MCC President Phil Sisson and UML's Dr. Robert Forrant Receive Patrick J. Mogan Learning City Awards

On Monday, October 19, Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson and UMass Lowell history professor Dr. Robert Forrant received Patrick J. Mogan Learning City Awards. The event was held at the college’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center. Moderated by Lura Smith, the honorees engaged in a fireside chat to discuss their long-standing, dedicated careers in education.

“Thank you to the Lowell City of Learning for the Patrick J. Mogan Learning City Award,” President Sisson said. “It is an honor to do what I do. I know the power of how education can change the trajectory of someone’s life, including improving the economic mobility for the communities we serve. Earning a degree makes a difference, they are still the currency of upward success in this country. Community colleges provide an education when students are ready, and we have provided lifelong learning for generations. Our faculty are committed to working with every single learner who comes to the college with a variety of different needs. We are so grateful to be recognized for offering Lowell and our surrounding service areas with access to high-quality, accessible and affordable education that gets students into the workforce in more stable and higher paying roles, which ultimately transforms their lives for the better.”

Patrick J. Mogan Learning City Awards are presented each year to an individual, group or organization who represents, promotes and embodies Patrick J. Mogan’s values and beliefs about education, according to the Lowell City of Learning website. A former Superintendent of Lowell Public Schools, Mogan was viewed as “The Father of the Lowell National Historic Park.” Passionate about education and Lowell, he was an advocate for providing accessible and comprehensive education to the community.

In 2025, Lowell joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Global Network of Learning Cities. UNESCO Learning Cities are dynamic communities where learning is embedded in everyday life – across schools, workplaces, libraries, homes and public spaces.

UNESCO communities create opportunities for all – reskilling and upskilling workers to meet evolving job markets, providing literacy for those who missed out in early years, empowering citizens of all ages to navigate and shape the artificial intelligence (AI) era, and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets. Both President Sisson and Dr. Forrant were awarded by the Lowell City of Learning for their contributions to Lowell’s mission of providing all students with access to education and workforce opportunities.

Named the fifth president of MCC, President Sisson has over 30 years of exemplary college leadership experience. His passion for serving students and for the unique mission and transformative power of community colleges stems from working in leadership roles at Bristol Community College, the Community College of Rhode Island, and Cape Cod Community College.

President Sisson was a change agent and collaborative leader for 11 years as MCC’s Provost/Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. Helping establish and maintain innovative initiatives to better serve students, his focus was on student pathways and outcomes, workforce development, and community vibrancy.

Throughout his career, President Sisson has created opportunities for access, completion and equity for all students. His strategic vision, entrepreneurial leadership and open communication has fostered a community for all students to succeed. Under his leadership, Middlesex is the flagship community college in Massachusetts, and a pacesetter and leader of accessible education practices nationwide.

“Phil is first and foremost an educator,” said Patrick Cook, MCC’s Vice President of Administration. “With strategic vision, entrepreneurial leadership and open communication, he has committed his career to creating a community where all students are able to learn, grow and succeed. As President, Phil’s focus is on developing MCC as a pacesetter and leader of equitable education practices nationwide. Having worked with Phil for the past 15 years as a member of his leadership team during his presidency, I can firmly attest Phil is someone Patrick J. Mogan would have enjoyed having robust, thought-provoking and innovative discussions with about the state of education for our students.”