Middlesex Community College’s Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE) received the Exemplary Veteran Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program (2-year) Award from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction (ICSI). Open to all certified domestic and international programs, Middlesex was recognized for having an innovative program that makes a positive impact on student success.
“This award is special to MCC because it exemplifies all the good work we have been doing since Fall 2012,” said Christine Bell, MCC’s Director of Academic Support Programs. “For over a decade, our program has not only demonstrated consistent excellence in student outcomes but also served as a pioneering force in expanding SI’s reach within the community college landscape and across the Northeast region. Our students succeed because they receive support from highly trained, professionally developed SI Leaders working within a program that has refined its practice over many years while never losing sight of its mission.”
Bell was invited to attend the award winners panel at the SI Conference in June 2026 to accept the award. Proud to be recognized by ICSI, the accrediting agent of the program, Bell believes there is a strong relationship between engagement and success for students who take advantage of ACE’s offerings. Students who use ACE’s services often have improved outcomes in their classes, including average grades, course completion rates, and course success rates.
ACE offers individual and group tutoring from faculty-recommended student leaders who have shown expertise in subjects such as math, writing and science. Student leaders teach study methods, answer questions, and explain course expectations.
For the Spring 2026 semester, ACE will have 90 student leaders, including 33 new and 57 returning students. This includes Leah Kiberstis, an MCC student, of Methuen hoping to study dental hygiene. She has worked as an SI for a chemistry course since Spring 2025.
As an SI, Kiberstis holds weekly study sessions. In addition to going over the materials through educational games, she offers practices quizzes and more activities to get students to better understand the content. She believes ACE received the award because of the program’s dedication to students.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve our SI sessions,” Kiberstis said. “At our monthly meetings, we discuss different activities and platforms we can either use in our sessions or that students can use on their own to build better studying habits. ACE is filled not only with brilliant minds, but also some of the most selfless individuals you will ever meet. It’s really amazing what we do.”
Romie Mello, a chemistry transfer student, of Lowell, also works as an SI for a chemistry course. To assist students, Mello includes real life applications into sessions. By building these connections, Mello believes students can better understand the how and why of the material.
“ACE is made up of incredibly passionate and hard-working people in every corner,” Mello said. “Our coordinators and learning specialists put together thorough training workshops each semester that prepare and encourage us as student leaders. Whenever I chat with other SI’s, I am blown away by the dedication that they have toward their students and activities. I am part of a team that has so much love for learning and the MCC community.”