Like many young adults, Molly McNeill did not find her ideal educational path right out of high school. In 2019, she enrolled at a four-year university, but after two years, she realized she couldn’t see herself happy there long term.

McNeill withdrew from college and returned to teaching preschool for five years while continuing to volunteer with local charities.

Her turning point came while volunteering for Annieā€™s Angels, a New Hampshire nonprofit that supports families struggling with life-threatening disease, illness, or disability. McNeill had volunteered with the organization since age 17 and joined its Board of Directors at 21, eventually becoming the longest-serving member of its current board.

Recognizing her natural talent for organization and leadership, fellow board members encouraged her to pursue event planning professionally, prompting her to return to higher education at ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×.

Enrolling in Great Bayā€™s Event and Meeting Planning Certification program, McNeill thrived in the collegeā€™s hands-on, community-centered environment. Balancing full-time work and classes for two years to pay her way debt-free, she gained comprehensive training in all aspects of event planning and presentation, including food safety, business professionalism, and event law.

Mentors like Laurie Mantegari, program coordinator and faculty advisor for the Hotel, Restaurant, and Event Management program, provided both real-world experience and ongoing professional support that continues long after graduation, McNeill said.

ā€œGreat Bay gave me the perfect jumping-off point,ā€ she said. ā€œI loved how in-person and collaborative the program is. The hands-on training prepared me directly for the field.ā€

Today, 25-year-old McNeill serves as director of events and sales at the historic Three Chimneys Inn in Durham, N.H. As the primary point of contact for clients, she manages functions ranging from weddings and corporate luncheons to university retreats and holiday parties.

She credits her Great Bay education with giving her the confidence to coordinate complex logistics and turn her professional dreams into reality. McNeillā€™s journey highlights how community colleges offer vital second chances, affordable career shifts, and practical pathways to long-term professional success.

ā€œI plan to stay here for the long term,ā€ McNeill said of her role at Three Chimneys Inn. ā€œItā€™s a great space, and thereā€™s a real family and community feel here.ā€

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Today, Felch serves as a Supply Chain Manager for Amazon on its External Fulfillment team, where he helped design and build a national network to outsource much of the companyā€™s North American freight, warehousing, and fulfillment operations to independent companies.

When he reflects on his trajectory, he cites Great Bay as the essential foundation of his success.

“Great Bay is probably the most important stepping stone in my career,” he said. “It gave me all the confidence that I needed. Before, I didn’t think that I would have an opportunity to get into any type of school, and Great Bay really opened that door for me.”

Felch didn’t go to college after he graduated from high school. He worked in commercial tuna fishing and later in his familyā€™s construction business. ā€œI applied to a few colleges, but I realized it was not for me. So I had a few gap years,ā€ he said.

When he enrolled at Great Bay in 2017, he felt better prepared for the challenge of college. ā€œI had always heard college was so much different than high school, so I wanted to see for myself. It was a test. Was this something I could do? Was it something I would enjoy doing?ā€

He aced the test.

He chose Great Bay because of its affordability, enrolling as a liberal arts major to explore his interests before settling on business administrationā€”and graduating without student debt. ā€œBecause it was affordable, it allowed me to figure out what I wanted to do in life,ā€ Felch said. ā€œYou have smaller classes, and you can build a very good rapport with your professors. All of them were very helpful in wanting to see me succeed.”

After Great Bay, Felch transferred to the University of New Hampshire, where he earned his bachelorā€™s in business administration with a focus on management and operations. As he approached his graduation from UNH, he was preparing to scale up a commercial painting business he had started when a message arrived on his LinkedIn account inviting him to interview with an Amazon recruiter.

ā€œSix days after graduating from UNH, I started my career at Amazon,ā€ he said.

He quickly rose from managing 150 hourly associates in his first position to leading inventory control and managing other salaried leaders. Today, as a Supply Chain Manager in the External Fulfillment space, he helped the company plan and build 30 third-party warehouses across the country, with a goal of reaching 50 within the next five years.

Itā€™s work of massive scale and impact. In his current role, Felch oversees the shipment of billions of packages.

His success stems from his entrepreneurial instincts, his education and training, and his ability to help others succeed.

Felch offered straightforward advice to current Great Bay students: Identify what you excel at and become the best in that specific area rather than spreading yourself too thin. He also emphasized the importance of networking and finding strong leaders who can guide professional growth.

ā€œI donā€™t know if it was luck that I got a message on LinkedIn from an Amazon recruiter, but the way I look at it is, you make your own luck. I never anticipated working for a corporation or working in New York. But thatā€™s the power of education. Without my education, I would not have had any of these opportunities. It all started at Great Bay.ā€

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Levesque chose Great Bayā€™s two-year program to earn her veterinary technician degree, drawn to the Collegeā€™s flexible format and dedicated faculty. Her winning scholarship essay focused on her two years of experience fostering cats and kittens for Midcoast Humane Society in Maine prior to enrolling at Great Bay.

As part of the award, Levesque has committed to working in shelter medicine for three years, a requirement that aligns with her career goals.

“The scholarship is just amazing,” said Levesque. “With the scholarship comes a moral obligation to work in shelter medicine for three years, which I wanted to do anyway. I still can’t believe I got it.ā€

Levesque, who already holds a bachelor’s degree, returned to higher education after spending time out of the workforce and realizing her passion for animal care while fostering rescue animals. Now in her fourth semester of the five-semester vet tech program, she attributes much of her success to Great Bay’s supportive academic environment and practical focus.

“The professors are outstanding and really know their stuff,” said Levesque. ā€œThere are multiple veterinarians and veterinary technicians teaching in the program, and they give you a concrete reason why you need to know something. It is not just for the big test. It is for doing your job and understanding the ‘why’ behind it all.ā€

During her studies, Levesque completed a clinical internship at Sugar River Veterinary Hospital in Grantham, where she was subsequently hired, and will complete a second surgical internship in the spring. After graduating in the spring, she will sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to earn her credential.

After that, she plans to balance her work in private practice with shelter medicine.

“It has been a challenge, but it has been so much fun because I have a goal now and I am going to school for a real reason,” Levesque said. “Step one is passing the VTNE, and step two is working a few days a week at Sugar River Veterinary Hospital and a few days a week in shelter medicine.ā€

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McCluskey enrolled in the tuition-free professional development and workforce training program through ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ× in Portsmouth, and before the two-week intensive ended, he had already interviewed for his next career opportunity.

WorkReadyNH is designed to boost the career skills and confidence of New Hampshire residents. Offered through the Community College System of New Hampshire and partnered with NH Employment Security, it targets unemployed, underemployed, and career-transitioning individuals to help them stand out to local employers.

The curriculum uses a blend of live, interactive group classes and independent online work focusing on professional soft skills, essential workplace skills, and career preparation.

After owning and operating his own business for several years, McCluskey realized he needed to refresh his soft skills in order to rejoin the workforce. Specifically, he needed to learn how to be a better listener.

ā€œI thought I was a good communicator and listener, because that is the role I played for more than 20 years,ā€ he said. ā€œBut I realized I had some things I need to work on, and this program gave me the opportunity to do it.ā€

McCluskey participated in a cohort of about 18 students. Over the course of their two weeks together, they engaged in a variety of group activities and role-playing, based on common work scenarios. One of those involved preparing for a job interview and perfecting the art of the 60-second opening pitch.

ā€œI had conducted thousands of interviews as a business owner, but I had only been interviewed maybe four times,ā€ McCluskey said. ā€œI had never even really thought about a pitch speech or worked on any exercise like that.ā€

His efforts paid off. On the day he was scheduled to make his pitch before his classmates, he got to practice it for an actual job interview. The interview went well, and McCluskey came away from it confident he had found his next work opportunity.

ā€œDoing that exercise made me so much calmer. I knew my story, and I knew how I wanted to tell it. It brought structure to the process, and it gave me confidence,ā€ he said.

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Panciuc is an intern in the title department at Service Credit Union, where she has learned to process titles for automobiles, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and other items during a 10-week internship arranged through Great Bay.

ā€œItā€™s been an amazing summer and an amazing experience,ā€ she said. ā€œI have learned so much, and Service Credit Union is a great place to work. Everyone has been so helpful.ā€

Panciuc enrolled at Great Bay in fall 2024 based on the positive reviews she had read about the college. As a European student, she worked closely with the admissions team at Great Bay to ensure her academic transcripts were in order and that she was eligible for enrollment.

ā€œGreat Bay was very, very helpful in my path to enroll in classes. There were some complications with the documents, and Great Bay was extremely helpful and patient, and very responsive.ā€

Soon after enrolling, she declared Business Administration as her major and committed to completing the degree as quickly as possible, which meant taking summer classes last year. She will continue her education at UNH this fall, pursuing a bachelorā€™s degree in accounting.

ā€œMy career goal is to get another internship next summer in accounting, and then start my career after I graduate,ā€ she said.

Panciuc expressed gratitude to Lynda Bonneau, Business Administration Department Chair and Associate Professor, who helped guide her. ā€œProfessor Bonneau made the experience in accounting so interesting and so much fun,ā€ she said. ā€œThat is why I chose accounting as my major at UNH. Great Bay was an absolutely amazing experience.ā€

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Elizabeth followed the same path, enrolling as a nursing student at Great Bay the year her mother graduated. She will graduate with her nursing degree this spring.

ā€œI have wanted to be a nurse since I was 11 years old, when I was present for the birth of my younger brother,ā€ she said. ā€œHigh school was very challenging for me, and I never truly believed college was an optionā€”let alone nursing school.ā€

Gardner started by taking a few classes ā€œto test the watersā€ and quickly realized that she was more than capable. She was accepted into the nursing program and deferred enrollment for one year due to the birth of her first child.

ā€œNavigating nursing school as a young single parent while working multiple jobs has not been easy, but the faculty at Great Bay and the support they showed me every step of the way is a huge part of why I am graduating,ā€ she said.

Gardner said her motherā€™s experience at Great Bay directly influenced her decision to pursue a nursing degree. Great Bay was part of her childhood, she said. She remembers attending a Polar Express movie night in the gymnasium, playing pool with her younger sister in the student center while her mother studied for exams, and other campus activities.

ā€œThose experiences helped me see from a young age how welcoming and supportive the campus community was,ā€ Gardner said. ā€œSeeing my mom work so hard to build a better future for herself and for us showed me that nursing school was possible, even when life felt overwhelming. Great Bay has been such an important part of both of our journeys, and Iā€™m grateful to be able to share that.ā€

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First exam: 96; mid-term: 100; second exam: 102.

For a student who struggled with her grades during her early days at Great Bay, Vatcherā€™s good grades ā€œfeel amazing. I went from getting Cs and Ds and barely passing, or not passing, to maintaining a 98 average,ā€ said Vatcher, who is majoring in Veterinary Technology. ā€œIt was a big struggle for me at first, but eventually something clicked. Itā€™s a surreal experience going from a C or D average to As.ā€

That ā€œsomethingā€ was taking advantage of the academic support offered by Great Bayā€™s Center for Academic Planning and Support, or CAPS. CAPS offers one-on-one tutoring, academic coaching, and study space, among other services.

ā€œThis year, I just started putting in more effort, I started going to CAPS and I began asking for help. My professors have been super understanding, and they have all been there for me. I appreciate Great Bay because the professors really do care about their students and they want to see us succeed.ā€

She singled out Deborah Discher, who serves as the director and chair of the Veterinary Technology Department and has taught at Great Bay for 15 years. ā€œDeb has seen me struggle, and she has stayed with me since year one.ā€

Vatcher also attributed her turnaround to spending more time on campus, which has immersed her in an academic environment and helped her develop better study habits. ā€œI never expected I would say something like this, but I like studying and I like learning. Before, studying felt like a tiring activity, like it was work. But now, with my improved study habits, I actually enjoy it. I put on my headphones and just go for it.ā€

Vatcher, 22, expects to graduate from Great Bay in three years. During that time, she hopes to build her experience at a vet clinic and is especially interested in emergency veterinary medicine. Long term, she imagines going back to school to study zoology. ā€œMy final goal is work in a zoo as a vet tech or an animal handler. I have always been passionate about animals, and I am glad I am on track with my goals and dreams.ā€

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The best part about it: Sheā€™ll get her college degree for free.

ā€œSomething that surprised me about the program is that there are no strings attached and itā€™s literally free schooling, and one less year of high school,ā€ said Hardy, who enrolled through a partnership between the Community College System of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Career Academy.

NHCA is a chartered public school that integrates high school, college, and career preparation. Through a collaboration with the Community College System of New Hampshire and partnerships with local employers, students learn on college campuses, earn two degrees, and build the skills that open doors to higher education and meaningful careers.

Hardy is studying business administration because of her interest in the hospitality industry, and she hopes to be part of the event industry or continue her career working with luxury hotels.

Through a close collaboration with the Community College System of New Hampshire and partnerships with employers across the state, NHCA aligns education with opportunity. Students complete high school requirements while earning college degrees or industry credentials. They gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional confidence, preparing them to thrive in whatever comes next.

Hardy values her education and experience. The role of community at Great Bay has made a positive impression and impact on her life.

ā€œThe most useful ā€˜real-worldā€™ skill I didn’t expect to get in a classroom was how much community really means and how much thoughtful professors really can impact your education,ā€ she said. ā€œI really felt ā€˜rootedā€™ for by a professor when I was struggling in a specific class and the teacher took many hours of their time and devoted it to helping me truly understand the curriculum outside of class.ā€

Why did you choose Great Bay? When do you anticipate graduating?

I chose to continue my schooling at Great Bay because it offered early college and free tuition through the NHCA. I plan to graduate Spring 2026!

Specifically, what attracted you to Great Bay? Did you know what you wanted to do and decided it was your best option compared to other schools?

Great Bay has a beautiful campus and was the closest community college to me that offered the program I was interested in. I didnā€™t even need to look at other schools, this automatically made sense for my situation.

Did you apply and enroll right out of high school? If so, what year did you graduate high school?

I enrolled my junior year of high school and started my freshman year of college early through the New Hampshire Career Academy my senior year. Through this program I graduate this year from high school and college!

What educational pathway are you pursuing at ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ× and why did you choose that path? In other words, what is your major and why?

Iā€™m studying Business Administration with a big interest in the hospitality industry. Iā€™ve taken many Hospitality courses as well as business courses. I hope to be a part of the event industry or continue working at luxury hotels.

What is something that surprised you about the program?

Something that surprised me about the program is that there are no strings attached and itā€™s literally free schooling, and one less year of high school.

What advice do you have for other students considering it?

Some advice I have for other students considering this program is to at least check it out. Everyoneā€™s situation is different, but if you are willing to give up your senior year to get a kickstart on a career path, this is definitely a great option for you.

What is the most useful ‘real-world’ skill youā€™ve learned that you didn’t expect to get in a classroom?

The most useful ā€œreal worldā€ skill I didn’t expect to get in a classroom was how much community really means and how much thoughtful professors really can impact your education.

Can you tell us about a time you felt like a professor or staff member was truly ‘rooting’ for your success?

A time I really felt ā€œrootedā€ for by a professor was when I was struggling in a specific class and the teacher took many hours of their time and devoted it to helping me truly understand the curriculum outside of class.

Are there any other opportunities at ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ× that have been especially helpful to you?

The fitness center has been super nice to have as an option if you like to workout!

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ā€œWith the liberal arts path, I was able to explore everything I wanted to explore, and I explored psychology, social work, and the arts,ā€ they said.

And when it came time to focus on career choices, Burwell met with an advisor in the collegeā€™s Center for Academic Planning and Support (CAPS), a multi-service center that supports students with their academic needs. Burwell took a career interest assessment, and through discussions with the career coach confirmed their true passion was art, and specifically illustration.

The career coach suggested getting involved in the local art community, and through connections in the art community, the support of art professors at Great Bay, and the opportunities provided by a work-study job at the Heronā€™s Nest, Burwell now believes combining art and the desire to give back to the community will lead to a satisfying career.

ā€œThey helped me realize that what I want to do is something I actually can do,ā€ said Burwell, who is on track to graduate in May with an associate degree and intends to enroll in a four-year school to earn a bachelorā€™s degree. At this time, Burwell is considering continuing their education at either the University of New Hampshire or Maine College of Art & Design in Portland with a focus on illustration.

ā€œI have always loved art, and thanks to Great Bay my love for art is as strong as it has ever been. It has given me a real, true passion for art.ā€

Burwellā€™s career options are numerous. Professional opportunities include roles in publishing as a book illustrator, in the entertainment industry as a storyboard artist, animator, or conceptual artist, and in advertising and marketing to help a company or organization with visual storytelling. They could design graphics for products and packaging, work as a medical illustrator, a technical illustrator, a courtroom sketch artist, an art director, or in many other capacities.

ā€œThe career center at Great Bay helped me realize just how many options I actually have with my degree,ā€ said Burwell, adding that Fine Arts and Digital Media Professor Thomas Devaney also has been supportive and encouraging.

ā€œHe is an amazing teacher, and he is good at helping people with their pieces and figuring out what is missing or what I need to do next,ā€ they said. ā€œWhen I told him I was worried about completing my portfolio, his response was, ā€œWe will work on it together and we will get it done.ā€™ā€

In addition to professors and the Great Bay support staff, Burwell received inspiration from another source: Their mother.

ā€œI actually learned about Great Bay from my mother,ā€ Burwell said. ā€œShe graduated from the nursing program right before I enrolled, and she said it was the most supportive environment she had ever experienced. She said it was amazing, and she really loved her experience here.ā€

Both agree, their Great Bay experiences have been life changing. ā€œThis school is the only reason I can attend college at all. The affordability of a Great Bay education makes all the difference in the world. It allowed me to explore my interests and figure out what I want to do.ā€

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Now at age 22, heā€™s on the cusp of making that happen thanks to ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×. After transferring to Great Bay two years ago, Blood graduates this month with an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a certificate in Homeland Security.

ā€œMy goal is to work in a local police department or sheriffā€™s office. Working as a fish-and-game officer would be great, too,ā€ said Blood, who lives in Stratham and completed an internship with the Somersworth Police Department.

Bloodā€™s success story is a testament to the benefits of a community college education. He was drawn to Great Bayā€™s affordability, flexibility, and its promise of small class sizes. He thrived once he arrived.

But it wasnā€™t his first choice. After graduating from high school, he started his college experience at a small four-year college in the Adirondack Mountains region of New York. He enjoyed the one year he spent there, but it was too far from homeā€”and expensive. He returned to New Hampshire and enrolled in a large state university. That didnā€™t work out, either. After one semester, he transferred to Great Bay.

ā€œIt was too big and too expensive. I had to take out a massive loan, and it just wasnā€™t right for me,ā€ he said. ā€œPeople told me about Great Bay, and when I looked into it, I saw they offered a degree in Criminal Justice. That really interested me.ā€

He began taking classes in 2023. His advisor arranged for the transfer of his transcripts from high school and both colleges and helped him pick his classes. ā€œThere was no stress at all,ā€ he said. ā€œIt was so easy.ā€

Unlike at the other schools, at Great Bay he didnā€™t have any loans to pay back. ā€œI was able to pay as I go, semester by semester,ā€ he said. ā€œAnd unlike any other courses I have taken in college, at Great Bay nearly all my classes allowed me to attend either in person, remotely, or 100-percent online. It was very flexible, which allowed me to work full time while I was going to school.ā€

The best part, all his professors had real-world experience, and nearly all of them were working in the field while teaching at Great Bay. ā€œIt was very nice to know they are coming directly from their work in law enforcement to teach you what they just saw that day. Theyā€™re not just reading from a slideshow, they are sharing their own stories and experiences and discussing the topics based on their experiences. Itā€™s nice to know that you are not learning from a textbook, but from their actual experiences in the field.ā€

Blood especially appreciated the one-on-one attention offered by professorĀ Eric Kulberg, Chair of the Criminal Justice Department. ā€œHeā€™s thorough and fair, and he treats you like a friend. He guides you through the classes, helps with internships, and is always available to answer questions. He is one of the top professors I have ever had,ā€ he said.

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