MassBay Community College Annual Report 2022-2023

MassBay Alum Pursuing Her Degree at Wellesley College

Mena Fenwick received multiple honors at the 2023 MassBay Commencement ceremony, including the All-College Award for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, the All-Division Award for achieving the highest GPA in the Division of Business and Professional Studies, and the All-Program Award for having the highest GPA in the elementary education program. Mena graduated from MassBay on May 25, 2023, earning her Associate of Arts degree in elementary education. In September 2023, she commenced classes at Wellesley College, majoring in education. Her long-term goals include completing her bachelor’s degree at Wellesley College, pursuing a master’s degree, teaching special education at the middle school level, and eventually, actively participating in the reform of special education policies.

In September, MassBay elementary education alum ’23, Mena Fenwick of Natick, MA, began her studies in education at Wellesley College with the goal of earning her bachelor’s degree and eventually influencing special education policies.

mold, but we need to shift this perspective and advocate for policy changes that make education systems more adaptable to individual students so the institutions become student-ready themselves. I believe this approach will have the most significant impact on our youngest learners.” Mena began her studies at MassBay in the fall of 2021, consistently earning a place on the dean’s list every semester with a perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition to her academic pursuits and caring for her son, Elijah, Mena actively contributed to the campus community by serving as a peer mentor, held the role of secretary for the academic affairs committee within the Student Government Association, and acted as a student representative on MassBay’s teaching and learning committee to help inform the College’s next Strategic Plan and its New England Commission on Higher Education accreditation self-study. She was inducted as a member of both the Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta National Honor Societies.

Mena has a deep love for teaching and working with children who have special needs and who are on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). “I want to contribute to the development of policies that promote inclusive practices for all students, particularly those children on IEPs. It’s important to me to remove barriers and meet special education students where they are so they can be included and supported in a way that helps them grow and learn. I passionately believe every child deserves to have the tools to learn and advance in our education system,” Mena said. “My five-year-old son is on an IEP, and I am his strongest advocate, ensuring that he has what he needs to be successful. Not all parents have a background in this field or know how to advocate effectively for their kids. This issue is one in which I’d like to get involved to make a difference and bring about positive change. Unfortunately, there is a prevailing notion that children must fit into a certain learning

“I came to MassBay and found a welcoming community here. I loved every second of my time at the College. I’m passionate about studying education and following my chosen career path. I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter of my story at Wellesley College.” – Mena Fenwick

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