Victoria Cerasuolo

Name: Victoria Cerasuolo

Major: Associate of Science in Public Health; Community Health Worker Certificate

Hometown: Haverhill

GPA: 3.39

High School and Year of Graduation: Whittier Regional Technical High School, 2016

Did you attend another college or university before enrolling at NECC? If so, did you earn a certificate or degree? I spent my freshman year of college at Plymouth State University then transferred to NECC.

What brought you to NECC? I decided to come home and start working as a CNA and take more prerequisites before deciding on Public Health as my focus!

Why did you choose your major? I chose Public Health because I know I want to help people and that is my calling, but I was not sure exactly how I wanted to help and Public Health has opened many future possibilities for me to help those in many ways.

What are you planning for fall, 2020? I will be starting my bachelor’s degree program in public health at Regis North.

What did you appreciate most about NECC? What I appreciate most about NECC is the way in which the professors engage with us as students. I never felt alone when taking a course and knew I had options to get the help I needed.

Was there a faculty or staff member who was especially helpful? If yes, how did they help you? Jacqueline Dick was my professor along with my program coordinator/ advisor. She was especially helpful through this journey of earning my associate degree in public health. I knew I could reach out to her with any questions or concerns I had regardless if it had to do with class or my personal life. She was an excellent professor as well, she always engaged with us as students and made sure we understood what we were learning. She truly cares about her students and their success.

Activities outside of class: I worked as a CNA and dog walker.

What surprised you most about NECC? The tight knit school community.

What advice would you give an incoming NECC freshman? If you have not decided on a major yet, it will come. Things will be tough, but you will always have a helping hand and NECC faculty and staff want the best for you. Don’t give up, it is all worth it.

What would people be surprised to know about you? When I was not doing my studies I was either exercising or riding on my significant other’s motorcycle.

What were the biggest challenges that you faced in pursuit of your associate degree? The biggest challenge was time management and being able to stay on track. What are your long-term career/education plans? To earn my bachelor’s in public health then obtain my nursing degree in the hopes of becoming a Public Health Nurse. Anything else you want to add? Good luck to all incoming freshman and those working toward their degree!