ABOUT
Arlniel U.
Lowell Career Academy
Class of 2020
About Early College Lowell
Early College Lowell is a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity that’s open to all Lowell High School students regardless of what they plan to do after graduation.
The program lets students take enriching college-level courses while enrolled in high school, earn real college credit, and get an early start on their post-secondary education and career—at no cost to them or their families!
How It Works
Start Your College Education NOW!
Early college courses give high school students a headstart on their college education while helping to build the aspirations, skills, and confidence that will help them succeed after graduation.
Take Free College Courses
Early college courses are completely free to students enrolled in Lowell High School—all costs are paid by local funding, state programs, and private grants.
Earn High School and College Credit
Early college students earn credit from both Lowell High School and Middlesex Community College—in other words, students earn double credit for every course they successfully complete.
Transfer Credits After Graduation
Early college credits are real college credits and can be transferred to colleges or universities throughout the United States.
Receive One-on-One Support
All early college students and their families receive personalized advice and mentoring from a support staff that will guide them through every step of the process.
Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Early college students will not only be able to take classes at Middlesex Community College’s downtown campus—they will also be able to participate in on-campus programs and activities just like full-time college students.
Learn More Today!
Please contact our Early College Team to learn more about early college courses at Lowell High School or to schedule a telephone or videoconference consultation. *Interpretation services are available upon request.
OUR TEAM
HEATHER BRUNNER
Early College Specialist
@ Lowell High School
“Early College Lowell allows students, regardless of their economic status, the opportunity to earn free college credits and experience college classes. It’s a valuable resource that I’m excited to have at Lowell High School!”
Heather Brunner is a guidance counselor at Lowell High School who supports the Early College Lowell program. She was born and raised in Beverly, Massachusetts, and attended the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. After spending a year working as a paraprofessional, she moved to Virginia to earn a master's degree in school counseling at James Madison University. Heather’s been at Lowell High since 2004. When she isn’t working, she’s coaching soccer, reading, and spending time with her husband and two young children.
MIRA BOOKMAN
Early College Program Manager
@ Project LEARN
“I believe every student in Lowell can succeed in college and in any career they pursue—and I want to support them in achieving their goals.”
Mira Bookman is the Program Director at Project LEARN. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she is a Massachusetts-Greater Boston Teach For America alumni, who spent over two years teaching biology and service learning at Salem Academy Charter School. As a teacher, she worked extensively with STEM curriculum development in creating an NGSS-aligned science curriculum that emphasizes environmental sustainability. Before joining Project LEARN, she gained experience as a 2021 Leadership in Educational Equity Summer Fellow, and she also brings previous non-profit experience from interning in Health Programs Development at The Carter Center and from serving as an Urban Leaders Fellow. She holds a B.S. in Biology, a B.A. in Anthropology, and a Global Health Certificate from the University of Georgia. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education in Curriculum and Teaching and a Child and Youth Policy Certificate at Boston University.
MELISSA CHANDONNET
Director of Concurrent & Dual Enrollment
@ Middlesex Community College
“Early College Lowell removes barriers that many students face and makes it possible for them to pursue and obtain a higher education degree.”
Melissa Chandonnett was born and raised in Lowell. She graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate’s degree in fashion merchandising and a bachelor’s degree in retail marketing and management. Upon graduation, Melissa served for a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Multicultural Center at Middlesex Community College, where she coordinated a diverse student mentoring program. This year of service opened the door for a career in higher education. Melissa worked as a site manager for Jumpstart and started the program at Middlesex Community College and Northern Essex Community College. After 7 years with Jumpstart, Melissa decided to complete her master’s degree in higher education administration from Southern New Hampshire University. Melissa currently works as the Director of Concurrent and Dual Enrollment at Middlesex Community College, where she collaborates on Early College initiatives with Lowell High School and other partner high schools.
SOTHY SOK
Early College and Articulation Coordinator
@ Middlesex Community College
“I would like to make college education a reality for ALL students who want to earn a degree.”
Originally from Southern California, Sothy is a Lowell High School alum. She holds an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Middlesex Community College, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and women's studies from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and a master’s degree in education in teaching English as a second language from Framingham State University. Prior to working at Middlesex Community College, Sothy worked in the Lowell Public Schools. She supports the Early College Lowell team with grant coordination, family engagement, and student outreach and coaching.
BRANDON WOODCROFT
Early College Promise Coordinator
@ Middlesex Community College
“Early College provides a unique opportunity of education and success, grounded in equity and achievement, for all students looking to progress in their academic and career goals.”
Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in classical studies from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, and continued his studies there to complete a master’s degree in education. While in graduate school and for the years that followed, he served as a high school English and history teacher around the state, focusing on implementing project-based learning that looked to explore and develop student interest and goals. Before joining the Middlesex Community College team, he worked at Tufts University, coaching doctoral candidates on degree completion and program management. Currently, Brandon works as the Early College Promise Coordinator, organizing the ECP program that looks to facilitate a supported transition for students from high school to associate’s degree completion at Middlesex.
Early College Coaches
To ensure that early college students succeed in the program, Lowell High School has assembled a team of Early College Coaches who are available to provide one-on-one support and guidance. The Early College coaches help students with goal setting, academic support, family communication, financial-aid forms, and any other issues related to early college or college planning. The coaching team:
Darmery Montoya
Deanna Standford
Rhonda Devost
Maria Morrissette
Melanie Mai
Our Partners
A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Early College Lowell is a partnership between Lowell High School, Middlesex Community College, and Project LEARN. The program receives funding from the Massachusetts Early College Initiative, the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, and the Loyd G. Balfour Foundation.
Lowell Public Schools believes that education is a fundamental civil right for every child. Delivering on this promise and upholding our commitment to equity, excellence, and empowerment is critically important in our great city, which supports one of the most diverse student populations in Massachusetts: 69 different home languages are spoken among 14,500 students enrolled in 28 schools.
Since 1831, Lowell High School, the first co-ed high school in the United States, has been committed to helping all students succeed. Over the years, the school has strengthened its educational program and introduced innovative new learning opportunities, such as Early College Lowell and Latin Lyceum, an academy that offers a classical education to academically gifted students. Lowell High School works to recruit highly qualified teachers, integrate cutting-edge technology into classrooms, and offer a wide range of extracurricular and athletic options to students.
Located in downtown Lowell, Middlesex Community College offers a host of degrees and continuing education options to a diverse student population representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and ambitions. Students of all academic abilities can earn specialized degrees and certificates in fields as varied as accounting, biotechnology, culinary arts, cybersecurity, early childhood education, engineering, hospitality, liberal arts, nursing, and paralegal studies. Middlesex prides itself on helping students acquire the foundational skills they need to be successful in their studies and future careers.
Project LEARN (Lowell Education Alliance Resource Network) was founded in 2013 by the Lowell business community and believes that every student should have access to a world-class education. Working hand-in-hand with the Lowell Public Schools, we fund innovative programs and services to inspire Lowell’s students and equip them with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets they need to succeed in college, career, and life.
The Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation is a private foundation that awards approximately $14 million in grants each year to nonprofits working in Greater Boston and select Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts. To effect positive change in the lives of individuals and families, especially in economically disadvantaged communities, the foundation invests in organizations that improve human health, raise educational attainment, increase economic security, and meet community needs.
Established in 1973, the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation’s grantmaking reflects Mr. Balfour's strong affinity for the employees of the Balfour Company, his commitment to the city of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and his lifelong interest in education. Each year, the Balfour Foundation supports educational scholarships to employees of the Balfour Company, as well as to their children and grandchildren, organizations serving the people of Attleboro, and educational organizations working in New England.