MassBay Student Published in Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society Anthology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
781-540-1231
ecooper@massbay.edu

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (February 5, 2025) — MassBay Community College accounting and medical coding student Reacher Ssozi of Chelmsford, MA, has been selected for publication in the 30th edition of the prestigious Nota Bene, the Phi Theta Kappa honors anthology. Ssozi was recognized for her poem, “The Pearl of Africa ” and was chosen from more than 4,500 submissions nationwide.

“I was born in Uganda and came to America when I was young,” said Ssozi. “Writing ‘The Pearl of Africa’ was a way for me to honor my heritage and share the cultural richness of Uganda with a broader audience. The piece focuses on the beauty of the country, its people, and its significance as the ‘Pearl of Africa.’ I wanted to capture the pride I feel in my roots, while connecting that to my life here in America.”

Ssozi started taking classes at MassBay during the summer when she was still a student at Burlington High School. At the time, her mother recommended MassBay because she had taken prerequisite courses here while pursuing her degree in nursing, and with her encouragement Ssozi thought this would be a good way to experience some advanced coursework. She explained, “how much the professors cared about the students,” and “they understood the students’ needs to help them succeed.” Ssozi quickly found herself enrolled at MassBay and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society in the spring of 2024.

Ssozi added, “I’m happy I was able to inspire people because of my writing. This was an honor to be included in the Nota Bene publication.”

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is a National Honor Society recognizing the academic achievements of students at associate degree-granting colleges, helping them grow as scholars and leaders. The society has more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries. Nota Bene is the only national literary anthology showcasing excellence in writing among community college students. According to the PTK website, Nota Bene was first published in 1994 and accepts entries from PTK members in the following categories: poetry, short stories, essays, drama, and visual arts. Nota Bene takes its name from the Latin expression for “note well.”

Ssozi’s goals include earning her associate’s degree at MassBay, transferring to pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and owning her own business. She is scheduled to graduate from MassBay in May 2026 with an associate’s degree in accounting and a medical coding certificate.

To read Ssozi’s “The Pearl of Africa” visit Nota Bene, Volume 30, page 41

MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands-on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.