WORCESTER, MA – December 18, 2025 – Quinsigamond Community College announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Max German, Maricelis “Mari” Gonzalez and Jessica Mandes. The appointments were made this October and November by Gov. Maura Healey following recommendations from the Public Education Nominating Council.
“We are thrilled to have the new members on board,” said QCC Board Chair Dr. Linda Maykel. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, and it’s great to be working together towards our goals.”
German is currently a student at Boston College Law School. A QCC alum, German transferred to Boston College after completing his studies at QCC. He brings experience in labor, politics, and government, and remains deeply connected to Worcester.
Gonzalez serves as executive director of El Buen Samaritano Food Program Inc., a Worcester nonprofit combating food insecurity and supporting vulnerable families. Gonzalez has more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership and advocacy. She is a member of Gov. Healey’s Latino Empowerment Council and has earned numerous honors, including Worcester Business Journal’s 2025 Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year and Telegram & Gazette’s “Hometown Hero” recognition in 2021.
Mandes, a Worcester native and first-generation college graduate, is the director of multilingual education for Worcester Public Schools. With over 25 years in youth work and 15 years in public education, Mandes advocates for multilingual learners and serves on several boards, including Worcester Latino Dollars for Scholars.
“These new trustees bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education and community,” said QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja. “Their leadership will help guide QCC as we continue to serve our students and the region.”
For more information about QCC and its Board of Trustees, visit QCC.edu/board-trustees.