Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

 

NEW STUDENTS, FACULTY AND DEAN WELCOMED TO MWCC

By Janice O'Connor

SGA President Bryan Klink and Vice President Gina Paquette were busy fielding questions from students interested in joining the association and other campus clubs and organizations.

More than 700 new students swarmed onto campus Wednesday, Sept. 3 for fall orientation, the day before the start of the new academic year.

The orientation, sponsored by the divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Services, provided an opportunity for students to become acquainted with the college before officially hitting the books. Faculty, advisors and staff were on hand to provide guidance throughout the action-packed day.

"At Mount Wachusett Community College, you will be able to achieve your dreams," MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino remarked to students who filled the theater to capacity. "We want to make sure that that happens, so let us know throughout the year what we can do to help you."

Incoming Student Government Association President Bryan Klink and Vice President Gina Paquette fielded questions from students interested in running for the board this fall. The two officers shared information about the variety of community service projects the SGA conducts throughout the year, including an annual holiday food drive, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts and participating in the Walk for Hunger. During the orientation, the SGA accepted donations for School on Wheels of Massachusetts, which acquires school supplies for homeless children in the Commonwealth.

“We’re getting a lot of interest,” said Klink, a business administration major. “The SGA has helped me gain leadership experience. The opportunities are just endless. That’s why I’m interested in getting others involved.”

Six new faculty members and the new dean of Liberal Arts, Math and Developmental Education were welcomed to MWCC during Professional Development Day on Sept. 2.

Joining the faculty this fall:

From left, Dr. Vincent M. Bates, Reed Hillman, John Henshaw, Virginia Heroux, Paul Seeley, Danielle Tita Thompson and Farzan Riazati.

Reed V. Hillman, J.D., chairman of the Criminal Justice program and assistant professor of Criminal Justice. Hillman served with the Massachusetts State Police for 25 years, progressing to Colonel/Superintendent to lead the department of 2,600 law enforcement and support personnel. He served as a state representative for six years and was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2006. He has taught at Quinsigamond Community College, the Massachusetts State Police Academy and the Criminal Justice Training Council Academies. He earned his juris doctor at Suffolk University Law School and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Babson College.

Virginia M. Heroux, R.D.H., M.S., instructor in the Dental Hygiene program. Heroux has worked as a dental hygienist for 27 years and has provided community service and dental education and has been an adjunct instructor at MWCC and Quinsigamond Community College. She earned her master’s degree in biology from the University of Bridgeport, her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Rhode Island, an associate’s degree from Northeastern University and a certificate in dental hygiene from Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists.

Farzan Riazati, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics. Riazati has taught math for more than 15 years at Sante Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla., the University of Wisconsin, the Savannah College of Art and Design and Lehigh University. He earned his doctorate in mathematics from the University of Florida, his master’s degree in mathematics from Lehigh University and a master’s degree in computer science and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Hadaf College in Tehran, Iran.

Paul Seeley has been appointed associate professor in the automotive technology program. He earned an associate’s degree in automotive technology from New Hampshire Technical College and has been ASE Automotive Master Technician certified since 1984. He has taught at Mass Bay Community College in the Toyota T-ten program and most recently was the education manager/instructor at Universal Technical Institute in Norwood.

John B. Henshaw, Ph.D., joins the faculty as biotechnology program manager and instructor.  Henshaw has extensive experience as a scientist and chemist, and most recently worked at the J.H. Wilbur Company as a technical representative. He previously worked at Sippican, Inc., Lockheed Engineering and Management, and as an instructor at Tufts University. He earned his doctorate of philosophy in analytical chemistry from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Washington University.

Danielle Tita Thompson joins the faculty as a noncredit instructor and coordinator in the biotechnology/biomanufacturing program. Thompson has taught at Mass Bay Community College and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She is a doctoral candidate of philosophy in the biomedical engineering and biotechnology program at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She earned a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science from UMass Lowell.

During Professional Development Day, faculty and administrators also welcomed Dr. Vincent Michael Bates,Ed.D., who joined the college in August as the new dean of Liberal Arts, Math and Developmental Education. (See previous issue: http://www.mwcc.edu/info/newsarchive/news082908.html) Prior to arriving at MWCC, he served at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md., as chairman of developmental mathematics for six years and also as course coordinator and associate professor for three years. Previously, he was associate professor of mathematics at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Md. He earned his doctorate degree in education in community college leadership from Morgan State University, his master's degree in applied math from the University of Iowa, and his bachelor's degree in math from Shaw University. He has taught mathematics for more than 24 years, previously served as a department chair and has published and presented at national conferences.

INPD RE-GRANTS $80,000 TO AREA SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES

Eleven North Central Massachusetts nonprofits are the recipients of Mount Wachusett Community College’s first Institute for Nonprofit Development Sustainability Awards. Agency leaders representing the organizations are, front row: Ann Racine, Multi-Service Center; Gloria Maybury, Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area; Dr. John Chittick, TeenAIDS-Peer Corps, Inc.; Dolores Thibault-Munoz, Cleghorn Neighborhood Center; Joanne Foster, House of Peace and Education, Inc.; and Michael Tirrell, Montachusett Addiction Council. Back row: Stephen Murphy, the Bridge of Central Massachusetts, Inc.; Judy Gentry, Warmer Winters; Art Heusser, Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network; Pete Cormier and Jennifer Potts, Cornerstone Performing Arts Center; Tim Cohen-Mitchell, Young Entrepreneurs Society; and MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.

Through the federal Compassion Capital Fund grant it received to bolster area nonprofits, MWCC's Institute for Nonprofit Development re-granted $80,000 to 11 area social service agencies during a Sustainability Awards Ceremony Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Gardner campus. Last fall, the INPD received a $200,000, three-year grant to provide North Central Massachusetts nonprofits with intensive, collaborative strategic and financial planning.

The CCF grant provides the INPD with funding to re-grant a total of $80,000 each year for the next three years to competitively selected agencies. Each year, the agencies will receive training and assistance in the five critical areas of capacity building: leadership development; organizational development; program development; revenue development strategies; and community engagement.

“Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to be able to continue our investment in creating a vibrant and healthy north central Massachusetts,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “The nonprofits awarded these funds have already demonstrated an understanding of the necessity for deep organizational change as well as the tremendous amount of follow through and accountability required to not only survive, but to thrive in these uncertain economic times.”

The recipients of the first round of grants are:
The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, Inc.: $3,000 for website development to promote its new revenue venture, The Training Institute;
Cleghorn Neighborhood Center: $7,557.50 for donor software and organizational development;
Cornerstone Performing Arts Center: $8,000 for a feasibility study regarding a facilities plan;
House of Peace and Education, Inc.: $12,000 for systems and process improvement;
Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area: $3,847.50 for donor software and to participate in a board of directors training collaborative;
Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network: $3,847.50 for donor software and the board development collaborative;
Montachusett Addiction Council: $3,847.50 for donor software and the board development collaborative;
Multi-Service Center: $10,800 for organizational development;
TeenAIDS-Peer Corps: $7,100 for the board development collaborative and interactive website technology;
Warmer Winters: $10,000 for business plan development;
Young Entrepreneurs Society, Inc.: $10,000 for equipment, training and the hiring of a web developer and marketing consultant.

The participating agencies comprise two cohorts, the Social Enterprise Cohort and the Revenue Diversification Peer-to-Peer Learning Group, and have completed hundreds of hours of group training and consulting with the INPD peer-to-peer learning groups in business plan development. Members of the Social Enterprise Cohort, facilitated by Community Wealth Ventures of Washington, D.C. and co-sponsored by the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, are: Cornerstone Performing Arts Center, House of Peace and Education, Multi-Service Center, The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, and Young Entrepreneurs Society. Members of the Revenue Diversification Peer-to-Peer Learning Group, facilitated by Cause and Effect, Inc. of Providence, RI, are: Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area, Montachusett Addiction Council, Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, TeenAIDS-PeerCorps, and Warmer Winters.

Created in 2002, the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) is a key component of President Bush’s faith-based and community initiative. The CCF helps faith-based and community organizations increase their effectiveness and enhance their ability to provide social services by building their organizational capacity. CCF works through intermediary organizations that serve as a bridge between the Federal government and faith-based and community organizations. Intermediary organizations provide technical assistance and capacity-building sub-awards.

The Institute for Nonprofit Development, part of the Center for Democracy and Humanity at MWCC, is an intermediary organization of the CCF.

 More MWCC News:

• Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend Fall Fest on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the back lawn. Sponsored by the Student Life Office and Campus Activities Team for Students (CATS), the event features music and dance, a free BBQ, activities, a student club expo and a Salsa dancing demonstration by Salsa Storm.

• MWCC's Fitness & Wellness Center and the Silver Sneakers program will sponsor "As We Age," a free health fair for senior citizens, on Tuesday, Sept. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Fitness Center. Free screenings, demonstrations, raffle prizes and product samples will be available. More than 30 businesses and health professionals from Central Massachusetts will be available to present information on a variety of topics, including home healthcare, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis and more.

• MWCC's Diversity Committee will present the award-winning documentary Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath, the first feature-length documentary on hate violence following Sept. 11, 2001. Free screenings will take place in the North Cafeteria at the Gardner campus on Friday, Sept. 12 at 10:20 a.m. and at 7 p.m. Following each screening, a discussion will be facilitated by Kuljeet S. Tuteja, MPH, Joint Secretary at the New England Sikh Study Circle, based in Milford, Mass., Stephen Clark, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Keene State College, and the Rev. Karen Nell Smith, MDiv., pastor of the Congregational Church of Christ, UCC, in North Leominster. Divided We Fall follows the journey of 20-year-old college student Valarie Kaur as she documents hate violence against Sikhs and Muslims in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 and examines the larger question of “who counts” as American. More information about the film can be found at www.dwf-film.com

  MWCC's Admissions Office will host the annual New England Association of College Admissions Counseling (NEACAC) College Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Fitness and Wellness Center. The fair is the largest college fair held in Worcester County and allows attendees to interact with representatives from more than 160 public and private colleges and universities, as well as military institutions. The fair is open to the public and is geared toward high school juniors and seniors from the college's service area as well as MWCC students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree after completing their associate's degree. More than 1,200 people attended last year's fair. For more information, contact the MWCC Admissions Office at (978) 630-9284 or online at www.NEACAC.org.

• "Recent Painting and Collage," an exhibition by artist Heidi D'Entremonte can be viewed through Oct. 12 in the Raymond LaFontaine Fine Arts Center. An artist's reception will take place Friday, Sept. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. D'Entremont, a founding member of the Central Massachusett's chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art, earned a BFA in painting from Montserrate College of Art in Beverly. The exhibit is sponsored by the Art Department.

• The enrollment center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: A.S. Nursing: Sept. 9 and Oct. 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, Room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate: Sept. 18 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner Campus, Wetmore Wing, Room 12 and Oct. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Devens campus; Dental Hygiene: Sept. 10 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner Campus, Wetmore Wing, Room 12 and Oct. 1 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Burbank Campus in Fitchburg; Complementary Health Care/Massage Therapy & Physical Therapist Assistant: Sept. 29 and Oct. 20 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, Room 12; Clinical Laboratory Science: Sept. 17 and Oct. 15 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Laboratory Education Area; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: Sept. 8 and Sept. 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Devens campus and Oct. 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus. In addition, General Information Sessions and Tours take place on Mondays (except holidays) at 3 p.m. at the Enrollment Center. Prospective students interested in attending an information session are asked to call the Enrollment Center at (978) 630-9110 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu

• MWCC is pleased to announce the beginning of the 16th year of the Winchendon Skills Program, a free GED preparation program offered in collaboration with the Winchendon Community Action Committee.  This program offers pre-GED and GED preparation classes at the Winchendon CAC on 273 Central Street. Classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will begin on Monday, September 8. Enrollment is on-going throughout the year as space is available. For more information, contact Pamela Dempsey-O’Connell at 978-630-9259 or Janet Brown at 978-297-1667.  This program is made possible with funding received from the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, Inc.

• The Entrepreneurial Resource Center at MWCC is accepting applications for the fourth annual Business Plan Competition. The competition, open to residents in MWCC's 29-town service area, gives innovators an opportunity to submit business plans and vie for up to $12,000 in cash prizes and more than $8,000 of in-kind services. One finalist will be chosen in each of the following three categories: start up profit, expanding profit business and start-up and expanding nonprofits. A grand prize winner will be selected from among the three finalists. Competition guidelines and applications are available at http://erc.mwcc.edu For more information, contact Lisa Derby Oden at (978) 840-3221 ext. 163.