STCC donates $5,000 to Girls Inc. of the Valley

STCC administrators, staff and faculty, including President John B. Cook, second from right, join officials from Girls Inc. of the Valley outside its Holyoke headquarters for a ceremonial check signing.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College donated $5,000 to Girls Inc. of the Valley, a gift that will help support the youth development organization’s teen center renovation as part of its “Her Future, Our Future” campaign.

The teen center is designed to get teens to think about their future by taking workshops in college and career readiness. STCC faculty and staff will also have an ongoing programmatic relationship with the Center. STCC’s logo will be displayed on the Center’s “Inspiration Wall” intended to remind participants about the pathways available to them through college and career.

According to Girls Inc. of the Valley, “Her Future, Our Future” is the organization’s most comprehensive campaign. It has three important goals: expand Girls Inc. programming to more Valley communities, support the growth of the “Eureka!” five-year college and career readiness program and complete a new headquarters and program center.

In addition to having a Society of Women Engineers chapter, STCC has a strong female faculty presence which includes 12 full-time female faculty in the Mathematics and Engineering disciplines. Approximately 60% of STCC students are women.

“We are delighted to build a partnership with Springfield Technical Community College that supports the academic advancement and career exploration of our participants,” said Suzanne Parker, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of the Valley. “This incredible financial investment coupled with volunteer opportunities and involvement from STCC faculty and staff will provide wonderful resources for scholars to plan for their future academic pursuits and career paths.”

We are delighted to build a partnership with Springfield Technical Community College that supports the academic advancement and career exploration of our participants. Suzanne Parker, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of the Valley

Administrators, faculty and staff from STCC, including President John B. Cook, in November toured the Girls Inc. of the Valley’s new location in Holyoke. Dee Ward, Associate Executive Director, walked them through the entire facility, including the teen center now under renovation.

“We are thrilled to invest in the future of Girls Inc. of the Valley,” Cook said. “They have a beautiful new facility in Holyoke and are offering unique services that support goals STCC has specific to equity. When young people are considering their future, we want them to know STCC is a ready pathway.”

The tour of Girls Inc.’s Holyoke headquarters included Dean of STEM Lara Sharp, Assistant STEM Dean Dr. Melishia Santiago, as well as faculty and staff from across the college.

“The number of women in STEM fields continues to improve, and STCC is committed to the continuation of increasing representation in all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Sharp said. “At STCC, we are proud to have talented men and women teaching engineering and other STEM disciplines. It’s important to have diversity in teaching as well as in the workforce to bring in more viewpoints and maximize innovation. We applaud the work Girls Inc. of the Valley is doing to help create access for girls.”

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.

About Girls Inc. of the Valley

Girls Inc. of the Valley is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Holyoke, Mass., that offers transformational youth programs to support the personal and professional development journeys of students throughout the Valley at no cost to their families.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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