Posts published in “News”

A Double-Edged Sword

By editorialteam on October 21, 2023

Balancing the Benefits and Ethical Dilemmas of AI

By Kent Yang | Observer Contributor

Artificial Intelligence and applications of AI, such as Machine Learning, have ushered in a new era of technological advancement, transforming industries and enhancing our daily lives. However, this enhancement also comes with an ethical double-edged sword. While AI offers tremendous benefits, it also raises ethical concerns that demand thoughtful consideration.

AI technologies offer the potential to revolutionize the workplace by automating tasks, thereby enhancing efficiency, productivity, and reducing on-the-job injuries. However, this advancement also brings forth concerns related to job displacement. According to a report from the World Economic Forum, by the year 2025, AI may lead to the displacement of approximately 85 million jobs. But it’s also expected to create 97 million new roles as well, which perfectly illustrates the double-edged nature of AI’s impact on employment. read more

Reflecting on DEI Initiatives with Chief Diversity Executive Stephanie Williams

By editorialteam on October 18, 2023

‘The Need is Always Going to be There’

By Cody Nathanson | Assistant Editor

The Mount’s continued ambition to make students feel included and develop a sense of campus belonging is still an ongoing process. Like many colleges during COVID-19, MWCC followed in the greatly renewed wave of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives by hiring for a new position: Chief Diversity Executive. A position Stephanie Williams has held since April of 2022.

“When we’re talking about creating inclusive environments and breaking down systems that serve a dominant group and culture and not the rest, the need is always going to be there,” Williams explained. Her position provides a top-down oversight of MWCC’s policies and programs through the lens of DEIA principles, but when it comes to fostering a front-facing sense of belonging, it remains a part of a larger need. In a 2022 research survey, 64% of college students acknowledged their campus’ support of DEIA principles but shared the sentiment that there was still room for improvement. read more

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