MWCC e-News

Nov. 12, 2015

In This Issue
MWCC Recognized as One of the Nation's Top Schools in Military Times' Best for Vets 2016 Colleges
New Bridges to College Program with WCSO Aims to Cut Crime, Provide New Start
MWCC receives $1.1M Federal TRIO Grant to Expand Services to Students with Disabilities
MWCC receives $2.25M Federal Grant to Create Healthcare Workforce Diversity Pipeline
MWCC Named to 2016 Military Friendly Schools List
Vietnam Veterans Support Scholarships for MWCC Student Veterans
Emerging Fire Science Professionals Get Foot in the Door at Lunenburg Station
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MWCC Recognized as one of the Nation's Top Schools in Military Times "Best for Vets 2016"
Mount Wachusett Community College has been designated one of the country's best two-year colleges for veterans, service members and their families in the newly released Best for Vets 2016: Colleges list released Nov. 9 by Military Times Media Group.

MWCC ranked sixth among two-year schools, moving up a notch from last year. This is the sixth consecutive year MWCC has been recognized by Military Times as a top military and veteran friendly college. The announcement follows recognition last week by Victory Media, which named MWCC to its 2016 list of Military Friendly schools in the country.

"I am proud that Mount Wachusett Community College continues to be recognized as one of the top schools in the country for veterans, active members of the military and their dependents," said President Daniel M. Asquino. "MWCC has a long history of serving veterans, and we're delighted to be recognized for our commitment to those who courageously serve our country. These students bring great leadership skills to our campus and ultimately to our workforce. They are a tremendous asset to our communities."

The rankings are published in current issues of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times and online at MilitaryTimes.com, as well as ArmyTimes.com, NavyTimes.com, AirForceTimes.com and MarineCorpsTimes.com.

New Bridges to College Program with WCSO Aims to Cut Crime, Provide New Start
MWCC and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office are launching a prison education program to prepare inmates for college entry and the workforce. Funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Bridges to College program will provide education and workforce training opportunities to 100 inmates at the Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections in West Boylston. The program's goal is to lower recidivism rates by providing ex-offenders with skills needed to enter college, as well as the field of advanced manufacturing.

MWCC Receives $1.1M Federal TRIO Grant to Expand Services to Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities can tap into a variety of support services to help them succeed in college through a new grant-funded program available at Mount Wachusett Community College. The college has been awarded a five-year, $1.1 million TRIO Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help students with disabilities graduate with an associate degree or academic certificate and continue on for a bachelor's degree.

MWCC Receives $2.25M Federal Grant to Create Healthcare Workforce Diversity Pipeline
MWCC and the Fitchburg and Leominster public school districts are creating a new Workforce Diversity Pipeline program for students interested in healthcare careers. The college been awarded a five-year, $2.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to create the Workforce Diversity Pipeline Program. The program, which addresses a national initiative to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, will offer counseling, coaching, field trips, guest speakers, and dual enrollment courses for 120 high school students attending Fitchburg High School, Leominster High School and Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation.

 
MWCC Named to 2016 Military Friendly Schools List
For the seventh consecutive year, MWCC has been recognized as a top military-friendly school for veterans, active military members and their dependents by Victory Media. The 2016 Military Friendly Schools list, released Nov. 5, features the top American colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace military students and ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. Now in its seventh year, the designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.

Vietnam Veterans Support Scholarship for MWCC Student Veterans
Members of Gardner-based Chapter 907 of the Vietnam Veterans of America recently donated $2,000 to the MWCC Foundation's Veterans Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was established to assist student veterans and ensure that their service and sacrifices will not be forgotten. Scholarship funds are awarded to new or returning full-time students who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, or are currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard.

Emerging Fire Science Professionals Get Foot in the Door at Lunenburg Station
Three MWCC students are receiving hands-on training as on-call firefighters with the Lunenburg Fire Department while pursuing their college degree in Fire Science Technology. The trio, all certified Emergency Medical Technicians, have spent the past year serving overnight shifts at the fire station as part of the unique "live-in" component of MWCC's associate degree program. Concurrent with their academic training and experience with the department, they also graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's Call/Volunteer Training Program.

Upcoming Events
  • Early Childhood Education reunion: Nov. 17
  • Winterfest Fair: Dec. 2 & 3
  • Saturday Business Certificate Program Information Session: Dec. 5

For information about upcoming events, click here.

 

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Janice O'Connor
Director of Public Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
978-630-9547