Student Success Story: MCC is Shay Smith’s College of Choice
Photo credit: Sarah Moss,
Live Wire Assistant Editor
Shay Smith really did not want to go to a community college.
Last year when her friends were off to four-year schools and dorm life, her plan was to join them as soon as possible. That plan changed after a very short time at Manchester Community College.
Smith had been accepted by the University of Hartford, but the private college was out of her price range. Thanks to MCC and a work-study job in the Fitness Center, the 2013 Suffield High graduate was able to find her academic home. “Once I came here, I saw that it’s really like a big community – everyone helps each other here, so I feel more comfortable,” Smith said.
Before coming to MCC, Smith had never held a structured job or even been on a job interview. She learned how to write her first resume through the college website. In addition, her initial supervisor, then Assistant Director of Fitness Joanne Britton, was more of a mentor than a boss.
“Joanne has played a really big role in my college life and not just for work,” said Smith.
“After I did the interview and got the job, she later told me that not all work-study advisors interview students. She thought the experience of going through an interview was important, though, and she was right. I learned a lot from it.”
Britton, who has since moved on to a position as MCC enrollment services coordinator, had a good feeling about the prospective employee and witnessed Smith’s confidence and maturity levels spike almost immediately.
“Shay has shown a lot of growth in personal confidence and job competence,” Britton said. “She understands the importance of her work and she completes it with pride. She is a great team player.”
As the first member of her family to go straight to college, Smith struggled in high school academically, but has developed strong study habits while attending MCC, thanks in part to Communication Professor Rebecca Townsend, who has provided her with many of the tools for success.
“I didn’t know how to study,” Smith said. “I didn’t do well in high school and I think if I had gone straight to a four-year college, I wouldn’t have done well. Here at MCC there are smaller class sizes, so the teachers are able to interact with almost every student. And with work study, I was actually able to get a job as well as go to school because it’s easier to balance since I’m here already.”
Smith continues to work at the Fitness Center under the guidance of her new supervisor, Instructor Allison MacKenzie and, although she is busy with her studies, Smith still finds time to volunteer at college activities, such as Evening of Fine Wines, MCC’s largest annual fundraiser. She is also currently on the dean’s list with a 3.4 GPA.
“The MCC Fitness Center has undergone quite a few changes this past semester in leadership, policies and hours,” MacKenzie noted. “Shay has maintained a positive attitude to her peers, our patrons and her supervisors throughout these changes and has been a wonderful employee during this transition.”
Smith is committed to earning an associate degree at MCC. If it were possible, she would stay on for a bachelor’s degree. The community college Smith didn’t want to attend has become her college of choice.
She is on target to graduate from MCC in 2015 and plans on continuing her education at CCSU or UConn.
