Newsletter Archive

March 2023
	March 2023 HomePlate Food Pantry & Resource Gets a Transportation Upgrade Last December, the HomePlate Food Pantry & Resource Center purchased a refrigerated truck in order to increase its ability to provide access to fresh food. The van was purchased with funds from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. This month the van got some fresh graphics and is in full swing, picking up food from Worcester County Food Bank and Wegman's, in addition to making... More...
	March 2023 Nominate a Student for Honors & Awards Nominations for Honors & Awards are now open! Celebrate those students who go above and beyond in academics or co-curricular activities by filling out a nomination. Students should be graduating in May of 2023. Please review award descriptions prior to completing nominations. All nominations require specific examples that showcase why you feel the nominee should be selected. Academic ... More...
	March 2023 Upcoming Events Fab Lab Training - Tuesday, March 14, 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2:00 p.m. \| Fab Lab Faculty, staff and students are welcome to join one or all of several sessions to receive instruction and safety training on Fab Lab activities. March 14 will utilize the vinyl cutter and March 15 will be resin 3D printing. Please RSVP to Paul Benedict at... More...
	March 2023 QCC on the Air Starting this month, QCC will be airing a monthly radio program called State of Mind on Unity Radio WUTY 97.9 FM. The program will feature rotating faculty, staff, and students who will discuss issues around higher education, community college and our QCC community. This is a great opportunity to have our voices heard. State of Mind will air Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. starting at... More...
	March 2023 Student Life Happenings Trivia Night with the Wise Guys Friday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. \| HLC 109A&B Test your knowledge at this PTK Scholarship fundraiser. There will be raffles, pizza and prizes too! Open to students, staff and faculty. Sign up in the PTK Office (349A) or email Manager of Student Resources Bonnie Coleman at bcoleman... More...
	March 2023 QCC Welcomes New Staff On February 21, 2023, Academic Affairs welcomed Courtney Riendeau as Clerk IV- Educational Partnership & Early College Initiatives. Courtney brings several years of experience. Most recently, she was a cashier/server at Papa Gino’s. Courtney has earned an Associate of Science from QCC. On February 27, 2023, Strategic Enrollment Development & Student Engagement welcomed... More...
	March 2023 In the News February, 2023 Telegram & Gazette: 'Making chess less intimidating': Worcester club draws a community of all levels of players Vocero Hispano: ... More...

February 2023
	February 2023 Students Keep it Real at All College Day The first All College Day of 2023 was held on January 10 and opened with an inspiring speech by QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja. Dr. Pedraja spoke about some of QCC's recent successes, current challenges and what he envisions for the college moving forward. "The reality is that as a QCC Family, we build our future together. Our future is student success at QCC and beyond... More...
	February 2023 QCC President Appears on Ed Up Podcast How do student activities affect retention? What role does workforce development play in higher education? How has the role of community colleges evolved? QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja was recently asked these questions and more as the guest star on a thoughtful episode of The EdUp Experience Podcast. Hosted by higher education expert Dr. Joe Sallustio,... More...
	February 2023 QCC Receives Diversity and Workforce STEM Grants from MBI Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI), the longest-running life sciences incubator in the Commonwealth, announced today that Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) received a 2022 Workforce Challenge Grant and a 2022 Increasing Diversity in STEM Challenge Grant. MBI’s Challenge Grants help fund programs that increase the diversity of the life sciences workforce, while also solving the industry’s future... More...
	February 2023 Faculty Member Recognized for Research Professor of Integrated Science & Physics Dr. Andria Schwortz has been on a roll of recognition for her scientific expertise, from articles, textbooks and podcasts. Dr. Schwortz is active on Twitter, posting about topics such as science, social justice and academia. The Science of Fiction website caught one of her posts and asked her to provide her expert opinion... More...
	February 2023 PTK Students Pitch In During Cafeteria Closure When QCC's cafeteria had to close recently due to unforeseen circumstances, Phi Theta Kappa stepped in to make sure students didn't go hungry. Volunteers set up a lunch station in the Administration cafeteria to hand out free sandwiches, fruit and beverages to anyone that needed it. The food was donated by QCC and the HomePlate Food Pantry. "The Phi Theta Kappa students stepped up... More...
	February 2023 Center for Workforce Development to Host Grant Info Session for Employers As an employer, investing in the training and development of employees is essential. QCC’s Center for Workforce Development & Continuing Education’s training programs offer a cost-effective solution for employers to upskill and reskill their employees to meet the demands of an ever-changing job market. Many employers will qualify for free training through the Workforce Training Fund Grant Program... More...
	February 2023 Wyvern Sports Corner Congratulations to the Men's Basketball team who had an amazing victory over UConn Avery Point last Thursday night at QCC. They took home the win with an over 30-point lead. And a huge thanks to everyone who came out to support the team. Let's end the season strong by showing up for the last game! Saturday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m. vs. Springfield Technical Community College -... More...
	February 2023 The Resource Locker Needs Office Supplies for Students When was the last time you cleaned out your desk? If you have extra pens, pencils, binders, post-its, markers, folders, highlighters or other desk/school supplies, consider donating them to First Year Programming's new “Resource Locker." The Resource Locker is designed for students who are in need of school supplies and will be located in the Student Support and Mentoring Center (SSMC). This... More...
	February 2023 STEM Students of the Semester In December 2022, Dean of the School of Business, Engineering, and Technology Betty Lauer and Dean of the School of Math and Science Ben Benton announced that 23 QCC students were recognized as STEM Students of the Fall Semester. Below are feature profiles of the second half of these students, sharing why they were selected and their... More...
	February 2023 Upcoming Events Faculty & Staff Book Swap - February 21 - February 24, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. \| 107 ALF Drop off gently used books (novels, short stories, poetry, nonfiction, graphic novels, etc.) and/or take some home! Textbooks, magazines, newspapers and journals cannot be accepted. Workforce Training Fund Grant Info Session for Employers - Wednesday, February 22... More...
	February 2023 Student Life Happenings Speak Your Mind Poetry Jam - Thursday, February 23, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. \| Virtual via Zoom Students will be reading their own poetry or from other poets, lyrics, passages to share with others in the space. It is a freedom of speech and sponsored by the Black Student Union. To RSVP and receive the Zoom link, please contact BSU Vice President Kyla Kamugu at... More...
	February 2023 QCC Safety Corner Winter Driving Tips Quinsigamond Community College considers your safety when commuting especially during the winter months. The winter weather can be unpredictable in Massachusetts and if the college is not closed due to inclement weather and you have to drive to campus, preparation is key to staying safe when traveling. Adverse driving conditions can unexpectedly arise, and you should... More...
	February 2023 In the News January, 2023 Patch: 3,000 Worcester Apartments Now Planned Ahead Of New Affordability Law Charlton Villager: QCC, Summit Campus offer... More...
	February 2023 QCC Welcomes New Staff On January 18, 2023, Academic Affairs welcomed Gabe Santner as Project Director - TRIO Student Support Services Program. Gabe brings several years of experience. Most recently, he was Director of Mentoring and Perkins here at QCC. Gabe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Culture from Clark University and a Master of Arts in Urban Education Policy from Brown University.... More...

January 2023
	January 2023 Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University Awarded $1.6M in Nursing Workforce Grants From State Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University have been awarded grants totaling $1.6 million from the Baker-Polito Administration to strengthen the region’s nursing talent pipeline and improve career pathways for the nursing profession. The grants will enable the schools to target a dire nursing shortage across Massachusetts and will expand capacity to meet the continuing demand for... More...
	January 2023 HomePlate Food Pantry & Resource Center Receives Two Donations The HomePlate Food Pantry & Resource Center ended the year on a high note when it received two generous donations in December of 2022. UniBank donated $2,000, which will be used for personal hygiene items and diapers, which are always in high demand. The Hanover Insurance also donated $750 worth of personal hygiene items like toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant. "These donations are such... More...
	January 2023 QCC Partnership with Summit Offers Housing and More for Neurodivergent Students Like many freshmen, when Lauren Young enrolled at QCC she wasn’t sure about her professional goals but knew she wanted to start her higher education journey. Lauren is a resident at Summit Campus, a residential community for local college students with autism and other related diagnoses and like all residents there, identifies as neurodivergent. The new experience of starting college was anxiety-... More...
	January 2023 Human Services Club Organizes Large Donation for Southbridge Elementary Students The Human Services Club spent last semester coming up with donations for elementary school children in Southbridge. The items of focus included jackets, hats, gloves, boots, hygiene supplies and Christmas toys for those most in need. "The students behind the leadership of Club President Mayra Marquez knocked it out of the park. They found over 50 winter jackets, dozens of winter boots,... More...
	January 2023 QCC Hosts 38th MLK Breakfast For the 38th year, QCC hosted the annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast. Hundreds of people came from the community, including nonprofit organizations, colleges, high school, and city departments such as the Worcester Police Department and Worcester Fire Department to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. The theme of this year's event was "A Day of Service" and many... More...
	January 2023 Staff and Faculty Wellness Opportunity Are you feeling stressed? QCC can help! Join the Positivity and Relaxation Training (PART). This free program helps you develop a self-care routine to manage stress, improve your outlook, promote health & happiness, and enhance your quality of life. This 9-week event begins Wednesday, February 1, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Recognize your personal responses to stress Learn... More...
	January 2023 Students Present Research at Honors Colloquium As part of the Commonwealth Honors program at QCC, students are required to participate in an Honors Colloquium, which gives them an opportunity to dive into the world of academic research and critical thinking. Over the last six years, Professor of English Amy Beaudry and Professor of Sociology Gaelan Benway have taught the Colloquium... More...
	January 2023 QCC Safety Corner As we enter into the Spring 2023 Semester, the Safety Committee is continuing to meet weekly to address any safety concerns of the college. To date the following safety initiatives have been implemented: The Red Emergency Guides have been updated and reprinted to include specific definitions of what a lockdown and shelter in place entail. This is located on the last two pages of each Emergency Guide. ... More...
	January 2023 QCC's First Holiday Craft Fair QCC held an inaugural Craft Fair and Holiday Expo on December 9, 2022. Students, staff, faculty and alumni showed off their amazing crafts and wares to a large crowd from the community. Vendors sold a wide variety of items including jewelry, clothing, plants, and art. Director of Community Bridges Déborah González organized this successful event. “... More...