Inclusion & Belonging
STCC is proud to be an inclusive and diverse institution of access. We are unique given our status as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and a technical community college.
We are committed to our institutional core values of integrity, respect, and a student-centered approach as well as fostering an environment that promotes truth, creating an inclusive environment for all, and providing a diverse educational experience that promotes personal and professional growth.
Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
STCC is proud to be designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). We strive to create a campus culture where all faculty, administration, staff, and students are aware of and dedicated to embracing and fostering our HSI designation and identity. Being an HSI means we are committed to addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by our Hispanic student population. We continuously adapt our efforts to support Hispanic students, including offering culturally responsive programming, adapting hiring practices, providing holistic student support services, and more.
Inclusion Events and Series
STCC offers signature culturally diverse programs and events designed to engage and enrich the campus life experience. These events are open to all students and seek to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our community.
- Art N' Soul Cultural Field Trips
- Artists Roundtable
- Inclusivity Speaker & Performance Series
- Safe Zone Training
- Student Group Meetings
- Student Welcome Reception
- Soul Food & Jazz Luncheon & Sankofa Award Ceremony
- STCC Stands: Social Justice Film & Discussion Series
Student Resources
Student Clubs and Organizations
STCC is home to dozens of exciting student clubs and organizations, including:
- Black & Hispanic Women’s Association
- Black Student Association
- Christian Fellowship Club
- LGBTQ - Pride Club
- International Club
- LLAVE Club (Hispanic Association)
- Muslim Student Association
- Veterans Club
Female Initiative for Leadership and Education (LEAD)
The LEAD program is designed to provide female students with the opportunity to take a leading role in their education. To provide more community/civic engagement opportunities and help develop a strong network. Along with promoting self-awareness, self-love, and confidence, student participants will connect with professionals who will serve as mentors during their educational careers. The mentoring model will consist of both 1.1 and group mentoring sessions.
Male Initiative for Leadership and Education (MILE)
The MILE program is designed to provide inclusive academic support, mentoring, and community engagement opportunities to Black and Latino male students at STCC.
Employee Resources
Anti-Racism and Inclusion Alliance
The Anti-racism and Inclusion Alliance aims to build on our identity as a “Peoples College” and the only career and technical community college leader in the State of Massachusetts, and to strive towards strengthening our commitment to the racial and cultural experiences within our community and institution.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Employee Resource Groups bring employees of shared identities together to create havens of belonging and a sense of community for underrepresented employees. STCC is home to the Black Professionals, Hispanic Association in Higher Education (HAHE), and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQIA+) Groups.
Office of Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) strives to foster partnerships with faculty, staff, and students, promote disability awareness throughout the campus community, and provide guidance regarding college policies and procedures pertaining to the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities.
Heritage Celebrations
STCC honors many heritage months and celebrations each year and hosts a diversity of activities and events in celebration.
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- LGBTQ History Month
- Native American Heritage Month
- Black History Month
- Women’s History Month
- Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
- LGBTQ Pride Month
- Juneteenth
Faculty seeking to incorporate cultural heritage months into their curriculum can find support through the Inclusivity in Instruction webpage.
Religious Holidays
STCC recognizes and celebrates the rich religious diversity of our campus and greater community. For the educational benefit of our community and those coordinating events, we are in the process of creating a list of religious holidays with recommended accommodations.
Library Guide on Systemic Racism and Injustice
The Library's Systemic Racism and Injustice Guide includes resources that can be accessed via the library such as ebooks, books, films, videos, articles, data, and statistics as well as information about how to become active in local social justice activists groups and civic action next steps.
A Commitment Against Hatred
In moments of adversity and crisis, it is necessary to reaffirm our anti-racist values and stand against hatred. For a deeper understanding of our institutional values and our stance against hatred, please see the following statements.
- Statement on the Shooting in Buffalo, NY
- Statement on the Murder of George Floyd
- A Difficult Time; An Ethic of Care
- Massachusetts Community Colleges United Against Hatred
Local History
The "Our Plural History" website is an examination of the idea of pluralism in our local Springfield area history. The website focuses on first peoples, slavery, and immigration in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts.