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Quinsigamond Community College’s ‘Wyvernmobile’ Takes to the Roadways

New van to offers added exposure to higher education opportunities

Contact: Karen Hutner
Office of Institutional Communications
khutner [at] qcc.mass.edu

Release Date: 
2/27/2018

WORCESTER, MA—February 23, 2018— Quinsigamond Community College is bringing its message of shortening the distance to higher education to the communities it serves with its new college van, the Wyvernmobile. Decked out in QCC garb, the Wyvernmobile was developed to deliver QCC services to the community and increase access to higher education. The van will make QCC information easily accessible for those who may not have Internet access or who may not be able to visit the college campus.

The Wyvernmobile is a tricked out 2015 Ford Transit Connect van that’s maintained by students in QCC’s Ford Certified Automotive Technology Program. The van will be equipped with general information regarding enrollment, admissions, financial aid and programs at QCC. It will make regular visits to area high schools, festivals and outdoor events, Worcester City Hall and different neighborhoods and locations within the City of Worcester and surrounding towns that are serviced by the college. Additional travel locations will include malls, high school sporting events, Worcester YMCA and YWCA, Worcester Housing Authority locations, Veterans organizations and shelters.

The Wyvernmobile will now be able to visit different areas to target populations that had previously not been as accessible.

“This van is for increased visibility and access to QCC,” said QCC Director of Admissions Mishawn Davis-Eyene. “The community will be able to ask questions about programs and program requirements, receive college information, as well as complete and submit an Admissions application. It’s like a mini-Admissions on the road.”

QCC President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja said the need to get into the communities is imperative.

“We need to increase higher education access for all people, particularly those who have historically been underserved. This van gives those within our community a way to learn about the educational opportunities available to them,” Dr. Pedraja said. “We must make the effort to give higher education access to everyone. This van is a just one way to begin that process.”

QCC has also started a pilot initiative of community-based learning centers that will begin in the fall. The college is in the process of partnering with three different agencies to create centers in the communities where students live. The community centers will offer a safe place for students to study, free Wi-Fi, in addition to some computers and printers.

“A community college cannot just be defined by the walls of our campus. It must be present in our community,” Dr. Pedraja said.

For more information about QCC, contact Josh Martin, Director of Institutional Communications at 508.854.7513 or jmartin [at] qcc.mass.edu

Quinsigamond Community College is the most affordable higher education in Worcester County. As a regional leader in education and workforce development, QCC serves the diverse educational needs of Central Massachusetts by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality programming leading to transfer, career, and lifelong learning.

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