Liberal Arts Graduate, Sean Canavan, Finds His Path and Excels at MassBay

MassBay Community College Liberal Arts graduate, Sean Canavan poses outside of the Wellesley Hills campus during the Evening of Excellence celebrating student’s academic accomplishments. Sean will accept his diploma at the MassBay Community College 63rd Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Wellesley Hills, MA, May 2025 (Photo/Sean Canavan).

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Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (May 27, 2025) — Sean Canavan found his academic stride at MassBay Community College, a journey that began after graduating from Connections Academy in 2022. A Holliston native, Sean chose MassBay because of its proximity and affordability, but more importantly, because he saw it as a fresh start.

“High school wasn’t easy for me,” Sean admits. “But I was set on going to MassBay. I knew I wanted to experience college and figure out what I wanted to study. The environment and classes I took at MassBay were a breath of fresh air compared to high school. This was the academic spark I needed to re-ignite my academic career.”

Initially unsure of his career path, Sean enrolled in the Liberal Arts program, drawn by the opportunity to explore different subjects and interests. That exploration sparked new passions and impressive achievements. He excelled academically, earning a 3.8 GPA and earning a spot on both the Dean’s List and President’s List every semester. In spring 2024, he was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in recognition of his academic excellence.

Sean quickly found a welcoming and supportive environment at MassBay. “My first class was with Professor Carolyn Guttilla, and she made it a great experience. She even got me involved in the student podcast the BayWatch,” he recalls. He also credits Dr. Brandi Perri, who taught his sociology courses, for being a pivotal influence. “She was incredibly helpful and encouraging.”

In addition to his studies, Sean gave back to the MassBay community by working as a tutor in the Academic Achievement Center, assisting fellow students with Intro to Sociology.

Sean acknowledges his advisor, Naomi Lansing, for her guidance and connecting him with resources on campus. After working a part-time job during his first three semesters, Sean learned about the MassEducate program, the state's free community college program which enables eligible Massachusetts residents of all ages to enroll for free, which helped ease his financial burden. “Naomi helped me build a flexible schedule of in-person and online classes, and because I don’t have a car, she explained the transportation funding. All of the resources helped me stay on track and reach my goal of earning my degree,” he said.

Sean will graduate with his associate degree in liberal arts and transfer to Framingham State University this fall to continue his studies in liberal arts. With a possible eye toward majoring in Communications, his ultimate career goal is to build a career in sports broadcasting.

MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands-on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.