STCC announces 3 new members named to Board of Trustees

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College Board of Trustees welcomed three new members appointed by Gov. Maura Healey. Joining the board are Dr. William A. Dávila, Michael Knapik and Anthony Moore Jr. ‘15.

The 11-member Board of Trustees establishes policies, carries fiduciary responsibility and oversees the president, who is tasked with all college operations as well as the administration of strategic priorities. Nine of the Trustees are appointed by the Massachusetts Governor, one Trustee is elected by the Student Body and one Trustee is elected by the Alumni Association/Network.

Shared by Dr. John B. Cook, STCC president, who is beginning his ninth year at the college: “I am so pleased to welcome our new Trustees. This is a group of wonderfully talented community leaders,” Cook said. “Bringing to the table their insight of public higher education, the college now also benefits given their unique wisdom and deep knowledge of industries, sectors and community needs.”

A Springfield native and former STCC student, Dr. Dávila is vice president of diversion, shelter and housing for the Center for Human Development (CHD). He has decades of experience at nonprofit agencies as a practitioner, manager and senior-level executive administrator.

He has served on the boards of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, New England Public Media and the Massachusetts Council on Gaming & Health, and was also recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the MLK Jr. Family Services organization. Dávila’s mother graduated from STCC in the 1980s.

“STCC was the school that gave me a second chance to get serious about my academic career and go on to successfully pursue a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate,” Dávila said. “I look forward to working with Dr. Cook and my fellow trustees on supporting and building on the college’s mission of providing academic and professional opportunities to our community.”

Knapik, a Westfield resident, is vice president of government and community relations at Baystate Health. He will serve as Board Chair.

Knapik is well known for his public service including two terms as a state representative for the 4th Hampden District and 18 years as state senator for the 2nd Hampden-Hampshire District. Knapik was also director, Office of the Governor, for the Western Massachusetts Regional Office, and Executive Director of Advancement, Alumni and University Relations for Westfield State University.

I am so pleased to welcome our new Trustees. This is a group of wonderfully talented community leaders. Dr. John B. Cook, STCC President

“I am grateful for the opportunity Governor Healey has afforded me with this appointment to the Board of Trustees at Springfield Technical Community College,” Knapik said. “I have profound respect for the important work STCC performs in our region and am keenly aware of the partnerships they engage in throughout western Massachusetts. I know from my past relationship with STCC, the college is well positioned to meet the challenges of the times.  I look forward to helping them fulfill their mission of transforming the lives of their students and thereby strengthening the families of our region.”

Moore, director of membership programs for the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), is an STCC graduate (Class of 2015) and Springfield resident. He previously worked for the Dunbar Community Center in Springfield, the Urban League of Springfield, as well as the City of Springfield.  He has also served as a MassDevelopment Transformative District Innovation Fellow.

“It is with great honor that I accept this appointment to the Board of Trustees at Springfield Technical Community College,” Moore said. “I am committed to the values of excellence, integrity, and community, all while supporting the college’s mission of providing accessible and high-quality education.”

The college’s Board of Trustees are appointed to a maximum of two five-year terms. An alumni-elected member also serves a maximum of 10 years, and a student trustee elected by the student body is also eligible to serve for multiple years.

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

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