MCC Daily Tribune

Meet Members of the Class of 2023!

MCC's newest graduates are poised to make an impact. Learn how some of these graduates will be applying their MCC education to the local workforce and to advanced studies at area colleges. Starting today (May 12) through May 19, several Class of 2023 members will be featured in the Daily Tribune and Student Tribune. The success of our graduates keeps MCC inspiring every day. #MCC2023

Adam Barrett

A Marine Corps veteran with four young children, 34-year-old Adam Barrett feels “super blessed” to have started his journey at Monroe Community College in January 2022.

Following seven years of active-duty service with a bachelor’s degree under his belt, Adam returned to the Finger Lakes region in 2017 to begin a new career and raise a growing family with his wife. His first jobs after military service were in supervisory roles, but he saw limited opportunities for advancement. It was time for a career change. His explorations ultimately led him to MCC.

Shortly after completing MCC’s 10-week HVAC Jumpstart program, he was hired at Dailey Electric Inc. With his foot in the door as an HVAC technician, he set his sights on bigger goals – including achieving an HVAC degree. HVAC is short for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

On May 25, he will graduate with an associate degree in HVAC, along with the honor of being named to the dean’s list for every semester. Balancing full-time work at Dailey’s and full-time studies at MCC for the past year and a half have paid off.

“I wanted to shorten my learning curve as I transitioned into a new career field,” he said. “MCC has allowed me to quickly and successfully pivot into the energy sector without experiencing a major financial setback.”

Adam is grateful to Eric Wheeler, assistant director of Veteran Services, for being “an outstanding advocate for veterans.” He is also thankful to his professors Kevin French, Bill Horton and George Merz, who “pour their heart, expertise, and energies into the HVAC program and students. Each of them has been a unique mentor and serves as a role model for what a professional HVAC technician should aspire to be. Finally, I am thankful to God, my wife, and for their enduring support over the past year while I transitioned careers.”

Photo caption: Portrait of MCC graduating student Adam Barrett standing outside his home and wearing a blue-striped, long-sleeved shirt.

Attached Files:
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Hency Yuen-Eng
Community Relations
05/12/2023