Faced with hardship, Springfield woman finds path to success at STCC
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Jenary Merced remains passionate about inspiring people who are considering becoming a student at Springfield Technical Community College.
An admissions counselor, Merced knows that applying to STCC is a life-changing decision for many people. It’s especially true for those who might be the first in their family to go to college or wonder how they can juggle being a parent and studying for exams.
Jenary Merced
Merced sees herself in many of the people she meets – and wants them to know they can be as successful as she was. But her journey to graduation wasn’t always easy.
“I was a first generation student,” Merced said. “I wanted to go to college, but it wasn’t an easy transition for me.”
She first enrolled at STCC in 2004, when her daughter was a month old. She dropped out three times before coming back to STCC as a single mother and domestic abuse survivor.
Merced found the campus community to be welcoming and willing to help each time she returned. Merced said she would not have been successful without a support network she found at STCC.
“I have a bright future, and I owe it all to my experiences here at STCC,” she said.
Merced also found support from one of STCC’s community partners, Dress For Success Western Massachusetts, an organization that offers women professional clothing, shoes and accessories so they can look and feel their best at job interviews. Dress for Success also helps women create resumes, write cover letters and offers tips on how to shine at interviews.
“I was an adult, but I didn’t know how to dress for an interview. I didn’t know a lot of things,” Merced said. “They helped me pick out a blouse, a blazer, some pants, some shoes and I even got a little purse to wear,” she said. “I got tips on how to wear hair, what nail polish to use, how to do your makeup and how that affects your interview. I walked out of there feeling like a million bucks.”
After studying at STCC, she went on to earn a bachelor’s from American International College and then a master’s degree from Fitchburg State University.
Today, she works at STCC as an admissions counselor. As part of her job, she participates in “Facebook Live” enrollment events and speaks to prospective students and answers questions. Merced also co-facilitates the “Roadmap to STCC” initiative (stcc.edu/apply/roadmap) with colleague Maria Fonseca, coordinator of Student Assessment. This initiative provides personalized onboarding events for Springfield Public Schools students and helps to eliminate barriers to increase student success.
I have a bright future, and I owe it all to my experiences here at STCC.Jenary Merced, STCC admissions counselor
“I take a lot of pride in what I do here because I wanted to come back to STCC to support the community that I live in. My children are born and raised here. They go to public schools. My daughter started at STCC this spring semester,” Merced said.
Recognizing her leadership skills and can-do spirit, Dress for Success in January asked Merced to join its board of directors.
Dress for Success Western Massachusetts is part of a worldwide organization that offers women the tools to gain economic independence.
“We are honored to have Jenary on our board of directors to provide both leadership and oversight so we can continue delivering exceptional programs and services to women in Western Massachusetts,” said Margaret Tantillo, executive director of the Western Massachusetts affiliate.
STCC Professor Denise “Daisy” Flaim said she was excited to hear that her former student was named to the board. “This is so great. Dress for Success is such an important program, and Jenary is a perfect match. She'll bring her drive and her optimism and her fierce commitment to equity. Go, Jenary!”
Merced cites Flaim as one of her influences at STCC, a professor who changed her life. “Professor Flaim made every student feel like he or she was the smartest person in the room,” Merced said.
Students need to hear positive feedback from their instructors, Merced said. A kind word of support helps build their confidence and gives them hope.
One of the most important tips Merced offers to prospective students is to be “a self-advocate.”
“You need to advocate for yourself and have confidence,” she said. “You need to ask questions and find out what you need to do to be successful. You will find out that the faculty and staff at STCC want to help you be a success. They will do what they can to make STCC work for you.”
Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu