STCC names Dr. Karen L. Walker to leadership position
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College appointed Dr. Karen-Louise (Rucks) Walker as Assistant Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director to the STCC Foundation.
A native of Springfield and a product of Springfield Public Schools, Dr. Walker begins her appointment at STCC on Dec. 4. She will be responsible for managing all aspects of STCC’s fundraising, philanthropy, alumni relations and Foundation-supported work, including overseeing communications and branding functions. She will work with President John B. Cook, administrators and faculty to support the mission of STCC.
Dr. Karen Walker
“We are delighted Dr. Walker is joining us at STCC,” Cook said. “She is familiar to many in the Springfield community, having worked in a leadership role at Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services. Karen brings a wealth of higher education fundraising experience to the position. She will help our ecosystem of alumni, donors, businesses and community organizations that support our unique community college.”
Jennifer Brown, President of the STCC Foundation Board of Directors, said the Board is looking forward to working with Walker.
“The STCC Foundation Board is pleased to welcome Dr. Walker,” Brown said. “She has an impressive background that includes successful fundraising and effective engagement with alumni. She will be an asset to the institution and the Foundation looks forward to working with Karen to sustain STCC.”
Walker most recently served as Vice President for Advancement at Alliance University in New York City. She previously served as Vice President of Development at Ascentria Care Alliance – a nonprofit agency serving Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut.
I am excited to join STCC and use my experience to help advance its mission.Dr. Karen Walker, Assistant VP of Advancement at STCC
Prior to that, Walker served as Executive Director of Advancement at Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) in Worcester, where she was responsible for the management and oversight of all aspects of institutional advancement. During her tenure at QCC, she secured over $45 million in grants, increased private giving by 30 percent and tripled the QCC Foundation revenue.
Her professional experience also includes serving as Vice President of Programs for the MLK Jr. Family Services, a nonprofit social service agency supporting families and children throughout Western Massachusetts, the Executive Director of the Council of Churches of Greater Springfield and Assistant EEO Administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. She serves on various boards in Western and Central Massachusetts.
“I am excited to join STCC and use my experience to help advance its mission,” Walker said. “This is an exciting time at STCC, just a few years shy of its 60th year of providing affordable quality education. The College launched its Annual Campaign this fall and I look forward to implementing a comprehensive development plan that engages and inspires alumni, local businesses, companies and community members to support STCC students’ pathways to success and transformed lives through scholarships and state of the art educational programs critical to the Western Massachusetts workforce and economy.”
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