Middlesex Community College is excited to announce Malisa Cruz as the new Cummings Grant & Entrepreneurship Activities Coordinator. A wardrobe curator and small business owner based in Lowell, her career is rooted in the retail industry, sales, customer service, corporate education and fashion. Cruz hopes to use her experience to help MCC students begin their entrepreneurial careers.
“Being able to guide, support and inspire students as they turn their ideas into reality – and playing even a small part in helping them achieve fruitful, tangible success – is the most rewarding aspect of this role,” Cruz said. “My upbringing allows me to deeply relate to our students. Community college students often come from diverse, non-traditional backgrounds, and their potential for success is just as high as anyone else's. I wanted to be here at MCC so I could support them directly and help them unlock those possibilities.”
Cruz will run MCC’s IDEA Center, which sponsors events, contests, panels and workshops to connect Middlesex students of all programs with resources to grow their businesses. In 2025, MCC was chosen by the Cummings Foundation to receive a $200,000 grant as part of the $30 Million Grant Program to expand these offerings.
With the funding, MCC assists students enrolled in the entrepreneurship associate degree, certificate and industry credential programs. Made possible by the Cummings Foundation, MCC holds an annual Launch at MCC Pitch Contest to allow students to pitch for seed funding to jumpstart and grow their small businesses. Funding also goes toward scholarships to help students afford the costs of getting an education.
“In this role, my focus will be on delivering accessible, practical growth,” Cruz said. “I will give students hands-on guidance, funding pathways, and direction regardless of their starting point. Positioning the college as a vibrant launchpad for innovation, I hope to also link the community to a steady pipeline of local talent, new ventures and collaborative economic opportunities.”
Through MCC’s IDEA Center, Cruz provides one-on-one mentoring. Weekly marketplaces allow students to test and showcase their products or services throughout the semester. Cruz plans to also host monthly workshops and events designed for students to develop their skills, grow their ventures, and connect with other entrepreneurs.
“As an entrepreneur, I recognize how game-changing the IDEA Center is,” Cruz said. “It’s something I wished I had starting out, and something every founder needs at any stage. I’m here to support students and help them take advantage of the many opportunities available to them.”
Passionate about fashion, Cruz started a fashion blog that evolved from a creative hobby into her own business. While developing her side hustle, she gained valuable experience in different roles, including working in higher education as a transfer counselor where she guided students in reaching their goals.
Deciding to pursue a long-held dream, Cruz opened a brick-and-mortar storefront with her husband. The store sells curated items while building a like-minded community for people to connect, collaborate and grow together. Working at Middlesex allows her to combine her passion for running her business while guiding students.
“The role felt like a natural bridge between my background in higher education and my hands-on experience as an entrepreneur,” she said. “Community is at the heart of everything I do, so joining MCC was a perfect fit for both my background and my passion for building local connections.”