STCC receives $662,000 in state grants for COVID-19 relief
From left, Denise Hurst, vice president of Advancement and External Affairs at STCC; Heriberto “Herbie” Flores, president and CEO of Partners for Community; state Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr; state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez; state Rep. Bud L. Williams; and STCC President John B. Cook.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The state has awarded Springfield Technical Community College two grants totaling nearly $662,000 for COVID-19 relief, STCC President John B. Cook announced today.
The money will be used to help keep the campus safe during the pandemic, compensate faculty for their work developing online courses and boost student aid, Cook said at a news conference at STCC. He spoke from Building 20, where check-in stations are set up to screen students, staff and faculty who arrive on the campus.
Joined by state representatives Carlos Gonzalez, Angelo J. Puppolo Jr. and Bud L. Williams, Cook thanked the lawmakers for their support.
“We are really thrilled that you can be here, that you can share in this award with us, and that you continue to champion for STCC and for public higher education,” Cook said.
Heriberto “Herbie” Flores, president and CEO of Partners for Community, also joined the event to show support for STCC.
STCC received a Higher Education COVID-19 Response Grant from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) in the amount of $502,425 to support the college’s COVID-19 response efforts.
Separately, the college received a $159,266 GEER grant to support emergency need-based assistance for students who have been affected by COVID-19.
Cook said the GEER grants totaling $661,691 would be used specifically for the following:
- Campus sanitizing
- COVID-19 testing
- Student aid
- Faculty compensation for online course development
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
“This funding will allow us to address critical needs that we are facing during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cook said. “We are grateful to Gov. Charles Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito for their support. The grants will help keep our campus safe and support our students as they pursue their goal of obtaining an education and transforming their lives. We also are pleased to use part of the grant to compensate our talented faculty who have done a tremendous job preparing their online classes.”
This funding will allow us to address critical needs that we are facing during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.John B. Cook, President, STCC
To reduce the risk of illness posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, STCC is offering online classes with a mix of low-density, on-campus labs for health and STEM programs this academic year. Faculty trained this past summer for online instruction and have been developing courses.
In a letter to Cook announcing the grant, Baker and Polito said, “We understand how challenging these past months have been as you and your staff and faculty have worked tirelessly to continue providing academic opportunities and additional supports for your students.
“Thank you for your commitment to student success, and for finding creative and thoughtful solutions to maintaining your course offerings and services, without compromising the health and safety of your students, staff, faculty, and the surrounding community.”
At the news conference, Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs Denise Hurst introduced the state representatives, who offered brief remarks about STCC and the grants.
“STCC plays a significant role in the Western Mass. region,” Gonzalez said. “The Western Mass delegation will continue to work with the Baker Administration to assure that our community college gets equitable funding to continue to promote education through the COVID pandemic.”
Puppolo noted his higher education pathway began at STCC.
“As a graduate of STCC, I’m especially pleased to show my support for this fine institution. Certainly we’re under tremendous pressure and all kinds of changes are going on relative to the pandemic, but we’re pleased to work with our colleagues and certainly Gov. Baker to make sure we’re funding the institutions and, in particular, STCC.”
Williams observed that the news conference was held next to the patient simulation (SIMS) medical center, where students in health programs conduct their training. He said the grants will pay for protective equipment and other measures to ensure they can continue their studies safely during the pandemic.
“I’m happy to be here and be part of this announcement. We want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for approving over $660,000 to help out STCC. It’s a shot in the arm and every little bit helps,” Williams said.
Cook thanked the representatives for their long-term support of STCC.
“The legislators understand that STCC is here to support students as they transform their lives,” Cook said. “I applaud them for their efforts in the State House to ensure we meet our mission.”
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 unequalled 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