MCC Daily Tribune

Meet Members of the Class of 2022!

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. During the week leading up to Commencement day (June 2), several Class of 2022 members will be featured in the Daily Tribune / Student Tribune, on MCC's website and on social media channels. The success of our graduates keeps MCC inspiring every day. #MCC2022

ELLASHIA M. SPAULDING

“I’ll always measure my success by the positive changes I see in my students. They are what drives me. MCC has helped me determine my direction ─ my life’s work. This is where I’m meant to be. It’s what I’m inspired to do.”

Ellashia M. Spaulding is a college student, Girl Scout leader, an ordained ruling elder, a full-time charter school employee and an only parent of 9-year-old daughter Serenity-Rien. Ellashia is more than busy; she’s driven, determined to help children and families even more than she already does. “They’re my passion,” she said.

In fall 2020, Ellashia, a 2004 high school graduate who briefly attended Wilmington College, decided to begin at MCC. “I knew I’d never know what I could do if I didn’t try,” she said.

The Farmingdale, N.Y., resident and liberal arts and sciences-general studies major took all her coursework online and is appreciative of the faculty and staff who offered their assistance along the way. “MCC has this amazing community of helpers,” she said. “Whenever I reached out, there was always a response ─ a wonderful level of care. I was never afraid to ask for help ─ and that was important to me.”

Ellashia extends special credit to Health and Physical Education Professor Melany Silas. “When I lost my brother, Professor Silas understood what I was going through. Her caring and concern was so healing,” she said. “All my professors were wonderful, but Professor Silas made an enormously positive impact.”

She is also extremely appreciative of her mother, whose faith in her abilities and support of her efforts have helped enable her success. “My mom will be talking to someone and I’ll hear her say, ‘I don’t know how she does it all,’ and I know she’s proud. I wouldn’t be able to do this without her and my daughter. I owe them so much.”

After her MCC graduation, Ellashia plans to continue her education at SUNY Empire State, with aspirations to become a dean in the charter school system. She’s looking forward to crossing the stage on June 2. “I’ll be graduating on my birthday,” she said. “And I can’t think of a better gift to give myself.”

MARY M. TAYLOR

“College requires self-motivation. You’ve got to be willing to go after your dream with everything you can.”

Mary M. Taylor has many talents and one significant strength. “I know how to juggle,” she said.

For this Seneca Falls resident and busy mother of two, staying on top of things has been essential to successfully completing her criminal justice police degree. It’s a dream she’s had since leaving MCC in 2012. However, like so many others, the responsibilities of parenthood don’t leave Taylor much spare time.

Fortunately, she discovered the many options MCC provides for students who can’t or don’t want to take their courses on campus. “The hybrid course I took was great,” she said. “I really enjoyed the in-classroom, face-to-face instruction but because we did most of our assignments remotely, I wasn’t commuting all the time. It was a good balance for me; it was just enough.”

When not studying or working as a Walmart cashier, Taylor enjoys playing basketball, softball and spending time with her kids. She credits the sister who helped raise her for having the biggest impact on her life and for believing in her ability to complete the dream she came close to abandoning ─ the dream of earning her criminal justice police degree.

For now, Taylor is taking a security job with hopes of eventually entering the county system. “I’ve worked hard to come this far,” she said. “I’m ready to begin a better future.”

Attached Files:
Ellashia Spaulding.JPG
Mary M Taylor.jpg

Hency Yuen-Eng
Community Relations
06/02/2022