“I choose my life every day, using what I have learned. My time at NVCC has made a difference to that learning" ~ Micah Small

Micah Small is a graduate of Naugatuck Valley Community College, Class of 2015. He came to NVCC because it was affordable. “The value was really important for me, but once I got here, I discovered that the faculty really made a difference to my learning. The culture at NVCC is supportive and the emphasis is on resources for student success, for example I relied heavily on the ACE to help with my classes. The tutors were excellent.”

Micah majored in general studies with a concentration in dance. The performing arts programs at NVCC gave Micah lots of opportunities to use his natural gift for dance and choreography. He choreographed Godspell, performed in dance concerts and coached his classmates in their dance and acting performances. This is where Micah learned that he loved to help other students achieve their dreams and find their strides.  Micah has gone on to Western Connecticut State University where he is a senior majoring in business management with a supervisory option. Ever the entrepreneur, he is the designer and owner of the brand Frenchian, an avant-garde clothing company that ships on-demand to followers as far away as London. Awesome as it sounds, Micah is grounded in the basics of a solid plan inspired by his studies in business management.

He came to NVCC to share his story and inspire other students. The love of mentoring stronger than ever, Micah reached out to talk about his clothing line and dance accomplishments so that aspiring students would see how they can “become the change they need to be.”  His clothing and dance videos can be seen on YouTube and Instagram (@ KingFrenchFame). https://www.instagram.com/p/BUj3JVXDBlX/

Micah has offered to come back to campus for a motivational speaking event in the fall. His enthusiasm for life and his passion to inspire success in others, keeps him growing. “I am the difference community college can make, and I want to help others understand that.”

NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph. D. commented that the College would be proud to welcome Micah back to NVCC in the fall. “I am delighted that Micah wants to return to NVCC and provide words of encouragement to our students. When students return to share their individual successes with our current students, it is a powerful form of mentoring and encouragement. Micah embodies the hardworking spirit of many of our graduates, and I am so proud that he is pursuing his baccalaureate degree and his entrepreneurial dreams. He is a true testament to the difference community colleges can make and in particular NVCC in the lives of our students.”