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 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

Elle Parrotta

The youngest of nine children, 21-year-old Elle Parrotta of East Rochester will be the first in her family to graduate – with distinction – from college. Helping her reach the finish line of her two-year journey at Monroe Community College, in the face of personal challenges are her proud parents, the supportive and caring Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) staff and her professors, who kept her focused on her goals.

With the EOP community’s support, she overcame personal issues, including food insecurity, mental health challenges and school-family balance. At home, she is often responsible for caring for her young nieces and nephew and running errands for her parents.

“EOP has helped me so much, especially my counselor Nicole Reinholtz. She is always there when I need her. She gives me the best advice,” said Elle, who enrolled in MCC after taking a gap year to work and save money for college. “Without her, I don't think that I would have had the confidence in myself and in what I want to do to succeed and get the grades that I have.”

A recipient of three scholarship awards, Elle is among 46 SUNY students who were recently honored with the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence for their academic merit and strength in overcoming personal obstacles. “My parents have been incredibly supportive throughout my time at MCC,” she said. “They have been crucial to my success.”

After earning an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences-general studies in May, Elle will continue her education in the fall at Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in English and philosophy. An active participant of the Whimsical Bonus Book Club, a student-led group that was born out of a fantasy literature class at MCC last semester, Elle is passionate about writing, telling stories and drawing, especially creating narrative-driven comics.

“I've never stopped reading since I was really little, and I've always loved books,” she said. “As long as I get to write and be creative, engage with narratives, and make something and inspire people – that's probably my biggest goal.”

Photo caption: Portrait of MCC graduating student Elle Parrotta standing in front of a gold backdrop wearing a light blue top and a blue ribbon around her neck.

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Hency Yuen-Eng
Community Relations
05/18/2023