Montgomery County Community College’s newest Massage Therapy Program graduates quickly used their new skills and education to show their appreciation and to say “thank you.”

Eight students graduated from the program on April 9 and provided 20- to 30-minute chair and table massages to MCCC’s facilities employees. The knot-kneading was to acknowledge the support staff’s daily work to keep the buildings clean and safe

“The students were very excited to be able to give back to the staff who enabled them to come to campus each day so they could complete the program,” said Director William Mullen.

“They wrote and posted thank you notes and decorations around the lab. We are very appreciative of their dedication to ensure the safety of our students.”

Throughout the pandemic, MCCC’s facilities employees, following COVID-19 procedures and CDC guidelines, cleaned the Health Sciences Center and other buildings so they would be safe for students and faculty.

Their careful work enabled the students who needed to be on campus to meet the requirements of their programs to attend classes.

The students also will provide massages for the facilities employees at the Pottstown Campus to say thank you for their work on behalf of the students there.

The Massage Therapy Program graduates include:

• Henry Diaz-Lopez, Pottstown
• Christina Glykas, Bethlehem
• Ryan Hendricks, Lansdale
• Parker Miele, New Hope
• Justin Rose, Philadelphia
• Maya Slawow, Elkins Park
• Robert Sterling, Horsham
• Noni Williams, Philadelphia

Three of the graduates already are employed in their field:

• Henry Diaz-Lopez, at Massage Envy, Collegeville
• Parker Miele at La Bella Vita, New Hope
• Justin Rose at Haven Wellness, Philadelphia

MCCC’s Massage Therapy Program prepares students for the State Board of Massage Therapy’s approved licensure examination and to work as massage therapists in a variety of settings.

Since the Massage Therapy program started in 2017, more than 75 students have graduated.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics, employment in this field is expected to grow 22 percent by 2024, at a higher rate than average for all occupations.

For more information about the Massage Therapy Program, contact Director William Mullen at 215-641-6509 or email massage@mc3.edu.

For more information about Montgomery County Community College, visit its website.