MCC student finds going back to college ‘fun’ while creating a new future

Single father of a 9-year-old boy, Guy Bastien of Tyngsboro, is proud to be back in school. Combining his knowledge from previous college courses with his professional experience in electronics manufacturing, Bastien enrolled at Middlesex Community College to study electrical engineering.

“It means a lot to my son to see me go back to school,” Bastien said. “When my son was born, everything changed, including my outlook on life. I’m an example for him, someone he can relate to going to college. I tell him everything I do in class and at school.”

Before he started working in electronics, Bastien struggled with housing insecurity. Once he found his footing, he was able to focus on long-term goals, including using funding and support from the government to return to college and finish his degree. Middlesex’s resources have helped him adjust to being a full-time student, such as visiting college food pantries where he can get healthy food and interact with staff.

MCC’s TRIO for Student Success program helps Bastien provide personalized academic, career and personal counseling and networking throughout the college. While in the program, he enjoyed taking field trips to learn more about transfer options, including UMass Lowell and Southern New Hampshire University.

“I get a lot out of TRIO,” Bastien said. “The program helps with self-development, professional and career preparation, and prepares me to have a network of people to work with after graduation. In particular, Rina (Tenore, lead consultant at MCC TRIO SSP) is a wonderful person. She’s someone I can always talk to and she’s very supportive.”

Bastien also cites Professor Leonardo Nin as a positive influence on his time at MCC. In Ethics and Society class, Bastien found Nin to be engaging, making class easy, having interesting conversations, and motivating him to attend class. In many college classes, Bastien appreciates the tone his professors set regarding class expectations.

“What I get out of college is that no one is forcing me to be here,” Bastien said. “I make the decision to wake up and go, and when I talk to professors, I have a certain amount of respect because they know I’m an adult. It makes me realize that if I put myself in that position, I have to do what I have to do.”

Although Bastien attends both in-person and online classes, he continues to be involved in community activities. In addition to attending TRIO-related events, he joined the African Cultural Club to connect with his peers. His club experience helped Bastien feel part of the MCC.

“Everyone I’ve met is friendly,” he said. “I enjoy being involved in the club and meeting people from different cultures. I enjoy being with people of all ages and backgrounds.”

After graduation, Bastien plans to transfer to UML to study electrical and mechanical engineering. His biggest ultimate goal is to one day own an electronics company. MCC helps him make his dreams come true.

“Being in the MCC environment, the people and the college experience were wonderful,” he said. “It had been a long time since I went to school, but I wanted to go back and get my degree. Looking back, I realized how much I was missing from college in the beginning. Now it’s fun.”