Diamond Tin, from Cambodia and now living in Lowell, has been named to the Middlesex Community College Board of Trustees for the 2024-2025 academic year as Student Trustee. In his role, the business entrepreneurship student wants to use his passion for advocacy and leadership to be a powerful voice for his classmates.
“It feels incredibly rewarding and exciting to be named Student Trustee as it’s a unique opportunity to represent fellow students and have a direct impact on important decisions that affect our school community,” Tin said. “I’m honored to have been chosen for this responsibility and am eager to contribute positively and work collaboratively with administration to implement effective changes that benefit students and shape their educational journeys.”
Tin’s goals as Student Trustee align with the mission of the college, which is to provide access to equitable opportunities to all students. He hopes to offer more mental health and academic support, improve communication between students and the community, and listen to his peers’ when making decision.
In Spring 2024, Tin was awarded a scholarship from the Cummings Foundation to help him launch his business idea. The scholarship is part of a $100,000 grant the Foundation gave to Middlesex in 2021. Grant funding supports students, such as Tin, who are completing MCC’s entrepreneurship certificate or associate degree and have a business idea they want to launch in the future.
“Receiving the Cummings Scholarship means so much, not just for myself, but also for my family, as it helps lower the cost of school tuition, as well as my living expenses,” Tin said. “My business pitch for this scholarship was about an Escape Room project that I'm currently working on with my cousin to be open in Cambodia.”
“It feels incredibly rewarding and exciting to be named Student Trustee as it’s a unique opportunity to represent fellow students and have a direct impact on important decisions that affect our school community.” - Diamond Tin
Inspiration to become a business owner comes from his parents and grandparents, who he calls his role models and motivation. Tin is also grateful to Stacie Hargis, MCC’s Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator, for her support in his entrepreneurship classes.
In pushing him to work outside of his comfort zone, Hargis motivates Tin by reminding him of his passion for business and pursuing a career he loves. Now entering his third semester at MCC, he feels excited about going to class every day, engaging in discussions, and helping his classmates.
MCC has been a “welcoming space” for Tin since he started, leading him to be less nervous about exploring his new area and happy to try different experiences. This includes participating in activities and events around the college community. A peer mentor for MCC’s Success Scholars Program, Tin is the Vice President for the International Student Club and a member of the Asian Students in Alliance (A.S.I.A.) Club.
“I strive for the best, not just academically, but also to be involved in school activities as much as possible where I can gain a lot of experience along the way that is good for my resume as well,” Tin said. “I define myself as an outgoing person, but also diverse, which leads me to participate in so many clubs to get to know a variety of new things and make so many friends throughout my life.”
Looking ahead to after he graduates from Middlesex, he has many different business ideas for the future and is focused on his education. Planning to transfer to a four-year school to earn his bachelor’s degree, he hopes to one day earn a master’s in business from Harvard Business school and “achieve this wonderful dream of mine.”
“I’m always brainstorming about my business ideas and opening them in the United States,” he said. “I would like to work in a company to strengthen my ability as an entrepreneur and gather experience as I go onward in life."