Apply Now Request Info
Contact Us Apply now

Leadership

Leadership
President James Vander Hooven

President’s Message 

Mount Wachusett Community College is a student-centered school in the heart of North Central Massachusetts.

We have been recognized nationally for our innovation and commitment to students, whether you are a first-time college student or returning to school. Our small class sizes and deeply engaged faculty and staff are here to help you navigate college life and meet your goals. Everyone at MWCC is here to support you as you complete the admissions and financial aid process, develop a class schedule, and find a healthy work-life balance. At the Mount, your classes will be challenging, but we will help you meet and exceed those challenges.

MWCC programs are designed to help you achieve your goals, whether you are a recent high school graduate, an adult returning to school, a military veteran, or a current high school student who wants to get an early start on college.

With more than 70 degree and certificate programs you will be able to match your goals to an education that will help you achieve them. You’ll also have a chance to be a part of a vibrant campus that has over 30 student clubs and organizations. You’ll also have the chance to make a difference in your community through the service-learning, volunteer, internship, and co-op programs offered by our Brewer Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement. Our students contribute more than 121,000 hours of service to our surrounding communities. These opportunities make North Central Massachusetts a better place to work and live and also provide great resume-building opportunities for our students.

At the Mount, you will be able to find your place at the Gardner campus or one of our satellite campuses in Leominster and Fitchburg. Whether you plan to head into the workforce or transfer to a four-year college, the next phase of your life will begin when you enroll here as a Mount Wachusett student.

I look forward to you joining us here at the Mount and shaking your hand when you earn your diploma.

James Vander Hooven, Ed.D.
President

Board of Trustees, Leadership Team, and President

Leading MWCC Forward

 

Mount Wachusett Community College is led by a Board of Trustees comprised of alumni, a student trustee, and business people from the local community who have demonstrated a deep level of commitment to the College.

The College’s Leadership Team is comprised of the President, Vice Presidents and others who work together to keep the college unified and moving forward.

MWCC is led by President James L. Vander Hooven, Ed.D.

May 2026 — May 2027

  • Claire M. Freda, Chairperson, Leominster City Council
  • Patti Bergstrom, Owner, The Velvet Goose
  • Samuel Nieves, Student Trustee
  • Irene Hernandez Guzman, (Alumni), Director, Active Life Adult Day Health Center
  • Denise Kindschi Gosselin, Professor Emerita, Western New England University
  • Lawrence NFOR, Senior Director of Finance and Administration, Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner.
  • Rozanna Penney, President/CEO, Heywood Hospital
  • Douglas Petersen, Workers Credit Union
  • Patricia Pistone, UMass Memorial Health – Health Alliance-Clinton Hospital
  • Rick Walton, Owner, Moon Hill Brewing Company, Gardner Ale House

Upcoming Meeting Notice

MWCC Board of Trustees
DATE: August 20, 2026 – Annual Meeting
TIME: 3:00 pm
LOCATION: Murphy Room, Gardner Campus 

AGENDA PDF

Join The Meeting Stream

2026-2027 Fiscal Year Schedule

(subject to change)

August 20, 2026 (Annual Meeting)
October 15, 2026
December 17, 2026
February 18, 2027
April 15, 2027
June 17, 2027

Approved Presidents Report December 12, 2021

BY-LAWS AND GOVERNANCE POLICES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ARTICLE I – Jurisdiction

SECTION I. Authorities

A. The Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the Board) is legally responsible, consistent with Chapter 15A, Massachusetts General Laws, and in collaboration with the Board of Higher Education, to assure that the College fulfills the distinctive purposes for which it was established. It ensures that the proper educational program is offered to its students and that the highest quality standards are maintained. In discharging its responsibility, the Board generally will act upon matters recommended to it by the President of the College. The formulation and adoption of written policies shall constitute the basic method by which the Board exercises its leadership in the College’s operation.

ARTICLE II – Duties and Responsibilities

SECTION I. Administrative and Budgetary Management

A. The Board shall periodically oversee and approve budgetary management of the College and approve all fees at the College; and

B. delegate authority to the President the responsibility for creating annual budget reports, including detailed projections for maintenance, capital outlay and proposed property acquisitions, to collect and retain fees pursuant to institutional guidelines, subject to audit by the State Auditor in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.

SECTION II. Personnel Management and Fundraising

A. The Board shall exercise authority to promote and award tenure of personnel at the institution, upon recommendation of the President; and

B. delegate to the President, the general supervision and authority to appoint, transfer, and dismiss all personnel of the institution;

C. delegate to the President authority to seek, accept, and manage grants, gifts, and trusts to support faculty research, programmatic initiatives, and institutional goals, in accordance with relevant statutory provisions.

SECTION III. Admissions, Programs and curriculum

A. The Board shall consider and approve significant programs and curriculum changes as submitted by the President; and

B. delegate to the President responsibility to recommend admission standards and instructional programs, including major and degree offerings, to the Council for approval, ensuring compliance with applicable statutory requirements.

SECTION IV. Financial and Operational Oversight

A. The Board shall have the authority to transfer funds within and among subsidiary accounts, if they deem necessary; to receive and approve all comprehensive monthly fiscal and audit reports; to engage an annual audit of the College; and

B. delegate to the President, authority to establish and operate programs, including summer and evening sessions, consistent with the degree authority conferred under relevant statutory provisions; and

C. delegate to the President authority to submit annual institutional spending plans to the Secretary and Council for review and comment, ensuring standardized reporting formats to enable comparative analysis across public institutions.

SECTION V. Strategic Planning

A. The Board shall cause, through the President, a comprehensive five-year master plan to be developed and updated accordance with a schedule determined by the Board.

B. The Board shall periodically review and adopt the mission statement of the College, ensuring alignment with the overarching goals of the public higher education system and the specific category of the institution. The mission statement shall clarify the institution’s fundamental educational principles and responsibilities to its community.

C. The Board shall review, approve, and provide commentary on matters pertaining to the long-range planning efforts of the College.

SECTION VI. Assessment and Public Accountability

A. The Board shall submit to the Board of Higher Education, on a calendar year schedule, an annual institutional self-assessment report, providing a detailed account of progress in fulfilling the approved mission of the institution and evaluation of the President’s performance, including recommendations to inform decisions on reappointment and compensation;

B. delegate to the President the responsibility to provide the Board with self-assessment reports, at the end of the final summer semester, on the institution’s progress in fulfilling the approved mission of the institution, including an analysis of collaborative efforts with vocational technical schools and the outcomes of training and job development programs.

SECTION VII. Entrepreneurial Advancement

A. Institutions possessing the potential for regional or national expansion may submit a five-year strategic plan to the Secretary and the Board of Higher Education, outlining entrepreneurial approaches to achieve elevated levels of institutional excellence.

SECTION VIII. Delegation of Authority

A. The Board may delegate specific powers and responsibilities to the President of the institution as deemed  appropriate within the limits of these bylaws.

SECTION IX. Committees

A. The Board shall establish a Finance and Audit Committee at the Annual Meeting. This committee shall elect its own Chairperson. All budgetary matters including spending, capital, state maintenance budgets, and trust fund budgets, will be submitted to this committee for review prior to action by the Board. This Committee shall also review and approve the annual audit of the funds of the College.

B. Ad hoc committees may be established as needed from time to time.

ARTICLE III – Officers and Duties

SECTION I. Election and Term of the Board Members

A. The Board is composed of eleven members. Ten of these members are appointed by the governor in accordance with Title II, Chapter 15A, Section 21. Each member serves a five-year term, with the stipulation that no member may serve more than two consecutive terms.

B. The Board is responsible for designating one of its members to serve as a non-voting member of the district trustees for vocational-technical schools located within the same geographic region as the community college.

C. Additionally, the Board includes a vocational-technical school district trustee, as outlined in Section 4, Chapter 74. This trustee represents each vocational-technical school in the region and serves as a non-voting member.

D. One member of such board shall be an undergraduate student member from the institution elected to office no later than May 15 to serve a 1-year term commencing on July 1 following their election.

E. At least one member of the Board must be an alumnus of the institution. One such individual is elected to the Board by the alumni association of the institution.

SECTION II. Officers and Administrative Assistant

A. The officers of the Board shall be Chairperson who shall reside within the geographic region of the College and Vice Chairperson.

   a. Delegating to the President the responsibility to provide the Board with an Administrative Assistant if no Board member is available to serve in that capacity.

B. Chairperson of the Board shall have the following powers and duties:

   a. To preside at all meetings of the Board. If the Chairperson is absent from a meeting, a quorum being present, the meeting may proceed under the direction of the Vice Chairperson.

   b. To call special meetings of the Board as needed.

   c. To appoint ad hoc committees and to serve as ex-oficio member of all named committees.

   d. To sign all documents as authorized by the Board.

C. The Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the Board at its Annual Meeting, and they shall hold ofice until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors are elected.

D. The Administrative Assistant shall have the following duties:

   a. Notifying the members of the Board of all meetings.

   b. To prepare agendas.

   c. To arrange for the recording and distribution of the minutes.

   d. To maintain appropriate records and files of the Board documents and proceedings.

ARTICLE IV – Meetings of the Board

SECTION I. Annual Meeting

A. The regular meeting that takes place in August is designated as the Annual Meeting. During this session, Trustees convene to address matters specific to the annual governance and operation of the organization, in addition to the regular agenda items. The Annual Meeting serves as a key event in the organizational calendar, providing an opportunity for reflection, planning, and the review of ongoing initiatives.

Section II. Regular Meetings

A. The Administrative Assistant is responsible for scheduling Board meetings for the upcoming year, providing notice to Board members, the President, Faculty, and Administration. No more than 11 monthly meetings or less than 6 monthly meetings may be scheduled during the year, except for July. If any Board member is absent from four regular meetings during any academic year—excluding the August Annual Meeting—their membership on the Board will be automatically terminated.

Section III. Special Meetings

A. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairperson of the Board, or the President of the College, or upon written request of four (4) members of the Board. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. At least five (5) days’ notice shall be given except for emergencies as declared by the Chairperson.

Section IV. Agenda

A. The agenda for each regular meeting shall be given to each Trustee at least seven
(7) days prior to the scheduled meeting date. Suggested items from Trustees, to be included in the agenda for the regular meeting shall be submitted to the Chairperson. Items to be included in the agenda for a regular meeting shall be submitted to the President by the Chairperson of the Board no later than ten (10) days in advance of the meeting. At any regular meeting the Chairperson, the President and any Trustee, upon majority vote of the Board, shall be entitled to present matters to the Board for consideration.

Section V. Business Order

A. Unless otherwise determined by the Chairperson, the following shall be the order of business at meetings of the Board:

   a. Call to order.

   b. Consideration of prior minutes.

   c. Chairperson’s Report.

   d. President’s Report

   e. Orders of the Day

     i. Academic Affairs

     ii. Administrative Affairs

     iii. Continuing Education Affairs

     iv. Student Affairs

   f. Old Business

   g. New Business.

   h. Adjournment.

ARTICLE V – Open Meeting Law

Section I. Public Participation

A. The Board is committed to conduct all meetings in compliance with the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A, Section 18 – 25 requiring that meetings be open to the public, properly noticed at least 48 hours in advance (excluding weekends/holidays), and documented through minutes.

B. The public is therefore permitted to attend the Board’s meetings and observe the development of policy and hear reports presented. However, members of the public are not considered Board members and therefore do not participate in the Board’s deliberations. Under special circumstances, and with a majority vote of the Board, an individual may be invited to address the Board. Individuals may be removed for disrupting proceedings.

Section II. Exceptions to Open Meeting Law

A. Emergency Meeting, defined as “a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action.” In this situation the Board is obliged to file notice for an emergency meeting, but the meeting can take place within the 48-hour window or after the fact.

B. Executive Sessions Meetings may be conducted in accordance with Chapter 30A, Section 21 (a) and held if a quorum of the Board has first met in open session, due notice given, and a majority of the members have so voted. Each Trustee’s vote is recorded on roll call and entered into the minutes. The presiding officer must cite the purpose for the executive session and state if the Trustees will re-convene after the session.

Article VI – Board Meeting Procedures

Section I. Rules of Order

A. The rules set forth in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Board in all applicable cases, provided they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws or any special rules of order adopted by the Board.

Section II. Quorum Requirement

A. A quorum consists of a simple majority of the Board’s members. When a quorum is established at any meeting, actions may be taken by a majority of Trustees present unless otherwise specified by these By-Laws. A majority vote within a quorum allows the Trustees to recess any meeting.

Section III. Remote Participation

A. Remote participation by members of the Board is allowed by telephone or teleconference using Internet or Satellite services, provided that the chair is notified in advance of a member’s need to participate remotely; and

   a. one or more of the following factors make the members physical attendance unrealistically difficult: Personal illness; Personal disability; Emergency; Military service; or Geographic distance; and

   b. A quorum of the body, including the chair or designated alternate chair, are physically present at the meeting location.

B. Members who participate remotely may vote and shall not be deemed absent. At the start of the meeting the chair will announce the name of any members who will be participating remotely. This information shall be recorded in the meeting minutes.

C. If technical difficulties result in a remote participant being disconnected for the meeting, that fact and the time at which the disconnect occurred shall be noted in the meeting minutes.

D. All votes taken during any meeting in which a member participates remotely shall be by roll call vote.

E. Trustees who participate in meetings remotely are permitted to take part in executive sessions. However, at the start of any executive session, the remote participant must clearly declare that no other individuals are present at their remote location and that no one else is able to hear the discussion. This requirement is intended to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the executive session.

   a. If the remote Trustee wishes to have another person present or able to hear the discussion at their location, this must be explicitly approved by a simple majority vote of the public body before the session begins.

Article VII – Procedures for Resignation or Discipline

Section I. Trustee Resignation

A. Any Trustee may resign from the Board by submitting a written letter of resignation to both the Governor of the Commonwealth and the President of the College.

Section II. Trustee Discipline

A. The Board may discipline a Trustee, including but not limited to censure or suspension, for serious misconduct in their capacity as a Board member or upon indictment or conviction of a felony. Disciplinary action requires a majority vote of the Trustees present at a regularly scheduled or special meeting where a quorum is established. In cases involving serious misconduct or felony indictment or conviction, the Board may also vote to recommend the Trustee’s removal to the Governor.

B. In those cases where the Board is contemplating discipline of a Trustee or a recommendation for his/her removal, the Board shall comply with the following procedures.

   a. A Trustee shall be given at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice of a meeting of the Board at which discipline or a recommendation for removal will be discussed. The written notice shall include a statement setting forth the allegations of misconduct.

   b. At the meeting, the Trustee shall be given an opportunity to address the allegations presented and provide an explanation of his/her conduct. The Trustee is permitted to have a representative accompany him/her during the meeting, although the representative may not actively participate in the meeting other than to advise the Trustee.

   c. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board shall, by majority vote, decide whether to discipline and/or recommend the removal of the Trustee. The decision of the Board shall be final to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Article VIII – Amendment or Revision of the By-Laws

Section I. Revision of the By-Laws

A. The By-Laws of the Trustees of Mt. Wachusett Community College may be amended or revised at any regular meeting of the Board. Proposed amendments or revisions must be presented to the Board for consideration and action during these sessions, ensuring that all modifications are made in accordance with established procedures and within the context of an officially convened meeting.

Adopted 1/15/1981
Revised 6/04/1983
Revision 2 1/17/1990
Revision 3 5/27/1993
Revision 4 2/02/2013
Revision 5 2/19/2013
Revision 6 3/11/2013
Revision 7 3/25/2013
Revision 8 3/28/2013
Revision 9 4/9/2026

 

James L. Vander Hooven
President
EdD, University of Maine
MA, University of Wyoming
BA, The Ohio State University

Senator Stephen M. Brewer
Senior Advisor to the President
Member of the Massachusetts Senate 1997-2015
BA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MA, Assumption College

Jay Bry
Vice President of Finance and Administration
MBA, Purdue University
BS, Purdue University

Ana Gaillat
Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
PhD, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MA, Suffolk University

Daniel Horlander
Executive Director, Information Technology Services
MS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
BS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Heather Layton
Executive Director of Resource and Strategic Initiative Development
MS, Antioch New England Graduate School
BS, University of New Hampshire

Patricia A. Marshall
Interim Vice President for Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development
PhD, Brown University
MA, Brown University
BA, Colby College

Tiffany Parker
Executive Director, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
MA, Minnesota State University, Mankato
BA, University of Maine, Orono

Daniel Soucy
Professor, Philosophy
MA, The State University of New York at Albany;
BA, Westfield State College

Marcia Rosbury-Henne
Vice President for Enrollment Management
MEd, American College of Education
BA, Marist College

Peter Sennett
Vice President of Human Resources & Payroll, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator
LLM, George Washington University College of Law
JD & MPA, Syracuse University College of Law & Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
BA, SUNY at Buffalo

Kim Shea
Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
DNP, Regis College
MSN, Drexel University
BSN, Drexel University
AS, Mount Wachusett Community College

Stephanie Williams
Chief Diversity Executive
MS, Anna Maria College
BS, Becker College
AS, Quinsigamond Community College

Jason Zelesky
Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students
MEd, University of Vermont
BA, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

James L. Vander Hooven, Ed.D., President, Mount Wachusett Community College

James Vander Hooven, Ed.D. has been committed to the ideas of access and opportunity in higher education for the majority of his professional career. After a few years of secondary education teaching and administration, Jim found his true calling when he stepped into a nontraditional college classroom, and as the instructor found that he was the youngest person in the room. From that evening on, he has focused his energy and time on increasing opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.

In his role as the third president at Mount Wachusett Community College, Jim has taken this student-centered approach and applied it to everything he touches. He approaches his role as the college leader with a unique student focus.

Prior to becoming president at MWCC, Jim served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Landmark College in Putney, Vermont. In this role, he served as the College’s chief enrollment officer, managed recruitment activities, enrollment, and admissions processes, and administered the Office of Financial Aid. He also oversaw the Office of Transfer, Career, and Internship Services.

Before joining Landmark College, Jim was President of Tohono O’odham Community College, a Tribal College located on the Tohono O’odham Reservation in Arizona. In that role, he oversaw the $9 million construction of a new main campus, strengthened programs in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and developmental education, and represented the Tribal Colleges in annual presentations on Capitol Hill.

The breadth of his experience gives him a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities of educational leadership. He is dedicated to building strong teams designed to achieve important goals and improve student outcomes.

Jim serves on a number of community boards including the GFA Supervisory Committee, The Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, the Wachusett Business Incubator, and the Massachusetts Community Colleges Council of Presidents.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The Ohio State University. He received his Master of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Wyoming. In 2009, he was awarded his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Maine, where he focused on student access. His dissertation was titled, “Lessons From Success: The Experience of Women Who Successfully Completed an Associate Degree While Parenting Children.”

Strategic & Operational Plan

Strategic Plan Download PDF  Operational Plan Download PDF

Testimonials

Your Journey Starts Here

Yasmine Kanaan
“I have gone from a lost young adult with no goals and no identity, to a student with a high GPA, an associate’s degree in business that I was able to complete in one year, and an acceptance to the University of Massachusetts.”
Yasmine Kanaan

Yasmine Kanaan

Business Administration, Class Of 2015

Ricardo-Scarello-cropped
“For those who are battling a disability, MWCC encouraged me and gave me a solid foundation to achieve my educational and career goals. There were times that I felt like giving up, but I kept moving forward and soon I will start a PhD program. It is all up to you.”
Ricardo-Scarello-cropped

Ricardo Scarello

Computer Information Systems, Class Of 2007

austin-seppala_student-profile_web
“I think it goes without saying that the Mount is a supportive place. There is not a person on staff that I didn’t feel comfortable with.”
austin-seppala_student-profile_web

Austin Seppala

Business Administration, Class Of 2010
Kaitlyn-Fales-scaled-1-cropped
“Being a part of a community college is a whole body and mind experience – you can’t just come and take classes. I’ve made so many friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
Kaitlyn-Fales-scaled-1-cropped

Kaitlyn Fales

Business Administration, Class Of 2018
IMG_2509-e1538058375509
“My Natural Resources degree gave me the skills and knowledge to launch my career with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and truly helped me excel. I get to work outside and it is such a joy knowing I got where I am today because of MWCC.”
IMG_2509-e1538058375509

Lily Carr

Natural Resources, Class Of 2015

Picture-of-Mercy-Aryee
“My favorite part is that you are able to have many resources at your fingertips, you can just send an email, or walk to any of the offices and everyone is willing to help.”
Picture-of-Mercy-Aryee

Mercy Aryee

Computer Science, Class Of 2024
0115-1-scaled-1-cropped
“Mount Wachusett Community College pushed me out of my comfort zone or, should I say, gently nudged me with their guidance and assistance in completing my first degree at the age of 61. I am not your typical undergraduate. I am not the typical age, not the typical student, and I certainly did not take the typical amount of time to complete this degree.”
0115-1-scaled-1-cropped

Paula Morgan

Liberal Arts & Sciences, Class Of 2024

EntelaRoba-e1505217449638
“I feel comfortable and well prepared with what I learned at the Mount, and I’m proud to say that I graduated from this program.”
EntelaRoba-e1505217449638

Entela Roba

Physical Therapy Assistant, Class Of 2010

Elzbieta-Solimeno-Dental-Assisting-Student
“The Dental Assisting program at MWCC offers a hands-on training by faculty in the dental field. The professors are very helpful and knowledgeable, and the clinic is beautiful. If you enjoy helping people, wanting to make a difference in patients’ oral health and working in a professional environment then I really recommend Dental Assisting program at MWCC.”
Elzbieta-Solimeno-Dental-Assisting-Student

Elzbieta Solimeno

Dental, Class Of 2019

William-Boudreau-e1722010007953
“MassReconnect has helped me to pay for the college education that I never thought I’d earn, and show my four boys that its never too late.”
William-Boudreau-e1722010007953

William Boudreau

Engineering Physics

mackenzie-christensen-e1516390578539
“I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music Online and would not have been able to do it without the knowledge and skills I learned at MWCC.”
mackenzie-christensen-e1516390578539

Mackenzie Christensen

Media Arts & Technology, Class Of 2017

Ready To Take The Next Step?

Your journey starts with a single step. We have all the information you need to move forward with confidence. Reach out today to learn more about life at The Mount and how to get started.

Request More Info Apply Today