Article • June 17, 2025

From Grief to Greatness, MassBay Grad Is Adding Up Her Success

Commencement l-to-r okada-podell-javine-sevian

MassBay Community College graduate Javine Nugent-Fitten is presented with the All-College Award for her perfect 4.0 GPA at the College’s 63rd Commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025. Pictured from left to right: MassBay Foundation Board member Stacy Okada, MassBay President David Podell, Javine Nugent-Fitten, and MassBay Dean of Business & Professional Studies Halye Sugarman, Wellesley Hills, MA, May 2025 (Photo/ MassBay Community College).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (June 17, 2025) — After the tragic death of her 23-year-old brother, MassBay Community College accounting graduate Javine Nugent-Fitten moved from her home in Jamaica to reunite with her grandmother, eventually settling in Ashland.

“I was deeply impacted by the sudden loss of my brother, and I lost hope,” said Javine. “I know God does everything for a reason, and I knew I needed to be optimistic and do everything I could to make him proud.”

When Javine enrolled at MassBay, she thought her career path would be in nursing. But when she began her classes, MassBay opened doors for her and revealed new possibilities.

“I always had a passion for numbers, and I loved accounting. I changed course and never looked back. Not only does MassBay have a tremendous program, but it also offers flexibility, which allowed me to work and care of my grandmother.”

Javine earned a spot on the dean’s list and president’s list every semester and was honored at MassBay’s 63rd Commencement ceremony for her 4.0 GPA. She received the College’s All-College Award for a perfect GPA, the All-Division Award for the highest GPA in her academic division, Business and Professional Studies, and the All-Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program, accounting.

“I appreciated the flexible and supportive environment provided by the MassBay faculty and staff. They welcomed me with open arms. My professors Caryl Casson and Denise Barsky, as well as my advisors Aaron Riobe and Naomi Lansing, were always ready to help and responded quickly to my questions. I truly admire their dedication. They all gave me a sense of belonging, never judging me or anyone else. This is where I built my foundation after coming to the United States, and I’m proud to be a MassBay graduate,” she added.

Javine graduated with her associate degree in accounting and will transfer to Framingham State University, where she works as an administrative assistant. She plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree, majoring in accounting and finance. Javine’s future career goals include working in corporate finance to help make fiscally responsible decisions and grow companies’ worth and stature.

“In Jamaica, I attended college for two and a half years before my brother passed. My brother would always talk to his friends about me and what I had accomplished in school. I used that memory of him to motivate me to keep going, through the late nights of working and studying, the hard tests and papers, and everything in between. I know my brother is in heaven smiling down on me, extremely proud of what I have accomplished,” she said.

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.