CPC Faculty

Visiting Lecturer, English Department
Visiting Professor, Div. Graduate and Continuing Education
Framingham State University

Hannah teaches in the English Department at Framingham State University. She holds BA degrees in English and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Her poetry has been published widely in anthologies and literary journals. Before joining Framingham State and Framingham High School, Hannah served as Associate Professor of English and chaired the English Department at Pine Manor College.

Now in her fourth year at Framingham State, she has taught courses ranging from Composition and Reading Literature to Mythology, Folklore, and Creative Writing. Her advice to new Early College faculty is to get to know students early, set clear expectations, and remember that the role is not only to guide students in understanding college-level learning but also to share the excitement and joy of the classroom experience.

Visiting Lecturer, Department of Sociology
Framingham State University

As a first-generation college student, Dr. Demetrios Brellas understands the importance of embracing one’s background as a source of strength. In his teaching, he encourages students to recognize their diverse cultural experiences as valuable assets, helping them prepare not only for success in college but also for a lifetime of learning with confidence and curiosity.

Visiting Lecturer, Communication Arts, Media, and Performance Department
Framingham State University

Emily Cameron teaches in the Communication Arts department at Framingham State University. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Boston College and went on to pursue her masters in theatre direction from the University of Surrey. In addition to her role in higher education, Emily works as a theatre director and acting coach. At FSU, Emily teaches courses in Communication studies and performance. She began teaching in the Metrowest College Planning Collaborative in the spring of 2025.

Visiting Professor of Philosophy and Ethics
Framingham State University

Jason begins his third year teaching Ethics with the MetroWest College Planning Collaborative this Fall and serves on the MA4EC Early College Educator Advisory Group. A lawyer and educator with longstanding roots in the MetroWest area, he has taught philosophy for 12 years at Hebrew College, comparative law for 7 years at Brandeis University, and now teaches at Framingham State University. He has also taught at the Massachusetts School of Law, led international seminars for Russian-speaking students, and continues to facilitate lifelong learning programs for adults. Jason and his spouse have two daughters, one in college in Vermont and one at Natick High School.

He enjoys teaching early college courses because they give students the chance to discover the possibilities of higher education and spark a lifelong love of learning.

Liberal Arts/General Studies Chair
Professor of Spanish and Latin American Lit and Culture
MassBay Community College

Marco Mena is a tenured professor and Chair of Humanities and General Studies at MassBay Community College, where he has spent more than three decades helping students find their voice through language, history, and cultural inquiry. His work focuses on Latin American literature, Spanish language, and social justice. For the past three years, he has taught Interpreting Hispanic Literature, a course that explores identity, resistance, and storytelling across borders. Rooted in empathy and lived experience, Marco’s teaching reflects his belief in education as a tool for transformation, and he continues to mentor students long after graduation.

Professor and Program Chair Health Studies
MassBay Community College

Dr. Denise Pruitt has been teaching dual-enrolled healthcare courses for the past six years. She developed the “Health Career Explorations” course, now offered at numerous high schools. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about a variety of sustainable healthcare careers, including Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, and Surgical Technologist. Denise loves teaching and loves dual enrollment courses as they challenge her in a good way for her own lifelong learning.

Associate Professor, Department of Sociology & Criminology 
Framingham State University

Forrest has now taught two summer sessions with the Metrowest CPC, teaching CRIM 121: Sociological Perspectives on Criminology. One piece of advice Forrest has, is “plan everything”: schedule your class time, homework time, work time, social time, and so on. He says that organization and planning are crucial to success as one advances into and throughout higher education. 

Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminology Department
Framingham State University

Patricia Sánchez-Connally, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Sociology and Criminology Department at Framingham State University. She greatly enjoys working with the diverse group of students in the Early College program.