In 2024, Gabriel Belanger graduated from high school at Forest Park Schools in his hometown of Crystal Falls, MI. During his junior year of high school, Gabriel started taking classes at Bay College as a dual enrolled student.
“The dual enrollment program really helped me understand what college is, and that it’s not high school. It really helped me get a head start in my college career,” he said.
Thanks to this program, Gabriel took several classes at Bay before he “officially” became a student there.
“Some of my favorites were definitely Introduction to Cultural Anthropology and A+, which is a computer maintenance class,” he said.
The fall 2024 semester marked Gabriel’s first semester as a full-time Bay student at the college’s Iron Mountain campus. So far, he said college has been both more challenging and more rewarding than high school.
“I feel like you get a really deep understanding of what you’re here to learn,” he said.
One of Gabriel’s favorite things about studying at Bay has been his instructors, who he described as “some of the best I’ve ever had.” Specifically, he thanked Spencer Slade for helping him keep up with higher-level math classes.
“He explained it in such an easy way, and I gained such a strong understanding of the material,” he said.
As a Bay student, Gabriel is majoring in computer network systems and security (CNSS).
“I have always been interested in computers in general,” he said.
Gabriel began considering a CNSS degree after taking his A+ class through the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District. He has been a CNSS major since he started taking classes at Bay, and these experiences have only reinforced his decision to find employment in computing.
“Bay has really confirmed for me that (computing) is what I want to get into,” he said.
In addition to his classes, Gabriel has gotten involved with two clubs at Bay—Business Professionals of America and the STEM Club.
“Both those clubs have really reinforced my love of computers,” he said, adding that he plans to attend a computing-related competition in Orlando through BPA in the near future.
Gabriel has been working as a tutor in the Student Success Center, as well.
“It feels amazing to help fellow students achieve their goals,” he said.
He noted that this experience has helped him improve his own study methods.
“Assisting in teaching a subject has really bettered my understanding of both what I was tutoring and learning in general,” Gabriel said.
Along with that, Gabriel has been a student worker in the college’s IT department.
“It has really shown me what the industry is like, and it has only made me more excited to go into the industry in the future,” he said.
Gabriel has spent time volunteering on campus, too. Every Friday, he helps out at Bay’s food pantry.
“It has been very fulfilling, and it just feels great to help people around the campus,” he said.
Gabriel earned an associate degree in CNSS from Bay at the end of the Winter 2025 semester. He has transferred to Michigan Technological University for the fall 2025 semester. Though he has felt conflicted about this decision, he voiced his appreciation to Bay for helping him get his college education off to a good start.
“I wish I could be here a little bit longer, but Bay has been a great stepping stone for my career,” he said.
At Michigan Tech, Gabriel plans to switch to a computer science major. Once he earns a bachelor’s degree there, he hopes to continue his education by working toward a master’s degree (and potentially a doctorate) in computer science.
Gabriel encouraged incoming Bay students to work hard in pursuit of their goals while taking college classes.
“Keep going. It’s going to be difficult, but it’ll be so rewarding when you get near the finish line,” he said.