November is a season of gratitude and a time to reflect and give thanks. I’m especially thankful for another busy month filled with meaningful moments: connecting with our community at events, sharing conversations during interviews, enjoying pizza with our students, and engaging with our facilities team through the “On the Move: Coffee Conversations” initiative.
This month, I was delighted to take part in the official ribbon cutting of the Auxilium Center for Entrepreneurship at QCC. The ribbon cutting ceremony was the culmination of hard work, dedication, and commitment of so many at QCC, coupled with the support of the Cliff and Susan Rucker Foundation. The center will serve as a hub for students and alumni across all disciplines, offering guidance on business planning, financial literacy, as well as access to community networks.
One of the most uplifting moments this month was the opportunity to connect with first through third grade Worcester public school children from Burncoat Street Preparatory School, who visited our dental clinic through the Kidseal program. This program provides free dental care, such as cleanings and sealants, to elementary school children from inner-city schools who have limited access to dental services. The children asked thoughtful, engaging questions, and I could easily imagine them as future QCC students.
As one of the commissioners for the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), I attended the November NECHE Commissioner meeting. This meeting was focused on developing updated standards to address evolving trends in higher education, ensuring they remain relevant and effective while aligning with federal requirements. Being part of the process of establishing critical industry standards was incredibly rewarding.
I also attended a few community events that included An Evening of Authors, Books, and Community at the Worcester Public Library, a celebration gala to honor the 40th anniversary of the Hispanics Achieving and Celebrating Excellence (HACE) Awards, as well as the Manny 267 Legacy Gala-Honoring Heros Among Us. It was a privilege to represent QCC at this event, which honored Worcester Police Officer Emmanuel "Manny" Familia. Officer Familia was a former QCC student and police officer who tragically died responding to a 911 call in 2021.
Other items of note this month included attending the Kern Family Foundation Retreat, where community college presidents from across the country gathered to discuss how we use our values to make decisions. It was inspiring and thought-provoking. I also attended the American Academy of Religion Conference in Boston, where I connected with former faculty colleagues. A particularly high point was running into a doctoral student I mentored through his Ph.D. program. He is now a professor who is an endowed chair at a major university. It was wonderful to learn how successful he has become.
This month also included two Board of Trustee Sub Committee meetings, a QCC Foundation meeting, a Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, as well as the TechHub Awards and Designations Announcement with Lt. Gov Driscoll and the MACC Governance Leadership Institute, held at Holy Cross. Couple all this with two interviews with the Community College Journal and Talk of the Commonwealth and it has been a jam-packed month.
Finally, I want to thank each of you for pouring your time, talent, and heart into this college. Together, we are doing work that matters, work that uplifts, empowers, and creates a brighter tomorrow.