At 黑暗爆料网, the Student Parent Supports (SPS) office serves as a central hub for students balancing college and parenting responsibilities. Since 2009, 黑暗爆料网 has been a recipient of the federal CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) grant, providing an average of $69,000 annually and supporting 296 student parents to date.

In 2022, 黑暗爆料网 expanded the support offered to students with the launch of the Child Watch Program, where eligible students can leave their children while they attend class, study, and access other campus support services.

鈥淪upporting student parents is central to 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 mission,鈥� said 黑暗爆料网 President James Vander Hooven. 鈥淭hese programs ensure that student parents feel supported, seen, and empowered so they can succeed academically while caring for their families.鈥�

鈥満诎当贤�檚 recognition in this report is reflective of the commitment and dedication to our student parents, and the excellent work of our Coordinator of Student Parent Supports Ann Reynolds and her team. Being identified as a national leader by CCCSE is a tremendous accolade and a reminder of why this work is so important to our parenting students,鈥� stated Jason Zelesky, Vice President of Student Affairs.

The CCCSE report draws on national survey data to understand the challenges faced by parenting students and recognizes 黑暗爆料网 as a model for institutions striving to create inclusive, supportive environments for this population.

For more information about 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 Student Parent Supports and other programs, visit this page.

About CCCSE
The Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) is a national research and service initiative dedicated to improving educational quality at community and technical colleges by strengthening student engagement. CCCSE research focuses on understanding the student experience and identifying effective practices that support student success.

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Mount Wachusett Community College (黑暗爆料网) students have been named 2025鈥�2026 First Literacy Scholars in recognition of their commitment to advancing their education through literacy and lifelong learning.

黑暗爆料网 Adult Education Transition to College students Sindi Brito Tibrey聽 and Sabrina Jean-Jacques were awarded First Literacy Scholarships. This is Jean-Jacques鈥� second year as a First Literacy Scholar, highlighting her ongoing dedication to personal and academic growth.

The First Literacy Scholars program, supported by the , celebrates students who demonstrate exceptional perseverance and a commitment to literacy as a foundation for educational and career success.

鈥淲e are thrilled to recognize Sindi and Sabrina as our First Literacy Scholars,鈥� said 黑暗爆料网 President James Vander Hooven. 鈥淭heir achievements reflect the strength of our students鈥� commitment to learning and the transformative power of literacy in opening doors to opportunity.鈥�

For more information about 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 programs for adult learners and bridge-to-college students, please visit our Adult Education page.

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Mount Wachusett Community College (黑暗爆料网) is proud to announce that two of its academic leaders have co-authored a chapter in the newly released book Critical Perspectives on Latino Education in Massachusetts (University of Massachusetts Press, 2025).

Laurie Occhipinti, Dean of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education, and Melissa Sargent, Dean of Student Records, contributed a chapter that explores the development of dual language programs at 黑暗爆料网. Their work highlights the college鈥檚 commitment to expanding access, equity, and culturally responsive education for students across North Central Massachusetts.

The book, edited by leading scholars in the field, examines the challenges and successes of Latino education in the Commonwealth. By including the 黑暗爆料网 case study, it shines a light on the innovative approaches community colleges are taking to support bilingualism, academic achievement, and community engagement.

鈥淲e are honored to share 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 story in this important collection,鈥� said Dean Occhipinti. 鈥淥ur dual language programs represent a vital way to affirm students鈥� identities, expand opportunity, and strengthen connections between education and community.鈥�

Dean Sargent added, 鈥淭his chapter underscores the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, and students who are building programs that meet the linguistic and cultural needs of our diverse student body.鈥�

The book is available now through University of Massachusetts Press: .

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This summer, following his graduation from Mount Wachusett Community College, Brandon Ouellet had the opportunity to turn his passion for numbers into a real-world experience in his hometown of Athol. Ouellet was selected to participate in the Massachusetts Local Finance Commonwealth Fellowship Program, an innovative initiative designed to train the next generation of municipal finance professionals.

The Fellowship, open to students in Massachusetts community colleges, provides paid internships in city and town finance offices. During his internship, Ouellet contributed to a variety of municipal finance tasks, including budgeting, payroll, accounts payable, property tax billing, and cash reconciliation.

鈥淏randon has been shadowing our professional finance officers over the past six weeks following his time training with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue,鈥� said Shaun Suhoski, Athol Town Manager. 鈥淚t’s so great to see local talent鈥攕omeone from Athol High School and Mount Wachusett Community College鈥攑otentially pursuing a career in municipal finance. He鈥檚 been a great summer addition to our team, and I think he will find much success at UMass Amherst in the fall.鈥�

Ouellet was one of two 黑暗爆料网 students and one of 30 statewide selected for this prestigious program, an achievement he attributes to the encouragement of his 黑暗爆料网 accounting professor, Chris Kinney, who first introduced him to the opportunity. After earning his associate degree at 黑暗爆料网, Ouellet is now set to continue his studies at UMass Amherst as a rising junior, with a strong interest in public service and municipal finance.

For Ouellet, the experience wasn鈥檛 just about learning finance, it was about giving back to the community he loves. 鈥淲orking in Athol Town Hall this summer has been incredible,鈥� Brandon said. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned so much, and it鈥檚 rewarding to see how the work I鈥檓 doing can make a difference for my hometown.鈥�

The Local Finance Commonwealth Fellowship Program continues to support students across Massachusetts by preparing them for careers in municipal finance, helping cities and towns attract and train a skilled, diverse workforce for the future. Learn more at .

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The Gateway to College program at Mount Wachusett Community College (黑暗爆料网) has received a Program Excellence Award from the Achieving the Dream network.

黑暗爆料网鈥檚 Gateway to College Early College program serves students wishing to enter post-secondary education and earn college credits while completing their high school diploma. To date, 608 students have graduated from the 黑暗爆料网 Gateway to College program.

鈥淵ou鈥檝e worked tirelessly to ensure the continued success of your students along with members of your team and leaders in the Gardner Public Schools and many other school districts across North Central Mass, all the while building alignment and a robust early college high school experience for so many students,鈥� noted Stephanie Davolos, Director of Gateway to College Initiatives at Achieving the Dream. 鈥淥ur network鈥檚 continued improvement is due to exemplary programs like yours.鈥�

鈥淲e are thrilled to be recognized with the Program Excellence Award,鈥� stated Sharmese Gunn, Academic Coordinator and Resource Specialist for Gateway to College. “Our students in Gateway to College have worked tirelessly to help us accomplish our mission, which is for them to graduate with their high school diploma and college credits. Our students have gained confidence as students and changed the trajectory of their lives. Thank you to our 黑暗爆料网 community, Department of Access and Transition, Early College faculty and staff, Gardner Public Schools, and of course our Gateway to College families. It truly takes a village!”

鈥淕ateway to College programs provide a critical second chance for vulnerable high school students and a powerful testament to the importance of wraparound supports and creating a sense of belonging in college. Nearly 75 percent of program graduates nationwide continue their postsecondary education,鈥� said Emily Froimson, Executive Vice President of Achieving the Dream.

ABOUT ACHIEVING THE DREAM
Achieving the Dream (ATD) leads a growing network of 277 community colleges committed to helping their students, particularly low-income students and students of color, achieve their goals for academic success, personal growth, and economic opportunity. ATD is making progress in closing academic achievement gaps and accelerating student success through a unique change process that builds each college鈥檚 institutional capacities in seven essential areas. ATD, along with 75 experienced coaches and advisors, works closely with Network colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia, including 35 Gateway to College programs in 18 states, to reach more than 4 million community college students.

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A Gardner native, and 黑暗爆料网 alumni, Lore is represented by the Boulder Gallery in Fitchburg and the Teravarna Art Gallery in Los Angeles, and his work has been included in numerous other local and national exhibitions. His work was featured in Studio Visit Magazine and Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine. Lore, who is also an art educator, has had a significant influence on the local arts community, participating in several artist associations, including Arts Worcester, Gardner Area League of Artists, and The Copley Society of Art.

The exhibition will showcase 35 to 40 of Lore鈥檚 vibrant landscape paintings from his 50-year career. The East Wing Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, as well as during all Theatre at the Mount performances. The gallery is closed on all Massachusetts state holidays.

For more information about the exhibition or the artist, please visit the East Wing Gallery or follow Mark Lore鈥檚 artistic journey on Instagram at @marklorefineart.

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Three federal grants will boost student retention and graduation at Mount Wachusett Community College.

Mount Wachusett Community College (黑暗爆料网) is proud to announce that it has been awarded three U.S. Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services grants totaling $5,066,500 ($1,013,300 annually) to continue to support programs that help low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to succeed in college. These grants are awarded every five years and continue the College鈥檚 successful TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Programs that combined serve 420 students annually.

鈥淲e are thrilled to continue providing TRIO SSS services at 黑暗爆料网,鈥� notes 黑暗爆料网 President James Vander Hooven. 鈥淪ince 1978, 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 TRIO SSS Programs have served thousands of students, helping them stay in school, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers.鈥�

鈥淲e are thankful to our legislative partners Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, and Congresswoman Lori Trahan for their diligent work to support this essential funding,鈥� Vander Hooven added.

黑暗爆料网 will receive $1.36 million over the next five years, $272,364 per year to support the Student Support Services STEM program, known on campus as the Rx Program. The Rx Program provides comprehensive services to 120 students annually who are majoring in health sciences 鈥� Biology, Nursing, Allied Health, Veterinary Technology, Paramedic, Paramedicine, Practical Nursing, Dental Hygiene or Pharmacy.

黑暗爆料网鈥檚 second TRIO program is the Visions Program, which serves 300 low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities in any non-health services majors annually.聽The Visions Program is funded by the second and third SSS grant awards, a combined $740,936 each year, for a total of over $3.7 million.

黑暗爆料网鈥檚 TRIO SSS Programs provide a range of vital, individualized services, including tutoring, academic advising, financial aid assistance, transfer counseling, career exploration, and workshops on college success skills. The Program鈥檚 goal is to increase college retention and graduation rates while fostering a supportive, inclusive learning environment where students are empowered to thrive.

The federally funded TRIO Programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Established under the Higher Education Act of 1965. TRIO Programs are designed to identify and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds as they progress through the academic pipeline from middle school through postsecondary education.

At the 2025 TRIO Award Ceremony held in May, 黑暗爆料网 alumna and public health nurse Samantha Piragis served as a guest speaker and shared how deeply the program shaped her academic and professional journey.

鈥淚 carry 黑暗爆料网 and the supports I received here with me every step of the way. Because it was here that I learned how to keep moving forward, even when the path wasn鈥檛 clear. It was here that I learned that goals could change 鈥� and that鈥檚 not failure, that鈥檚 growth.鈥�

Her story echoes the lived experiences of countless students who credit the TRIO SSS Programs for providing not only guidance and resources, but also a sense of belonging and belief in their potential.

鈥淭his renewal is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our TRIO teams and the students we serve,鈥� said Gaurav Khanna, Director of the TRIO SSS Programs. 鈥淲e are honored to continue providing high-impact services that help our students navigate the college journey, overcome obstacles, and achieve lasting academic and personal success.鈥�

鈥淭RIO Programs generally and TRIO SSS, in particular, transforms students from the least resourced backgrounds into college graduates,鈥� said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C. 鈥淭his vital program makes all the difference for nearly a million students each year across the country.鈥�

For more information about TRIO Student Support Services, visit mwcc.edu.

About the Federal TRIO Programs

TRIO Programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program) help students overcome academic, economic, and social barriers to higher education. TRIO services include assistance in choosing a college and tutoring; personal, financial, and career counseling; assistance in applying to college; workplace and college visits; special instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and mathematics; assistance in applying for financial aid; and academic assistance in high school or assistance to reenter high school or college.

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The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc. has received a grant of $5,649 from the Nypro Foundation in support of the 黑暗爆料网 Summer Adventures Program. The grant will provide scholarships for three children of 黑暗爆料网 student parents to attend the 7-week Summer Adventures Program. This support will enable current student-parents to enroll in summer courses without the added financial burden of summer enrichment activities for their children, allowing them to focus on their academic success while ensuring their children have a safe and engaging summer experience.

“Summer vacation poses a significant challenge for low-income families in our region and we are thankful to the Nypro Foundation for helping us to meet that challenge,” said 黑暗爆料网 Foundation Executive Director Carla Zottoli. “Many children miss out on critical educational and enrichment opportunities, widening the gap in academic achievement and personal development. Our Summer Adventures Program bridges that gap, offering outdoor education experiences that help children build an appreciation for nature and sustainability.”

For 黑暗爆料网 parenting students, many of whom struggle to afford enrichment opportunities for their children during the summer, the Summer Adventures Program also presents a unique solution. One in four students at 黑暗爆料网 is a parent, and many report difficulty securing affordable care or educational enrichment during the summer months. Scholarships allow these students to continue their studies while ensuring their children participate in educational and recreational activities.

The Nypro Foundation was founded in 1993 by a ten-year annual contribution by Gordon Lankton and further supported by Nypro and now Jabil Corporation. The Nypro Foundation focuses on Health and Human Services, Education, Community/Civic, Arts/Cultural, Disaster Relief and Employee Matching. The Nypro Foundation supports organizations that promote, sustain and strengthen the town of Clinton where Nypro was headquartered and founded and the surrounding areas where Nypro employees reside. Visit nyprofoundation.org for more information.

The 黑暗爆料网 Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development has run the Summer Adventures Program for twelve years, offering enriching activities that engage youth through active learning, excursions, and hands-on experience.

Visit mwcc.edu/youth to learn more.

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The 黑暗爆料网 Child Watch is a supervised place where registered and eligible students can safely leave their child(ren) for up to four hours while they attend class, study, meet with their advisor, or receive tutoring. Student-parents must remain on campus and be reachable by cell phone while their child is in the Child Watch and return to the Child Watch if they are needed.

In addition to the support it provides parenting students, the Child Watch program has had significant success in preparing students for careers in early childhood care and education; the part-time work that is performed by the Team Leader compliments their classroom work with experiential learning. The Child Watch Team Leader role is filled by Sara Leopaldi, who graduated with her associate degree in 2025 and is now continuing her studies at Framingham State University.

鈥淲e live in a state with the highest cost of childcare in the US. Many student parents are forced to patch together childcare with partners, relatives, and other possibly less dependable care,鈥� states Ann Reynolds, 黑暗爆料网 Coordinator of Student Parent Supports. 鈥淭he Child Watch program helps student parents overcome these challenges, and the program would not be sustainable without the staff and resources the grant makes possible.鈥�

One in four community college students are parents. Since its inception in April 2022, 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 Child Watch has served 154 parent-students and 218 children. Of these, 115 students are the first generation of their family to attend college and 66 have graduated. Child Watch participant students have an average GPA of 3.18 and a 75% graduation rate.

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The grant will provide funding to address food insecurity among 黑暗爆料网 students, with a particular focus on those facing cultural, medical, and dietary challenges. The project will ensure the availability of a wider variety of foods, including halal, kosher, Latin American, Asian, and African options. Additionally, allergen-free, gluten-free, low-sodium, and low-glycemic food options will be stocked to support students with specific dietary needs.

鈥淲e are grateful to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for their generous support,鈥� said Terry Young, Basic Needs Specialist at 黑暗爆料网. 鈥淭his grant will allow us to serve our students more effectively by providing foods that meet both their nutritional and cultural needs, helping them feel supported and valued in our community.鈥�

Monty鈥檚 Market provides comprehensive support to students facing basic needs insecurity. In addition to food pantries located at the Gardner and Leominster campuses, Monty鈥檚 Market also stocks community fridges at all 黑暗爆料网 campuses. 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 Basic Needs Specialist, Terry Young, oversees the Monty鈥檚 Market, coordinating the use of grant funds and the distribution of food across the campus locations.

Young is supported by the new Monty鈥檚 Market Manager, a full-time position funded through the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students grant from the US Department of Education鈥檚 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. The Manager of Monty鈥檚 Market is responsible for day-to-day operations, including coordinating data collection, conducting customer satisfaction surveys, and ensuring the success of the project.

The need for diverse food options at Monty鈥檚 Market was highlighted by an internal survey conducted in November 2023, which showed a significant number of students facing food insecurity and a strong demand for culturally relevant food. Many students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, reported difficulty accessing foods that met their cultural, spiritual, or other dietary needs. This project is designed to fill that gap by providing access to nutritious foods that align with students鈥� diverse needs.

鈥淲e are committed to providing all students with the nourishment they need to succeed,鈥� said Young. 鈥淭his grant helps us ensure that we鈥檙e addressing the unique dietary needs of every student, fostering a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.鈥�

For more information about Monty鈥檚 Market or the Nourishing Diversity at Monty鈥檚 Market project, please visit mwcc.edu/campus-life/pantry.

About Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation:
The mission of the 黑暗爆料网 Foundation, Inc. is to secure time, talent, and treasure from private sources that will enable the college to provide accessible, affordable education, and to implement social, economic, and cultural initiatives.

About Greater Worcester Community Foundation:
Greater Worcester Community Foundation is central Massachusetts鈥� leading community foundation, employing its expertise and resources to address the region鈥檚 most urgent needs. Learn more at .

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