Mount Wachusett Community College is proud to announce two major milestones for our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Career Pathways program: the renewal of FY26 grant funding and the success of a recent bilingual event that brought students, educators, and community partners together for a day of learning, connection, and celebration.
Career Pathways Funding Renewed for FY26
MWCC has received official notification that the FY26 Early Childhood Education Career Pathways grant has been approved at the full requested amount—$309,375 per grantee. This long-term funding helps MWCC continue its mission to expand access to early childhood education credentials, provide career training for the region’s workforce, and support the growing demand for high-quality childcare.
Bringing Students and Community Together: “Weaving Academic and Community Networks”
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, MWCC and the Brewer Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement hosted a powerful and uplifting bilingual event titled “Weaving Academic and Community Networks—From Zoom Rooms to Daily Community Work”.
The mini-conference was co-organized by online students in MWCC’s Early Childhood Education certificate program, giving many the chance to meet classmates and faculty in person for the very first time. Supported by faculty and the Brewer Center team, the day fostered community connection, celebrated student accomplishments, and invited local childcare professionals into the conversation.
MWCC Admissions Ambassador Ixchel Thibault-Muñoz also led campus tours for all 60 participants, helping many students experience the Gardner Campus beyond the virtual classroom.
A Day of Collaboration and Bilingual Engagement
The event was emceed in both English and Spanish by MWCC’s José Mangual and Scarlet Sánchez, setting the tone for a welcoming and inclusive day.
Distinguished guests included; María Paulino-Vera, Busy Bees Preschool Learning Center, Liz Shaheen Castro, SEIU Education and Support, Llanet Montoya, Department of Early Education and Care, Jonie Latimer-Brady, MWCC ECE Career Pathways Director, and Wendy Martínez Sanfle, MWCC ECE graduate.
Their combined voices represented policy, workforce development, early education leadership, and student success—each contributing to discussions about the needs and future of the ECE field.
The event was envisioned and developed by Adriana Arcila, MWCC Early Childhood Education professor and community mentor, whose work centered on reconnecting academic learning with real-world practice and cultural responsiveness.
Event Highlights
- Welcome remarks from Dr. Thomas Linehan on behalf of Dr. Laurie Occhipinti and the Education Department
- Campus tours for students beginning their studies online
- A Roundtable Discussion on workforce development, educator retention, and equitable access to education
- The ECE Carousel, where students showcased learning projects across eight themed stations—from child development and health and safety to curriculum design and special needs education
This vibrant exchange allowed students to present their work, receive feedback, and connect classroom theory directly to community-based practice.
During her remarks, Jonie Latimer-Brady, Director of the ECE Career Pathways program, emphasized MWCC’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. “MWCC’s ECE program is on a path of continual improvement as we continue to build the program in the best interest of students, families, programs, and community,” she shared. “Through thoughtful communication and relationship-building, we have been able to design a program that eliminates or minimizes barriers for students.”
Her message reflected both the momentum of the Career Pathways initiative and the broader vision for accessible, high-quality early childhood education training at MWCC.
A Celebration of Human Connection
The day concluded with a shared lunch and reflective activity, where many participants expressed how meaningful it felt to reconnect after years of remote learning. For many students, the event reinforced the link between their academic work and their daily impact in childcare settings across the region.
Family members and friends also attended, offering encouragement that helped students succeed through coursework, internships, and personal commitments. Their presence added warmth and celebration to a milestone moment.
As the event came to a close, the room filled with heartfelt applause—for the students whose dedication was on full display, for the faculty and mentors who guided them, and for the community partners who continue to strengthen the early education workforce in Massachusetts.
With renewed funding and a powerful demonstration of collaboration, MWCC’s ECE Career Pathways program is poised to continue expanding educational access and preparing the next generation of early childhood educators.