QCC is Honored by the Worcester Chamber

In mid-June, President Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D. was presented with a 2021 Game Changer Award from the Worcester Chamber of Commerce in recognition of QCC’s and Worcester State University’s 100 Males to College Worcester program. WSU was also presented with a Game Changer Award for the collaborative program.

This partnership program between QCC, WSU and Worcester Public Schools has been making a positive impact on young male junior and senior students from area high schools for the past seven years. The program promotes post-secondary enrollment and success by increasing college readiness. It offers mentoring, dual enrollment, remediation, and other wrap-around services to young men in the Worcester Public School System. The program includes initiatives and activities designed to encourage college attendance and completion, with a specific focus on under-represented, under-served, low-income, and first-generation to college students.

According to the Chamber, members of the community who were honored have been catalysts for change within the City.

“Low-income and Latino males experience even lower college-going rates at the local and state level than any other student demographic. The 100 Males to College program increases college aspiration and helps to create connections between male high school students, male college students and other adult role models,” Dr. Pedraja said. “This collaborative, comprehensive program brings a variety of resources together to provide these young men with the tools and resources they need to succeed in college and beyond. We are proud to be part of such an amazing program and honored to be recognized with this award.”