Middlesex Community College is excited to announce Jenna Hurd as the Director of On-Campus and Historic Home Events. After coming to Middlesex as an intern for the Office of Student Engagement in 2015, she worked as MCC’s Assistant Director of Admissions since 2016. In her new role with the college, she looks forward to expanding on her experience collaborating with community members and planning events.
“This role has let me dive into some of my favorite parts of my previous role and continue to build relationships across campus and in the greater Middlesex community,” Hurd said. “I knew from my first day stepping on campus I wanted to spend my entire career at MCC. This new position gave me an opportunity to grow within a place I have loved for over a decade.”
During her undergraduate studies, Hurd took an event planning elective course that inspired her interest in navigating creative and organizational challenges. Now in her new role, she enjoys using her strengths to create fun and meaningful projects, while paying attention to details and staying true to the goal of the event.
Hurd is the point of contact for community members hosting events on the college’s campuses. Assisting MCC in holding larger events, she has helped plan the recent 55th anniversary celebration and ribbon cuttings. She also supports the college in coordinating off-campus community events.
“As a community college, part of our mission is to support the communities we serve,” Hurd said. “MCC values our community partnerships and has a record of being an incredible space for our community members to gather.”
As part of her role, Hurd also plans events held at the Nesmith House. Owned by the Middlesex Community College Foundation, the historic home features period furnishings and a full professional kitchen. The home is available to rent for special events and community meetings. Each rental of the property supports MCC student scholarships, which allows the college the funds and flexibility to further the mission of providing accessible education to all students.
“The Nesmith House is such a beautiful gem in Lowell, and I am grateful for the opportunity to care for such a gorgeous and historical site,” Hurd said. “I love hosting MCC students, staff and faculty and sharing the space with our community. I am excited to carry on the traditions of the Nesmith House while also being open to opportunities to grow and support the ever-evolving needs of the college and greater community.”
Hurd received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in communications and sociology. Continuing her education at UMass Lowell (UML), she earned a master’s in community social psychology and is now working toward a graduate certificate in higher education leadership from UMass Amherst.
A first-generation student, Hurd was drawn to working at MCC because of her experience trying to understand higher education processes on her own. After attending an alumni panel at UML, Hurd heard firsthand from a former MCC employee who highlighted the support and resources offered to students at the community college.
“I left that panel determined to be part of the excitement and passion she shared about her work,” she said. “I can say from experience, she did not oversell MCC. I cannot imagine working anywhere else. I have never worked at a place with so many people who love the work they do. I am so grateful to be surrounded by colleagues who truly believe in the mission of the college and work so hard to serve our students and the community.”