MCC Offers Business Student a Strong Foundation

Widlyne Dupont, of Lowell, has a passion for business. Starting her first business at 17 in modeling, she has already explored different paths – from cosmetology to baking, photography to decorating. After taking two years off from school, she decided to study business administration at Middlesex Community College. Dupont’s goal is to hone professional skills as she works toward becoming a successful entrepreneur.

“I wanted to continue my education without having to put my businesses and professional responsibilities on hold,” Dupont said. “MCC gave me the flexibility to balance school, work and entrepreneurship while continuing to make academic progress. I also wanted to be in an environment where I could connect what I was learning in the classroom with real-world experiences.”

During her time off from school, Dupont focused on developing professional skills while working on a variety of projects. Interested in problem solving and collaborating with others, she feels she can apply her previous experiences to her classes at Middlesex. MCC has taught her how to better communicate, ask more in-depth questions, and think deeper about her career while increasing her confidence.

At Middlesex, Dupont also enjoys learning about the options available to her on the business administration path, including entrepreneurship, management, operations, finance, accounting and human resources. This helps her build a plan for what type of career she wants to pursue. In addition to earning a degree, she feels she is developing skills to make strong decisions and manage businesses at MCC.

“My experience at MCC has been very meaningful,” Dupont said. “I have grown academically, but I have also grown in the way I think about my future. My classes, conversations with professors, and opportunities outside the classroom have helped me better understand myself as both a student and a future business professional.”

One of the faculty members who has made a positive impact on Dupont is Ashli Ree, MCC’s Business Professor and Fashion Merchandising Program Coordinator. Ree encourages Dupont to think about business beyond the classroom. Dupont also credits Ree for providing opportunities to discover the different subjects of business without feeling pressured to focus on one at this point in her academic path.

As part of MCC’s business administration program, Dupont participated in career exploration experiences Ree created to help students learn about real-world work environments. In the summer of 2026, Dupont visited Northern Bank where she heard from professionals on their perspectives and journeys in the field. She also went to Fenway Park to learn more about the hospitality industry.

“I value these experiences because they allow me to meet professionals, observe business environments firsthand, and learn outside the traditional classroom setting,” Dupont said. “I enjoy meeting people from different areas of business and learning how they built their careers, which is why these opportunities are so valuable to me.”

Wanting to continue her education after graduating, Dupont’s plan is to combine the “strong foundation” she developed at MCC with the opportunities she experienced in the business world. Understanding the value of always learning and growing, she remains open to new experiences and hopes to build businesses that help others.

“I want to build something meaningful and become an entrepreneur whose journey can inspire young people to believe in their own potential,” she said. “One of the biggest lessons I have taken from my experience at MCC is my path may not always be straight, but every experience can teach me something and help me move closer to where I want to go.”