Emma Seymour, of Billerica, has been home schooled by her mother Wendy Seymour for the majority of her education. Through Dual Enrollment courses at Middlesex Community College, the 16-year-old is earning college credit and enjoying being able to go to school. Taking classes alongside her daughter, Wendy is also exploring a variety of subjects and learning new skills.

“Middlesex works perfectly for me because it allows me to have the social aspect of public school while I am able to pick the timeline of my classes,” Emma said. “This means I can get the amount of sleep I need.”

Emma appreciates being able to ask her questions about what they are learning in class. In particular, the pair have enjoyed taking art classes together in both drawing and ceramics. For Wendy, the standouts of being in class are seeing her daughter’s skills improve and watching her meet new friends.

“We can already see the positive influence that MCC has had on Emma,” Wendy said. “Academically she is getting more than I can teach her, and she is gaining a level of maturity we hoped would come with her attending such a program. Again, it’s still new and there are many first-time experiences she is having, but it’s such a welcoming environment that we know we have made a good decision by her attending.”

The mother and daughter learned about MCC from a friend in their local archery club who had two children take classes at Middlesex. After researching options, the Seymours reached out to MCC and received help from the college’s Office of Admissions to go step-by-step through the Dual Enrollment process.

“I’m very happy that MCC exists. We are both learning and meeting new people. Best of all, I’m spending time with my daughter and watching her grow into an intelligent young woman. For me, I do not think I will ever be through. There are so many classes and I love to learn.” - Wendy Seymour, MCC Student

Calling MCC’s Assistant Director of Admissions Jenna Hurd “irreplaceable in this journey,” Emma and Wendy appreciate the people who assisted them in getting started at MCC. “All of our professors have been wonderful and the administrative staff that I have worked with are all patient and very informative,” Wendy said.

MCC is providing Emma with an opportunity to discover what she wants to pursue as she continues her academic path. With an interest in health-related fields, she is considering going into psychology, nursing, dermatology or physical therapy. For now, she is happy to explore different subjects and work on earning an associate degree at Middlesex before transferring to a four-year school.

“MCC will help me get college credits and will eventually help me to discover what I would like to major in,” Emma said. “My experience has been pleasant so far and I have learned a lot.”

Wendy is also glad to take classes that interest her. While an English class has helped her write well-structured and informative essays, art classes have led to a new passion for ceramics. She is already looking ahead to the different STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) options that are available as well.

For both of the Seymours, MCC “has helped fill a need we have,” Wendy said.

“I’m very happy that MCC exists,” Wendy said. “We are both learning and meeting new people. Best of all, I’m spending time with my daughter and watching her grow into an intelligent young woman. For me, I do not think I will ever be through. There are so many classes and I love to learn.”