When Henry is not at MassBay, you can find him teaching or training in the local pools. He works part-time at the Evelyn Kirrane Aquatic Center in Brookline as a swim lesson instructor aid for group lessons, and he’s a year-round competitive swimmer with New England Masters Swim Club for the U.S. Masters Swimming and Special Olympics.

“Being selected as the student commencement speaker truly means so much to me,” said Ssozi. “As a college student who has balanced school, work, family responsibilities, and personal challenges throughout my journey, it feels incredibly rewarding and meaningful to represent my graduating class during such an important milestone. I see it not only as a personal accomplishment, but also as a reflection of the resilience, growth, and determination shared by so many students at MassBay.”

“I love art, and still do, but I quickly realized that this was not what I wanted to pursue as a career,” said Nathan. “I returned home to take a gap year and find answers in the midst of my indecision, hoping to find direction with the weight of tuition off of my shoulders.”

Their thought was to transfer to MassBay and figure out the next step. Living near the MassBay Framingham campus, Nathan’s mom mentioned the MassEducate program, where community college is free to eligible students who have not already earned a bachelor’s degree.

My time at MassBay's biotechnology program was nothing short of transformative. Under the guidance of Dr. Singh, we received invaluable hands-on experience that honed our practical skills, preparing us for real-world challenges. The program also emphasized the importance of communication, giving us ample opportunities to present our projects. Thanks to this, I have overcome my fear of public speaking.