MWCC News & Events: What's Up at the Mount

MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Fri., Sept. 26, 2003

COLLEGE, CITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS UNITE TO IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR LATINO COMMUNITY

By LeaAnn Erickson

Pointing to an “achievement gap” for Latino students, business, education and community leaders from the Fitchburg-Leominster area this week launched an initiative designed to improve educational prospects for Latino students. The Twin Cities Kellogg initiative for Excellence in Latino Education, led by an executive committee co-chaired by Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino and Leominster Public Schools Language Acquisition Director Sergio Paez, met with over 50 people, Thurs., Sept. 25, who will be working on the initiative.

“ One of the biggest challenges our country faces is Latino education,” said Paez. “We’re going to make history in Leominster and Fitchburg.” Asquino said MCAS scores and drop out rates in the Latino community are cause for concern. “This is an important initiative,” he said. “We aim to create a level playing field, not an unfair advantage.” He said it is fitting for the college to play a key role. “As the community’s college, we want to help create healthy communities.” The initiative is administered by Rebecca Garcia from the college’s Leominster campus.

“ We know our Latino students are struggling and we want all of our students to succeed,” said Fitchburg Schools Superintendent Thomas Lamey. “I’m very excited that this a K-16 and beyond effort.” Leominster School Superintendent Marilyn Fratturelli said that it was fitting that the group was meeting on the heels of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ announcement on MCAS results. “Urban districts are not performing at the level they should. It is our responsibility to make sure that all of our students are well served.”

North Central Massachusetts of Commerce President David McKeehan reminded the group that the success of Latino students is important to those outside of the education community. “Our (the chamber’s) goal is economic opportunity. Latinos are an expanding population and an important part of our workforce and our future workforce.”

Worcester County Juvenile Court Judge Luis Perez said, “This is not a ‘Latino’ issue. This is an ‘all of us’ issue.”
According to Garcia, the group has been organized into subcommittees and will work on a strategic plan to be finalized this spring. Members of the Executive Board include:

Dr. Dan Asquino, President of Mount Wachusett Community College
Dr. Robert Antonucci, President of Fitchburg State College
Marilyn Fratturelli, Superintendent of Leominster Public Schools
Philip Grzewinskil, President of United Way of North Central
Tom Lamey, Superintendent of Fitchburg Public Schools
Dean Mazarella, Mayor of Leominster
Dan Mylott, Mayor of Fitchburg
David Mckeehan, President of North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce
Sergio Paez, Director of Office of Language Acquisition, Leominster Public Schools
Luis Perez, Honorable Juvenile Court Judge, Worcester County Juvenile Court
Linda Racine, Vice President of Human Resources and Marketing at Fitchburg Savings Bank
Johnathan Robbins, President of Health Alliance
Eladia Romero, Congressional Aide to John W. Olver

For more information on the Kellogg Initiative for Excellence in Latino Education, contact Rebecca Garcia at 978-840-3221.

CIS STUDENTS STAFF COMPUTER HELP DESK FOR COLLEGE COMMUNITY

by Lea Ann Erickson

As part of the college’s Decade of Civic Engagement initiative, students in the Computer Information Systems (CIS) program are staffing a much-needed drop-in Computer Help Desk in room 238. The project is the brainchild of Professor Ray Rogers. He said in addition to providing the college community with technical support, it also helps meet the mission of the CIS department: “to prepare students to enter the information technology field and provide experiences and activities that enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills.”

According to Rogers, each student has committed to staffing the Drop-In Computer Help Desk, completed a student contract and developed student objectives. “The Help Desk staff looks forward to serving their fellow students, and we believe students will find this an enjoyable and rewarding experience,” said Rogers. For more information, call Ray Rogers at (978) 630-9220.

Upcoming Campus Events:

• Mount Wachusett Community College will offer a free three-credit course for high school students as part of its Decade of Civic Engagement initiative. The Citizenship Academy will offer the course Massachusetts and the Federal System to students at the college’s Gardner, Leominster and Devens’ campuses. The course is an introduction to American constitutional government and politics with special emphasis on how state and local government works in Massachusetts. Major topics include the state constitution, the legislative process in the Commonwealth, state administration, the Massachusetts judiciary and the city and town budgeting. As part of the course, students will be required to participate in a public affairs project and interview local, state or federal lawmakers. The course is free and is funded by a benefactor through the MWCC Foundation, Inc. Students are required to submit an essay and complete an application by Fri., Oct. 3. The course begins, Sat. Oct. 18, and runs through Sat., Feb 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For more information, contact Academic Affairs at (978) 630-9208.
  

• The first in a series of, “Works in Clay,” exhibitions is now on display in the East Wing Gallery. The work of Chris London—a former MWCC student—will be on display through, Tues., Sept. 30. While using porcelain and stoneware clay bodies, London sculpts faces onto antique rakes, hand builds slabs into platters or pinches clay into bowls. London has exhibited in galleries throughout New England and across the U.S. Her home studio is in Hartford, Connecticut. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
  

• MWCC is hosting a NEACAC (New England Association for College Admission Counseling) College Fair, Wed., Oct.1, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the Fitness & Wellness Center. Representatives from over 150 public and private colleges & universities, technical institutes and branches of the military will be present to speak with prospective students. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at (978) 630-9110.
  

• Attend a Practical Nursing Information Session and learn how you can gain short-term education leading toward a rewarding healthcare career. College credit earned in this program may be applied toward a nursing degree. The next session will be held, Thurs., Oct. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., in the boardroom at the Gardner campus. To pre-register for one of these events, call Lisa Williams at (978) 630-9110 or email admissions@mwcc.mass.edu.
  

• Theatre at the Mount continues its season with Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale’s comedy, Scapino!, opening, Fri., Oct. 3. Directed by Craig Cormier, this classical romp features one of theatre’s most rascally rogues, Scapino. Slapstick is the order of the day with servants and masters outdoing one another in physical comedy. Performances of Scapino will be October 3, 4, 9, and 10 at 8:00pm and October 12 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $15 for evenings and $12 for the matinee. For information and reservations, call the Theatre at the Mount box office at 978 632-2403 or purchase tickets online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu.
  

• Theatre at the Mount announces a change in its 2003 fall theatre line-up. The children’s musical Just So Stories, originally scheduled for October and November, has been replaced with The Fabulous Fable Factory. Production dates remain Nov. 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mount and tour dates on Oct. 9, 10, 23, 24 and Nov. 7. Tickets for Just So Stories may be used for Fabulous Fable Factory and need not be exchanged. For more information, contact TAM box office at (978) 632-2403.
  

• To celebrate the 40th anniversary of MWCC, MWCC Foundation, Inc. produced Mountopoly, its own version of the popular board game featuring advertising by local businesses and friends. Order today games are only $25 each. For further information, stop by the foundation office (room 118) or contact Diane Hamilton at (978) 630-9387 or email dhamilton@mwcc.mass.edu. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover). Make checks payable to: MWCC Foundation, Inc.
  

• The financial aid office in conjunction with the student life office are now collecting books for a Used Book Sale Fundraiser to be held October 23 - 25. Proceeds will benefit the Emergency Student Fund and the MWCC Library. In order for the event to be successful, donations of used books (including children's books), CDs and videos are needed. Please bring your donations to the financial aid office, room 164 of the administration building, Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Please do not leave items elsewhere in the college, or outside the office when it is closed. Donations will be accepted beginning immediately. All items should be in good condition, and no encyclopedias, magazines or damaged items will be accepted. Call (978) 630-9169 for more information.
  

• The college will host a Transfer Fair, Fri., Oct. 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for MWCC students, parents, faculty and staff. Representatives from over 35 colleges and universities will be present to answer questions about their institutions. It is never too early to begin the transfer process. Even if you are not sure if you will ever want to transfer, come and learn about four-year colleges. Admission to the fair is free of charge. For more information call (978) 630-9321.
  

• The college will offer a free and open forum on, "Tenants Responsibilities and Rights Awareness," Tues., Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m. The event, part of the college's Decade of Civic Engagement initiative, will feature remarks by Attorney Michael DellaMonaca. The event is free and open to the public, but door prizes will be available to those who pre-register by Fri., Oct. 10. For more information, contact Susan Sayball at (978) 630-9219. Refreshments will be provided.
  

• The college's Winchendon Skills Program is offering ABE and GED courses this fall. The weekly class schedule is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m. at the Community Action Center in Winchendon (273 Central Street). For more information, contact Janet Brown at (978) 297-1667 or Beverly Hobbs at (978) 630-9259.
  

• MWCC & the US Small Business Administration will present a free seminar “marketing your small business” on Thurs., Oct. 2, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The seminar will be held in Room 127 at the Gardner Campus. Pre-registration is requested. To pre-register, call Enrollment Services at (978) 630-9123. For more information call Professor Jack Hughes at (978) 630-9340. SBA’s cooperation does not constitute or imply endorsements of any opinions. Product and/or services. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance. Contact MWCC at (978) 630-9123. SBA Auth. #01-046-002-284-05.

Lea Ann Erickson
Director of Community Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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