MCC’s Orientation Leaders Help Set Up New Students for Success

To prepare for the Fall 2026 semester, Middlesex Community College hosted orientation leader (OL) training sessions on Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14, on the Lowell and Bedford campuses. OLs are MCC students or recent alumni who guide incoming students in the early stages of their academic journeys.

“I decided to become an OL because I wanted to help first-year students who may feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do when starting college, just as I once did,” said Ratheksuchen Dy, a mechanical engineering student from Lowell. “These experiences help us become more comfortable with college life and familiarize us with the resources, materials, and support services available at MCC.”

A valuable resource for incoming students, OLs are available to answer questions and offer tips for navigating the college experience. Dy and other OLs lead campus building tours, teach new students how to use the MCC mobile app, and more. Based on their own experiences, OLs provide real-world advice based on their own experiences at MCC.

“I've seen over the past semesters how OLs and the students they help learn from each other,” said Molly Anderson, a 2025 MCC graduate and OL from Lowell. “I always want to help others feel a connection to MCC, and I find that no matter what someone's position is – or whether they have been somewhere one day, one year, or 10 years – we can all learn from each other.”

The OL program is run by MCC’s Office for Student Engagement. During the pre-semester training sessions, staff help OLs to build their confidence, review problem-solving strategies, and learn to lead group discussions, according to Linda Thiem, MCC’s Coordinator of Student Engagement & Multicultural Programming.

“MCC’s OLs play a critical role in shaping the student experience from the start by serving as ambassadors who help create a welcoming environment for new students and families,” Thiem said.“OLs build key skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership, often continuing into additional campus leadership roles while gaining career-ready experience.”

During these training sessions, OLs also prepare for new students’ arrival through activities such as campus scavenger hunts, mock phone calls, team-building exercises and more. OLs learn all details about MCC, including the resources available, to prepare for any questions incoming students may have during their MCC experience.

“OLs are the bridge between staff & faculty and students,” Anderson said. “As uncomfortable as conversing with strangers and taking the stage can be, it is vital to being an OL and helps with other aspects of life too. I found practicing the icebreakers the most helpful, as I got to know my peers better and became more comfortable leading others.”

Through MCC’s Orientation Plus program, new students can connect with campus resources, faculty and staff, and other students. By completing coursework and an online, self-paced orientation module, they prepare to manage their coursework during the semester.

“Orientation programs make it easier for us to succeed both academically and personally,” Dy said. “Being able to complete important tasks like technology setup and tuition payments while also making new friends and building connections helped me feel more confident on my first day of school.”

Part of Orientation Plus, the First Year Experience (FYE) introduces students to valuable skills and resources to help them do well in college and get on track to a path toward academic and career success.

Learn more about Orientation Plus.