The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of December 17 to December 24, 2020

Mount Wachusett Community College Wins 4 Marketing and Communication Awards

Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communications

GARDNER, MA - December 10, 2020 - The Mount Wachusett Community College Marketing and Communications Department was honored with five awards at this falls District 1 National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) Medallion Awards.

NCMPR, an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges, is an international membership organization exclusively representing the needs of marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. The organization has more than 1,700 members from 650 colleges across the US, Canada and the UK.

The NCMPR District 1 Medallion awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges. There were 221 entries from 27 schools across District 1 which encompasses the North East and Mid-Atlantic states as well as Eastern Canada and the United Kingdom.

The MWCC team was awarded a bronze medal in the Computer-Generated Illustration category for its illustration of the North Central Mass Community Landmarks. Silver medals were awarded for submissions in the Poster category, Novelty Advertising category, and in the Radio category for the “Life Happens, Keep Learning” campaign which has been so relevant for this academic year.

MWCC was awarded gold in the Digital Advertising category submission for the Fire Science Degree program submission. Judges commented that "This was a really fun ad, a great way to incorporate branding into program advertising."

"I applaud this team for their excellence," said MWCC President Vander Hooven. "Now more than ever, effective messaging is necessary to reach the students who find success at the Mount." He added, "This college offers talented and committed faculty and staff ready to meet students where they are to find success, and this team works hard to ensure that strategic communications reach the communities and students we serve in an ever-changing media landscape."

The MWCC Marketing and Communications Department is led by Director Stephanie England, a 11-year veteran of the college who was elevated to the Director role in early 2019. Assistant Director Nia Carignan, and Graphic Design Coordinator Haley Caisse, both of whom joined the college in late 2019, and Administrative Assistant Joyce Cormier complete the team.

Monty Tech Awarded $323,160 Grant in Baker-Polito Administration’s Latest Round of Skills Capital Grant

FITCHBURG – On December 10, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $11.7 million in Skills Capital Grants awarded to 47 educational institutions across the Commonwealth to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education. Local vocational-technical high school, Monty Tech, was among the list of grateful recipients.

"Monty Tech has come to rely of grant funding to update and improve our programs," said Sheila Harrity, Superintendent-Director of Monty Tech. "We continually seek competitive grants, such as the Skills Capital Grant, to ensure our students are being trained on the most current equipment, and familiar with the latest technology, and we could not be more grateful for the continued support shown by the Baker-Polito Administration. They are truly champions of workforce development and vocational education."

"At a critical time in our Commonwealth, these Skills Capital Grants will increase flexibility and support for schools and educational institutions to launch new programs and help more students develop important technical skills and prepare them for high-demand industries," said Governor Charlie Baker. "As our economy moves forward, it will be crucial for young people to develop the important technical skills that local employers need to grow their businesses."

The Skills Capital Grants are awarded by Governor Baker's Workforce Skills Cabinet, which was created in 2015 to bring together the Secretariats of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development to align education, economic development and workforce policies in order to strategize around how to meet employers' demand for skilled workers in every region of the Commonwealth.

The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, as well as align curriculum and credentials with industry demand to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state.

The $323,160 grant awarded to Monty Tech, which was supported by local businesses and organizations including Great Wolf Lodge and MassHire North Central Workforce Board, will be used to update equipment in the school’s cafeteria and Culinary Arts program, providing instructors and students in the day program with new opportunities for training. This equipment will also be utilized to introduce an all-new evening Culinary Arts programs in the School of Continuing Education. Non-traditional students who enroll in this comprehensive evening program will earn valuable industry-recognized credentials and be prepared to enter high-demand career pathways in Culinary and Hospitality industries.

"Several schools awarded grants in this round will be able to expand their after-school and evening vocational programs, in alignment with the Governor’s Career Technical Initiative aimed at giving more people opportunities and education in the trades," said Education Secretary James Peyser. "The Career Technical Initiative provides additional career training opportunities for both young people and adults by operating three teaching shifts a day at vocational schools."

Monty Tech has received $1,779,686 in Skills Capital Grant funding since FY16, significantly improving eight of the school’s 21 vocational-technical programs with this funding.