In December 2024, QCC Dean of Math, Science & Engineering Ben Benton and Dean of Business, Computing & Applied Technologies Shunda Ware announced that 31 individual QCC students were recognized as STEM Students of the Fall 2024 Semester and an additional 13 STEM students were recognized with a Teamwork award. We are pleased to share the stories of 13 of these students on their journeys to achieving student success this month. Congratulations to all!
Students Receiving Individual Recognition
Anhelina Martseniuk - selected by Chemistry Professor Hirul Patel, who wrote, “Anhelina is dedicated to her career and education. She goes above and beyond to understand the material. She is hardworking and punctual. She maintains good relationships with fellow students.”
Anhelina shared, "I moved to Worcester from Ukraine in June 2022, forced to leave behind my family, my home, and even find new homes for my pets due to the war in my country. It was a difficult decision to leave everything I knew, but with the support of my husband, we made the choice to start fresh here together. Within weeks, I was actively seeking educational opportunities and striving to build a new foundation for myself. A few months after arriving, I enrolled in my first degree program, followed by an online nutrition program at Cornell. Shortly thereafter, I began studying at Quinsigamond Community College. As I prepared for my first semester, I had to let go of all my expectations. I was in a new country, English was my second language, I was studying an exact science, working full-time, and navigating an American college for the first time. I was scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up. At the time, I told myself that a “C” would be enough. To my surprise, I earned an “A” in my first semester—and then another in my second and third.
Now, I’m incredibly proud to be nominated as a STEM student of the semester for Fall 2024. Moments like these, when you surpass your own expectations, instill a belief in yourself and your abilities. My journey hasn’t been easy. I grew up in a poor family in Ukraine, without a father (he passed away when I was just 3), and my mother—who was my rock—couldn’t afford to send me to school beyond the basics. I graduated from an ordinary school and a modest university, but it was in these challenges that I found my resilience. My determination and assertiveness helped me move to a bigger city, build a successful career in business, and eventually head an international department at just 23. When my life seemed stable, I was faced with two profound challenges: the death of my mother and the war in Ukraine. But again, my perseverance carried me through. I moved to the United States and decided to radically change my career path to become a naturopathic doctor. I am deeply grateful to the professors at QCC for their guidance, knowledge, and the opportunities they’ve given me to pursue my dreams. This journey has taught me more than I could have imagined. I’m excited for what the future holds and determined to keep moving forward.”
Cevin Nakanwagi - selected by Engineering / Biomedical Engineering Professor Dadbeh Bigonahy, who wrote, “Cevin is in Engineering. She is intelligent, active, hardworking, motivated, well-disciplined, conscientious, polite, dedicated and a considerate student.”
Cevin wrote, “I chose to enroll at QCC after hearing nothing but praise from peers and colleagues who have walked the same path. The flexibility of the program, allowing me to balance my full-time career with my education, made it an easy decision. More than that, the quality of education is unparalleled, and the cost is incredibly reasonable, especially for someone like me who’s working full-time to support myself while striving to reach new heights in my career. Civil engineering has always captured my interest, and it was a natural progression for me. As a professional land surveyor, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the intricacies of the built environment. Working at an engineering firm has only fueled my desire to expand my skill set and contribute to the industry in a more significant way. There’s something immensely satisfying about witnessing a project evolve from initial concepts to the finished product, and I want to be an integral part of that journey. The chance to help shape and create something that will stand the test of time excites me. My ultimate career goal is to become a certified engineer and, in the future, lead my own engineering firm. I aspire to specialize in structural design and large-scale public works projects, taking on challenges that not only advance my career but contribute meaningfully to the world around me. When I’m not immersed in my studies or work, I’m always seeking new adventures and experiences, whether that means traveling to explore new places or simply relaxing with a cozy blanket, enjoying Netflix on a chilly day. There's always a balance to be found between pushing forward and taking time to unwind, and I value both."
Derrick Oppong - selected by Physics Professor Anita Soracco, who wrote, “Derrick is a very strong student academically, but what is most impressive is his work ethic and drive. He shows up to every class on time, focused and ready to work. Even after he finishes his physics labs, he stays to help other groups with any struggles they are having. Derrick's work is always on time and done to the highest quality. Derrick is also very polite, respectful and courteous, not only of faculty members, but also of his peers. Derrick will be a huge success as an engineer, which relies on teamwork and problem solving.”
Derrick wrote, "I personally chose to enroll in QCC because I was uncertain about what I initially wanted to do in college or where I wanted to go. I enrolled with the hope of gaining a better understanding of college and discovering what I wanted to pursue, which ultimately led me to develop a passion for engineering. I have always been an analytical person, and problem-solving is something I enjoy. Math and science have always been my favorite subjects, thanks to wonderful teachers like Professor Soracco. I aspire to work in an industry that allows me to demonstrate my problem-solving skills. I also aspire to have a loving and supportive family. In my free time, I enjoy being social and active, whether that's playing sports with friends, going to the gym with them, or simply having conversations."
Elena Espinoza-Chavez - selected by Biology Professor Donald Buell, who shared, “Elena Espinoza totally exemplifies the extra effort, care and determination that our students who are attending QCC to pursue a health career later in life have to demonstrate. Elena enrolled in my Introductory BIO 101 class with high expectations and enthusiasm. She found out that coursework would be a lot more difficult than she anticipated. Elena struggled to get the grades she wanted so she increased her persistence by remediating exams, doing her labs and homework in such detail it was incredible! She at times overwhelmed herself with such detail that made it difficult for her to master the curriculum, but still she persisted. She passed the 'Buell challenge' and arrived at my Anatomy & Physiology course because she knew I would challenge her and help her learn as much as she could. Again, she earned a grade that was a little below her goal, so she retook the course over the summer and earned the required grade for her nursing career path. I was so pleased to hear her accomplishment! Elena, again, enrolled in my BIO 112 AP II course because she said 'she would follow me anywhere to get the best education and challenge from 'Prof B.' I totally feel that Elena deserves serious consideration for STEM student of the month as she is compassionate, resilient, hard-working and determined to be a nurse. I am so proud of her!”
Elena shared, “Growing up in Mexico, I was often told that only smart, wealthy and beautiful girls had access to education. At the age of 14, my life took a significant turn when my parents divorced, and I became the primary caregiver for my six younger siblings, the youngest being two years old and the oldest 12. I left school to take on this responsibility, working to provide for their basic needs while my parents remarried and moved on with their lives. My mother relocated to Los Angeles, leaving us behind. Although education was always a dream of mine, I believed it was unattainable. At 22, my mother brought us to Los Angeles, where we helped care for her new family. Shortly after, I met my future husband and married. By the age of 24, I had my first child, and five years later, my second. Like my parents, I experienced divorce, but unlike them, my children remained my top priority.
For the next 30 years, I focused solely on raising my children, putting aside my dreams of education. When my daughter began college, I started to reconsider my own aspirations. Despite my age, my children encouraged me to pursue my goals. I began by completing HiSET classes and eventually enrolled at Quinsigamond Community College. I still vividly remember my first day of college. Overwhelmed with emotion, I cried, and my professor showed incredible compassion. Since then, nothing has stopped me. My children are now independent, and I have made my education my priority. QCC has become my second home, where I spend countless hours in the library studying. Although the material is challenging and new to me, I am deeply passionate about learning and grateful for this opportunity.
I am passionate about nursing. From a young age, I was placed in situations that required me to care for others, often putting my own needs last. These experiences allowed me to develop essential skills for nursing, including empathy, compassion, and resilience. I treat everyone with respect and care, regardless of their age, race or economic status.
Currently, I work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and my colleagues and patients often tell me I have natural skills and qualities that would make me an excellent nurse. Their encouragement, combined with my love for helping others, motivates me to pursue this career path and continue to grow in this field. My current goal is to become a registered nurse. In my free time, I enjoy sewing, spending time outdoors, camping, surfing, and cooking. While I find reading enjoyable, it also makes me feel anxious, but I challenge myself to continue improving."
Eric Anderson- selected by IT Professor Robert Knox, who wrote, “Eric is one of the most knowledgeable students it has been my pleasure to instruct. The fact that he maintains a high GPA and perfect attendance, only provides a portion of his credentials for selection. His laboratory work and in-class interactions are always peppered with extra bits of knowledge, insights and even a few suggestions for improvement, which I gratefully accept. He is quick to share assistance and tips with other students and responds well to their inquiries. My hope is to get him certifications and get him to a four-year program where he will undoubtedly excel.”
Eric wrote, “I enrolled at QCC for a few reasons. First, the Mass Reconnect program seemed perfect for me. QCC is also fairly local to me, and I know multiple people who took classes here over the years. Finally, the cybersecurity program seemed well thought out and aligned with my goals. The area of cybersecurity interests me because I feel it’s a field that will only continue to grow over time. I find things like malware analysis and the backend programming side of cybersecurity to be the most interesting; but the field as a whole has a lot of fascinating aspects I’m learning. For career aspirations, I hope to find employment out of college that will allow me to support my family while also continuing my post-QCC education. Finally, for fun I often keep it low tech. I enjoy hiking and board games as a getaway from all the computers and technology I work with day-to-day."
Jeremy Lartey - selected by Chemistry / Pre-Pharmacy Professor Dilip Patel, who wrote, “Jeremy is a diligent Pre-Pharmacy major who consistently performs well. He has a calm demeanor and is always willing to help his classmates. Jeremy is regular and punctual in his work."
Jeremy shared, “What led me to enroll at QCC was that I was at a crossroad when I did not know if I should stick to the major I was doing or change. I first went to UMass Boston for Business and I had struggled a little bit due to Covid. I took a break from school and I had to decide if this was the career I wanted to pursue. I decided to come to QCC because it was cheaper and changed my major to pre-pharmacy. I have not looked back since. My area of study is pre-pharmacy because I love to help others, and I would be able to interact with a large range of people. My career aspiration is that after becoming a pharmacist and working hard for many years, I will start my own pharmacy in Ghana.”
Joeun Yang - selected by Mathematics Professor Elena Fenici, who wrote, “Joeun is a top student in our Diff. Eq. class. He is smart, hard working and invested in his education. He completes all assignments in time and with the details needed to prove that he mastered the concepts. He is also tutoring in the Tutoring Center and in two of my corequisite courses. As an embedded tutor, he is very patient with the students and does his best to help them. He has a great rapport with them and they never hesitate to ask him for help. I have known Joeun for a while now, a few semesters ago he was a student in our Calculus 2 course and I am glad to see his progress and witness his consistency throughout all his courses. I am proud to see students who like math and are good at it sharing their knowledge with others. It is a great opportunity to give back to the community, and that is what Joeun does.”
Joeun wrote, “I chose Quinsigamond Community College because it offered an affordable pathway for an international student like me to study in the U.S. I'm currently studying Electrical Engineering, driven by my fascination with small electronic devices and a strong interest in math and physics. My career goal is to work in the tech industry, focusing on IC chip design and semiconductor manufacturing. I aspire to one day start my own company in this field. In my free time, I enjoy reading articles and watching videos about science and engineering. It's incredibly motivating to see how innovative ideas can be transformed into tangible technologies that have a real impact on our world. QCC has been instrumental in helping me pursue my ambitions in the technology sector.”
Kathiria Rivera - selected by Biology Professor Elizabeth DiLoreto, who wrote, “Kat has been a solid student throughout Anatomy and Physiology. She, like others in the course, came with health care experience and balances taking this course with employment and a family. Having class on Friday nights is never easy but Kat always is prepared. She is attentive during our five hour class. Kat has been performing well academically in this difficult course. Where she really shines is in the lab. She has come together with her lab group to be among the most productive in the course. They are always so encouraging to each other and Kat really seems like the glue for the group, providing key insights for their success. With Kat in this group, they would quiz each other on the material, taking extra time beyond the lab material to work on their learning. Kat has really been a star student and should be recognized for her diligent work.”
Kathiria shared, “I began taking classes at QCC fresh out of high school in 2013. In the beginning of the semester, I was certainly struggling. At that time, I did not have goals established yet I just knew that I wanted to graduate college. Luckily, with the unconditional support from my family and from all the faculty here at QCC which includes not only my professors but also Admissions, Advising and even the Financial Aid Department staff, I had career goals set. I was always reassured that I was running my own race so it did not stop me from taking two classes a semester to fit with my lifestyle. As I took more classes I realized how much I enjoyed taking college-level science classes, which soon became my favorite subject. I was able to graduate in 2021 with my associate in pre-pharmacy but that did not stop me. I was once told that the sky is the limit, so I shifted career goals and re-enrolled to QCC. Soon, I hope to land a position in healthcare/nurse management, over the years I’ve found that I am an innovative thinker and have learned with confidence that there are great things that come with change, especially in the healthcare business. Change often happens in our work and personal life, therefore, it should be celebrated to increase our faith, provide perspective, and provide the highest level of motivation. All these characteristics are what I hope to add in any healthcare setting when I reach my goal. Outside of reaching my goals, I like to spend my free time with my close family members which includes my fiancé, daughter, and bonus son. I enjoy gatherings with my friends, reading, researching, trying new restaurants, and traveling. As I end this summary about me, I’d like to leave you all with a quote that has always stuck with me. It reminds me to remain focused and determined as I hope it does for you. 'Hold the vision, Trust the process'- Hannah Dawson.”
Maria Snell - selected by IT Professor Gargi Chug, who wrote, “Maria is a great student, putting in a lot of effort and is a quick learner. She loves to figure things out and when she needs help, she would kindly ask. She is a perfect student to have in class.”
Maria shared, “As someone who was not able to complete high school, QCC gave me the opportunity to take classes in preparation for obtaining my high school equivalency diploma. From there, I was eager to keep learning. I applied and was accepted to QCC as a first-time college student! Quinsigamond Community College is close to home, affordable, and has encouraged me to believe in myself and work towards my academic and career goals. Though I have not determined the exact career I would like to pursue yet, I have a strong interest in the study of psychology. I am remaining open minded to other study fields of interest that may present themselves as I continue my academic journey. I am enjoying my classes and am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to pursue higher education through QCC.”
Quoc Huy Chuong Le – selected by Engineering/Biomedical Engineering Professor Dadbeh Bigonahy, who wrote, “Quoc is a Biomedical Engineering student. He is hardworking, motivated, polite, intelligent, active, well-disciplined, conscientious, considerate, and a dedicated student.”
Quoc shared, “I first learned about QCC when I took part in their Early College Program during high school. The supportive environment really made an impression on me and motivated me to continue my education here. Right now, I’m double majoring in engineering and biomedical engineering. While I’m still exploring which career path to pursue, I’m really drawn to electrical engineering. I believe QCC provides the perfect foundation to help me pursue that goal.”
STEM Teamwork Recognition: Students in Physics 101 Class
Physics Professor Andria Schwortz selected the students in her Physics 101 class for the STEM Teamwork Award.
“I have nominated my entire PHY 101-01 class for Fall 2024. This class of 13 students has shown incredible grit in pushing through on very hard material. They face challenges such as raising children, including a nephew and a grandchild, a death in the family, new and existing medical conditions and working full-time jobs. And yet they are sweet and kind both to each other and to me. They jumped into action when a failed demonstration led to me taking a small tumble. They take notes and photos for a classmate who can't make it to class. They help explain complex ideas to their peers during lectures, and work together to create polished lab reports. Their hard work coupled with their kindness will serve them well in their futures, whether moving on to MCPHS or Northeastern, whether looking for careers in computer science or environmental studies, or even if they are still undecided. I am pleased to nominate my whole PHY 101-01 class for the STEM Student of the Semester award,” said Schwortz
Several students from the class shared their stories.
Alana Purretta shared “I have always been interested in the medical field and wanting to help people above anything else. I specifically want to study sonography. I had trouble in high school deciding which career I ultimately wanted to pursue, but when my mom threw out the idea of sonography, I was immediately hooked. After researching nearby colleges, I knew QCC would be a great start to following my newfound interest.
I aspire to become a good leader in a professional environment that others look up to. Just working in a field that I'm passionate about would be enough of a reward for me. I strive to support patients and give them the answers they deserve in a healthy and safe manner.”
Danielle Weaver wrote “I spent years growing increasingly more upset and frustrated about the state of the environment, environmental law, and climate change so I decided I was going to go back to school and become a scientist so I could do something about it. I noticed that QCC had an Environmental Science program and that felt like the right first step. When I am done with my bachelor's I hope to work with the Massachusetts state government’s Environmental Justice branch. I am also entertaining the idea of going to law school because it has become clear to me that the best way to effect change is at the policy level.
Jazlynn Medero wrote “I enrolled in QCC to get great, affordable, nearby education and complete my associates degree, as well as transfer for my bachelor's degree when I graduate. I will be graduating as a biology major. I chose this major because life fascinates me, more specifically, animals. I aspire to one day get into vet school and become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. I like to do my makeup, puzzles, cook, and bake for fun.”
Monique Akeman wrote “After skipping my senior year of high school for college, I continued pursuing my college education down every turn life took me. I’ve adored using my business degree in various industries. During the pandemic, my cake business took a backseat. The pandemic battered the healthcare industry. I felt a call to expand my desire to help others with a medical degree. That’s when I knew QCC would be the road to my new goal. In my 5 years of being a driving educator, I’ve brought my degree and life experiences together in a way that has made me the most popular instructor amongst students. I’m passionate about my goal to bring these techniques to my career as an Ultrasound Technician so that I can continue to connect with patients in a way that brings them the same understanding and calm as my driving students. In my spare time I like to mix math and imagination by traveling the country running the tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons.