Third annual Leadership Conference at STCC on June 16 to feature ‘big ideas’
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will feature a wide variety of leaders who will discuss their “big ideas” during the third annual Leadership Conference on Friday, June 16, from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
The free event at the Scibelli Hall (Building 2) theater is designed for professionals and students who want to become effective leaders.
Event coordinator Paul Thornton, STCC professor and tri-chair of business administration in the School of Business and Information Technologies, invited 11 speakers representing a cross-section of leadership positions in the community. Speakers include entrepreneurs and leaders from nonprofit agencies, government, colleges and area businesses.
“Each speaker gets up to 15 minutes to present their big idea about leadership,” Thornton said. “It’s very fast-paced. I try to get a variety of speakers – some from the business world, educational field, government. I’ve even had religious leaders. I had a comedian one year. I try to get a range of people talking about how they influence, inspire and motivate people.”
This year’s speakers include Dr. John B. Cook, president of STCC, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.
I try to get a range of people talking about how they influence, inspire and motivate people.Paul Thornton, Professor and Event Coordinator
Other speakers are: Thornton, a professor, author, trainer and speaker; Rima Dael, executive director of Institutional Advancement and Foundation at STCC; Belinda Pruyne, founder and CEO of Business Innovation Group, a strategic coaching and consulting firm; Kate Toskin, STCC assistant professor in the School of Business and Information Technologies; and Karolynn Sheppard, assistant director for administration in The School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Springfield College.
Also speaking at the event are: Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh, professor of physics and engineering at STCC; Fred Kelly, area vice president of sales with Masimo, a leader in non-invasive measurements technology; Dr. James M. Wilson III, professor of business in Bay Path University’s Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovative Practices Graduate Program; and Carin Zinter, owner and chief beekeeper of C&C Orchards and Honey Bee Sanctuary in Sunderland.
Thornton said the conference offers not only a chance to hear big ideas from leaders, but an opportunity to network.
The STCC Foundation and Abbett Business Services Inc., of Holyoke, are sponsoring the Leadership Conference. A continental breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., with presentations beginning at 8:25 a.m. Lunch will be served after the speakers have concluded their presentations.
Registration is required. To register, contact Bridget Finn: bfinn@stcc.edu or (413) 755-4008.
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, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 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 and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).
Media Contact:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu