Former STCC students now serving as lawmakers to join ‘Community Conversations’
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Four lawmakers who once were students at Springfield Technical Community College will join the next segment of “Community Conversations” on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 12:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the virtual event. Featured speakers are state reps. Bud L. Williams, Angelo J. Puppolo Jr., Orlando Ramos and state Sen. Adam Gomez. To register for the free virtual event, visit stcc.edu/conversations.
“This segment of Community Conversations will engage local distinguished alumni who now make up our locally elected state delegation,” said Lidya Rivera-Early, director of Community Engagement at STCC. “Legislators will share their journey and discuss how attending STCC impacted their trajectory.”
In addition, the lawmakers will share their thoughts about the role of community colleges, as well as recruitment and retention of populations of color and their legislative priorities.
Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs Denise Hurst will moderate the discussion.
“We’re excited to welcome the legislators back to STCC and look forward to hearing how the college helped inspire them to pursue public service,” Hurst said. “We want our students to see that they have the world at their fingertips and can do and be whatever they want. STCC is focusing on equity and becoming an anti-racist institution. We want to make certain that communities of color – those most affected by structural racism and poverty – recognize STCC as an accessible and affordable institution that can transform their lives".
President John B. Cook said the series highlights STCC as a forum in service to the Greater Springfield area.
“STCC is not only here to educate students and prepare them to enter the workforce or transfer. The college is also here to listen with our community, and serve greater Springfield as a collaborator,” Cook said. “We are proud of our partnerships across the community. This series offers a chance to connect with leaders and diverse groups of people to have engaging, constructive, and enlightening conversations about our shared goals.”
The Community Conversations series at STCC connects alumni, local politicians, civic and non-profit leaders, and business owners to share insights into the college’s impact on Greater Springfield and Western Massachusetts.
The series kicked off with “The Right Choice,” a conversation that featured alumni speakers who highlighted how STCC shaped their lives and careers.
The series is archived on STCC’s YouTube channel. Visit youtube.com/springfieldtechcc or click here to watch “The Right Choice.”
Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu