WORCESTER, MA – February 24, 2026 – Quinsigamond Community College recently energized the campus with a legislative breakfast that brought together state and community leaders from across the region to spotlight how public investment opens doors for students. The real showstoppers were the students themselves, earning standing ovations as they shared powerful stories of perseverance, ambition, and the success they’re already achieving.
The event focused on major statewide initiatives shaping the future of Massachusetts higher education including the free community college model (MassEducate and MassReconnect), the proposed BRIGHT Act, equitable pay for community college faculty and staff, and the SUCCESS Program, which provides wraparound support to underserved students.
Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll highlighted how these initiatives are vital to our education system, which positions the Commonwealth as a leader in areas such as healthcare, education and innovation.
"Education is our state’s competitive advantage. People from across the world come to our institutions of higher education because they know they are on the cutting edge of innovation and research. It's why we've proposed major investments to modernize our college campuses and why we have prioritized making higher education more affordable, including making community colleges like Quinsigamond free for all," said Driscoll.
Rep. Jim McGovern spoke on the difficulties that educational institutions currently face, such as threats to Pell Grants and Federal Work-Study, and praised QCC for its community impact.
“The opportunities and services that Quinsigamond provides have made our local economy and our workforce strong, and none of us in elected office take that for granted. Access to education makes this society better,” McGovern said.
QCC student Fakhria Azimi spoke at the breakfast about how grateful she was to receive assistance to attend college and rebuild her life after her world was turned upside down. Azimi is from Afghanistan and was attending college and running a business with her sister when the Taliban took over. She was no longer allowed to work or go to school, so she came to the U.S. to pursue a life with more freedom.
“Without MassReconnect, continuing my education would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible. I could improve my English, gain confidence and truly believe in myself again," said Azimi, who still works two jobs while attending college. “My goal is to complete my education and rebuild the business I once lost. I want to become a positive, educated and supportive member of the community here.”
The free community college programs MassReconnect and MassEducate have helped to bring QCC’s enrollment to its highest in over a decade. QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja noted that getting students enrolled is the first step, but increasing support services, improving faculty and staff compensation, and updating infrastructure are needed to get students to graduation.
“It’s important to remember that community colleges serve half of the undergraduate population in the Commonwealth. These are the people who are going to work here and make their homes here. We need to invest more in community colleges,” Pedraja said.
Throughout the breakfast, QCC officials emphasized that the state's educational initiatives are reshaping pathways to higher education and helping students from all backgrounds succeed. Over 1,750 students who received free community college funds have graduated since 2023, and students in the SUCCESS Program are being retained at higher rates than their peers.
One such student is Jazlyn Alas, a nursing major who told attendees that the relationship with her SUCCESS advisor has helped her persist towards her goal of making a difference in people’s lives through healthcare.
“College is more than just attending classes. It’s not easy managing school, work and being a mom, but it’s not impossible,” Alas said.