GARDNER — Mount Wachusett Community College recently celebrated the accomplishments of students graduating from its Gateway to College and Pathways Early College programs during a special ceremony at the Gardner campus.
The ceremony on May 22 recognized students who completed high school requirements while simultaneously earning college credits through innovative early college opportunities designed to support academic achievement and expand access to higher education.
This year marks 20 years of Gateway to College programming at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC). Established in 2006 following a three-year startup grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gateway to College at MWCC was the first program of its kind in Massachusetts.
Gateway to College serves students seeking to enter post-secondary education while earning a high school diploma and college credits, regardless of previous academic success. Since its founding, 646 students have graduated from the program.
This year’s Gateway to College graduating class includes 29 students, nine of whom also graduated from Mount Wachusett Community College earlier this week with associate degrees and/or certificates. Graduates will continue their education at institutions including Fitchburg State University, UMass Boston, trade schools, and Mount Wachusett Community College. Several students will also enter the military and workforce.
Gateway to College Valedictorian Gianna Koula of Hubbardston was recognized for her outstanding academic achievement. Koula, who transitioned into the Gateway program during the spring 2025 semester, earned placement on both the President’s List and Dean’s List during her time at MWCC. Koula plans to continue her education at MWCC with the goal of earning a degree in History and Political Science.
Student speaker Iveliz Rodriguez-Jimenez of Fitchburg also addressed graduates and guests during the ceremony. Rodriguez-Jimenez balanced Early College while working and volunteer work including with the Salvation Army, where she was honored with the Exceptional Youth Volunteer Award. On campus, Rodriguez-Jimenez supported the food pantry through deliveries at the Leominster campus and volunteered in the café. She plans to continue her college journey and build a future centered around helping others and creating new opportunities for herself and her community.
Pathways Early College Experience is also celebrating a milestone year as the program completes its 15th year. Established in fall 2010 through a collaboration between Mount Wachusett Community College and the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District, the program has partnered with Gardner Public Schools since 2019.
The Pathways program provides high school students with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously during their junior and senior years. To date, 232 students have graduated from Pathways, including 21 students from the Class of 2026.
This year, 27 students participating in the Early College programs earned associate degrees, including five students from Gardner High School, while an additional three students earned certificates from MWCC.
Graduates from this year’s Pathways cohort will continue their education at institutions including Colby College, UMass Dartmouth, Bridgewater State University, Lasell University, Fitchburg State University, Westfield State University, Simmons University, and many other colleges and universities.
Pathways Valedictorians Brielle “Brie” Voorheis of Winchendon, Joslynn Vautour of Winchendon and Sophie Harrold of Leominster were recognized for their exceptional academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
Voorheis is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Commonwealth Honors Program and served as scribe for the Honors Program. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout her time in college, she earned the President’s Key Award and the Interdisciplinary Studies Excellence Award. In addition to her academics, she balanced a part-time position at Monty’s Cubs Child Watch. Voorheis plans to attend Fitchburg State University to study Early Childhood Education.
Vautour graduated with a 4.0 GPA and Associate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She served as Phi Theta Kappa President and Scribe for the Greater Gardner for Good Club. She was named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team. Vautour will pursue her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, on a full academic scholarship.
Harrold began her education in the Italian public school system before transitioning to homeschooling and later joining the Pathways program. She maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout all four semesters at MWCC. Harrold is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Commonwealth Honors Program. She plans to attend Bridgewater State University in the fall to study English and education.
“Gateway to College and Pathways Early College have created transformative educational opportunities for students across North Central Massachusetts,” said MWCC Dean of K-12 Partnerships said. “These programs empower students to achieve their goals, build confidence, and pursue futures that once may have seemed out of reach. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and all they have accomplished.”
Family members, faculty, staff, school partners, and community supporters gathered to celebrate the graduates’ perseverance, growth, and achievements.
Members of the Gateway to College Class of 2026 are:
Ashburnham: Jasmine Belle Edwards, Meghan Dorsey, (Associate Degree), Jennessa Gagnon (Associate Degree and Certificate); Athol: Lyndzee Leash; Barre: Jeffrey James Shaulis; Clinton: Shaeli Davis, Ethan Denio; Fitchburg: Gabrielle J. Abare, Iveliz Jamilet Rodriguez Jimenez, (Associate Degree and Certificate), Alyssa Marcelin, Cole Ryan Martins, Rhaniah Oclerne Onore, (Associate Degree and Certificate), Suliana Elise Torres, (Associate Degree); Gardner: Lesly Elizabeth Aguilar-Palma, Carly Rose Gendreau, Victoria Gil, Marley Josephine Griffith, (Certificate), Dynestie Marie Panet, Isabella Vega; Hubbardston: Benjamin Bunton, Gianna Morgan Koula, Ella Sue Nichols, Destiny Young; Lancaster: Shelby Forhan; Leominster: Juan Manuel Pinto, (Associate Degree and Certificate); Lunenburg: Braiden E. Roetzer; Petersham: Gustavo Santana; Winchendon: Logan Matthew Gemme, Cristallyan Mangual-Marcano.
The Pathways Early College Class of 2026, all of whom earned an Associate Degree in addition to their high school diploma are:
Devens: Cadyn Glynn; Dudley: Daniel A. Cifuentes, Fitchburg: Khiannah Boatmaa Addo, Crisangeliz Nevaeh Colon, Nicole Angelica Delgado, Ely Michel, Evangeline Yang; Gardner: Ixchel Anaïs Thibault-Muñoz; Leominster: Sophia Audrey Harrold, Uriah Truax; New Salem: Florian M. Gordon-Halpern; Oakham: Kenzie J. Gallagher; Phillipston: Oakham: Jack Andrew Buchan; Shirley: Isabelle R. Gonzalez; Templeton: Tristan Cibeira; West Brookfield: Morgan Rose Lakota; Winchendon: Mason K. Decker, Connor Hill Tribou, Joslynn E. Vautour, Arianna May Voorheis, Brielle Anne Voorheis.
Mount officials said their Early College programs are part of the college’s continued commitment to providing accessible educational pathways and preparing students for future academic and career success.
For more information about Gateway to College, Pathways Early College, and other Early College opportunities at Mount Wachusett Community College, visit mwcc.edu.