Newsletter Archive

Quinsigamond Community College’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education has been awarded a $143,000 Direct Access Grant from the Workforce Training Fund. QCC’s grant is part of $2.98 million in Small Business Direct Access Program grants awarded to qualified training organizations by the Commonwealth Corporation, a state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education and workforce organizations.

The Small Business Direct Access Program addresses the training needs of small businesses by offering free training to eligible businesses. The state grant was recently redesigned for businesses with no more than 100 employees, in order to help them remain competitive in today’s marketplace. This is the first time QCC has been awarded a Direct Access Grant. The college will offer a training program to eligible businesses that includes: critical workplace skills such as listening, collaborating with others, presenting ideas, and communicating with team members.  These topics were chosen due to the overwhelming need that was expressed by businesses in the region.

“These skills are not only highly valued in today’s marketplace, they are necessary if the business and the individual are to succeed,” said Dean of the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Kathleen Manning. “Strong soft skills ensure a productive, collaborative, healthy and effective work environment, key attributes for organizations in an increasingly competitive, global world.”

Companies that are eligible for these types of grants must pay into the Unemployment Fund, which allocates money into the Workforce Training Fund administered by Commonwealth Corporation and hold a Certificate of Good Standing that is issued from the Commonwealth.

QCC will begin offering six workshops, “Essential Soft Skills in the Workplace” beginning in April 2019.  The six workshops include:

• Essential Business Skills
• Communicating with Clarity and Impact
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Time Management
• Presenting with Impact
• Conflict Resolution

There will be four series offered in spring 2019, fall 2019, spring 2020 and fall 2020. Each workshop will enroll between 12-15 participants and be offered throughout the Central Massachusetts region.  Workshops are currently scheduled at QCC’s Healthcare and Workforce Development Center location on 25 Federal Street, Worcester; QCC Southbridge, 5 Optical Drive, Southbridge, and Courtyard by Marriott in Marlborough, 75 Felton Street, Marlborough.

To learn more, call QCC Program Specialist Christine McNally at 508.751.7929 or email her at cmcnally [at] qcc.mass.edu

Quinsigamond Community College once again was host to the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Worcester County Community Breakfast. This is the 34th year the breakfast has taken place, with each year bringing Dr. King’s message to those in the Worcester region.

This year’s keynote speaker was the Rev. Lester A. McCorn, a 1984 graduate of Doherty Memorial High School and current President of Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC. Reverend McCorn was given keys to the City by Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty.

Reverend McCorn discussed his time in Worcester, telling those in attendance, "I’ve literally gone from being a college janitor to being a college president,” after discussing his time as a janitor when he was a teen at Central New England College (now closed).  The Reverend noted that while Rev. King had called out America to account for several of its original sins, they have still not been redeemed. He went on to ask those in the audience to help join in the fight against racism and hatred.

“Listen, the fight is not over. It did not end with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act - I’ve been fighting all my life. The reason I’m here today is because Worcester taught me how to fight,” he said.

Other speakers included: Master of Ceremonies Susan Mailman, Chair of QCC’s Board of Trustees; Congressman James McGovern; Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito; QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja and Executive Director for the ELM Action Fund Joseph O’Brien.

The invocation was performed by Reverend Dr. Esau Vance and the benediction was performed by Reverend Clyde Talley. There were also performances by the New England gospel Mass Choir, Knights of Zion Men’s Choir and a traditional folk song performed by the Worcester Choirs.

Numerous scholarships and awards were given out during the breakfast including a $1,000 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship to QCC student Nelly Medina.

“Although the mountain top may still seem quite far for us, I still believe that we will reach it. Last year when I spoke, I said that we must dare to dream and that the dream must go on. So I say to you that amongst all that we face nowadays, let the dream go on. Dare to believe; dare to hope that we will reach that mountain top,” Dr. Pedraja said.

Sometimes, just when you think you have your life plan figured out, something goes awry. It was that way for QCC alum Joshua “Josh” Biernacki, who had made a plan to join the Marines after graduating high school.  Today, the Marines are a distant memory and he is poised to begin the next chapter in his life as a high level technical recruiter at an IT consulting and recruiting firm in Boston.

Mr. Biernacki’s journey to QCC began circuitously. He had decided to forgo all college applications and went to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) after his high school graduation with the intention of entering the Marines. It was there that he found out he would have to fill out a lot of waivers and paperwork in order to be considered for the Marines due to the fact that he was deaf in one ear. Not wanting to hold up his life while he went through the lengthy process, he decided that he would forgo the Marines and signed up for classes at Quinsigamond Community College two days before the semester began, enrolling in the General Studies Mathematics program. He said he chose QCC for its convenient location and affordability, but quickly realized there was much more to the college.

“There are infinite opportunities at QCC and you’ll save yourself so much money. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I first came here. I wasn’t a people person.This school opened the doors for me to be able to learn book skills and people skills,” he said.“Personal growth was everything to me at QCC.”

Breaking Out Of His Shell

Mr. Biernacki acknowledged that he had been bullied in both middle and high school and because of this he said he was not a very social person. Once at QCC, he made the conscience decision to change this behavior.

“The first or second week of classes the college had a Club Fair that I went to and it was there that I decided to run for Student Senate. It was at the Club Fair that things started to click for me and I knew I had to introduce myself to people. My goal was to go and meet 15 new people each day,” he said. “To this day I have lifelong friends from that journey.”

He became an active member of student life on campus, while also taking classes and working three jobs. One of those jobs was in the fitness world, an area he still enjoys today, working part-time as a trainer.

During his time at QCC he was the Student Senate Treasurer (2010); Student Senate President (2011); Student Trustee for the College (2012, 2013); was a member of the Massachusetts Community College Trustees Association (2011-2013; was QCC’s Representative on the Student Advisory Council to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (2011-2013) and he served as President of the Student Advisory Council. He also was the Student Representative on the Governance Review Team, was a QCC Student Ambassador, was on the 2011-2012 nationally placing math team, was a QCC Student Orientation Leader, and was the Student Representative on the All College Committee.

As someone who once described himself as, “never really getting along with anyone,” he had become one of QCC’s best advocates and a shining example for others. He attributes his success to the many mentors he had at QCC, from Maureen Giacobbe in Career Services, to Cheryl Pike from Student Life, former QCC President Gail Carberry, Joseph Adams in TRIO, Mishawn Davis-Eyene in Admissions, and alum David Chapin Jr., former QCC student trustee and current QCC Guardian.

“Everyone gave me so much time and personal attention. It was amazing. The staff really cares. What I learned here I can relate it to wherever I go. I always tell people that without QCC, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today,” he said. “Here you are not a number… you are never a number.”

Mr. Biernacki graduated from QCC with two associate degrees, one in Business Administration and one in General Studies Mathematics.  For several years he worked in a variety of sales and management positions at numerous companies (and was offered every job he had interviewed for), before realizing his true passion – to work closely with people and to help them find their ideal job.

He is quick to note that the advice, guidance, and support he received at QCC was invaluable and helped to get him where he is today.

“Put everything you can into QCC and you’ll get out twice as much,” he said.

Mr. Biernacki continues to follow his own advice and recently came back to QCC attending the college’s Career Fair as a recruiter. 

 “In my previous position at QCC, I worked in the Career Services Office. During that time, I had the privilege of meeting, and getting to know, Josh. From the moment I met him, his tremendous motivation and enthusiasm were evident.  It was that drive which brought him to the Career Services Office often, to pursue internships, job opportunities, or to update his resume. I recently reconnected with him when he was visiting QCC as a recruiter and am happy to say he still embodies the greatest personal and professional attributes a person could offer,” said Coordinator of Instructional Technology & Assessment Maureen Giacobbe. “I am confident Josh will succeed in any goal he pursues.”

The need is growing and so is QCC’s Food Pantry and Resource Center, dedicated to helping those in the QCC community who are in need. Located in Room B63A, the Food Pantry and Resource Center has new hours and new resources beginning this semester.  QCC’s Food Pantry Manager, Max German said the pantry is already seeing an uptick in usage, and with new community resources being brought in he expects to see more and more people utilizing its services.

New resources will include a biweekly visit from a representative from LUK, a not-for-profit social service agency located in central Massachusetts that is dedicated to improving the lives of those age 26 and under. The agency offers a full spectrum of programs that address homelessness, mental and behavioral health, trauma, addiction and substance abuse prevention.  Additionally, Cooking Matters in Massachusetts will be coming in to assist with nutritional training. The Central West Justice Center will also be coming to campus and will hold informational sessions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The SNAP information sessions will be available to students, as well as all faculty and staff.

Another Central West Justice Center session coming to the resource center will offer information on knowing your rights and what government benefits are available (such as housing, food and transportation), as well as the eligibility requirements.

 The food pantry and resource center hours for spring 2019 are:

• Monday 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday 8:00 a.m. – noon
• Wednesday 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Friday 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

If you are (or know of) a student, faculty or staff member in need, please come to the food pantry and resource center for assistance. All information is always kept confidential. There will be an intake appointment for your first visit and then each time you return, all you’ll need to do is show your QCC Food Pantry and Resource Center identification (ID) card. ID cards have just a number on them to ensure privacy.

If you need assistance outside of the hours listed or you have questions, call 508.854.7403 or email foodpantry [at] qcc.mass.edu.

Mr. German said they are still looking for volunteers to help out in the food pantry and resource center. Anyone who is interested can email him directly at mgerman [at] qmail.qcc.edu.

“Training takes less than an hour,” he added.

To learn more about the resources available visit QCC Food Pantry and Resource Center

When the days of winter seem endless and you feel that one more day of winter just might be one day too many, the volunteers at the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Live and Learn Greenhouse suggest you stop by and see what’s growing. While the trees, grass, and plants around campus are dormant and under a blanket of icy snow, the PTK Live and Learn Greenhouse is alive with color, warmth and many, many plants that are growing throughout the year. According to PTK student and current Greenhouse Manager Vanessa Hanger, there are lots of plants being grown, with the produce being used to help feed those in need within the QCC community. Everything that is grown is either donated to QCC’s Food Pantry or given to someone in the QCC community.

“Our goal is to grow produce for people in need. Produce is expensive. Everything we grow is donated to the college community. Nothing goes to waste,” Ms. Hanger said.

Heathy Eating Means Healthy Plantings

The greenhouse is a completely organic one. Plants are not treated with pesticides, but use natural ways such as lady bugs, which eat many nuisance pests such as aphids. The lady bugs cause no harm to the plants and help to keep them healthy.  A water filtration system is also used to remove any chemicals from the water, ensuring clean water for the plants. This semester worms are being brought in to help with the growing process. They will be placed in a bin with holes in the bottom and fed with food scrapes.

“The digestive juices that the red wiggler worms excrete while eating will pass through the holes in the bottom of the bin. We will collect and dilute the juice before using it to fertilize the plants,” Ms. Hanger said. “It’s like liquid gold.”  

This semester they are looking into a camera that can take time lapse images showing the growth of the plants. Sensors are also going to be placed in the greenhouse that will not only now monitor the temperature, but also the humidity. In addition, new greenhouse volunteer Kevin Johns is working with QCC alum Thomas Rokicki on greenhouse automation and updating the website.

Currently the greenhouse is chock full of plants that include peppers, herbs, cucumbers, chives, strawberries and limes in different stages of growth. When the weather gets better, Ms. Hanger said the food pantry volunteers will plant outside, utilizing planters. Compatible plants such as different types of lettuce, tomatoes, basil and strawberries will be planted.

All College Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteers in the greenhouse include a variety of students (students who are in PTK, as well as those not in PTK), a QCC alum who is now a student at Worcester State University, in addition to faculty and staff. There are a variety of teams that volunteers can choose to be on such as Data Analytics, Engineering, Harvesting/Pruning, Research/Fertilization and Transplantation.

Current greenhouse volunteers include:

• Thomas Rokicki: QCC alum
• Annette Tolle: Staff
• Archana Mudbidri: Faculty
• Kevin Johns
• Alex Sandberg
• Carli Boudreau
• Daniel Gangemi
• Eunice Asare
• Isabella Rodriguez
• Jamilex Rivas
• Kayla Bardell
• Moesha Nugent
• Santana Wright
• James Barter
• Mariam Mohammed

“Our focus is building the team of volunteers. This is available to the whole college. Previous botany experience is not required. This is all on a volunteer basis. Students are not getting any credit for this; they are doing this because they believe in giving back to the college community ,” Ms. Hanger said. “We’d love to have more faculty and staff members participate. This is a great opportunity for mentoring as well as giving back.”

While there is much going on at the greenhouse, the small space is limiting to what can be grown. Discussions are currently going on about building a new, much larger greenhouse (16' - 9 1/2" x 20' - 10 1/2").  PTK has already raised the funds to purchase the new greenhouse, which would quadruple the amount of produce that can be grown, according to PTK Advisor Bonnie Coleman.

Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Greenhouse Manager Vanessa Hanger at vhanger [at] qmail.qcc.edu.

The QCC Psychology Department inducted a new group of students into its local chapter of Psi Beta, a National Honor Society in Psychology for community and junior colleges. The new inductees included:                                       

• Benjamin Aryeh
• Eunice Asare
• Kristina Hallenbrook
• Jessica Hanam
• Elizabeth Lopez
• Lynette Maldonado
• Elizabeth Milhans
• Jessica Sands
• Vitor Silva
• Karen Whitmarsh

Members of Psi Beta are recognized for their academic excellence and are eligible to win Psi Beta awards and scholarships. All QCC students who have an interest in psychology, and meet the eligibility requirements are invited to apply, regardless of their program of study. The QCC Psi Beta chapter regularly meets with the Psychology Club and provides a variety of opportunities for engaging with psychology, including conducting original research, presenting research at professional conferences, hosting a guest lecture series, community service, leadership opportunities, and fundraising for mental health and other community initiatives. 

Meetings are held every other Wednesday from noon - 1:00 p.m. in the Psychology Center for Excellence (Room 321, in the Administration Building). 

Students may request induction into Psi Beta if they have a strong interest in psychology, complete one psychology course, have a minimum of a “B” average in all psychology courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 and have completed at least 12 credits.

To learn more contact Chapter Advisor vclemente [at] qcc.mass.edu (Professor Valerie Clemente, Ed.D.)

Last month, at the 30th Annual Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (MACLEA) Awards and Recognition Ceremony for Excellence in Higher Education Law Enforcement, Quinsigamond Community College Deputy Chief of Administration Reynaldo Rodriguez received the award for Outstanding Personal Contribution to Campus Public Safety. QCC Police Chief Kevin Ritacco, who nominated Deputy Chief Rodriguez for the award, said he has made outstanding contributions and is devoted to campus policing.

“Deputy Chief Rodriguez has worked tirelessly over the past several years assisting the department (QCC Campus Police) in attaining certification and accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC),” said Chief Ritacco.

QCC is the first community college police department in the Commonwealth to receive this prestigious accreditation. Chief Ritacco said with over 20 years of experience, the Deputy Chief was able to help bring the QCC campus police department together to accomplish the task of certification and accreditation. As the department’s Accreditation Manager, his main focus was (and continues to be) on accreditation and professionalizing college policing.

Intramural Soccer

Beginning this semester, every Monday and Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. any QCC student is welcome to come to the Athletic Center and play Intramural Soccer.  This is the perfect way to get some exercise and be part of a team. For questions, contact Josh Cole, Assistant Manager of Athletics and Fitness Center at 508.854.4317 or email him at jcole [at] qcc.mass.edu

Fitness Classes

Make the start of 2019 your best start ever and sign up for a fitness class at QCC.  Exercising reduces stress, cholesterol, and helps to prevents osteoporosis and coronary heart disease. Exercising can help you maintain a healthy weight, firms and tones your body and gives you more energy.

This semester two classes will be offered: a Yoga Class and a Full-Body Toning Class. Each class will run for a 10-week session. For more information and to sign up, visit the Athletic Center or call 508.854.4317.

Student Identifications

A student ID is mandatory for all students. Students can get a Student ID at the Athletic Center. There is a $10.00 charge to replace an ID. Hours to get an ID include:

• Monday, Wednesday, Fridays:  9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursdays:  9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Students can also make an appointment by calling the Athletic Center in advance at 508-854-4317.

Athletic Center Building Hours

• Monday: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
• Friday: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

At Quinsigamond Community College taking care of the whole student is the way the college is working to ensure student success for all. To that end, QCC has developed a Student Peer Advocate Training for domestic violence, designed to connect the victims of domestic violence here at QCC to both campus and community resources to assist them in gaining perspective and heathy responses to this issue. 

“We know students are experiencing intimate partner violence, and that there are times when they discuss those issues with their fellow students here at QCC,” said Dean of Compliance Liz Woods.

According to Associate Professor of Human Services Brenda Safford, students are referred by faculty in Healthcare, Criminal justice, Human Services, Psychology and the biannual training is open to all interested students. The next training session will be held in the spring.

Nine students participated in the training, which was offered this fall from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for four Saturdays. After the completion of all four training sessions, each student received a certification from the YWCA of Central MA. 

“I volunteered to ‘add tools to my toolbox’ and to meet and learn from classmates. The behind the scenes systems set up to help those living with domestic violence was informative” said QCC student Charles Ketter, who is majoring in Human Services.

QCC Human Services student Darcie Peters said her own experience with domestic violence was the impetus for becoming a student peer advocate.

“I wish someone could’ve been aware of what I was going through. Then maybe it wouldn’t have lasted so long. I want to be that person to help others when they need the assistance of getting out of a domestic violence relationship,” Ms. Peters said. “I feel this training has given me the ability and tools to help others because of the resources that were brought to my attention. As well as the different ways to identify when domestic violence is occurring.

“I decided to volunteer to be a peer advocate both because as a human service worker it’s amazing experience and because I know how important representation is when seeking help so having more queer and male advocates helping in any location is important,” said QCC student Tomas Steinbrecher. “I feel like for the most part your capacity to help others comes from you. But the training gave me the tools and knowledge to help classmates with domestic violence on campus.”

Many of the students who took this training will be moving into careers that put them in contact with individuals and families experiencing these issues.

“The YWCA certification will prepare them to engage appropriately in their professional careers,” Ms. Woods said.

The students said they not only learned that domestic violence so wide spread, but that there were many resources and ways to help someone in need.

“I would definitely recommend students to be advocates, the more hands on deck we have, the healthier students’ peer relationships can be. The training gives you a lot of information on what domestic abuse looks like and can help you have insight on your own relationships and behaviors,” said Mr. Steinbrecher.

“I would strongly urge anyone interested in learning how to be an ally to those affected by domestic violence to take this training,” Mr. Ketter added.

Ms. Woods said she is confident that this type of training will continue in the future.

“Congratulations to our first class of Domestic Violence Advocates here at QCC,” Ms. Woods added.

Anyone interested in the program should reach out to Ms. Safford at bsafford [at] qcc.mass.edu or Ms. Woods at lwoods [at] qcc.mass.edu

“I would completely recommend other students to become student advocates. The more awareness there is of domestic violence, the more likely more people could get help. Sometimes people slip through the cracks because of the lack of awareness,” Ms. Peters said.

To meet Quinsigamond Community College alumna Kayla Patterson is like meeting a breath of fresh air. A former Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Alpha Zeta Theta Honor Society Chapter president of the college, Ms. Patterson has never truly left QCC, even though she officially graduated with her associate degree in Elementary Education (EE) in 2016.

Today, she holds a bachelor’s degree in EE from Anna Maria College and is working as a paraprofessional with third and fourth graders at a nearby school district. She is also working several hours each week in the PTK office, a place she fondly refers to as “home.”

Ms. Patterson took the circuitous route to QCC. She said her lifelong dream was to become a teacher and after high school, enrolled in a four-year institution as an elementary education major.

“I was commuting to school and also working full-time. Then life happened and I dropped out. I wasn’t ready for it (college),” she said.

She continued working full-time but knew that she needed to go back to school if she was ever to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher.

“I knew I could do a two-year college, but wasn’t ready for a four-year commitment. I did my research and chose QCC because it was affordable, was an easier drive, and I had heard good things about it,” she said.

Although she had a great love for teaching, her first collegiate experience had made her a bit gun-shy to major in elementary education at QCC; instead deciding to get her degree in deaf studies. Ms. Patterson quickly became immersed in the college and the deaf studies program, enjoying the classes, professors and her classmates. She was excelling academically, which got her an invitation to become a member of PTK. She was inducted into PTK in 2015 at the same time she was elected the honor society’s president. It was during this timeframe that she was asked by one of her professors if she wanted to become a tutor in the writing center. She jumped at the chance.

She loved the experience so much that when one the students she was tutoring, who happened to be an elementary education student, suggested she become a teacher, a light bulb went off in her head.

“It made me so happy. I loved working with the students and tutoring them. I went home, woke up the next day and came to school and switched my major to elementary education,” she said.

Her core classes in deaf studies transferred easily into the elementary education program and the only classes she had left to take were the education classes. In her education classes, she went to schools in Worcester where she was able to observe teachers in action, which solidified her desire to one day become a teacher. In 2016, she entered Anna Maria College as a junior, excited to complete the next chapter of her education.

“I felt so prepared when I entered Anna Maria. It was a smooth transition. All my education courses were accepted and I started there as a junior. QCC has such a good program. I felt there was nothing I missed out on or didn’t know. Some of the professors at QCC work in the school district and they had so much real-word teaching experience, which was just great,” she said. “I graduated from Anna Maria and I was ready to go into teaching.”

Ms. Patterson also continued working in the PTK office as the Fundraising/Event Specialist part-time, having forged a legacy there by raising thousands for the PTK chapter and its community service projects.

After graduating from Anna Maria she began substitute teaching, while she applied for full-time teaching positions. A short two-week stint as a legal administrative assistant and then a three-week, longer-term substitute teaching position for an area sixth grade class confirmed to her that teaching was the only job she wanted to do.

“Working with the sixth graders during those three weeks was the most tiring of my life, and also the most awesome and rewarding,” she said.

Sadly, the position ended the Friday before Columbus Day; however, as luck would have it, she was offered and accepted a paraprofessional (teaching assistant) in a nearby school district. She began her new position the Tuesday after Columbus Day and hopes to one day to be a teacher and have her own classroom.

She had also previously given up her part-time position in the PTK office at QCC, but the draw of QCC, PTK, and her mentor and friend PTK Advisor Bonnie Coleman, eventually drew her back to the college where she works several hours a week in the PTK office after her teaching job.

“I love working here. QCC and PTK are my home,” she said, adding, “Everyone should start at QCC. It’s affordable, it connects you to so many things and you are getting the best education. Even if you don’t know what you want to do, there is a program here for you. There’s so much variety you will find a program.”

You may also find a “home away from home,” just like Ms. Patterson did.

Experiencing something first-hand can sometimes mean the difference between basic understanding to truly grasping a concept or skill. No one know this better than the students in Professor Anita Soracco’s environmental science class.

Throughout the year the students have been taking what they’ve learned in their class and seen it applied in “real life.” This past semester students had the opportunity to visit a water treatment plant in Holden, Polar Beverages and the Department of Agricultural Resources.

At the water treatment plant, which serves greater Worcester, students learned how water is filtered and how water is transferred to each town.

“I bring the students there so that they can see the hard work that goes into making our tap water potable, safe, reliable and very regulated,” said Professor Soracco.

The students said they were surprised to learn that while public/tap water is highly regulated, the bottled water industry is virtually un-regulated and contributes to a lot of environmental contamination.

“There’s a lot of stigma attached to town water, but it’s actually better,” said student Elisabeth Morgan.

“I didn’t expect it to be so big and massive,” added student Assas Haraj.

The students also visited Polar Beverages in Worcester, where they got a real insight into energy efficiency and green initiatives. They discussed the environment and the economy with Polar Beverage Owner Chris Crowley and learned how each go hand-in-hand. 

Ms. Morgan said what really stood out for her was the fact that the company does so much to lessen its ecological foot print.

“It was more about reuse and staying out of the waste steam,” she noted.

“The Polar Beverage field trip was beneficial for many reasons. First it shows the students the magnitude on the environment of just one business in one town. Second, Chris Crowley, has taken many initiatives to “green” his business such as LED lights, which are on motion detectors and reducing the thickness of the plastic on the bottle caps.”

Mr. Crowley explained to the students that by reducing the thickness of the plastic on the cap, by just a tiny amount, it will save thousands of pounds of plastic, as well as generate revenue. 

“So it hits home for them that a successful business plan takes into account the environment, whether that means reducing, reusing or efficiency in the manufacturing process,” Professor Soracco added.

 At the Department of Agricultural Resources in Worcester, students met with the Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) team and learned more about the beetles’ local impact and what is being done to eradicate it. Outreach Coordinator Joshua Bruckner, spoke with the class about the history of the problem and the eradication program.

“They gave us a tour of the office, which is the headquarters for the ALB team. One of the team members then hopped on our tour bus and gave us a driving tour of the neighborhoods most affected by the infestation and took us to the grounds where they grind tree stumps from the infested trees,” Professor Soracco said, adding it was the STEM Starter Academy that sponsored the trip.

Student Dominic Parretti said the field trip was particularly interesting, as ALB directly impacted him.

“I saw the effects of the Asian longhorn beetle in my own neighborhood. They had to take a lot of trees down,” he said.

Every student said they felt the field trips enhanced what they were learning in class.

 “I’m a visual learner, and seeing is believing. It was all pretty cool,” Mr. Haraji added.

Other field trips on the students’ wish list include visiting other colleges to see how the schools’ reduce their waste; visiting the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, to more grand plans of visiting  the City of Curitiba, Brazil, a place considered to be the most sustainable in the world.

“This is an awesome class. This should be a core class for everyone,” said student Julia McElroy.

QCC’s annual Stuff-A-Cruiser event was once again a huge success, with this year's event raising more than $400 in cash donations and over 300 toys. The cash donations were allocated to the "Feed-A-Family" portion of the event and distributed to families in the form of grocery store gift cards. According to QCC Social Worker/Mental Health Counselor Tina Wells, over $1,000 was raised this year which will help over 40 families.

The three-day event was held at QCC’s main campus, Southbridge Campus and Healthcare and Workforce Development Center in downtown Worcester, with "Blue Santa" helping to collect donations and bringing cheer to everyone.       

"The students who I spoke with during the distribution were grateful, often tearful, that they were given this gift; for many it was the only opportunity to have a gift for their children/families or the difference between a holiday celebration or a standard meal," Ms. Wells said.                     

"Portraying Santa in a blue suit again for the third year in a row was an amazing experience and brought about pure gratification. However the true joy came from all the students, parents, faculty and the children who I encountered during the three events," said  Detective Sergeant Joseph P. Cecchi. " Once again thank you to everyone who made this possible. Your gracious giving and community support has sustained and enhanced this wonderful QCC tradition of Feed-a-Family for over 30 years."

QCC’s food pantry will start the year off right in its new location on the ground floor in Room B63 of the Administration Building on the college’s main campus. The pantry will also see a passing of the baton as Food Pantry Manager Ashley Forhan, who graduates this month, will turn over her duties to PTK student Max German.

The food pantry will be closed over the winter break beginning on December 24 – January 2.

The food pantry will reopen the week of January 2 - January 14 with an abbreviated schedule. The hours for these weeks will be: 

• Wednesday, January 2: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, January 3:1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 4: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The weeks of January 7 and January 14:

• Monday, January 7 & 14:  2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 8 & 15: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, January 9 & 16: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, January 10 & 17: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Friday: closed

After the week of January 14, the new hours for 2019 will be:

•  Mondays: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
•  Tuesdays: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
• Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
•  Fridays: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Remember: if you are (or know of) a student, faculty or staff member in need, please come to the food pantry help. All information is kept confidential.

For questions, please call the food pantry at 508-854-7403 or email foodpantry [at] qcc.mass.edu