Middlesex Community College hosted a graduation ceremony for students who completed the Prepare to Attend College (PAC) Level One and Level Two programs on Friday, March 27. The event offered graduates the opportunity to share what they learned in the program, receive certificates, and celebrate their achievements.
“I want to express my gratitude to Middlesex Community College and the PAC program for giving me this opportunity to study and grow,” said Sovitia Chey, an MCC PAC Two student from Cambodia who now lives in Lowell. “Education is the key to a future, and learning English will open many doors for me.”
In addition to Chey, Tetiana Sydorchuk also spoke during the ceremony. A PAC One student from Ukraine who now lives in Billerica, she shared her gratitude for MCC’s PAC program and excitement for her career.
“Middlesex has been a very good experience for me, and I plan to continue studying here,” Sydorchuk said. “Thank you to my teachers and classmates for helping me learn English. In the future, I hope to speak English very well and work as a nurse in the United States.”
MCC’s PAC program is part of MCC’s English Learner Institute (ELI), which offers students the opportunity to improve their English skills. During the Spring 2026 session, MCC graduated 49 students from 22 countries – 19 from PAC One and 30 from PAC Two. Countries included Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guinea, Haiti, India, Morocco, Peru, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
During the graduation ceremony, students shared their appreciation for MCC instructors, support services and peers. This includes PAC program instructor Faithe MacElliot who introduced them to MCC’s student support resources, such as the campus food pantries, libraries, and the Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE) for additional English practice and tutoring.
“We want students to feel ready to move forward with confidence,” MacElliot said. “The PAC program is a launch point for newcomers to study English in a supportive environment. Along with improving their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, the camaraderie they share with each other builds. Lifelong friendships develop. That’s important so they don’t feel isolated as a new student might.”
PAC program classes are a bridge for non-native English speakers who often enroll in credit classes at Middlesex. Many of this year’s graduates spoke about continuing their education at the college, according to Judy Burke, MCC’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Workforce Development.
“We are so proud of our graduates on completing their program and improving their English communication skills,” Burke said. “MCC’s PAC program is an excellent way for students to prepare for their next steps at Middlesex. With a variety of options designed to meet their needs, they can now continue to work toward their goals to learn a new skill or advance in their career.”
Offered twice a year in the fall and spring, each session lasts eight weeks. The program is free, flexible and split into two levels based on an assessment. The next 2026 PAC program will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from September 14 to November 6.