STCC a ‘stepping stone’ toward success for community leader Jennifer McGrath
Jennifer McGrath '06
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – When she was graduating from high school in 2004, Jennifer McGrath was not sure about her next step, because she was not the “straight A” student she hoped she would be.
Nonetheless her family encouraged her to stay on track with her educational goals. They suggested she apply to Springfield Technical Community College as a stepping stone for her future.
Today, McGrath says she is grateful for her family’s advice and proud to call herself an STCC alumna. McGrath ’06 is the Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement at MGM Springfield. She believes her life might have turned out differently if she didn’t choose STCC.
“It’s an incredible school,” McGrath said. “STCC was a perfect fit for my passion for broadcasting, journalism and video production.”
McGrath earned an associate degree in Broadcast Media and Video Production from STCC (the program is now called Digital Media Production Technology) and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where she focused on broadcasting and journalism.
After college, she applied her skills to human resources, organization development, marketing and public relations. McGrath worked as a seasonal employee during college and later moved into a variety of positions and capacities at the Thrill Capital of New England and for the Six Flags Entertainment Corp. In the same month she earned her bachelor’s degree, Six Flags New England in Agawam offered her a position, creating what she called a “sensational first step into her career.”
McGrath discovered she loved the entertainment industry and couldn’t pass up an opportunity to work at MGM Springfield. In 2023, she left Six Flags, having worked there for 18 years, and started her philanthropy and community engagement position at the casino.
“I have the absolute pleasure of supporting a company that gives back to the community,” she said. “It’s been phenomenal to be a part of this incredible family and a brand that does so much for others.”
This commitment to support others extends to a more personal side of McGrath. With a passion for wellness and fitness, McGrath teaches Zumba and is a trampoline fitness instructor. McGrath champions wellness for others and hopes her role as an instructor can help people feel positive about their bodies and to become more confident. She said that she struggled with eating disorders in her youth. After getting the help she needed, she set a goal to help others and support their fitness and wellness journey.
STCC was a perfect fit for my passion for broadcasting, journalism and video production.Jennifer McGrath '06, STCC alumna
“I’ve been a fitness instructor for 10 plus years,” McGrath said. “For me, it’s not as much about weight loss. It’s about the social, physical and mental wellness for my students. It is about feeling good in the skin you are in and celebrating body positivity!”
Between her health and wellness venture and her position at MGM Springfield, McGrath keeps a busy schedule – and that suits her.
“For me, I have a personality where if I’m not busy, I’m not thriving,” she said.
In addition to maintaining a work schedule of 40 hours a week, as a student at STCC, she got involved with activities, serving as president of the Campus Activities Board.
“It was incredible to be able to experience event planning, activating different events and programs for the students,” she said. “I always loved getting buy-in from the other students about what we wanted and needed. We just had a blast!”
STCC equipped her with fundamental skills she uses in her professional career, she said.
“This was the first time I was calling local entities and asking for contracts for events. I was never exposed to that before,” she said. “At STCC, you had the ability to really be the shining star in a smaller community. If you take advantage of all these programs, activities this campus has … it really is a place where you can shine.”
Dr. Karen-Louise Walker, Assistant Vice President of Advancement at STCC, said that McGrath’s inspiring story reflects how STCC fulfills its mission to support students as they transform their lives.
“STCC allows students like Jen McGrath to develop leadership skills and apply those skills to thrive in the workforce and community, as well as to use their skills for the good of community.” Walker said. “Jen’s journey from being a highly involved STCC student to becoming a respected leader at MGM Springfield is a testament to the power of dedication and the opportunities that STCC provides.”
For her career achievements and service to the community, McGrath was recognized in April 2024 by BusinessWest. She joined its “40 Under Forty” Class of 2024, which is an honor given to young, up-and-coming leaders in the community. Two other STCC alumni, Shirley Arriaga, the state representative for the 8th Hampden District, and entrepreneur Vilenti Tulloch, also were named to the 40 Under Forty class.
McGrath, a native of Long Island, New York, moved to Agawam while in high school. She lived with her aunt, Barbara M. Schaedler, RLA (Registered Landscape Architect), who was an STCC professor and chair of the Landscape Design and Management program for 12 years. She’s now retired. Through the STCC Foundation, graduating Landscape Design and Management students can apply for the Barbara M. Schaedler Scholarship to further their education.
For McGrath, STCC helped show her the importance of seizing opportunities and making connections.
“STCC is the ultimate opportunity,” she said. “What you put into STCC is what you will get back. When people are deciding where they want to go to school, consider Springfield Technical Community College. It’s a stepping stone to your future and helped me become the person I am today.”
Watch a video of Jennifer McGrath discussing the impact STCC had on her life.
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 unequaled 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