people get started in their careers as educators. I have been fortunate to see my students become leaders in the field, including one superintendent and a few principals.” - Russell Olwell, MCC's Dean of Education and K-16 Partnerships
“I think the most important part of the role is highlighting the amazing work our faculty and staff do in the community,” Olwell said. “These reach thousands of students each week in Lowell and throughout the state.”
For the Fall 2023 semester, MCC’s Early College Promise program is welcoming a new cohort of 37 students who are on track to earn 30 or more credits this academic year. The education department is also offering coursework in education in Spanish for the first time to help students move forward in their educational journey, according to Olwell. This includes early childhood and elementary education students who decide to transfer on to four-year institutions.
Having earned a teaching certificate from Wellesley College, Olwell holds a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As Dean of Education and K-16 Partnerships, he looks forward to showing the community how MCC can help individuals launch their careers in education.
“I love getting to meet our students and their families,” he said. “MCC has so many great programs to support students in education, including a great early childhood education scholarship program that enables students to enter a vital field for our community.”