The month of October began on a high note full of energy and engagement, highlighted by one of the first Professional Development Days for faculty and staff in recent years. From the impactful keynote speaker, Dr. Tara Zirkel from EAB, to the variety of morning and afternoon sessions coupled with a great luncheon, this day was one for the record books (Spoiler alert: a second Professional Development Day will be held in March 2026)!
My new initiative, “On the Move: Coffee Conversations,” kicked off this month with the staff from Institutional Advancement and Institutional Communications, as well as Healthcare and Workforce Development. This event is designed so that I can meet with faculty and staff in a more informal, intimate setting perfect for conversation, cookies and yes, coffee. I hope every department will take the time to meet with me, share their thoughts and engage in meaningful dialogue. I also had the privilege of sharing pizza with our students at the Federal Street campus. It is always the highlight of my day when I get to meet with our students and learn about their challenges and triumphs.
October was a busy month with a myriad of events both locally and nationally that included the Hispanic Heritage Breakfast at Union Station; the Executive Leadership Institute where the discussion topic centered on “Bridging Academia and Government: Navigating State and Federal Relations in Higher Education”; Auxilium Worcester’s first Venture Showcase where new start-ups pitched their ventures; the Worcester Railers Opening Night; the New England Board of Higher Education 2025 Fall Board meeting, and the Board of Higher Education meeting.
This month I was honored to host two college presidents who came to visit QCC – President Pieczynski from Nichols College and President Ryan from Anna Maria College. Forging these important partnerships with our four-year institutions helps provide clear, affordable transfer pathways that save students time and money while boosting degree completion.
Later in the month I went to New Orleans for two inspiring events: the Higher Education Research and Development Institute (HERDI) Fall 2025 meeting and the ACCT Leadership Congress. The latter I attend with Trustee Raj Rajeshkumar and Student Trustee Noah MacDonald. Both events gave me great insights into the promising future of higher education.
Other events included a motivating and informative meeting with exchange faculty member Saskia van den Akker of the Netherlands; the Board of Trustees Meeting and the monthly All College Forum, where we discussed governance, hiring process, and budget updates.
Finally, we wrapped up the month with a fantastic Foundation Donor event on Oct. 30th at JMAC. The event was made even more memorable by surprise appearances from several cast members of The Walking Dead, who were filming outside our Federal Street campus with staging at the JMAC. It made for a hauntingly fun way to wrap up a jam-packed month.
As we look ahead to the rest of the semester, I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish next.