Career and Transfer Services Testimonials

I loved every aspect of Bristol. From its beautiful and easy to navigate campus, to the professors who took the time and really cared. There was always someone on hand willing to help, from advisors to faculty and staff. Starting college can be an intimidating experience, but Bristol alleviated those fears by providing guidance along the way. Having a dedicated support system enabled me to excel in my courses, and then transfer to Bridgewater State University.

After earning my bachelor's degree, I taught in various capacities. I eventually spent a decade at home raising my two children. After this hiatus, I realized teaching was not for me, and I wanted to pursue other avenues. I worked in the medical field for years before finding the job I currently hold here at Bristol. Working for Bristol Community College is just as great as studying here. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful, creating an amazing work environment.

Bristol Community College had such a positive impact on my life that I convinced my mom to attend. Having not been in school for over 30 years the idea seemed daunting. Luckily for her, Bristol made it easy! Her professors were engaging and beyond helpful. They really understand each student’s unique situation and help to ensure student success. She went on to graduate and become a medical assistant. The confidence Bristol gave her was immensurable.

My daughter will be applying next fall for graphic design. That will be three generations of Bristol students!

Her assistance has inspired us to continue and be better, her encouragement has helped us to achieve our academic and personal goals, and her amazing personality keeps us feeling comfortable to come back when we feel stuck, undecided, or need an extra voice of advice. Thanks to her support on numerous occasions, it’s made a huge difference in our education and personal growth.

The program offered many workshops and programs, such as the Leadership Program. That were informative and life teaching. It helped me with personal growth, helped with self-identity, and other struggles a single parent may struggle with. It was nice to see, we are all in this life together and we all have some of the same challenges and some differences. I felt we all learned a lot from one another.

I graduated from Bristol Community College in 2024 Summa Cum Laude with a 3.92 GPA, while also making the dean's list every semester, and I am now transferring to UMass Boston. My goal is to earn my BS in Biology from UMass Boston by spring 2026. After that, I plan to attend veterinary school to pursue my passion/dream of becoming a veterinarian. As a veterinarian, I want to be a voice for the voiceless by advocating for animal welfare, diagnosing and treating patients effectively, and providing compassionate support to clients during both their happiest and most challenging moments. As I continue my education at UMass Boston, I am eager to further my veterinary and research experience, alongside more leadership opportunities during the next two years at UMB.

As a first-generation student, having a good academic advisor and mentor is crucial to succeeding in college. Dr. Alyssa Frezza, my athletics/academic advisor, was pivotal in supporting and motivating me during my two years at Bristol Community College. Dr. Alyssa Frezza also helped me coordinate my class schedule, navigate financial aid applications, and secure assistance through the CARES Act to cover class expenses not covered by financial aid. I can tell that this is not only her career but also her passion, and I am forever grateful for her contributions and assistance throughout the years. I am also grateful for my biology professor Dr. Bill, and the many veterinarians that I met throughout the years who have been my mentors including Dr. Ramsey, Dr. Brown, Dr. Ennis, Dr. Nelson, Dr. Rosenstein, and Dr. Klocke! I am also grateful for Dr. Tepolt and the amazing research experience that I have gained.

I had no motivation to attend school and I was struggling with my mental health. I viewed community college as a waste of my time and just saw it as something to make my family happy. However, Bristol Community College turned out to be the most life-changing 2 years of my life. I utilized Bristol’s mental health services and met with Jill Apicerno nearly every week during my time as a Bristol student. She helped me manage my stress and depression as well as motivated me to succeed in and out of school.

I also could have not done it without my amazing professors, especially Professor Melissa Santos and Professor Botelho. They were the first professors I met during my first semester at Bristol. They inspired me to do well in school, showed me the value of education, and guided me on my career aspirations. Professor Botelho also pushed me to become a peer tutor for history at Bristol. His encouragement allowed me to pursue jobs related to my career prospects along with creating great connections. Without the support of faculty and staff who went above and beyond for students, I would have never been able to achieve a 4.0 GPA for all two years.

This decision proved to be transformative. I immersed myself in campus life through work-study programs and became a student ambassador and even worked on a student internship class with the student newspaper “The Hawk.” These experiences allowed me to make lifelong friends, who supported and motivated me every step of the way.

In the spring of 2024, I proudly graduated from Bristol with a degree in communications. Now, I am excited to transfer to Bridgewater State University to pursue a Bachelor's in Film and Video Art Production. Looking ahead, I hope to either continue my education with a master's in film or jump start my career in the industry.