The STCCing Point
Alumni and Friends Newsletter | December 2022
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Dear STCC Alumni.
Sharing holiday greetings on behalf of President Cook who writes;
With appreciation for a tremendous year, I write to wish everyone a happy holiday season and best wishes for a New Year.
Your commitment to STCC is a source of great pride for all; thank you for a year framed by Gratitude and Grit.
As we prepare for 2023, please enjoy this set of reflections:
Take good care,
John B. Cook, Ph.D.
President
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STCC Back to Business Career Fair
There were over 50 businesses and colleges/university on hand to answer any questions and assist with applications. Alumni and attendees were offered headshots to update their portfolio/profile for free.
It's not too late! There are part-time and full-time job opportunities available in a wide variety of career fields! Ther is still time to apply! A listing each college/university and businesses that participated has been sent to you via email.
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CNA WITH RIBBBON CUTTING CEREMONY |
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STCC President John B. Cook and CNA instructor Kathleen Nichols cuts the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the opening other CNA lab on campus. |
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At an event at STCC’s Building 27, STCC President John B. Cook and staff welcomed regional healthcare leaders, as well as legislators and elected officials who were on hand to celebrate the college’s new lab. They took a tour of the new facility which includes high-tech patient simulators for students to use for training.
STCC understands the dire need for more direct care workers throughout the region. More than 500 unique job postings for CNAs and home health aides are posted in the region each year.
“With intentionality and planning diligence, STCC continues to make every effort to meet the need for healthcare workforce training. This investment brings an enhanced capacity in a field we know only continues to grow and expand,” Cook said.
The new CNA lab will enable STCC to increase training capacity (day, afternoon, evening, and weekends) of the CNA Plus program, which effectively translates to a new cohort starting about every six weeks. The program is designed to help students achieve a Certified Nurse Assistant Certificate, CPR Certification, Home Health Aide (HHA) Training Certificate, and Alzheimer’s & Neurological Disorders Training, which will expand participant placement opportunities.
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Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
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Springfield Technical Community College Professor John Diffley enjoys receiving feedback from his class but was particularly moved one day when he read a blog post by one of his students.
He described the student’s comments as “one of the kindest things educators can ever dream of hearing.”
In recognition of his teaching excellence, STCC recently named Diffley as the 2022 Joseph J. Deliso Endowed Chair.
Each year, an STCC faculty is nominated as the Deliso Endowed chair by their colleagues and then invited to apply. Applications are reviewed by an award selection committee, including faculty and staff, which makes recommendations. The STCC Foundation Executive Committee determines the recipient(s).
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GED to AA, AA to BA, BA to MBA success story
"My story starts senior year of high school. I dropped out, as I was pregnant with my first child. I thought I was all grown up and had no interest in education. However, after attending my class graduation and watched my classmates graduate, I decided to at least get my GED while 11 years of education was still fresh in my mind. Off to STCC! With GED in hand, I felt I had what I needed to start my family.
Less than a decade later and a second child, I found myself divorced and struggling to support my small family working in a factory. I barely could cover daycare costs needed to earn a living. Not knowing where to begin, I made an appointment with STCC to see if there was a way to get training toward a better future. I started with a few classes, though I did change my major twice (1st computer programming and 2nd accounting) before deciding I was interested in the legal secretary program.
During my program, I had a part time, stipend position at $5/hour tutoring on campus. Then, I stumbled upon an opportunity advertised on campus for a stipend position working a few hours a week at the Consumer Action Center, Legal Assistance team, within walking distance from school. The part time, on staff attorney was Attorney Barbara M. Hyland, now The Honorable Barbara M. Hyland, First Justice of the Hampden County Probate and Family Court.
After three years working toward my AA, I was getting close to graduation. Attorney Hyland recognized something in me and began discussing with me transferring my credits from STCC to an Advanced Paralegal Degree at Our Lady of the Elms College. At the time, I sincerely did not want to continue my education. I just wanted to get a job as a legal secretary and end my time in college. But I went back to my support center at STCC to talk through what it meant to transfer credits to a four-year college. It sounded so overwhelming, and I was pretty sure that it would be more than I could handle.
Working with my Paralegal Certificate, I was fortunate enough to get hired by MassMutual in Investment Compliance. While at MassMutual, I realized that the company would pay for me to earn an MBA. I was never interested in an MBA, but off I went to give that a try as well. Who can turn down a “free” MBA?
Currently, I’ve earned an MBA from AIC, a BA from Elms College, and my AA from STCC. It all started with my GED at STCC. In my career, this high school dropout broke the glass ceiling and served as Chief Compliance Officer at a small investment adviser. I never would’ve imagined the journey I would take when I got that GED and AA from STCC. Had that first, crucial step in my AA journey failed, I never would’ve expended the energy to get further education. It was not a priority to me. But, having such a successful start with our local STCC, I went out into the world with the confidence to take on challenges and have a successful career in Compliance. I have so many happy memories of my time at STCC and am very grateful for the support I consistently received from STCC staff. And I made a friend in my STCC graduating class who has been a friend for decades. Thank you, STCC!"
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Christine Weaver
Chief Compliance Officer
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Are you a Ram Warrior?
Make an immediate and consistent impact on the future of STCC students today by enrolling in the Rams Warrior Society!
Many alumni and friends of the college have already enrolled, and represent STCC’s most loyal donors, those who make their annual gifts in monthly installments. Their impact on students as they transform their lives is incredible, consistent, and allows STCC to forecast support.
Your consistent gift allows the college to direct student support on a predictable basis, which for us is invaluable. The Rams Warrior Society is truly shaped by the leading philanthropists at the college – not only do they support our students, but their consistency allows us to better budget financial aid for our students.
"I truly believe that the mission of STCC is among the most important in Greater Springfield. What the school does for the long term growth of individuals and the region is immeasurably important. Springfield centric, regionally focused, the school prepares young people of all ages to build our economy. STCC, its administration, its staff, and its students play a key role for the future, and they are all worth investing in."
Eugene J. Cassidy, CFE
President and Chief Executive Officer
Eastern States Exposition
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Get On Board
Are you an alumni who would like to serve as College Ambassador, or perhaps on a reunion planning committee?
How else would you like to engage?
If you are interested in continuing the conversation, please email Eunice Guidry, Manager of Advancement & Alumni Relations at emguidry@stcc.edu.
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Stay Connected
Have you moved? Are you a recent graduate or alum who needs to update their contact information?
Click the link below to update your contact information!
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Show Your Support
How can you make a difference? With your financial help, STCC can provide more scholarships to students, hire and retain more first-rate faculty, develop technology to improve teaching and learning, and maintain our beautiful and historic campus.
Thank you for helping us continue to transform lives!
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