Noticias de nuestros miembros

STEM Starter Summer Academy Gives Students A Jump Start on College

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Mount Wachusett Community College’s third annual STEM Starter Academy came to a close on Thursday, Aug. 18, following a seven-week schedule that provided two free academic courses with textbooks, academic support, and a stipend for participants.

More than 30 students from throughout the region enrolled in one or two courses such as a four-credit lab science and one general elective. In addition to earning up to seven free credits toward their STEM Pathway, the students toured the college’s new science, technology, engineering and mathematics building, received presentations on STEM careers, and explored MWCC’s transfer opportunities for its graduates.

“We are excited to complete our third annual summer program for local learners pursuing a degree in STEM fields,” said Veronica Guay, Assistant Dean of the School of Business, Science, Technology and Mathematics. “This summer’s Academy was outstanding. We nearly doubled the number of participants who attended in 2015 as the word is spreading about this amazing opportunity. Students have increased confidence in the areas of time management, study skills and ability to access to the college’s numerous student services. Some of the greatest areas of growth for the students include their interactions with college faculty, the willingness to access academic tutoring, and to assist one another and establish study groups. We are already looking forward to welcoming the summer 2017 STEM Starter Academy students!”

Funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the STEM Starter Academy is open to high school graduates or qualifying MWCC students who place into college-level English and math courses and are enrolling in one of MWCC’s STEM majors in the fall.

Qualifying MWCC STEM majors include analytical lab and quality systems, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computer information systems, exercise and sports science, fire science technology, graphic and interactive design, interdisciplinary studies-allied health, medical laboratory technology, natural resources, physics, pre-engineering, and pre-pharmacy.

Courses offered during the summer academy included intermediate algebra, introduction to functions and modeling, life sciences for allied health, chemistry, statistics and introduction to psychology. In addition to the coursework, the students will also participate in MWCC’s Summer Leadership Academy on Aug. 23 and 24.

“Our students have had an outstanding summer and are ready to continue their studies this fall with two courses already under their belt,” said Christine Davis, MWCC’s STEM Starter Academy recruiter. Students from approximately a dozen area towns enrolled in the rigorous program, and tackled classes in an accelerated format that will prepare them for their careers, she said.

Many of the academy students are also recipients of STEM SET scholarships at MWCC. These awards of up to $3,500 per year are available to qualifying STEM majors through a grant the college received from the National Science Foundation.

In another MWCC STEM program supported by the DHE this summer, nearly 40 high school seniors participated in a four-credit introduction to physical science course and toured the college’s new science and technology building that is nearing completion.

For more information, contact MWCC’s admission’s office at 978-630-9110 or .

Photo caption: Stem Starter Academy students enrolled in Mount Wachusett Community College’s summer biology course Life Science for Allied Health, with Dean Janice Barney and Assistant Dean Veronica Guay, checked out the new science classrooms nearing completion at the Gardner campus.

MWCC’s Project Healthcare Prepares for Year 2 in Fitchburg & Leominster High Schools

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Incoming freshmen at Fitchburg and Leominster’s public high schools will have an opportunity to join a program administered by Mount Wachusett Community College that prepares students for careers in the healthcare field.

In November, MWCC was awarded a five-year, $2.25 million federal grant to create the Project Healthcare program in collaboration with Fitchburg High School, Leominster High School and Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, is helping to address a national initiative to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged healthcare providers by creating a high school-to-college pipeline of students who plan to enter the healthcare field. Health disparities – differences in health outcomes that are closely linked with social, economic, and environmental disadvantage – are often driven by the social conditions in which individuals live, learn, work and play. The workforce pipeline initiative aligns with federal initiatives to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, known as the HHS Disparities Action Plan.

The program provides counseling, coaching, field trips, guest speakers, and dual enrollment courses for up to 120 high school students. This spring, 98 students were recruited to participate in the program. In addition to continuing support for these students during the upcoming academic year, college administrators will recruit additional students from the class of 2020 to join the program.

“We were able to accomplish a lot in just the first six months of the program,” said Director Melissa Bourque-Silva of MWCC’s Division of Access & Transition. “I know that our hard working staff and productive partnerships will keep our students motivated to learn and grow. I’m very excited to see what this year will bring.”

Within five years, the two cohorts of students who entered ninth grade in fall 2015 and fall 2016 will graduate from high school prepared to enter MWCC’s Pre-Healthcare Academy. By the end of their second semester at MWCC, students will have completed 15 college credits. By earning dual enrollment college credits, students can complete a healthcare certificate program within the first year or two of college, and an associate degree within three years of entering college. Students are motivated to transfer to a four-year institution to continue with healthcare studies.

In addition to Bourque-Silva, MWCC educators Shaunti Phillips, Heidi Wharton and Train Wu serve as the program’s senior outreach specialists and career coaches.

This spring, during the school day and after school, students learned about career and college research with a healthcare focus, took field trips to healthcare facilities, participated in hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities, and heard from multiple guest speakers including doctors and nutritionists, Bourque-Silva said. This summer, several participants obtained their CPR certification.

“We are delighted to have six classes of such courses already scheduled during the school day, and we’re looking forward to having several more scheduled in the coming school year during after-school hours,” said Dr. Christopher Lord, Principal of Leominster High School. “This gives students an opportunity to get a taste of the rigors of college life while in high school,” he said.

“Our students are so fortunate to be participating in the Workforce Diversity Pipeline Grant with MWCC. At Fitchburg High School, we seek to prepare students for college preparation as well as the careers of the 21st Century,” said Principal Jeremy Roche. “Exposing our students to these kind of relevant, engaging and purposeful experiences in the health care fields is a tremendous opportunity and one that will hopefully reap benefits in the immediate school year, but more importantly, for years to come.”

First-year participants are reporting that the program has opened their eyes to the academic and career opportunities that will be available to them. “I probably wouldn’t have wanted to go to college,” one Fitchburg High School student noted. “But now since I have the opportunity, I want to.”

Photo caption: Project Healthcare students Rohanji Novas of Fitchburg High School and Preya Patel of Leominster High School participate in an activity at the MIT Museum.

 

MWCC Awarded $1.18M Grant to Continue North Central Educational Opportunity Center

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The North Central Educational Opportunity Center (NCEOC) at Mount Wachusett Community College has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue providing adults in the region with comprehensive services to successfully transition to college or other postsecondary education.

MWCC was awarded $236,900 for the first year of a five-year grant totaling $1.18 million. The NCEOC, housed within MWCC’s Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development, was created in 2002 through federal funding, with additional financial and in-kind support from the college.

Designed to provide support for first generation college students and those with income challenges, Educational Opportunity Center programs are one of the nationwide TRIO programs created through federal legislation more than 40 years ago.

The NCEOC program serves 1,000 adults from throughout North Central Massachusetts at MWCC’s Gardner and Leominster campuses. Two-thirds of the participants are low-income, first-generation college students.

“Using federal funds to partner with local institutions to address the needs of the region is a key tool in ensuring all people have the opportunity to pursue higher education,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3).

“The significant return on these investments will have ongoing reverberations for many years to come, as more students are encouraged and able to complete their college careers and enter the workforce with the skills necessary to succeed. Mount Wachusett received these funds after a rigorous grant process, which speaks to both the quality of their application and the school in general. They exemplify the growing trend of Third District institutions becoming academic leaders in the Commonwealth. I look forward to seeing the far-reaching benefits take hold,” she said.

“A college education should be within reach for all who seek it. We must ensure that this applies to everyone regardless of age, income, or where they live. Whether it’s the hardworking parent who put off a college education in order to provide for their kids or someone who just never thought college was in the cards for them, it’s never too late,” Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) said. “With this grant, Mount Wachusett Community College will be able to continue the incredible work they’re doing to support lifelong learners and put a college education within reach for all Massachusetts residents. This is a smart investment that will help to lift families up and grow our whole economy.”

“We are grateful for the continued support of our Congressional delegation for this outstanding program, which has helped thousands of students over the past 15 years and, with this renewed funding, will continue to do so in the years ahead,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “We also appreciate the many community agencies and organizations that partner with us on this initiative. We are all committed to student success.”

The North Central Educational Opportunity Center actively assists participants in the planning and implementation of a student learning plan, which may include high school equivalency preparation, English as a Second Language courses, technical or professional training and college courses.

The center provides free and confidential client-centered services in English and Spanish that are tailored to the learning needs of each participant, including assistance with applying to the public or private college, university or vocational school of their choice, applying for financial aid, and academic and career counseling.

As a federally funded program, the NCEOC assists area residents with their academic and career goals no matter where they want to go to school, whether it is Mount Wachusett, one of the state universities or a career training program. The program also provides services specifically designed for veterans and their dependents, as well as current military personnel.

 

BANKHOMETOWN HIRES VICE PRESIDENT GOVERNMENT BANKING

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Michael Hewitt, President and CEO of bankHometown, announced that Ryan Stolle has joined the bank as Vice President of Government Banking.

Stolle obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from The Isenberg School of Management at UMASS Amherst.

He has more than 8 years of Government Banking experience, most recently as Vice President Government Banking at bankESB in Easthampton, MA.

Stolle will be responsible for continuing to grow the bank’s business relationships with the Cities, Towns, Districts and Authorities in Worcester County.

Stolle is an Associate Member of Mass Collector Treasurers Association, Worcester County Collector Treasurers Association, Norfolk County Finance Officers Association and Hampshire-Franklin County Collector Treasurers Association.

He resides in Douglas, MA.

Leominster Credit Union Dona Libros a Organizaciones Locales

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For the sixteenth consecutive year, Leominster Credit Union was pleased to participate in Children’s Book Month, an annual event sponsored by the Cooperative Credit Union Association.

During the month of April LCU members and employees collected donations of 620 new and used children’s books.  The books were distributed to the Red Raiders Lending Library program and Leominster Community Coalition.

This year’s event was spearheaded by Nancy Daigle, Kathy Hurley and Rachel Terrell. Since 2009, LCU collected and donated 5,743 books to various agencies.

Leominster Credit Union Presents Certificate of Achievement to Lily Moran, Finalist in Mass. Credit Union Essay Contest

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 Lily Moran, a student at the Clinton Middle School, sponsored by Leominster Credit Union, was named a finalist in the 26ta annual Massachusetts Credit Union Student Essay Contest, sponsored by the Cooperative Credit Union Association, Inc. (“CCUA”). An award ceremony for the students was held in the prestigious Great Hall at the State House in Boston.

The awardees—all students in either the seventh or eighth grade—along with parents, family members, teachers, and their credit union sponsors, were recognized with a special luncheon, State House tour, monetary awards, citations from Governor Charlie Baker and plaques presented by their local lawmakers. The finalists each received $250.

CCUA President Paul Gentile kicked off the day’s ceremony by welcoming the students and their families, noting that the essays reflected many of the core values cherished by all credit unions, from financial literacy to the most common credit union principle, “People Helping People.”

“The ability to motivate people, help them and change things through the power of your writing talents is a most valuable skill—one that will serve you and others very well in your future careers,” said Gentile, in encouraging the students to continue to master their writing talents.

Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks David Cotney was the guest speaker at the ceremony. As head of the agency that oversees the supervision of more than 200 banks and credit unions with total combined assets in excess of $400 billion, Cotney applauded the students for their writing achievements and invited all present to consider who among these students, because of their outstanding writing talents, will become the next scientist, lawyer, teacher, or possibly, even a public servant like a banking commissioner.

This year’s essay contest winner and finalists, along with their sponsoring credit unions, are:

Winning Entry: Natalie Barros, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union (Lowell)

Other Finalists included:

Taryn Dineen, City of Boston Credit Union (Boston)

Christopher Dupuis, St. Anne’s Credit Union (Fall River)

Hadiya Giwa, Worcester Credit Union (Worcester)

Lily Moran, Leominster Credit Union (Leominster)

Kerri Horan, Methuen Federal Credit Union (Methuen)

Erin Shenk, IC Federal Credit Union (Fitchburg)

Angela Truong, Metro Credit Union (Chelsea)

Leominster Credit Union Participates in the Greening the Gateway Cities Program

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Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is proud to participate in the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP).  LCU provided an area where nine trees were planted as part of the program along with a two year commitment to care for the trees.

This GGCP program is an environmental and energy efficiency program is designed to reduce household heating and cooling energy use by increasing tree canopy cover in urban residential areas in the state’s Gateway Cities.   GGCP is a partnership between the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Urban & Community Forestry Program, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), along with Gateway Cities and local grassroots organizations. The program plants trees (ranging from 6ft to 10ft tall) with a goal of covering 5-10% of the target neighborhoods in new tree canopy cover.

Leominster was one of the 26 cities selected to be a part of this program.