MCC’s New Chair of Engineering Looks Forward to Building Program

Middlesex Community College strives to provide students with an immersive and high-quality education that includes hands-on and relevant experiences. New Middlesex Chair of Engineering Cristopher Algarra wants to continue building the department with state-of-the-art technology, classes and opportunities that will prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Algarra’s dream was to earn his master’s degree in engineering from a college in the United States. He saved money after working in the industry for a few years and came to the U.S. to attend Merrimack College. After graduating, he had a choice between accepting a job at a company or Middlesex. Because of a passion for teaching that he discovered from working as a teaching assistant at Merrimack, he chose MCC.

“I always wanted to be a professor,” he said. “I love helping students. When you know something, you know it. When you have to teach it, you become better. Whenever a student asks me a question, I’ll answer it or go and find the answer. After that, I know more than before. That passion for knowledge is what drove me into the profession.”

Now a big promoter of community colleges, Algarra prides himself on being part of an institution that gives students opportunities. MCC’s Engineering program allows students to take classes for their major early on in their academic journeys, helps them transfer to competitive four-year colleges as a junior, and then start lucrative careers – while saving money on tuition.

His background and love for education allows Algarra to feel a connection to his students. Seeing himself in them – and all of the differences they bring to the classroom – gives him purpose.

“I’m diverse myself,” he said. “I’m an immigrant from Venezuela and I have an accent. I’m always curious by the student population we have. It’s so diverse and that helped me become a better – not only professor but – person.”

Algarra believes it is important to motivate students by sharing his own story, as well as others’ in the industry. During the pandemic, Algarra and former Engineering Chair Michele Stein hosted virtual talks with active, international professionals. As the real-world engineers shared their stories of success and hardship, students felt inspired and knew that they too could be successful.

When he first arrived at Middlesex, it was Algarra’s goal to provide students with more project-based experiences they may one day see at work. In 2019, he guided students to a third place win at a National 3-D Printing competition. As he continues to enhance the department, he wants students to hone their knowledge and skills in these practical ways to prepare them to be “ready for whatever challenges they may face” in the growing field.

“They had setbacks, they got frustrated,” Algarra said. “They thought they were not going to finish the project, but they kept working. That’s how you work in a company, you have to talk to people and find a solution. Project-based classes are what students need and our students are getting these kinds of experiences in only the first two years of college.”

In order to keep MCC’s Engineering program competitive, Algarra is looking forward to the future both in terms of where the industry is heading and the Fall 2021 semester at Middlesex. He is interested in keeping up with technological advances and bringing in virtual reality, gaming design and environmental design for his students to explore.

For the upcoming semester, engineering class lectures will run online – Algarra prerecords his so students can return back to the material – and labs will be held in person. He will also have to focus on balancing teaching with the work that is needed from him as Chair, including overseeing faculty, making hiring choices, building and maintaining relationships with high schools and four-year colleges, and designing curriculum.

Algarra also emphasizes the importance of MCC’s community. Whether they are getting support from professors who are passionate about helping students or meeting classmates in clubs – such as the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) club which Algarra advises – students have access to a supportive and caring space, both online and on the campuses in Bedford and Lowell.

“Professors at Middlesex work because of students,” he said. “In the Engineering department, you will find a community that is caring and helps others. You’ll have a group of faculty who are always thinking of technology and how to bring it to classes. Students will be successful.”

Students can complete one of MCC’s five Engineering degree or certificate programs and prepare to transfer to a four-year institution – including the Engineering Technology Precision Machining certificate, Engineering Technology CAD certificate, Engineering Technology CAD associate, Engineering Science Transfer Mechanical Engineering associate, and Engineering Science Transfer Civil and Environmental Engineering associate.

MCC’s STEM pathway helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_stem.aspx for more information and to discover your path to a degree in STEM at Middlesex.

Featuring flexible course formats and a variety of student support services and resources, MCC is registering now for the Summer and Fall 2021 semesters. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu or call 1-800-818-3434 to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!