Michael Mancesri: Helping Yakima Students Move Forward
Throughout Michael Mancesri’s life and careers, he’s always appreciated the people who stopped to offer him guidance and support along the way. And in some ways, he knew he’d have the opportunity to do the same someday.
“I’ve actually always wanted to be a mentor in a college setting as someone who would help students come up in the world and make something of themselves,” Michael says. “I always believed that bettering yourself is the best way to appreciate yourself, and I wanted to help others do that.”
A Familiar Face on Campus
Michael earned his business certificate and Associate of Applied Science in Business online from Charter College in 2017. He went into the business world but eventually returned to Charter’s Yakima Campus as a Campus Support Specialist.
With a perspective that not many people could offer, Michael has been a tremendous resource to his students. As a Charter College grad himself, Michael understands what it’s like to balance the demands of school with other responsibilities like work and family. As a former online student, Michael also knows how important it is for students to have a reliable point of contact. Even when students complete much of their coursework online, they still need access to actual humans who can answer questions, explain processes, and help them find the right student resources.
“I wanted to work in a college setting because I wanted to help people improve their lives and make something of themselves,” Michael says.
At the Yakima Campus, Michael helps students, instructors, and staff stay connected. His responsibilities vary from day to day, but his purpose remains consistent: helping people move forward.
The Glue That Connects the Yakima Campus
Michael describes his role as “basically everything.” He may help an instructor locate a student, connect a student with the appropriate department, answer questions about records or immunizations, assist with appointments, or help someone understand the next step in the enrollment process.
When students have questions about financial aid or other college services, Michael works to connect them with the person who can provide the most accurate information.
“If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find the person who does,” he says. “I’ll get back to you the same day.”
That follow-through is especially important for students who may already feel overwhelmed by the process of starting college. Michael wants students to know they can ask questions without feeling embarrassed or judged.
“There are no dumb questions,” he says.
Whether a student needs help understanding a schedule, locating an office, or figuring out whom to contact, Michael works to make the process feel more manageable. He wants students to know they do not have to navigate college alone.
Helping Charter College Students Stay on Track
Charter College students complete their programs through 5-week modules, which require focus, organization, and persistence. Michael often reminds students that difficult moments do not have to define their experience.
He encourages students to take care of themselves, get enough sleep, manage their time, and remain aware of the habits that can affect their progress. His advice is practical, but it is also personal. Michael understands that students bring different responsibilities, experiences, and challenges with them to campus.
For him, supporting students means more than helping them complete a form or find a department. It means paying attention to each person and adapting his communication style to meet their needs.
“Backgrounds to me mean nothing,” he says. “You’re a person.”
Some students may need detailed explanations, while others may simply need someone to listen. Michael tries to meet students where they are and help them identify the next step toward where they want to go.
A Student Who Refused to Stop
Every student is unique, but Michael especially likes when all the pieces seem to come together seamlessly. He relates the story of a prospective student who called the campus and was quickly connected with an admissions representative. The student came to campus that same day, enrolled, and completed the steps needed to begin. About a week later, the student started classes and has not missed a single day since. The next stop—and soon to happen—is externship.
Michael sees that kind of progress as a reminder of why his work matters. A single phone call can become the first step toward a new career, and a welcoming campus experience can help students believe they belong in college.
He wants every student to feel that same sense of support, whether they are asking their first questions or preparing to graduate.
A Welcoming Charter College-Yakima Campus Community
Describing the Yakima campus as relaxed but serious about preparing students for their careers, Michael likes how much campus feels like a real community. Students can stop by the front desk to ask questions, talk through a concern, or simply have a conversation.
The campus also makes time for community-building activities, including barbecues and informal gatherings in the lobby. These events give students and staff opportunities to connect outside the classroom and help create a stronger sense of belonging.
Michael believes that connection makes a difference. Students are more likely to ask for help when they feel comfortable with the people around them.
He also appreciates the campus’s “go-to attitude.” When someone needs assistance, staff members work together to find a solution. That collaborative environment reflects the kind of support Michael wants students to experience throughout their time at Charter College.
Moving Onward and Upward
Just like the students who stop by to chat with him every day, Michael looks for motivation to move forward. He gets it from his wife, his two children, and his mother. Even after the loss of his brother, he didn’t allow grief to stop him. Instead, he uses it as a reminder to keep working toward his goals.
Michael is considering returning to school for a bachelor’s degree and may explore information technology. His own commitment to continued growth reflects the message he shares with students: education is not only about earning a credential. It is also about building confidence, expanding possibilities, and becoming better prepared for what comes next.
His advice to students is simple: keep going, ask questions, and use the support available to you.
“Charter is a great place,” Michael says. “There are people here to help you.”
He wants students to understand that the campus sees them as individuals, not numbers. When students walk through the doors, he hopes they feel that their goals matter and that someone is ready to help them take the next step.
For Michael, helping students move forward means drawing on his own experiences to guide others. It means offering encouragement when school feels difficult, connecting students with the right resources, and reminding them that progress is possible.
At Charter’s Yakima Campus, Michael is doing the work he always hoped to do: helping students better themselves, believe in their potential, and make something of themselves.