Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “News”

Beyond He and She

By editorialteam on October 18, 2023

Accommodating Gender Pronoun Inclusivity and the Rising Enrollment of Trans and Nonbinary Students in Higher Education

By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

Across the United States, high school and college students are increasingly identifying as transgender or nonbinary, with studies revealing that approximately 2% of high school students and nearly 6% of college students fall somewhere within these identities. About 3% of students specify using pronouns that challenge the traditional binary perspective, like the singular “they/them” and “neopronouns”—a category of new pronouns such as “xe/xem” and “ze/zir” that are used in place of conventional identifiers. This increasing diversity in gender identity among students raises the question of how colleges and universities can effectively accommodate and promote inclusivity for individuals in these communities. read more

You Can’t Read That

By editorialteam on October 18, 2023

The Mount Explores the Controversy and Impact of Banned Books

By Katie Holgerson | Assistant Editor

On October 3rd, MWCC held a banned book event at the Brewer Center in the library, free for all students to attend. The event was organized by Michel Cocuzza, the Civic Engagement Coordinator; Shelley Nicholson, Director of the Brewer Center; and Robert Koch, Assistant Dean of Collaborative Learning Commons. A handful of students participated in the event, enjoying complimentary pizza and engaging in group discussion with their peers to help raise student awareness about the issue of banned books, as October 1 – 7, 2023 was Banned Books Week. Banned books are becoming a growing concern, as many schools in the U.S. continue to ban certain texts in their curriculums and libraries. One of the main reasons for this, Nicholson stated, is that these books are perceived to be “…counter to the ‘norm.’ To what society dictates is how they should be.” read more

Mountain Lions, Alpacas, and Reptiles! Oh my!

By editorialteam on October 18, 2023

Plainview Farms and Reptile Shows of New England Come to the Mount

By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

On September 21st, the Gardner campus of Mount Wachusett Community College buzzed with excitement as staff from Plain View Farm and Reptile Shows of New England paid a special visit, bringing along an array of animals from their respective facilities. From Plain View Farm, the campus had the pleasure of hosting two alpacas named Lily and Tiffany, as well as one llama by the name of Julia. And not to be forgotten were the reptiles represented by Reptile Shows of New England: a four-foot red iguana, a ball python, bearded dragons, and more. read more

Profile: Khygann Hobbs

By editorialteam on October 18, 2023

Student, Writer, Self-Advocate, Lover of Halloween

By Desiree Leader | Observer Contributor

Khygann Hobbs, a 23-year-old student from Holden, Massachusetts, studies professional writing at Mount Wachusett Community College. With an interest in creative writing, especially the horror genre, there are many things that set Hobbs apart from the average student—not the least of which is her candor regarding her journey with autism. Hobbs relays how neurodiversity need not hinder you from following your dreams and is a living example of what can be achieved with an incredible attitude, a supportive family, and a lot of hard work. read more

Student Enrollment: From ‘Empty Seats in Empty Classrooms’ to ‘Filling Up Fast’

By editorialteam on September 20, 2023

MWCC President Feeling ‘Optimistic’ After Uptick in Enrollment

By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

After a decade of precipitous declines in enrollment, Massachusetts community colleges are now poised to experience an enrollment resurgence, signaling the potential for positive developments in higher education institutions across the state. Mount Wachusett Community College, in particular, has already begun to see the results of this shift. “We put a budget together to be perhaps down 6%, and we’re up 12%,” explained MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “So it’s an 18% swing in our budget and 12% increase in students.” read more

Hello (and Hello Again)!

By editorialteam on September 20, 2023

Semester Kicks Off with Fall Fest Welcome Back BBQ

By Katie Holgerson | Assistant Editor

On Wednesday, September 13th, MWCC held the annual Welcome Back Fall Fest. Students gathered at the Gardner campus to meet their peers, pick up a free meal from the Green Street Cafe, explore student organizations, and enjoy live performers and other fun activities. This fair was organized by Student Life–including Kathleen Matson, who stated she helped spearhead the event “so students have an opportunity to check out the different student orgs.” Matson went on to describe some of the different festivities happening in the Student Center–including a performer, novelties, sequin pillows, sand art, henna tattoos, and face paintings. “We were supposed to have alpacas and reptiles for petting,” she stated, “but we canceled those because of the rain. But they’re coming next week instead so we can be outside.” read more

Massachusetts’ Response to Climate Change

By editorialteam on September 20, 2023

MWCC Professor and Microbiologist Discuss Global Warming

By Hallie Coulter | Observer Contributor and Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

Climate change is known to be one of the most important issues today. After years of industrialization, a growing population, and continuously burning fossil fuels, the earth has felt its effects. Fortunately, the state of Massachusetts and many of its residents have stepped up to do their part.

Heather Conn, the department Chair of Natural Science at Mount Wachusett Community College, shared that although she does not usually consider herself an activist, she believes that raising awareness about climate change, helping change others’ behaviors, and being mindful of the way we live our lives can go a long way toward slowing the effects of global warming . “We need to learn about modifying behaviors to slow it and live with it,” Conn explained. “It’s happening.” read more

Profile: Kerrie Griffin

By editorialteam on September 20, 2023

MWCC Professor Shares her Passion for Psychology

By Isabelle Mascary | Observer Contributor

Assistant Professor of Psychology & Human Services Kerrie Griffin has been teaching at the Mount since 2008. Her greatest passions involve socialization, advising, and helping her students grow, often drawing on her own experiences to do so.

Griffin attended the University of New Hampshire, where she obtained an undergraduate degree in psychology and a graduate degree in counseling. “I went back for a second degree because I was comfortable there and had such a great undergraduate experience,” she shared. read more

Review: AMC’s Interview with the Vampire

By editorialteam on September 20, 2023

The Perfect Gothic Drama to Sink Your Teeth Into This Fall

By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

Image copyright AMC Studios

AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire” is a sumptuous reimagining of Anne Rice’s timeless gothic novel by the same name. Laced with humor, irony, and creeping tension, complete with the representation of the inherent eroticism that any vampire narrative should have, “Interview with the Vampire” is many things, but perhaps most of all, it is a visceral exploration of immortality’s existential complexities. Directed by Rolin Jones, this series—originally released on AMC and its streaming platform in 2022—is currently available on Max until October 31, and it’s a perfect addition to any autumn watchlist. read more

Letter From the Editor

By editorialteam on May 18, 2023

Editor-in-Chief Isabelle Mascary Says Farewell

By Isabelle Mascary | Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Eclipse Boudoir

Who would have thought that a Haitian woman by the name of Isabelle Mascary from Dorchester would one day be editor-in-chief for her school newspaper? Definitely not me. I never thought of myself in a high regard, but my work speaks for itself. 

I’ve been writing since the 6th grade. My first poetic piece was called, “The World.” This piece was derived from a song I wrote, hoping to start a girl group. I digress; the assignment was a creative writing piece and it was entered into a contest by my teacher at the time, and the winners would have their piece published. As excited as I was, my parents didn’t share the excitement. I was always told a writing career is not a career because there is no money in it and I should focus on a more financially rewarding career such as an attorney, doctor, surgeon, psychology, or even nursing. read more