As nearly 300,000 students return to Massachusetts' community colleges, state universities and University of Massachusetts campuses this week, the Department of Higher Education (DHE) awarded competitive grants to increase access to college by students across the Commonwealth.

Twenty-five campuses, including Mount Wachusett, were awarded grants through the Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership (CDEP). MWCC received $50,000 for its CDEP program, one of several dual enrollment programs offered at the college.

A new program at Mount Wachusett Community College will push a select group of students into a leadership role encouraging others to volunteer in the local community. The SLiCE program, which stands for Student Leaders in Civic Engagement, has created four paid student positions to serve as liaisons between the community college and partner charities, such as the Leominster Boys and Girls Club and United Way, as well as internal efforts including the Serving our Students office and Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement.

MWCC Physical Therapist Assistant students began classes this semester with an international instructor. Professor Jackie Shakar, chair of MWCC's PTA program, spent a portion of her summer break teaching the Graston Technique to colleagues in Italy. She has been a Graston Technique instructor for over 10 years, typically teaching one seminar a month throughout the U.S. This was the first time she had the opportunity to teach in another country.