NECC Liberal Arts: Journalism/Communication graduate Matt Gingras

Matt Gingras has long dreamed of writing for a living. Fulfilling that dream, he knew, was just a matter of finding the right start. When he enrolled in NECC’s versatile Journalism/Communication Program in the fall of 2011, he knew he had found that start.

“I wanted a place where I could build up my name,” he says. “NECC’s personalized atmosphere gave me that opportunity.”

And build up his name he certainly did. During his time at NECC, Matt participated in many campus activities and organizations, most notably serving as editor-in- chief of NECC Observer, NECC’s award-winning student newspaper. It was under his direction that the paper received a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Award — the paper’s highest award to date. Matt also took part in the Student Leadership Program, the Presidential Ambassador Program, and the Student Orientation Program, and worked in the Student Engagement Center and the Athletics Department.

Upon graduating with an associate degree in liberal arts: journalism/communication in the spring of 2014, Matt transferred to UMass Amherst, where he is enrolled as a journalism major with a sports concentration. He serves as the sports editor of The Amherst Wire. He credits NECC with making this possible.

“I felt absolutely prepared for the four-year university setting because of the quality of the lasses I took while at NECC. I got the exposure I needed to my career field,” he says.

Matt advises new NECC students to utilize the great range of services and resources available to them. “Everything you learn in your classes will have relevance, especially if you transfer,” he said. “Appreciate the many opportunities you’re getting through NECC and take advantage of them as much as possible.”