MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Fri., Apr. 9, 2004

MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY COLLEGES RELEASE ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY;
MWCC RELEASES ECONOMIC AND “HUMAN IMPACT” RESULTS

By Lea Ann Erickson

MWCC Community College Presidents, including MWCC’s Daniel M. Asquino, look on at Thursday’s Statehouse press conference on the economic impact of community colleges.

The Massachusetts Community Colleges released results of an economic impact study at a Boston press conference, Thurs., April 8. In comparing potential earnings with and without a community college degree, the study found that a Massachusetts community college education more than doubles the full-time annual earning potential of community college graduates—from $21,200 to 42,600. Over the course of a student’s working life, the increase in earnings attributable to a community college education is $330,000.

Ed Moscovitch of Cape Ann Economic prepared the study. “An associate degree doubles the earnings potential of community college students and when you multiply this increase times all the students who have attended our colleges and are still living and working in the state, the results are simply stunning—total personal income in the state is over $7 billion higher that it would otherwise be.”

“ The impact of community colleges on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is significant,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “The very nature of community colleges gives us this kind of result. Most of our students stay in our communities to work and live and contribute to our communities.”

Mount Wachusett Community College has had a significant impact on the 29 cities and towns it serves. Using a conservative economic multiplier of 2.3 percent, the annual impact of the college on the region is $72.1 million annually.
In addition:

• MWCC student enrollment has skyrocketed 33.5 percent from 1997 to 2002—the highest increase among Massachusetts Community Colleges.
• The college hosted more than 75 community groups representing more than 80, 464 campus visitors who attended workshops, meetings and/or events.
• Eighty-Nine percent of the graduates of the class of 2001 (the most recent year data is available) were placed in careers in their field.
• A five year study of our students shows that 85 percent of our graduates are employed—80 percent in a job related to their program of study.
• Over 4,342 students took not for credit workforce development training to improve and/or advance their careers and the economic health of the region
• The college has graduated more than 14,000 students in its history
• The college employs more than 1,100 full and part-time employees
• As part of the college’s Decade of Civic Engagement initiative, more than 2,300 hours of service have been performed by MWCC students in partnership with over 50 agencies. Through their efforts, over 700 community members have been served.

Fitchburg Police Chief Edward Cronin, an MWCC graduate, said the impact on his police force has been significant. He estimates that “dozens” of his officers are MWCC graduates. “MWCC has always offered an outstanding program in Criminal Justice. Not only in CJ courses, but students also get a solid foundation in writing and humanities. It has stood the test of time. I went to the Mount; I taught at the Mount and it’s a good program. You have to earn it.”

UNSUNG HEROES ANN RACINE AND PATTY LEONHARDT TUTOR AND MENTOR FHS STUDENTS

By Lea Ann Erickson

Ann Racine of Health Alliance and Patty Leonhardt of Family Federal Savings began tutoring two Hmong Fitchburg High School (FHS) Students to help them pass the MCAS exam as part of a North Central Chamber of Commerce initiative three years ago. Students and tutors meet weekly in the FHS GEAR UP and GO Student Success Center. The tutors were nominated by Kristen Sweeney of MWCC’s College Access and Preparation Programs. What began as an after school tutoring effort in English and Math has blossomed into a mentoring experience that has enriched both the students and their mentors. “A tremendous bond has developed,” said Racine. “We’re concerned about their whole lives,” said Racine. “They can seek us out for advice.”

In addition to successfully passing the MCAS, the two students benefited from visits to their tutor’s offices to get a glimpse of the working world. Leonhardt, who also taught the girls to balance their checkbooks, said she was impressed with their dedication. “Someone has to really want to learn to commit to staying after school every week for three years.” Leonhardt said she benefited from the relationship as much as the students did. “It has been a delight to learn about their culture, for example, how they celebrate holidays.

Fitchburg High School was also very appreciative of their efforts. Fitchburg High School Principal Bernard J. Welch said in a letter to the tutors, “You have demonstrated to these young people that representatives of the community do genuinely care about them and their future lives. It is heartwarming for me to know that individuals are willing to take the time from their very busy lives to provide assistance, compassion and understanding along with knowledge of subject matter to our students.”

MWCC to host 22nd High School Art Exhibition

The college will host its 22nd High School Art Exhibition, through Fri., April 16. The work of high school students from 18 area high schools are on display in the East Wing Gallery. Student awards will be presented at a reception, Thurs., April 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, call 978.630.9184.

Lindsay Sinclair, niece of Charlotte’s Web Author E. B. White, presents gifts to Theatre at the Mount Director Gail Steele and cast members at the April 3 production of Charlotte’s Web.

Campus Events:

• The college is hosting a free series of financial aid workshops at its Gardner and Leominster campuses. The hands-on workshops will feature everything students and parents need to know to fill out the FAFSA. The free sessions will be held Mon., April 12 and Wed., April 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in room 072 in the lower level of the library at the Gardner Campus. A session at the Leominster campus will be held, Tues., April 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Alpha Beta Gamma will host its Induction Ceremony, Fri., April 16 in the college’s Dining Room. Alpha Beta Gamma was organized in 1970 as a national Business Honor Society for Community, Technical and Junior College students. The three-fold goal of Alpha Beta Gamma is to recognize and encourage scholarship; provide for leadership training and development; and to foster cooperation among men and women who are advancing their professional business careers. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. The dinner follows.

• As part of the college’s Decade of Civic Engagement initiative and Campus Compact’s Raise Your Voice campaign, MWCC Student Trustee Susan Sayball has organized a forum for students to discuss Board of Higher Education (BHE) student success accountability measures, Mon., April 12 from 12:30-1:30 pm in the North Cafeteria. The forum will feature a panel discussion with Edward R. Tercerio Jr., Executive Vice President of Mount Wachusett Community College; Janice Motta, Executive Director of Mass Community Colleges; Melissa Delaney, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Elaine K. Smith Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Planning and Assessment from the Board of Higher Education as well as students and faculty. Each panelist will share his/her definition of student success. Elaine K. Smith will record the panel discussion and take it back to the Board of Higher Education to discuss any further actions. For more information, call 978.630.9219.

• A “Celebrating Our World,” event will be held on campus, Wed., April 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Desserts from around the world, workshops and a performance by INCA Sun will be featured. The Student Government Association, Multicultural Awareness Committee as well as the college’s Civic Engagement and Service Learning initiative are sponsoring the free event. For more information, call 978.630.9252.

• Working full-time? Find out how you can earn your Early Childhood Education Associate Degree in three years by attending weekend courses once or twice a month in combination with convenient online courses. Free Information sessions will be held Wed., April 28, Mon., May 17 and Wed., June 9. All sessions will be held in the Murphy Conference room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus. Schedules for this option begin in the fall and are planned in advance so students will know exactly what is expected of them for the entire program. No cancelled classes. To pre-register, call Missi Howlett at 978.630.9273 or email her at mhowlett@mwcc.mass.edu. Learn about the program, schedule and financial aid opportunities and see an online learning demonstration. For more information about the program, go to http://earlychildhood.mwcc.edu

• Boston’s WBZ 4 sportscaster Steve Burton is slated to deliver Mount Wachusett Community College’s 2004 commencement address, Thurs., May 20. “Burton devotes much of his free time in service to others,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “I think our graduates will enjoy hearing what he has to say and we are proud to be welcoming someone who has made a commitment to giving back to community.” Burton is a sports anchor and reporter for CBS4 News on CBS4 and for sister station UPN38 in Boston. A New England native, he joined CBS4 in August 1994. Prior to that Burton worked as a sports anchor and reporter for New England Sports Network (NESN) since 1988. While at NESN, Burton hosted the pre and post game shows for the Boston Red Sox. Raised in Framingham, Massachusetts, Burton grew up in a sports family. His father, Ron Burton, played for the New England Patriots football team. Young Burton graduated from Framingham High School, where he was the quarterback for the school’s football team and went on to play quarterback for Northwestern University.

• Tickets are now on sale for THE NEW SENIOR DAY (for adults 50 and over), hosted by MWCC’s LIFE program and the Gardner Council on Aging and sponsored in part by Fallon Community Health Plan. Entertainment, vendors, health screenings and speakers will be at the Colonial Hotel, 625 Betty Spring Road, Gardner, MA on Thurs., May 27, 2004. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. with luncheon served between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $5. Eight-year old Mackenzie Melemed, “The Little Piano Man”, has performed over 125 concerts; he plays, composes music, and sings and was recently honored on Channel 4 TV as a Hometown Hero for outstanding accomplishments in New England. Registration for this event will be held at the Gardner Senior Center, 70 Waterford St., Gardner. Office hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Lorraine Wickman at 978. 630.9176 or by email at lwickman@mwcc.mass.edu.

• The Fitness & Wellness Center at Mount Wachusett Community College is offering two sessions of the Red Cross lifeguard certification course. The next session will run in May on Mon., Wed., & Thurs. from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (no class on May 31st). Course will lead to Red Cross certification(s); Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR for the FPR, AED, and Waterfront module. Cost: $230.00 for non-members and $200.00 for members. Re-certification fee is $100.00. Register at the Fitness & Wellness Center or call 978.630.9212 for further information.

Lea Ann Erickson
Director of Community Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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