SPRINGFIELD — In celebration of the firm’s 10th anniversary, Ryan Alekman and Rob DiTusa of Alekman DiTusa are issuing a giving challenge to fellow attorneys this holiday season.

A longtime supporter of the Springfield-based nonprofit organization Square One, the firm has pledged $10,000 in support of Square One to commemorate this landmark year. The partners are challenging their peers at other law firms to join them by making a donation of their own. The goal for the challenge is to turn their $10,000 into $50,000 from others in the legal community.

“Square One’s programs and services play a vital role in positioning children and families for success in school and in the workplace,” DiTusa said. “We have long recognized the importance of what they do, and we are confident that our colleagues will feel the same way.”

Added Alekman, “our partnership with Square One has reinforced our understanding and appreciation for the critical role that high-quality early education and care plays in the foundation of every child’s life. It is particularly important for children and families who are faced with the difficult circumstances that many of Square One’s families are experiencing.”

Square One currently provides early-learning services to over 500 infants, toddlers, and school-age children each day, and family-support services to 1,500 families each year, as it works to overcome the significant challenges in their lives. The large majority of Square One families are coming from situations involving poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, incarceration, substance abuse, domestic violence, and other significant issues that may inhibit their ability to provide a quality early-learning experience for their children, if the proper services are not made available to them.

“Rob and Ryan understand and appreciate how we leverage every dollar we receive,” said Kristine Allard, vice president of Development & Communication for Square One. “We can turn a $20 donation into breakfast and lunch for a child for a full week, for example. Every $250 donation provides classroom supplies for a preschooler for a full year. Turning Alekman DiTusa’s $10,000 gift into $50,000 will literally change the lives of thousands of children and families. We are so grateful for this opportunity.”

BOSTON — The state’s October total unemployment rate remained at 2.9%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts added 10,300 jobs in October. Over the month, the private sector added 10,800 jobs as gains occurred in education and health services; professional, scientific, and business services; trade, transportation, and utilities; manufacturing; other services; leisure and hospitality; information; and construction. From October 2018 to October 2019, BLS estimates Massachusetts added 51,700 jobs. 

The October unemployment rate was seven-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.6% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Preliminary estimates indicate that the Massachusetts economy has added 45,400 jobs since the beginning of the year, with the bulk of the job gains having come from key economic areas like education and health services as well as professional, scientific, and business services,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said. “The statewide unemployment rate has remained at or below 3% for nine consecutive months, and the 12-month average unemployment rate for black residents of the Commonwealth dropped below 4% for the first time since the recession.”

The labor force increased by 5,600 from 3,839,900 in September, as 5,800 more residents were employed and 200 fewer residents were unemployed over the month.

Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point.

The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — increased by one-tenth of a point over the month to 67.7%. Compared to October 2018, the labor-force participation rate is down two-tenths of a percentage point. 

The largest private-sector percentage job gains over the year were in education and health services; other services; information; and professional, scientific, and business services.

SPRINGFIELD — Dietz & Co. Architects Inc. announced the addition of Yvonne Cruz, RA to its staff as a senior project architect.

Cruz holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Pratt Institute, School of Architecture in Brooklyn, N.Y. and is a licensed architect in New York and Connecticut. She brings more than 20 years of experience to Dietz & Co., having worked for firms in New York City throughout her career. She has worked on an array of residential projects as well as many hotel and restaurant projects. She brings to the firm a commitment to high-quality design and a passion for mentoring junior staff members.

CHICOPEE — The Good Dog Spot, with locations in Chicopee and Northampton, is bringing its Spots Tots program to the Chicopee location. The program is designed to help puppies get ready for the daycare environment and the world around them. The Spots Tots program also provides socialization, exposure to new things, and careful handling during the dogs’ most impressionable developmental period.

This unique puppy-training program, which has been offered in the Northampton location, will now also be open in the Chicopee location on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“We are so excited to see our Spots Tots puppy program expand into our Chicopee facility and serve those in Chicopee and surrounding towns,” said Elizabeth Staples, owner of the Good Dog Spot. “It’s a great opportunity to help puppies socialize, play, and develop into well-mannered dogs. We’ve witnessed first-hand in Northampton the positive effects when a pup graduates from Spots Tots into our day-care program or returns for a routine grooming appointment. We even provide puppy parents with a daily report card to take home.”

CHICOPEE — For the second year in a row, Yankee Home is engaging customers in a pay-it-forward event to provide food for those in need this holiday season. For every non-perishable food item donated, Yankee Home will give customers 1% off the cost of their home-improvement service, up to 10%.

All food items will be donated to Rachel’s Table, a program of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts that works to eliminate hunger and reduce food waste in the community.

“Last year, we were able to help a lot of folks in need at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry,” said Yankee Home President Ger Ronan. “We’re excited to do it again this year for Rachel’s Table, especially after we learned that they work with Lorraine’s and other organizations in the area. It’s a great opportunity for us provide our customers with an added incentive to join us in giving back to the community.”

Ronan came to the U.S. from Ireland in 1982 with $80 in his pocket. He worked a series of jobs and experienced a period of homelessness himself as he worked his way up the ladder toward owning his own business.

Through the end of December, Yankee Home will be accepting non-perishable food items Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its 36 Justin Dr. headquarters in Chicopee. While the discount is capped at 10% of the total cost of the service, people are encouraged to donate as much as they can. The discount applies to installed, new work only. A Yankee Home specialist can provide complete details.

SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) recently welcomed Michelle Barthelemy of Greenfield Community College, Calvin Hill of Springfield College, Gladys Lebron-Martinez of MassHire Holyoke and the Holyoke City Council, Callie Niezgoda of Common Capital, Tony Maroulis of UMass Amherst, and Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates of Baystate Health to its board of directors. In addition, Francia Wisnewski has been elected clerk.

Each brings a passion for both the work of the organization and the continued success of the Pioneer Valley, said Lora Wondolowski, LPV Executive Director. “We are delighted to have these dynamic community leaders join us. They will bring important skills and experience to the board and will help to fulfill our mission of building and connecting more diverse, committed, and effective leadership for the Pioneer Valley.”

SPRINGFIELD — Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) announced that James Garvey, a digital marketing analyst with the company, has recently earned a digital marketing certificate from Cornell University’s online certification program.

“I viewed it as a retreat of sorts where I could isolate the tactical and focus on overall strategy development,” Garvey said. “In turn, our emphasis has now become working with our clients to identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) prior to planning the tactical considerations. It sounds simple, but tactical is always the shiny object. Which platform to use and what creative often takes precedent over what the actual objective is. That tendency underserves the client and the potential of digital marketing, and is something we are working hard to avoid.”

According to Cornell University, the objectives of the program are to learn and implement proven frameworks, assess opportunities and strategies associated with leading channels, and create integrated digital-marketing plans based on priorities and resources.

Garvey suggested there are other takeaways GCAi is now using in its digital-marketing approach. “We are really ramping up our framework for measuring and reporting success metrics — something that is more attainable and accurate given our concentration on front-end KPI setting. Two focuses that I found most thought-provoking were the potential to leverage owned media and the benefits of A/B testing on digital platforms.

“On the other hand, one thing that I was not enamored with was the push for the one-platform-serves-all digital-marketing emphasis,” he went on. “Having worked in digital marketing since basically its start, we have seen management platforms come and go and believe to this day that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and direct platform management is the most powerful and generates the best results.”

Underscoring a key component of the eCornell program, Garvey spent last winter researching and writing some of his coursework from Santa Monica Pier, not navigating the frozen Ithaca campus.

HAMPDEN — The Starting Gate at GreatHorse will host a holiday party — including decorations, music, and menu — on Saturday, Dec. 14 for any company or group that wants to take part.

Attendees can enjoy dinner and dance the night away with staff, co-workers, family, and friends — an ideal option for small businesses. The Clark Eno Orchestra will be playing today’s hits and rock and pop songs from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and beyond, plus big band, swing, and Motown.

The event is open to the public for $95 per person. A cash bar will be available. For reservations, call (413) 566-5158.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Bar Foundation and the Dante Club will hold a Chili Cook-off fundraising event on Sunday, Nov. 17 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Dante Club, 1198 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Hampden County Bar Foundation and the Dante Club Scholarships Inc. The Hampden County Bar Foundation funds the Colonel Archer B. Battista Veterans Scholarship, the John F. Moriarty Scholarship, the Hampden County Legal Clinic, and the Children’s Law Project.

Tasting tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 10, and are available to purchase at the door. For more information and to register, visit www.hcbar.org.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Rachel Rubinstein as its first vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.

Prior to her arrival, Rubinstein spent 16 years at Hampshire College in Amherst, where she was a professor of American Literature and Jewish Studies and from 2010 to 2018 served as dean of Academic Support and Advising.

At HCC, Rubinstein will oversee the divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs in what is a newly unified role at the college.

“As dean of Academic Support and Advising at Hampshire, I was working with the entire school, across the curriculum, on student success and support,” Rubinstein said. “I worked with struggling students, and I worked with transfer students from community colleges, so the idea of a struggling student who is having academic issues not necessarily because they are underprepared but because of the challenges in their lives impinging on their ability to learn is familiar to me.”

The combined position is one of the features that attracted her to HCC. 

“I think most of the community colleges in Massachusetts have this model, and I think the alignment is so necessary,” she said. “What faculty are asked to do these days is very taxing because it’s not just about teaching anymore. It’s about advising. It’s about mentoring. It’s about student support. The issues that students are dealing with are tremendous, and faculty need help. These issues can’t be solved by just Academic Affairs. They also can’t be solved by Student Affairs. It has to be a coordinated effort.”

Rubinstein holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Yale University and a Ph.D. from the Department of English and American Literature and Language at Harvard University.

A child of Mexican-born, Jewish immigrants, she grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and also studied Yiddish. Her academic studies, professional scholarship, and teaching have largely focused on immigration, migration, and multi-lingualism.

“The other thing that attracted me to HCC was Holyoke,” she said. “The prospect of being at an HSI [Hispanic-serving institution] was really appealing to me. Holyoke has a really deep history as a city of immigrants, and literature of immigration is what I do.”

Rubinstein was the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship and a Whiting Foundation Travel Fellowship. She has taught at Smith College and Mount Holyoke College and also taught adult learners and high-school students through community organizations including the Jones Library and the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. 

Her scholarly work includes two co-edited volumes, Arguing the Modern Jewish Canon: Essays on Literature and Culture in Honor of Ruth R. Wisse and the forthcoming Teaching Jewish-American Literature. She is the author of Members of the Tribe: Native America in the Jewish Imagination, which earned a Jordan Schnitzer Book Award honorable mention.

SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson plans to separate from the outdoor products and accessories businesses of American Outdoor Brands Corp. (AOBC). Smith & Wesson changed its name to American Outdoor Brands in 2016.

Instead, the organization will include two separate companies: Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., which will encompass the firearms business, and American Outdoor Brands Inc., which will include the outdoor products and accessories businesses.

“There have been significant changes in the political climate as well as the economic, investing, and insurance markets since we embarked upon what we believe have been our very successful diversification efforts,” said Barry Monheit, chairman of the board, in a press release. “We believe that separating into two independent public companies will allow each company to better align its strategic objectives with its capital allocation priorities.

“We also believe that this action will give the investment community clearer insight into the value-creation potential in each of these independent companies, ultimately driving enhanced stockholder value,” he added. “From the standpoint of our stockholders, at the time of the spinoff, the AOBC stockholders will own 100% of each company, thereby maintaining their pre-spin interest in both companies, and will thereafter have the ability to make distinct investment decisions tailored to their particular investment profile.”

James Debney, currently president and CEO of American Outdoor Brands Corp., will lead American Outdoor Brands Inc., while Mark Smith, currently head of firearms manufacturing operations, will be CEO of Smith & Wesson Brands Inc.

SPRINGFIELD — At the launch of the college’s first major-gifts campaign in more than a decade, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) President John Cook announced the naming of the Tuohey Family Welcome Center at the Student Learning Commons.

Brian Tuohey, a generous supporter of STCC, beamed with delight after hearing the news. His family, including his five children and 12 grandchildren, made a surprise appearance at the kickoff event on Oct. 22.

“It was absolutely a total surprise,” said Tuohey, president of the Collins Companies in East Windsor, Conn. and a longtime member of the STCC Foundation board of directors and its past president.

“I have been on for 25 years, and it has been a labor of love,” Tuohey told alumni, staff, retirees, and others at STCC’s Campaign for Student Success launch event. “We’re serving a community that needs our help. That’s been my motivation.”

About 60% of the students at STCC are the first in their families to go to college. While STCC is among the most affordable higher-education institutions in the state, 70% of the students rely on financial aid.

STCC Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs Denise Hurst said the STCC Foundation’s Campaign for Student Success helps to keep STCC affordable. The foundation is seeking corporate and private-sector support as well as contributions from individuals.

“To remain an accessible option, we need support from the community to raise money for scholarships and to pay for critical student services,” Hurst said. “Our major-gifts campaign supports our mission to help students transform their lives. We provide a pathway to higher education for the Springfield community, including first-generation college students, students of color, and low-income families. Despite being the most affordable option in Springfield, many of our students struggle to pay for their education and support their families. Your help can make a meaningful difference.”

Tuohey praised STCC for the quality of education it provides the community. “Three daughters came to STCC. They pursued undergraduate and graduate degrees from other universities and colleges. They would tell you the school that cared for them and the school that taught them was STCC.”

Tuohey highlighted STCC’s focus on workforce development as another reason why he supports the college. “STCC has 98 degrees and certificate programs, and 85 of these programs prepare our students to directly enter our workforce. We need STCC.”

President Cook thanked Tuohey. “For decades now, Brian has been a quiet leader in supporting this college,” Cook said. “His generosity has been significant and a blessing to this college.”

Also speaking at the kickoff of the major gifts campaign was Elizabeth Ryan, a graduate of the mechanical engineering technology program, who said working toward her degree was not easy, but the payoff was huge.

“During those two years, I learned skills necessary to start my career as a manufacturing engineer,” she said. “I had no idea of the opportunities that I would benefit from once I started at STCC. I wasn’t thinking about attending a four-year college. In fact, I didn’t even try to apply to any despite my guidance counselor’s advice. All I knew is, I didn’t want to have tens of thousands of dollars of student debt, and I wanted to start working in an industry that I had a passion for as quickly as possible. STCC made that happen for me.”

Ryan added, “I found a career I’m passionate for and juggled working full-time and going to school. I’ve bought a two-family house at 22 years old, and started volunteering for a few different educational boards.”

Each year, STCC and its foundation give more than $1 million in scholarships to students. The foundation relies on donations to help meet the college’s mission to support students. For more information about the foundation and to make a contribution, visit www.stcc.edu/give/foundation or contact Hurst at (413) 755-4197 or [email protected].

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) has earned a Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Assoc. for demonstrating commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support a goal of providing low-cost, quality, safe, and reliable electric service.

Chris Van Dokkumburg, planning analyst at ‎Holland Board of Public Works and chair of the Energy Services Committee in Michigan presented the designations on Oct. 29 during the association’s annual Customer Connections Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The SEP designation, which lasts for two years, recognizes public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines: smart energy-program structure, energy-efficiency and distributed-energy programs, environmental and sustainability initiatives, and the customer experience. This is the first year the association has offered the SEP designation. HG&E joins a pioneering group of 60 public power utilities nationwide that received the inaugural SEP designation.

“This designation highlights utilities that are really stepping up to deliver their customers top-notch programs and services,” Van Dokkumburg said. “These utilities are going beyond keeping the lights on, and their communities should be proud.”

Added James Lavelle, manager of HG&E, “we’re honored to be recognized for our efforts to support our community’s responsible energy use. We take a lot of pride in the programs we offer that help our customers save money and reduce our collective footprint on the environment. It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader in smart energy from the American Public Power Association.”

BOSTON — Business confidence strengthened in Massachusetts last month amid signs that the state and national economies are more resilient than many experts predicted.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index rose 2 points to 60.9 last month, leaving it virtually even with its level of a year ago.

The October upswing was led by growing employer optimism in the Massachusetts and national economies, as well as brightening prospects for manufacturers.

The survey results came during a month when U.S. employers added a stronger-than-expected 128,000 jobs. And while the Massachusetts economy contracted slightly during the third quarter, experts say the reversal reflects workforce capacity limits rather than an economic downturn.

“U.S. hiring was unexpectedly resilient in October, and prior months saw upward revisions. It appears that consumers will extend the record-long expansion despite trade tensions and weak business investment,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA).

The AIM Index, based on a survey of more than 100 Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative.

The constituent indicators that make up the Business Confidence Index all moved higher during October. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth surged 4.5 points to 67.8, while the U.S. Index rose 3.1 points to 59.6. The increase left the Massachusetts reading 3 points higher than a year ago; the U.S. index has dropped by 2 points during the past 12 months.

The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, gained 2.2 points to 58.6, virtually even with its reading from October 2018. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, increased 2.0 points to 63.3, also matching its reading of a year ago.

The Employment Index rose 0.3 points for the month but remained down 2.5 points for the year, underscoring the capacity issues faced by employers struggling to find qualified workers in a full-employment state economy.

Non-manufacturers (63.4) were more confident than manufacturers (59.0), despite a strong October gain in optimism among industrial companies. Small companies (63.6) were more optimistic than medium-sized companies (60.6) or large companies (59.6). Companies in Eastern Mass. (61.2) remained more optimistic than those in Western Mass. (60.4).

Paul Bolger, president of Massachusetts Capital Resource Co. and a BEA member, said employers appear to have concluded that the slowing economy remains fundamentally strong enough to make a recession unlikely in the near future.

“Companies are also hoping that a preliminary trade agreement between China and the United States will clear up some of the uncertainty that has been causes by tariffs and an escalating trade battle,” he added.

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said the persistent shortage of skilled workers constraining the Massachusetts economy underscores the need for the Legislature to pass an education-funding bill that establishes accountability for school districts to prepare students for both college and the workforce.

“The job of sustaining Massachusetts’ global leadership in innovation belongs to everyone, and that requires a thoughtful, long-range plan to maintain our competitive advantage, including our education system. The foundation of such a plan is a set of educational standards that ensure our students’ continued achievement via distinct criteria,” Regan said. “Whether Massachusetts high-school graduates choose a college track or enter the workforce directly upon graduation, we must remain vigilant and insist on relevant, high standards to provide all our students with equal access to the economic advantages that follow educational achievement.”

WILBRAHAM — Colony Hills Capital (CHC), based in Wilbraham, announced it recently purchased Windfield Senior Estates and Windfield Family Estates, a combined 160-unit multi-family apartment community located in nearby Hadley. It was purchased for $14,035,000 on Oct. 23.

Built in 2002, the property consists of 80 independent senior apartments and 80  family apartments. The property was originally developed and financed using the LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) program and currently has income and rent restrictions on 80% of the units. The community is located just off Route 9 in close proximity to UMass Amherst. It is also within a mile of top retailers such as Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, LL Bean, and numerous restaurants and entertainment venues. Windfields also offers direct access to the Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail, part of the 104-mile Mass Central Rail Trail system.

Colony Hills Capital is rolling out a capital-improvement plan that includes upgrades and remodeling to interior resident common areas, hallways, and office areas,  as well as adding exterior amenities including a dog park; additional sitting, picnic, and garden areas; and grilling stations. There will also be a complete repaving of parking areas and interior roadways. Additionally, the company plans to make the community more energy-efficient, bike friendly, and environmentally conscious.

“We are proud to own our first affordable-housing community, and appreciate the role MassHousing and Community Development played in transitioning the community from the original developers to us,” said Glenn Hanson, founder and CEO of Colony Hills Capital. “Acquiring a property previously financed by LITHC is challenging to master but rewarding to execute, and MassHousing was instrumental in our successful effort. And now our team on the ground is making a difference to our residents every day. We are also grateful to our investors who helped make our first affordable-housing investment a reality.”

Colony Hills Capital is a multi-family real-estate investment company that targets workforce, value-add investment opportunities located  primarily in secondary markets in the Southeastern U.S. Since its inception in 2008, Colony and its affiliates have acquired more than 8,800 apartment in seven states.

SPRINGFIELD — On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Bulkley Richardson and Millbrook Benefits will collaborate on a panel to discuss next steps in preparing for Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave.

Mary Jo Kennedy, chair of the Employment Group at Bulkley Richardson, and Peter Miller, managing partner at Millbrook Benefits and Insurance, will discuss how current leave programs fit with PFML benefits, the pros and cons of private plans, applying for an exemption to PFML benefits, and training management on how to avoid legal liability related to new PFML claims.

The event will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Bulkley Richardson’s office at 1500 Main St., Springfield. Register to attend at [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling announced the appointment of Dawn Forbes DiStefano to its board of directors.

“Dawn is an extraordinarily talented woman who values community engagement and involvement,” said Marlene Warner, executive director of the council. “Dawn brings a wealth of knowledge on nonprofit development to the board. We’re very fortunate to have her at the table as we work to serve those experiencing problems with gambling and their loved ones, especially in Western Massachusetts.”

DiStefano is the executive vice president at Square One, where she manages contracts and annual budgeting of $9 million. Square One is a private, nonprofit organization that provides early education and care to 500 children each day, as well as a range of family-support services to 1,500 families each year.

Founded in 1983, the Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling has been instrumental in bringing the issue of gambling disorder to the attention of the public and policymakers. With the gambling landscape evolving and expanding, the council has continued to play a leading role in protecting and educating the public.

“Advocating for the community and for families, and working to ensure resources are there for those who need it most, have always been important to me,” DiStefano said. “Joining the board of the Mass Council is a natural fit. I’m excited about the opportunity to help residents in the Commonwealth.”

DiStefano received her master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management from Westfield State University. She serves on several boards, including Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts, the Springfield Regional Chamber, and Baystate Community Relations at Westover Job Corps. In addition, she chairs the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

SPRINGFIELD — Bay Path University’s division of Strategic Alliances announced that producer, author, entrepreneur, educator, and, of course, top model Tyra Banks will bring her bold attitude, unique style, and well-honed business acumen to Springfield on Friday, March 27 as the keynote speaker at the 25th annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC). 

This year’s theme, “Own Your Now,” will encourage conference guests to examine the forces that have shaped their careers, relationships, and aspirations; recognize what drives them and what holds them back; and empower them to confidently move forward. As the WLC reflects upon its 25-year history and the impending retirement of its founder, Bay Path president Carol Leary, the theme carries added significance.

“Now is the perfect time for us to really examine all we’ve accomplished over the last 25 years and to challenge ourselves by asking, ‘what can we do next?’ There’s a lot of change in the air, so there’s some intentional synergy between the conference theme, Dr. Leary’s retirement after 25 years of leading Bay Path, and the ongoing growth we all strive for,” said Caron Hobin, vice president of Strategic Alliances, Bay Path’s division of workplace education and corporate training.

Banks is the creator of America’s Next Top Model, the reality show and modeling competition that has been replicated in 47 international markets and viewed in 150 countries. A graduate of Harvard’s Executive Education program, she has taught graduate courses at Stanford University and is opening Modelland, an interactive attraction based in Los Angeles that will allow visitors to experience a fantasy version of the modeling world.

“Tyra is a remarkably driven woman with a keen ability to leverage the knowledge and experience gained in one phase of her life toward creating future opportunities for herself,” Hobin said. “We think that those who know her primarily as a model and television personality will be pleasantly surprised, thoroughly impressed, and deeply inspired by her story, her perspective, and her accomplishments.” 

This year’s conference also will feature breakout sessions focused on navigating the complicated relationships, personalities, and dynamics of the workplace and the impact those have on our careers and opportunities. Sessions will be led by bestselling authors and researchers including Laura Huang, Harvard Business School professor and author of Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage; Emily Esfahani Smith, author of The Power of Meaning; Dr. Ramani Durvasula, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Don’t You Know Who I Am: How to Stay Sane in the Era of Narcissism, Entitlement and Incivility; and Jennifer Romolini, author of Weird in a World That’s Not: A Career Guide for Misfits.

For further information on the conference and to register, visit www.baypathconference.com.

SPRINGFIELD — The National Science Foundation recently awarded two grants to support research by two Western New England University faculty members — Robert Barron, assistant professor of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, and Amer Qouneh, assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering — and their collaborative partners.

Barron is a co-principal investigator on a project titled “INFEWS/T2 FEWtures: Innovation Analysis Framework for Resilient Futures, with Application to the Central Arkansas River Basin.” The project will develop strategies to promote resilient small-town and rural (STAR) communities using renewably powered fertilizer production and wastewater treatment. FEWtures will equip STAR communities to face urgent challenges such as low crop prices, high prices for energy and fertilizer, pollution, and depleting water supplies. Barron is among a team of researchers led by the University of Kansas and including Western New England University, Kansas State University, and Washington State University that have been awarded $2.5 million to craft a creative, multi-faceted set of responses to these challenges.

The focus of Qouneh’s research is “SHF: Medium: Collaborative Research: Enhancing Mobile VR/AR User Experience: An Integrated Architecture-System Approach.” This research will open the door for next-generation mobile platforms that provide high-quality, low-power applications for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). It seeks to develop a synergetic architecture-system approach to improve the user’s experience with AR and VR by addressing performance, battery life, and thermal issues. The project is a collaboration effort between Qouneh and faculty at the University of Florida and the University of Houston. The total amount of the grant is $1.1 million.

AGAWAM — CIS Abroad of Northampton was selected as the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) Employer of Choice award recipient for 2019. The award was presented at EANE’s Employment Law and HR Practices Conference luncheon at the Sheraton Monarch Place in Springfield on Nov. 7.

The Employer of Choice award recognizes companies and organizations for developing workplaces that value employees, foster engagement, invest in employee development, and reward performance. Past winners view the award as a cornerstone of their company credentials and often highlight the award in recruiting and retention, grants and funding applications, and business development. Many past winners have gone on to sit on the application review board to help select future winners of this award.

“In our present job market, employers need to consider how they’re investing in their workforce,” said Meredith Wise, president of EANE. “In order to attract and retain top-level talent, organizations need to offer more than a paycheck to their employees. CIS Abroad has demonstrated their commitment to fostering a people-focused operation, where their entire workforce knows the importance of the organization’s core values and mission. CIS Abroad has developed an employee-engagement plan that is both measurable and personally impactful for their entire workforce.”

CIS Abroad provides innovative education programs that broaden academic perspectives, promote global awareness, and encourage personal development while laying the foundation for student participants to become engaged world citizens. The passion of the CIS Abroad employees is visibly present when they talk about their programs and partners, as the lives of their employees have all been transformed by international experiences.

Employers from the Northeast who have been in business for at least three years and have a minimum of 25 employees are eligible to apply for EANE’s annual Employer of Choice award. Both the company size and its resources are considered in the screening and selection process. Entrants are judged in areas that include company culture, training and development, communication, and recognition and reward.

SPRINGFIELD — The annual Springfield College President’s Gala raised more than $500,000 for student scholarships.

More than 300 gathered on Oct. 26 at the MGM Springfield Aria Ballroom. All proceeds will go toward need and merit-based scholarships.

“The results are nothing short of extraordinary, and because of everyone’s support, we have made it possible for students to continue to choose Springfield College,” said President Mary-Beth Cooper. “We appreciate every gift from our generous community and corporate supporters and every member of our Springfield College family, including our alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Our students are truly inspirational people, and because of all of the generous donations, these funds will go toward helping the next generation of scholars. These financial contributions help to ensure that we continue to provide top-quality experiences and resources to our students so that each student has the essential tools to be successful.”

Serving on the President’s Gala planning committee were senior Alexandra Goslin, a math and secondary education major from South Windsor, Conn., who is serving as the elected 49th student trustee this academic year, and junior Kristian Rhim, a communications/sports journalism major from Philadelphia who serves as the student trustee-elect this academic year; he will continue on as the 50th student trustee starting in June 2020.

SALEM — Insa, a vertically integrated cannabis organization with locations in Springfield and Easthampton, announced the opening of its newest location on Highland Avenue in Salem, near the Lynn town line. 

“We are so proud of our team here in Salem,” Insa CEO Mark Zatyrka said. “For the past month, they have gone through extensive trainings as well as volunteered at dozens of nonprofits, community events, and cleanups. We couldn’t be more excited to open up a dispensary in the city of Salem. This city has been wonderful to work with, and we are looking forward to furthering our partnership and commitment to the city. We are so excited to open here in the North Shore.”

Insa Salem will be a recreational dispensary and the first Insa location in Eastern Mass.; however, many other dispensaries across the state carry Insa’s cannabis products.

Insa Salem will also offer online express ordering, a first-of-its-kind offering in the North Shore area. Patrons can skip the line by placing their orders on myinsa.com, and their order will be ready for pickup and payment when they arrive at the shop. 

Insa’s newest location will open its doors to the public today, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. A grand-opening ceremony will follow on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at noon.

GREENFIELD — On Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Cohn Family Dining Commons at Greenfield Community College (GCC), the Interfaith Council of Franklin County and GCC are collaborating to create Come for Supper, a community meal celebrating the cultures, traditions, and ethnicities of the region.

This family-friendly event will include games for children, music, dance, information tables, and food representing Guatemalan, Egyptian, Thai, Puerto Rican, Korean, Mexican, Jewish, Senegalese, Tibetan, and indigenous peoples’ cultures. There will also be an opportunity for people from different communities and ethnicities to offer blessings or share traditions.

The idea for the collaboration emerged from a desire to highlight and celebrate the many cultures and ethnicities embedded in Franklin County and the surrounding areas. Come for Supper is designed to be a community meal that encourages interaction and helps people to get to know the neighbors that help make Franklin County so dynamic.

“To a certain degree, you can measure quality of life by the diversity of cultures represented in a city or town’s culinary options. We are incredibly lucky in this region to have a wealth of locally grown food that feeds into a rich range of restaurants and caterers,” said Dean Leo Hwang. “People in Franklin County are hungry and eager to try new foods and meet new people, but sometimes in a rural region, it is hard to have the space to make that happen. We hope that Come for Supper will be one way to bring people together to strengthen our bonds of community.”

Added the Rev. Kate Stevens, “as a member of the Interfaith Council of Franklin County, it is an honor to work in partnership with GCC to celebrate the culinary and cultural diversity of this community. I look forward to a stimulating and delicious evening.”

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at gcc.mass.edu/supper.

LONGMEADOW — Ruth’s House, an assisted-living residence at JGS Lifecare, is kicking off a free monthly Lunch and Learn program.

On Friday, Nov. 15, Dr. Neil Epstein, a SHINE counselor, will offer a general overview of Medicare benefits followed by a question-and-answer session with attendees and free lunch. For those confused by or dissatisfied with their Medicare benefits, or unsure of the options, Epstein will help make sense of this complex program and attempt to answer questions and concerns.

SHINE is the state’s health-insurance counseling program, which provides free and unbiased health information, counseling, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages and their caregivers. The SHINE program is supported by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder-services agencies, social-services agencies, and councils on aging.

The event takes place from 10  a.m. to noon, with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. RSVP to Lori Payson at (413) 567-3949, ext. 3105 or [email protected].

On Monday, Dec. 2, Jeff the Plant Guy will talk about plants that clean the air. He will look at daytime and nighttime oxygen-producing plants, what plants clean office toxins, as well as the best plants to invest in for the home. He will take questions and share his depth of knowledge and insights.

Attendees with a question about a specific plant should bring a picture, leaf, cutting, or the whole plant, for an assessment for identification and/or bug eradication. Anyone with a plant to swap or a cutting to share should bring it along as well.

The event takes place from 10  a.m. to noon, with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. RSVP to Lori Payson at (413) 567-3949, ext. 3105 or [email protected].

The Ruth’s House Lunch and Learn program is free and open to the public. Tours of independent and memory-care neighborhoods will be available.

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Said Nafai, professor of Occupational Therapy at American International College (AIC), has been selected to receive the American Occupational Therapy Assoc. (AOTA) International Service Award at the 2020 annual conference in Boston in March.

The AOTA International Service Award recognizes occupational therapists who demonstrate a sustained, outstanding commitment to international service in this field; promote and advance occupational therapy abroad in regard to occupational health and/or occupational justice in underserved countries, thereby promoting a globally connected community; and provide incentive to extend international relationships and contributions to address global health issues. 

Nafai, known as the ‘father of occupational therapy’ in his home country of Morocco, returns several times a year to volunteer, teach, and raise awareness of occupational therapy as a profession and a tool for empowering people of all ages who face physical, cognitive, or behavioral challenges. Students and faculty from across the U.S. and Europe frequently accompany him to learn about Morocco’s healthcare system.

Among his credits, Nafai is the Moroccan delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists; co-founder of the OT Project in Morocco; founder and president of the Occupational Therapy Assoc. of Morocco; vice president of Emmanuel’s Dream, a nonprofit for children with special needs; and a board member of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, which currently has the most co-sponsored healthcare bill in the U.S. Congress. Passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act would ensure access to compression garments and other vital tools for managing lymphedema.

Nafai has been invited to speak at the University of New England in Maine at the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Program, addressing 13 different health professions on the topic of “Considerations in Working with Muslims and Interprofessional Team Members.” Additionally, he was an invited speaker at the Lymphedema Symposium at Harvard University Medical School in 2018, and has been requested by the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the “Global Report on Assistive Technology.” Further, he chairs a yearly conference in Morocco that features presenters from five continents.

According to AIC Dean of Health Sciences Karen Rousseau, “Dr. Nafai has dedicated his career to bringing awareness of OT as a life-changing intervention around the globe. Occupational therapy is a specialty in healthcare that finds solutions to myriad unique challenges, things that many of us take for granted. We are indeed fortunate at AIC to have a devoted professor and mentor in Dr. Nafai, who is deeply committed to making lives better. While he and his students provide OT services free of charge to communities near AIC, his passion and dedication extend to the global community as well.”

SPRINGFIELD — NeighborWorks America, through its affiliate Way Finders, has awarded Congressman John W. Olver Scholarships to two individuals — Melissa Fales, program manager for Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp., and Kerry Homstead, community facilitator for the Treehouse Foundation — to attend the NeighborWorks America Training Institute (NTI).

The scholarships provide travel, lodging, and tuition to a catalogue of more than 100 topic- and skill-focused courses. NTI creates an opportunity to network with other community-development organizations from across the country to share ideas and learn best practices in their field. Two scholarships are awarded annually to NTI attendees.

The Congressman John W. Olver Scholarship recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that demonstrate leadership, dedication, and commitment in the housing and community-development field in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.

Olver retired in 2012 after more than 40 years in public service, including 20 years serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. While in office, he not only provided strong support for NeighborWorks America, but also increased funding for housing vouchers, community block grants, and other affordable-housing programs. He was instrumental in the establishment of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, which assisted more than 1.5 million distressed homeowners through May 2013.