STCC graduate finds her work at the college makes a difference in the community

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In her role at Springfield Technical Community College, Tamara Fricke feels proud to know she’s transforming lives, one grant at a time.

Working as a grant writer at STCC is her way of giving back to the institution that inspired her and helped her succeed after receiving her associate degree in 2003.

“I’ve written several grants where not only did it benefit the college, but it was providing access for free tuition to students. Students could enroll in CNA (certified nursing assistant) and Sterile Processing Technician programs free of charge because of the grant I wrote,” said Fricke, a grants development specialist at STCC.

Fricke added, “It is hugely satisfying to know that I have opened up those opportunities for the community.”

As a student at STCC, she received her associate degree in liberal arts. Fricke served as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of STCC, and graduated with honors with a 4.0 grade point average. She later was president of the Alumni Association.

After graduating, Fricke applied to become a Frances Perkins Scholar at Mount Holyoke, a program designed for students who have taken an unconventional path. Fricke earned her bachelor’s degree in English and economics from Mount Holyoke in 2010.

While she was a student at STCC, Fricke worked at MassMutual Finance Group managing information technology (IT) projects. She recalled getting hired at MassMutual and starting as a freshman at STCC at the same time.

“MassMutual was wonderful and allowed me to come to STCC full time to get my associate degree,” Fricke said.

Reflecting on her time at the community college, Fricke credited the professors with providing an exceptional educational experience. She remains friends with many of them.

“They had a profound impact on my life and my experiences here at STCC,” she said.

Kenneth Petit, a biology professor at STCC, recalled having Fricke as a student in his Principles of Biology class during the summer of 2001. He described her as kind-hearted and thoughtful.

“She immediately stood out in the class as a student who was motivated, hard-working and a self-starter,” Petit said. “She made such an impression on me that I remembered her many years later when she was hired at STCC. I knew then that the Grants Department had hired a winner."

“I was given the right kind of guidance from STCC. I was a first-generation college student and learned lessons from advisors and STCC professors and advisors were able to give the guidance I needed to successfully transfer to a four-year college. Tamara Fricke '03, Alumna and grants development specialist at STCC

Fricke was in her mid-20s when she decided to pursue a college degree. Having grown up in Los Angeles, she moved to Western Massachusetts in October 2000 and chose to enroll at STCC. When she was accepted into Mount Holyoke College, she was able to transfer 59 out of 64 of her credits with help from STCC faculty and staff.

“I was given the right kind of guidance from STCC,” she said. “I was a first-generation college student and learned lessons from advisors and STCC professors and advisors were able to give the guidance I needed to successfully transfer to a four-year college.”

After graduating from Mount Holyoke, Fricke held another position that gave her experience in grant writing. She has experience in sales from her days before going to college and has a good head for numbers.

On top of that, Fricke writes poetry and paints. “I can’t sit still!” she said.

In her position at STCC, which she started in 2019, she combines her talent, experience and education to advance the college’s mission to support students as they transform their lives.

“We have been very fortunate to have Tamara on the grants writing team. The funds secured as a result of the proposals she along with her colleagues have generated have significantly supported STCC’s program delivery strengths,” said Geraldine de Berly, vice president of Academic Affairs.

In the Grants Office, Fricke works with Kimberley Broderick and Laura Hurley but also collaborates across the campus to help different divisions and services secure needed funding.

For example, she works with TRIO Student Support Services, which is federally funded. They need to apply for the funding every five years. The grants department works with TRIO to help show the impact the program has on students.

The Grants Office also helps secure funding such as the federal HSI-STEM grant which is awarded to eligible Hispanic Serving Institutions. Fricke cited two grants worth more than $7 million that STCC received from the U.S. Department of Education. The funding is designed to boost student success among Latinx and low-income students in STEM fields.

Finding state, federal and private funding to support STCC programs is vital, especially in the Springfield area where many residents are financially struggling and facing barriers to access education.

“When you look at the statistics for Springfield, unfortunately we outstrip the rest of the state with regard to low-income and unemployment status,” she said. “Being able to provide access and opportunities to our community makes a huge difference to the people living here and to the businesses that operate here,” Fricke said.

Fricke said she felt right at home when she returned to STCC to dedicate her work to support students and help lift the community.

“I love my job and the impact I have on students and the community around the college,” Fricke said. “It’s my job to give back. They pay me to be involved and to make a difference, and I kind of love that.”

Watch a video of Tamara Fricke on STCC’s YouTube channel.

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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