STCC student honored as ‘29 Who Shine’ recipient

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A Springfield Technical Community College student from Agawam was named one of the state Department of Higher Education’s “29 Who Shine,” a program that recognizes an outstanding graduating student from each public college and university in Massachusetts.

Delia Fuentes said she was thrilled to be selected. She received the news from STCC in mid-May, a time when she was mostly confined to her home with her family due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It came as a huge surprise,” she said. “It actually brightened my whole family’s month. We were pretty low because of the quarantine. Then I got the email, and I thought, ‘This is amazing!’ I never in a million years thought I would win an award like that.”

Andrea Tarpey, coordinator of student activities at STCC, and Lidya Rivera-Early, director of community engagement, nominated Fuentes for the 29 Who Shine award.

“Her hard work, dedication and commitment to the community, STCC and her peers made her the perfect candidate for this recognition,” Tarpey said. “I’ve been impressed with Delia since she came to STCC and became one of our student leaders. We’re proud of her and wish her success in the future.”

Each year, the state honors outstanding students who show promise as future leaders and demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement. Students also are chosen based on their intent to pursue a career in a field where there is a demonstrated need in Massachusetts, among other criteria.

Normally, students and their families are invited to a State House awards ceremony in Boston, where they are honored by the governor and other dignitaries. The ceremony was canceled this year due to the coronavirus emergency. Students will receive a citation.

My ultimate goal is to create a business in Massachusetts to introduce minority women to computer and IT science, and get them into the field. Delia Fuentes, STCC student and one of the state's "29 Who Shine"

Fuentes expects to graduate at the end of the summer with a degree in computer information technologies. She studied computer and IT (information technology) security and hopes to transfer to the College of Our Lady of the Elms to pursue a bachelor’s degree. STCC and the Elms have partnered to offer accelerated online degree completion programs in Computer Science and Computer Information Technology and Security.

She wants to one day earn a master’s degree in computer IT science.

“My ultimate goal is to create a business in Massachusetts to introduce minority women to computer and IT science, and get them into the field,” Fuentes said. “There are not a lot of minority women in my field right now, and we can do so much if we were just introduced them to it. I want to inspire women and people of color the way I was inspired at STCC.”

Fuentes, 24, who was born in Springfield, chose STCC because it was the most affordable option. She has loved the experience. “STCC was cheaper and had all the courses I could dream I wanted to take,” she said.

Fuentes praised the STCC faculty and for being supportive and encouraging.

“When I was growing up, not a lot of people believed in me except for my mom and my family,” she said. “Then I came to STCC, and I met Andrea Tarpey and Brian Candido (chair of the Computer Information Technologies program) and they believed in me. They said of course you can do computer IT.”

Fuentes has been active as a volunteer helping with Springfield’s revitalization. At STCC, she has been one of the Student Ambassadors, serving as a role model, advocate and peer advisor to fellow students.

She often tells her classmates not to be afraid to ask questions and reached out to professors.

“I know a lot of students are afraid to ask for help from professors, and one thing I would tell them is swallow your pride and ask for help, because if you ask, they will help, and that could be the difference between graduating and dropping out. If you come to STCC the people will actually care about you. The professors will try and help you succeed.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, liberal arts, and STEM fields continue to provide the most affordable options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of about 7,000 day, evening, weekend, and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.

For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).

MEDIA CONTACT:

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

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