Commencement Speaker
Renowned Grammy® -nominated jazz saxophonist, composer, and professor Dr. Jimmy Greene will be the 2022 Commencement speaker. Dr. Greene is co-coordinator of Jazz Studies and associate professor of music at Western Connecticut State University and was awarded a 2013 Outstanding Faculty Award for his efforts. Prior to his WCSU appointment, Dr. Greene taught at the University of Manitoba, SUNY Purchase, and the University of Hartford Hartt School of Music. Dr. Greene has given clinics and master classes throughout the United States, Canada, Brazil, Israel, and Russia. Three of his former students have been named semi-finalists in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition and 18 student musicians and small ensembles under Dr. Greene’s direction have won DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards.
Two of his prior albums, Beautiful Life and Flowers: Beautiful Life Vol. 2 (both released by the Mack Avenue label) are celebrations of the life of his 6-year old daughter, Ana Márquez-Greene, whose life was tragically taken in December 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Beautiful Life garnered two Grammy® nominations, one for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and one for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for Greene’s song “When I Come Home.” Greene has performed selections from the album on CBS This Morning, NBC’s The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, and the nationally syndicated Meredith Vieira Show. His previous solo releases were also met with much critical acclaim.
Dr. Greene and his groups perform regularly in jazz venues, festivals and clubs worldwide. He has also performed and presented in churches, faith-based conferences, mental health conferences, and arts symposiums throughout the United States and Canada.
In addition to his recordings and appearances as a leader, Dr. Greene appears on over 75 albums as a sideman and has toured and/or recorded with Horace Silver, Ron Carter, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Harry Connick, Jr., Avishai Cohen, Kenny Barron, Lewis Nash, Dee Dee Bridgewater, the New Jazz Composers Octet and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, among many others.
Dr. Jimmy Greene’s full bios may be found at http://www.jimmygreene.com and https://www.wcsu.edu/music/faculty/jimmy-greene/.
Student Singer, Speaker, & Poet
Regent – Student Speaker
Julia Noriega
J
ulia is a (soon-to-be) Middlesex Community College graduate with plans to transfer to a four-year university to study anthropology in the Fall of 2022. As the current president of the MxCC Student Senate as well as the chairperson of the Student Advisory Committee, Julia works with two amazing teams of student leaders. Before stepping into these roles, Julia was the vice president of the Student Senate and had reestablished a previously dormant club. As club president, she was also able to partner with a professor on campus to provide students with extra credit opportunities. In addition to this, Julia worked at the MxCC Academic Success Center as an English tutor providing guidance to students throughout the campus. Outside of school, Julia enjoys quilting, hiking, and antiquing. She is extremely interested in fashion and examples of her research into the topic were seen at the MxCC Convivium, where she presented as a member of the MxCC honors program.
When asked about her experience at Middlesex, Julia stated, “I am extremely excited to be starting a new chapter of life in the fall, but I am sad to be leaving Middlesex and the community that I have been able to build with the help of our students and staff. Without the help of the college’s former CEO and Student Activities director, I never would have been able to grow into the person I am today. To them and to everyone at the college, I say, thank you!”
Student Speaker
Maia Carpentino
Maia started her education journey at Middlesex Community College in the fall semester of 2020 and will be earning her associate degree in liberal arts and sciences this May. She will then continue her higher-education goals at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. Maia is seeking a career that encompasses her interests in environmental activism and public policy. During her time here at the college, she held positions within Student Senate and took a position as an English classroom assistant, peer-tutor in the Academic Success Center, and was an intern for the Connecticut General Assembly.
When asked about her college experience she stated, “My all-time favorite memory at Middlesex would probably be the time that Julia Noriega and I participated in an episode of the Middlesex Moments with former CEO Steven Minkler that highlighted the careers of some of the amazing women-representing leaders at Middlesex. However, altogether my entire experience at Middlesex will be a memory that I will cherish, as all my time here fostered my confidence as an academic, helped me build meaningful relationships with my professors and peers, and guided me towards success. I’m honored to represent the 2022 graduating class at Middlesex Community Commencement.”
Student Poet
Jacqueline Killelea
Jackie is a theatre major in her second year at Middlesex Community College. She started writing poetry in high school and has been hooked ever since. She’s released three collections of poetry since January 2020 and is continuing to write.
Student Singer
Christianna Collelo
Christianna Collelo has been studying and practicing music since the age of 3. She tours around the state singing as well as performing with her family’s dance studio, Polynesian Dance Company, Kaiholunuie (KPDC). She has sung the National Anthem at the Hartford Yard Goats in 2018 and 2019; she also professionally records music under the name, “Momi.” Christianna is a computer information technology major in her third semester at MxCC with an additional interest in audio and music production.
Graduate Information
Please see the 2022 Commencement – Graduate Guide
Graduate RSVP Form
Congratulations Class of 2022!
We look forward to celebrating all of your hard work and dedication, especially over this last year.
As we plan for graduation this year, we are asking graduates and potential graduates who have submitted an application to RSVP using the GRAD RSVP Form.
Please note, there will be a limit of 2 tickets per graduate for the Commencement ceremony.
Guests with a ticket will be provided with seating in the auditorium. Overflow seating is available in the gymnasium. Please see the Commencement Venue and Parking tab for more information.
For those not attending the ceremony, a live-stream link will be made available on this webpage the day of the event so that guests can watch at home.
Diplomas/Certificates
Diplomas/Certificates for Fall 2021 (if not already picked up) and Spring 2022 will be available for pick up immediately following the ceremony (cafeteria at Platt High School).
Summer completers Diploma/Certificate will not be available until September 2022, but will follow the below instructions to obtain the diploma/certificate. Graduates will be notified once diplomas arrive.
Graduates may arrange to pick up or request to mail the diploma/certificate. If you cannot come yourself and someone else is picking it up for you, we WILL NEED A WRITTEN NOTE WITH YOUR HAND-WRITTEN SIGNATURE IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT.
If you would like your diploma mailed to you, you can email your request along with your current mailing address from your college assigned email to Mx-Registar@mxcc.edu. You may also send a hand-signed note with your current address to 860-344-3055 or a picture of letter emailed to Mx-Registrar@mxcc.edu.
Please note, if you have any debts/holds on your account, you will not be able to obtain your official transcript or your diploma/certificate until you rectify the hold.
Office Hours for diploma pick-up are Monday & Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Tuesday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. No Appointment Needed, but please have a photo ID for verification.
If you need an Official Transcript, see instructions located at www.mxcc.edu/transcripts.
Graduate and Guest Parking
- Please see Commencement Venue and Parking Tab
Faculty and Staff Information
Please review the 2022 Commencement – Faculty and Staff Guide
Faculty and Staff are advised to park at
Wilcox Technical High School –
298 Oregon Rd, Meriden, CT 06451
A shuttle bus will bring faculty and staff to the front of the school, to the main entrance way. Shuttles will be available before and after the ceremony between 4:30-9:30 p.m.
Faculty and Staff Entrances
Faculty will enter through the front entrance of Platt High School.
Once inside, Faculty and Staff will be directed to the designated hallway (to the right of the auditorium) to prepare for graduation.
Commencement Volunteers will be available to assist with faculty and staff needs.
For more detailed information on line-up, processional and recessional, please see Commencement – Faculty and Staff Guide
Cap and Gown Pickup Days
Come celebrate with us as you get your cap and gown, Commencement tickets, and Grad Reader Card.
We will have food trucks, music, and a caricature artist. Graduates will also have an opportunity to take pictures with the CEO as well as use our selfie-stations.”
*IMPORTANT*
This will be the only opportunity for graduates to get their cap and gown, 2 guest tickets, as well as Grad Reader Card for the ceremony.
- May 24, 2022, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- May 25, 2022, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Please RSVP for the event using our GRAD RSVP Form
We look forward to seeing you.
Venue
O. H. Platt High School
220 Coe Avenue
Meriden, CT 06451
Driving Directions
https://www.platths.com/driving-directions/
From Middlesex Community College
- Start out going northwest on Training Hill Road toward Reservoir Road.
- Turn left onto Reservoir Road (Portions unpaved).
- Turn right onto Saybrook Road.
- Saybrook Road becomes E. Main St.
- Stay straight to go onto Main Street Ext.
- Main St. Ext. becomes Crescent St.
- Crescent St. becomes Main St.
- Turn left onto Washington St/CT-66. Continue to follow CT-66 W.
- CT-66 W is 0.1 miles past Court St.
- City of Middletown Fire Department is on the corner.
- If you reach Ferry St you’ve gone a little too far
- Take I-691 W toward Meriden.
- Take the Lewis Ave exit, EXIT 6, toward CT-71.
- Merge onto Lewis Ave. toward Forensic Science Lab.
- Lewis Ave. becomes Linsley Ave.
- Turn right onto Hanover St.
- Turn slight right onto Coe Ave.
- Orville H. Platt High School, 220 COE AVE. is on the left.
Parking
Graduates and guests are advised to park in the parking lot at Platt High School.
Off-site Parking available at Lincoln Middle School across the street.
A shuttle bus will bring graduates and guests to the front of the school, to the main entrance way. Shuttles will be available before and after the ceremony between 4:30-9:30 p.m.
Graduate and Guest Entrances
Graduates and Guests will enter through the front entrance of Platt High School:
Guest Seating
Guests with a ticket, will be provided with seating in the Auditorium. We are only able to provide each graduate with 2 tickets for auditorium seating.
Guests without a ticket, will be provided with seating in the gymnasium where the event will be streamed through projector and screen.
For those not attending the ceremony, a live-stream link will be made available on this webpage the day of the event.
Graduate Line-Up
Upon entering the auditorium, graduates are asked to proceed to the hallway to the left of the auditorium and start line-up by the Great Stair Case.
Graduates will need to bring the following items to the ceremony
- Dressed in their caps and gowns – (provided at pick-up Tuesday and Wednesday)
- Grad Name Cards (provided at pick-up Tuesday and Wednesday)
For more detailed information, please see Commencement Guide
Recognition 2022
Middlesex Community College would like to recognize and thank the faculty and staff who are retiring at the end of the academic year. They have contributed significantly to our college and have supported our faculty, staff, and students. Thank you for your years of service at MxCC!
Recognition
Linda Ansarra, M.B.A.
Since 2001, Linda has been a valued administrative assistant for Academic and Student Affairs. She is a source of extensive knowledge about policy and procedures and has helped many faculty, staff, and students. Even more, Linda has served on different committees and has provided support for student and faculty events, such as adjunct orientation, academic awards, and graduation. While at MxCC, Linda worked to receive her M.B.A. from Central Connecticut State University.
Lillian Baruffi, B.S.
Since 2016, Lil has been a dedicated administrative assistant to the Dean of Administration. She is especially known for being detailed oriented. She oversaw the professional development fund allocations and the college’s safety procedures; prepared the annual security reports; updated the college’s Emergency Action Plan; supervised the Information and Communication Center; and served on the Emergency Response Team. Lil has helped many students, faculty, and staff.
Paul Carmichael, Ph.D.
In 1998, Dr. Carmichael joined Middlesex Community College. As the Director of Institutional Research, Dr. Carmichael has prepared reports for faculty and staff to assist in their understanding of trends, enrollment, retention, and student success. He was also responsible for mandated college, state, and federal reporting. Dr. Carmichael sat on a variety of state-wide and college task forces and committees, such as NECHE, ATD, and the Academic Review Team. His work has been of great value to MxCC.
Peter Galgano, A.A.S.
As Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Peter has been instrumental with his work with the college’s veterans. He ensures that they have the needed resources and support for their college education and that they are recognized for their service and dedication. Peter was also instrumental in the founding of the OASIS Center—Operation Academic Support for Incoming Service Members. For his continued dedication to veterans, Peter has been honored in the community, including being inducted in the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
James Wyskiel, A.S.
Since 1995, Jimmy has been a vital member of Middlesex Community College. Starting as a lab assistant in Data Processing, Jimmy rose to network manager, server administrator, and CSCU/CT State Enterprise administrator. As technical lead, Jimmy ensures that the college’s infrastructure is functioning at all times. When there are outages, Jimmy is responsible for restoring the college’s networks. Many times, he has had to come to the campus on late nights and weekends to ensure our systems were up and running optimally.
Professors Emeriti
John Ambenge, Ph.D.
Since 2000, Professor Ambenge has taught sociology and anthropology both in person and online at MxCC. He has been serving as the discipline coordinator for sociology and anthropology. Throughout his tenure at MxCC, Professor Ambenge has served on many committees and task forces. Most recently, Professor Ambenge authored a textbook in the discipline of sociology.
Leonel Carmona, M.A.
Established in the Connecticut Community College System, Professor Carmona joined MxCC as a full-time math faculty member in 2015. Professor Carmona has taught a range of math courses and has been instrumental as a math coordinator in the revising of math curricula in alignment workgroups in recent years. Even more, Professor Carmona has served on numerous college-wide and state-wide committees representing the Math Department.
Donna Hylton, M.S., M.A.
Since 1997, Professor Hylton has been a member of the MxCC faculty. She is the program coordinator for Management Information Systems and Computer Information Technology. Professor Hylton has engaged in extensive program and certificate development and was instrumental in starting the Tech Center. Professor Hylton’s commitment to the community has won her awards and recognition, especially for her work introducing STEM to younger generations.
Rich Lenoce, M.S.
In 1993, Professor Lenoce started his tenure at MxCC. While he is a member of the faculty, Professor Lenoce has held several key roles, including his current one as coordinator of New Media Studies. Professor Lenoce has been instrumental in developing the programming to include a range of specialty certificates. Professor Lenoce oversaw a multimillion-dollar grant to develop the college’s Center for New Media, which has gained state-wide recognition.
Patty Raymond, M.S.
Coming from business and industry, Professor Raymond started as a full-time faculty member in the Business Department in 2006. Throughout her career at MxCC, Professor Raymond taught a range of business courses and held several roles, such as department chair, Center for Teaching Coordinator, and PTK advisor. She has fostered community partnerships and served on numerous committees, including state-wide ones.
Judy Wallace, D.P.T.
Since 2001, Professor Wallace has taught Anatomy and Physiology at MxCC. In addition to her role as a faculty member, Professor Wallace has served as the coordinator for radiologic technology and worked on the multi-million dollar grant to renovate the radiologic lab (School of Radiologic Technology) at Middlesex Health. Professor Wallace has served on many state-wide committees and has done extensive program development, including the post-primary certificates in CIT, MRI, and mammography.
Staff Emeriti
Emily Canto, M.Ed., Counselor Emerita
Since 1998, Emily has been a dedicated counselor in the Career Development and Counseling Center at MxCC. She has served on numerous college-wide and state-wide committees. Even more, she has developed extensive workshops for students and provided many presentations on important topics for faculty and staff. When needed, Emily has assumed different roles to support the college. More recently, Emily teaches College and Career Success and co-advises for the MxCC Honors Program. Most importantly, Emily has helped countless students.
Janet Klinck, B.S., Director of Student Activities Emerita
As director of Student Activities, Janet provided an enriching campus environment for students through her coordination of extensive events, clubs, activities, and presentations. To increase leadership opportunities for students, Janet served as the supervisor to the Student Senate. Especially during the last three years, Janet ensured that students had continued engagement by launching virtual activities to supplement the ones on ground, so all students had access and connection to MxCC campus life.
