Newsletter Archive

Quinsigamond Community College student Tabitha Leber found herself in an elite group of college students when she received a Mechanics Hall Collegiate Apprentice Award, during the 2019 Celebration of Excellence event, held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on October 5. This is the first time the Worcester County Mechanics Association has given this type of colligate award to exemplary student leaders within Worcester’s higher education community. Students were chosen for their demonstrated leadership, creativity and innovation, excellence in academics and community involvement within Worcester or the student’s hometown.

“Tabitha exemplifies what a QCC student is and we are honored that she has received this prestigious award as a student leader at our college,” said QCC President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja.

Ms. Leber, an Elementary Education major, personifies the definition of a Mechanics Hall Collegiate Apprentice award winner. She is president of QCC’s Alpha Theta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa’s (PTK) Honor Society, overseeing the chapter’s research projects; working on developing goals for the chapter, representing PTK at all its functions, as well as playing an integral role in the PTK Live and Learn Greenhouse on QCC’s main campus.

“Tabitha is an exceptionally hardworking and committed student whose dedication, generosity and work ethic make her a shining example for all QCC and PTK students,” said PTK Advisor Bonnie Coleman.

According to Ms. Leber, she wasn’t always as focused as she is today. Before coming to QCC, she said she felt her life lacked direction and while being a mom to her daughter was fulfilling, she knew something was missing.

“When my child was in kindergarten, I was volunteering on a daily basis in her classroom. Her teacher saw how well I did with the students and told me she believed I would make a great teacher. It was her gentle nudge that inspired me to go back to school,” she said. “Knowing that going back to school would set a better example for my child, I jumped in head first.” 

Ms. Leber said she chose QCC because it was close to her home and offered a flexible class schedule that worked with her and her family. She began taking classes at the college and in 2018, after attending a PTK Open House, decided to join the organization. It was a decision that not only solidified her desire to teach, but also gave her a community and connections that she would have for a lifetime.

“I learned about the PTK/ Burncoat Mentoring Program and that's when I knew I had to get involved in PTK,” she said. “What drives my passion for community service is that I am putting good out into the world. As a member of PTK, the work that we do here on campus and out in our local communities has inspired me to do more and be better.”

Her drive, passion and academic excellence were not lost on those at QCC, which was why the college nominated her for the award.

“When I found out I had been selected to receive this award I was in disbelief. I emailed my advisor Bonnie Coleman to confirm that it was real. The things I do, I do because I am passionate about them, not for any recognition,” she said.

Ms. Leber, who aspires to be a first grade teacher,  plans to graduate in spring 2020 then transfer to a four-year university to complete her bachelor’s degree and then move on to attain her master’s degree.

One student from each college and university in the Worcester region was selected by their respective institutions to be part of the inaugural class of award winners.

A group of Quinsigamond Community College students had the opportunity to visit the Table Talk facilities during Manufacturing Month. The event, which was coordinated by Walmart, showcased the importance of manufacturers creating innovative new jobs in U.S.

“Manufacturing—particularly food manufacturing—is a strong part of Massachusetts economy and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Harry Kokkinis, president of Table Talk Pies. "We look forward to continue to work with local colleges, including Quinsigamond Community College, to attract and train future generations of students interested in manufacturing, including working at Table Talk Pies.”

QCC students who attended the event are enrolled in the College’s Programmable Logic Controllers class. They received a behind-the-scenes look at how Table Talk manufactures their pies and were also introduced to possible career opportunities with the company.

“We want to thank Table Talk Pies for hosting our students and giving them the opportunity to experience this part of the manufacturing industry during Manufacturing Month. The manufacturing industry is a vibrant one in the Commonwealth and QCC works closely with manufacturers in our region to ensure there is a well-educated pipeline of skilled workers. We are training our students not only for the jobs of today, but also the jobs of the future,” said Quinsigamond Community College President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja.

To learn more visit QCC Manufacturing .

If you walk into the Fab Lab in the QuEST Center on most Tuesday afternoons, more often than not you will find a dedicated group of gamers and anime fans hard at work, energized by their passion for play. On Thursday afternoons you most likely will find the college’s theater troupe buzzing with enthusiasm, while they design and create props, sets, and signage for their upcoming productions.

Into its fourth year of operation, QCC’s Fab Lab has become a magnet for students, faculty and staff who have a passion for creating and making things. The Fab Lab management team of Nick Bold and Bryan DeConte are excited that lab use has expanded, with members of the college community pursuing their personal interests in the maker space. Noting that both clubs and individuals have been taking advantage of the lab’s resources, Mr. Bold cited numerous examples of projects done in the lab.

Projects included QCC’s cheerleaders learning to use the digital embroidery machine to personalize their uniforms; budding staff entrepreneurs who created tee shirt designs, then printed and affixed them to shirts, as well as a QCC student who decorated tote bags using environmental awareness designs drawn by children. A group of gamers have gone a step further, using the Fab Lab as a hub not only for making, repairing and finishing game pieces, character models and costumes but also playing a game using those items each week.

Mr. DeConte explained that as game-minded students started working on individual projects and were exchanging ideas in the lab, he and Mr. Bold decided to offer a weekly workshop focused on gaming and role-playing on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. During the workshop, students are coached in using 3D printers to create models of characters, scenery and props of varying sizes; painting and put the finishing touches on models; making props for their models, and creating costumes and props for humans who role play characters. Whether working at tables or on equipment, these animated gamers, while engrossed in their work, are busy helping one another and sharing ideas on how to make all of their models better.

An avid gamer himself, Mr. DeConte proposed conducting weekly game playing sessions following the workshop right in the Fab Lab, and the response from students was an overwhelming “Yes!"

Christian Bacelis is a dedicated gamer who is majoring in Computer Systems Engineering Cybersecurity at QCC. He has taken on the role as game leader. Mr. Bacelis said he references different Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) guide books in planning a story and setting the background for games.

"The games typically begin by 5:00 p.m. and end a few hours later, when everyone feels the time is right. If people are enjoying a game, it may carry over to the next week; if not, a new game may be started. Together we decide what is working well and what we want to do differently," he said.

“Everyone is very flexible and supportive of each other. I tend to be on the quiet side, but I am very comfortable here. I really enjoy working and playing with this group,” added Robert O’Shea, a QCC student who is majoring in Electronics Engineering (Mechatronics option). 

Having the support of Mr. Bold and Mr. DeConte in the Fab Lab has helped the group form, hone and advance their skills, noted Engineering major Justin Balanca-Hawkes, adding that both staff members are “very open to sharing their knowledge and their creativity gives us inspiration”.

In a different spin on gaming, Computer Science major Vincent Strzelecki pursued his interest in electronic games in the Fab Lab by building an arcade housing, researching, designing and installing the electronic systems needed to run a game and then downloading electronic game code on it. Mr. Strzelecki explained that “there is a lot of open source coding for electronic games available online”, and said he plans to try loading a variety of games into the system he built.

The Fab Lab offers workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Wednesday focuses on the building of Fab Lab skills. Thursday afternoons are geared towards building props and sets for QCC’s theater troupe, while Tuesday afternoon workshops are dedicated to Gaming & Role Playing.  Workshops are open to everyone and no specific skills or knowledge is required, just an interest in learning and some curiosity are recommended. The Fab Lab also offers open hours Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. 

Visit QCC's Fab Lab to learn more. 

Life is pretty sweet for Jorgo Gushi. The Quinsigamond Community College sophomore came to the U.S. and QCC right after his high school graduation, beginning his life on U.S. soil at QCC. Recently he was elected as the Student Advisory Chair of the Student Advisory Council (SAC) in Massachusetts. Mr. Gushi, who is also QCC’s President of the Student Government Association, was elected by 25 of his peers from colleges and state universities across the state. He will lead the SAC’s Executive Team that also includes QCC Student Trustee Mustafa Boweden as the Public Relations Committee Chair/Secretary. Initiatives that are being discussed include Open Educational Resources such a free texts books in digital form; how to improve retention rates at all colleges and universities, as well as campus safety and sexual assault.  The SAC was created by the state in order to foster communication between student leaders from every public college and university in Massachusetts and the Board of Higher Education.

“This is the second year in a row that a QCC student has led the SEC Executive team,” Mr, Gushi said, referencing QCC alumna Stephanie Teixeira.

Government and education hold special places for Mr. Gushi. As a fifth grader in Albania he was a part of the student government and was a student senator for his class. In his senior year of high school he was class president. At 18, he came to the U.S., where he lives with his grandparents and sister. While his parents are still in Albania, they are both very supportive of his future. He said his love of education has always been an important part of his life. Everyone in his family has college experience. His sister is currently attending Worcester State University, his grandparents were both teachers and his mother, who is a headmaster and teacher, was his teacher when he was in the first grade.  

“I got my love of education from my mom,” he said.

His father is a government official in Albania and his aunt is a judge in Albania, which certainly seems to explain why he is so connected to student government.

Mr. Gushi initially had applied to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) when he came to the states, but changed his mind when he found out about QCC.

“I thought WPI was expensive and why go to WPI to take classes that you can take at QCC for a better price,” he said.

He began at QCC in 2017 as an engineering major and while he acknowledged he was afraid at the beginning he quickly found his way.

“All my professors supported me in every way. Particularly my English Professor Lisa Palmer and Elena Fenici, my math professor in my first semester,” he said. “Also, Professor Dadbeh Bigonahy who is my advisor.”

Today, Mr. Gushi is set to graduate in spring 2020 (he currently has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor Society) and will be one of the speakers at commencement. His plan is to transfer to a school such as Cornell or Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“I’ve always loved education and after my bachelors I’d like to get my masters and PhD. Since I love engineering and sciences and am keen on being a leader, I might want to start a company so that I can do both,” he said.

When he is not in class or in a student government meeting, you may find him working for Student Life or in the college’s Math Center.

When asked what his favorite part of his journey is since he started at QCC he was quick to answer.

“I’ve loved growing as a leader, but the most important and interesting part of being at QCC is all the people I’ve met and all the hospitality. It’s been really good from the first day I came here. It’s going so fast,” he said, adding that after graduation, “a part of us will still always be here.”

Thirty years ago three offices serviced Quinsigamond Community College’s students who had disabilities. Today, those offices have evolved into one office, dedicated to taking the “dis” out of disability and paving the way for an inclusive, accessible collegiate experience for all. Director of Disability Services Kristie Proctor and Associate Director of Disability Services Terri Rodriguez have spent countless hours educating the QCC community about disability services: its mission, the services, what it means when someone has a disability, and now, creating accessibility for the classes, online and face-to-face courses, and the campus environment.

“The ‘D’ in disability services stands for diversity. Disability is an aspect of diversity,” said Ms. Proctor. “QCC has a diverse population and in our population, as with all populations, there are those with disabilities. It crosses all boundaries, age groups, ethnicities, socio-economic groups, etc. No group is excluded.”

Disabilities can run the gamut from invisible disabilities to cognitive and physical disabilities. While many may think that disabilities begin when a person is born or is very young this is often not the case. A person can acquire a disability as they go through life, whether that’s due to a debilitating accident, illness or other life-changing events.

“Many people also don’t realize you can have a disability that’s hidden. Many of our students with hidden disabilities are incredibly bright and gifted, Ms. Proctor said. “These students are also some of our best advocates.”

“For some, their disability is their superpower,” Ms. Rodriguez added.

College can sometimes be the first place that a person must figure out how to deal with his or her disability. This is when the Disability Services department comes into play. Unlike high school, where the school has the responsibility to deliver needed services to students with disabilities, the approach is much different when a student enters college. Colleges do not seek out students who are in need of services, rather the students themselves must disclose and provide documentation of a disability to the institution’s Disability Services office, where one will find out what type of services are available. At QCC, students who are eligible for services must have an initial intake done and then a check-in each semester in order to figure out what barriers they are experiencing in the classroom and how to mitigate these with accommodations. While this sounds straightforward, there are times when students do not disclose their disabilities.

“There are still stigmas attached with disability services and sometimes students don’t disclose a need when they come to college. They want to try it on their own,” Ms. Rodriguez said.

This can sometimes backfire on a student who is in need of an accommodation and both women strongly encourage students to stop by the Disability Services office in order to get the information they need to make informed decisions.

“Don’t ever hesitate to call to ask us a question,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “Come in and talk to us about what you need. Tell us what barriers you’ve experienced in the past and let’s plan ways to lessen them.”

The field of disability services is continuing to evolve and service delivery practices are changing. QCC’s Disability Services office has already taken a holistic approach in how it operates. The Disability Services staff works collaboratively on problem-solving with students, faculty and staff in order to offer inclusive, accessible education for all students.

“We work on what we can do for the student, which will give him or her access to higher education the same as any other student,” Ms. Proctor said. “There is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a case-by-case interactive process.”

Beginning in July 2020, QCC’s Disability Services will become Student Accessibility Services as a way to clearly promote their mission of equal access for higher education to all in the QCC community.  “We are taking steps to reframe our office as being proactive in terms of access, and building partnerships with faculty and staff to ensure the barriers in the campus learning environment are removed for the student.”

To learn more visit Disability Services.

On October 29, four Quinsigamond Community College staff members were honored at a reception to commemorate receiving a citation by the Commonwealth for recognition of outstanding performance.

Each year this special award is given out to QCC faculty, staff and administration who were were nominated by their peers, supervisors and professional colleagues. This year’s honorees included:

• Sharon Marini - Administrative Secretary I
• Michelle Sheehan -  Clerk IV/Educational Partnerships & Early College Initiatives
• Laurie Teece - Evening/Weekend Nurse Education Laboratory Coordinator
• Michelle Tufau Afriyie - Interim Assistant Vice President of Student Success/Title III Coordinator

Each month, the professors in QCC’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs recognize and acknowledge the perseverance of one student in their perspective STEM areas. Below are the September 2019 STEM Students of the Month with a few comments from the professors who nominated them. They include:

Science – Amy Kaiser, nominated by Professor and Coordinator of QCC Liberal Arts Environmental Science (LAES) Program, Anita Soracco.

“Amy first came to QCC intending to major in Communications, but was still seeking her true passion. She switched into the Liberal Arts-Environmental Science Option, and has been pursuing this dream since.  Her ultimate goal is to work as a scientist doing data analysis, environmental permitting and field work,” Ms. Soracco said. “Amy is an example of someone who realized what her true interests are at QCC, and made the bold decision to pursue that goal and excel.  Amy will make a wonderful scientist and do great things for our planet.”

Technology – Jonah Wicklund, nominated by Lee Duerden, professor and Coordinator of QCC Manufacturing Technology Programs and Damian Kieran, professor of Manufacturing Technology.

According to both professors, “Jonah is a dedicated student who has been making steady progress towards his degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology while working full time at IPG.” Professor Kieran noted that Jonah’s presentation on Manufacturing Safety was great,  adding that he offers real world examples in class based on his work experiences.

Engineering - Jadvyga (Jackie) Jonaviciute and Sama Abdulrazzaq nominated by Engineering Professor Dadbeh Bigonahy. 

“When they learned of the opportunity of receiving a 10-week Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant (“REU”) available at WPI during the summer months, both Sama and Jackie jumped at the chance. They each applied, and were both selected to be research fellows for the summer 2019,” Mr. Bigonahy said. “As research fellows, Jackie and Sama became members of different project teams. In addition to their research, they participated in a summer program held at WPI where they acted as mentors to a group of middle school girls. I am so pleased that the work done by Sama and Jackie will be recognized at the BMES conference. They are both talented students with bright futures.”

Mathematics – Daniel Larrabee​, nominated by Mathematics Professor Andreana Grimaldo.

According to Grimaldo, Ms. Daniel Larrabee began his studies at QCC during Summer 2018.  Prior to QCC, he had a unique high school experience and spent six years in China where he was home-schooled.  Coming to QCC was an adjustment but he has found success.  He began by taking MAT 122 Statistics during summer 2018 and then moved into taking MAT 233 Calculus I during Fall 2018.  He found he enjoyed the challenge of math and science and soon declared his major as Bio-medical Engineering.  Over summer 2019, he continued his math studies in Calculus II.  Coming into Fall 2019, he is well-vested in the engineering program and currently taking Calculus III along with other engineering courses.   Daniel has consistently made Dean's List and, recently was nominated and accepted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.  During his free time, you can find Daniel tutoring math to fellow QCC students in the Math Center.  "Daniel is a hardworking student and his grades show it,” she added.

Earlier this month, QCC administration, faculty and staff gathered at the Harrington Learning Center for a Celebration of Life to pay homage to longtime colleague Frederick “Fred” Pilch, who passed away in late September. Mr. Pilch was a professor of Computer Information Systems and had 37 years of service to the College. He was a trusted and valued co-worker to many at QCC.

During the Celebration of Life, words of friendship were shared by his colleagues, followed by a tree planting in his honor at the south end of Ahlfors Hall.

Women's Volleyball

The Women’s Wyvern Volleyball had a spectacular first year, finishing the season off with 5 wins and 5 losses. Their record took them into the NJCAA Region 21 Tournament where they battled it out in the semi-finals on Sunday, October 27 with Holyoke Community College. Sadly the Wyverns came up short, but expect to see even more great things from them in the coming years.

Men's Soccer

The inaugural Wyvern Men’s Soccer team gave their conference rivals highly-competitive games and an amazing first season. The team came away with 4 wins and5 losses on the season. QCC cannot wait to see what they do next season!

Women's Soccer

The Wyverns Women’s Soccer team had the opportunity to play on their home field for the first time since the team formed four years ago. Despite player injuries and often inclement weather, the women played extremely hard and finished the season 1 -5.

Athletic Center 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.

Questions? Call 508.854.4317

For many years. Quinsigamond Community College’s Feed-A-Family has provided QCC families holiday meals by way of gift cards for those in need. However; the reality is that our families need help not only during the holiday, but year-round. Recognizing this need, the Feed-A-Family program has become the Feed-Our-Families and will be partnering with the QCC food Pantry and Resource Center to help our families in need throughout the year.

As we enter the holiday season, we ask you to please take a moment and consider donating to our Feed-A-Families initiative. Your tax deductible donation can make a difference for many of our students, staff and faculty. To make a donation, fill out the Feed—Our Families form.

On Oct. 4 and 5, QCC staff and faculty members Gaelan Benway, Selina Boria, Brenda Safford and Byron Thomas attended the White Privilege Symposium at Lesley University.  The White Privilege Symposium is a project of The Privilege Institute, a 501(c)(3) best known for its annual conference, the White Privilege Conference. The White Privilege Conference (WPC) is a 20-year international conference founded by Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. This was a high energy and loving community space that allowed attendees to learn more about concepts of white supremacy, power, privilege, leadership, oppression and the impact of structural inequities.

The WPC offered various opportunities for building community, interactive learning, and action planning.  The keynote speakers included: Darnisa Amante, Ed.L.D., CEO DEEP (Disruptive Equity Education Project), Robin DiAngelo, New York Times Bestselling Author of White Fragility and Yusef Salaam, Motivational Speaker and Member of the wrongly convicted and exonerated Central Park 5.

Quinsigamond Community College was awarded a $249,527 grant in the first round of Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants. QCC was one of only four community colleges to receive grant funding for training that will assist unemployed or underemployed people in filling in-demand jobs within the Commonwealth. The funding will also enable entry-level workers to advance in their current workplace.

 “We are thrilled to be awarded this grant that will help us to advance our current programs. This funding will be used to train individuals for jobs in healthcare and social assistance,” said QCC President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja. “At QCC we are training people for the in-demand jobs of the today, as well as the jobs of tomorrow.”

The Baker-Polito Administration awarded $4.2 million to 18 grant awardees. The grants, named in memory of Senator Donnelly, who spent his career promoting workforce opportunities in Massachusetts, target jobs in healthcare and social assistance, information technology and includes occupations in accommodation, food service and hospitality, construction, finance and insurance, and transportation and warehousing.

Zuheyry Encarnacion finally knows what it’s like to have someone in her corner. Since she began taking criminal justice classes at Quinsigamond Community College, Ms. Encarnacion has had the support and guidance of a special woman in her life -  Dr. Natalie Anumba, a forensic psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. This special partnership, thanks to QCC’s mentoring program, is one that has made an indelible impression on both women and one that has given Ms. Encarnacion the motivation and self-confidence she was looking for in her life. 

It was when she started taking classes at QCC that she was encouraged by her Massachusetts EDCO (Massachusetts Education and Career Opportunities) advocate to get into the college’s mentoring program. QCC’s mentoring program connects QCC students with staff, faculty, industry, and community members to create one-on-one mentoring relationships. The program provides extensive benefits to students, as well as professional development and networking opportunities for mentors. Ms.Encarnacion took the advice of her advocate and was matched with Dr. Natalie Anumba, who happened to be the first community partner to become a QCC mentor.

“I didn’t want to do it at first but I’m so glad I did. Natalie helps me with my major and helps me with resources in my career. She got to know me,” Ms. Encarnacion said. “She’s my motivator even if I’m having a bad day.”

Dr. Anumba said she heard about QCC’s mentoring program after attending a Worcester Chamber of Commerce event where she heard QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja speak about the value of mentorship. She said one of the points he made, which resonated with her, was that employers need to pay attention to the local workforce because there’s a wealth of potential right in Central Massachusetts. Dr. Anumba said she went up to Dr. Pedraja after the program and asked how she could help.

“There is a demand for mentors and mentoring is so important. I look back at my career and the people who contributed to it and the mentors along the way,” she said. “I personally feel like I’m contributing to something special that’s in-line with my skills.”

Ms. Encarnacion, who is set to graduate in December 2019, has a close relationship with her mentor. She detailed one particularly tough time when she was trying unsuccessfully to get a work study job on campus and “everything was going horrible.”  

“Natalie said to keep trying you’re almost done and then I got called to do work study with Eduardo Rivas (who does the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program),” she said. “Having someone in your corner, no matter what, is amazing. Not a lot of people can say they have emotional and academic support.”

QCC’s Director of Mentoring for Perkins Programs, Gabriel Santner works to find the best match for each mentor and mentee partnership. This year there are already 130 mentor/mentee matches and Mr. Santner expects to have close to 150 within the next few weeks. In fact, this year five core community partners have signed on to be part of the mentoring program - AbbVie Biopharmaceuticals, The City of Worcester, University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare, Hanover Insurance and Love Your Labels. 

“When you meet someone in your chosen career you see what you’re going to go into and you gain another support,” Ms. Encarnacion said.

Ms. Encarnacion’s goal is to graduate in December and transfer to Worcester State University. Her dream is to one day be a detective and said she will keep pushing to meet that goal for her three-year-old daughter.

While this may be the end of her academic year at QCC, Dr. Anumba and Ms. Encarnacion plan to continue their mentoring relationship.

“What you put into this program is what you get out of it and I’ve gotten a lot,” Ms. Encarnacion said.

Visit QCC Mentoring to learn more.