A year into studying at Middlesex Community College, Livkate Mejias, of Lowell, discovered a passion for creative writing. Changing to Liberal Arts and Sciences English and Creative Writing major, Mejias found a community of support where she felt comfortable developing her craft. After performing in the college’s Open Poetry and Fiction Reading, Mejias was chosen to represent Middlesex at the Mass Poetry Intercollegiate Showcase in April 2025.
“During the time I performed my poems, I decided to become authentic,” Mejias said. “Authentic to me felt genuine without having filters. I engaged with my audience, expressing my emotions, and making sure to have confidence in my speech. Each of the events I attended was beneficial. It made me grow as a person, making me realize I have what it takes to become a writer.”
As part of the experience, one of Mejias’s poems was published in the Mass Poetry Anthology: Communal Resilience. Mejias also gained writing and editing experience participating in the production of the 10th issue of MCC’s online literary journal The Dead River Review. Working hands-on, Mejias appreciated learning more about the publishing process, collaborating with peers, and finishing on a tight schedule.
In class, Mejias also had the opportunity to network with alumni and experts in their field related to writing. Individuals who stood out to include authors who have been published, editors who work in newspapers and magazines, and others who are employed by bookstores. The guest speakers helped Mejias gain a better understanding of what she could do with her degree.
“I never thought my writing could be turned into something more,” Mejias said. “I am doing something I love and am proud of. When you build bonds with others in the same field, you gain experience and knowledge. Having this, you can make connections while getting to know others. One gains an understanding of people in the field who have experience. I talked to people from all backgrounds, from people in the writing field, while others pursued other jobs.”
Middlesex professors also provided guidance and support as Mejias navigated her college journey. Bringing their different experiences to the classroom, Mejias was impressed by how the professors approached their teaching and their own writing. Combined with having to go through the editing process with peers, this showed Mejias how to continue exploring her writing style and being open to constructive criticism as she moves forward in her career.
“The bond you create with the people is beautiful and makes one want to chase down their dreams with them, giving you strength,” Mejias said. “You have skills from what you learned from the past, though it has grown by connecting new skills making your work stronger in style, energy, rhythm, flow and more. You grow in all kinds of ways from the mind with how you think and see your work.”
Coming to MCC on the advice of her mother, Mejias took advantage of earning credits she could transfer to a four-year school. In addition to taking classes for her program of study, Mejias also completed a variety of general education courses. While saving money, she was able to take the time to figure out what to pursue for a career.
Mejias graduated from MCC in Spring 2025 with high honors. After taking some time off to work, she will transfer to UMass Lowell to study creative writing. In the future, Mejias hopes to continue publishing her work and one day own a bookshop. Inspiring her interest in the craft, MCC provided her with the foundation and tools for her writing career.
“[My] education from MCC has made me stronger, understanding and passionate about what I want to do in the future,” she said. “My experience at MCC has been a mix of wonder, knowledge and growth. MCC has taught me to embrace the unknown, build a community, and try out new things without hesitation.”