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Greenfield Community College Foundation Welcomes Board Members, Elects Officers

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Daily News

GREENFIELD — At its November meeting, the Greenfield Community College (GCC) Foundation celebrated new leadership and fresh perspectives on its board of directors while honoring four members who completed their six-year terms of service.

Departing members Deb Berryere (president), Ann Barker (vice president), Jacqui Zuzgo, and Savitri Rambissoon were recognized for their commitment to the college and the foundation’s mission of supporting student success. Under their leadership, the foundation strengthened its scholarships, endowment, and community partnerships, advancing opportunities for students across the region.

Succeeding them in leadership, the board elected James Fitzgerald as president and Jane Wolfe as vice president. Fitzgerald and Wolfe both joined the foundation board in 2023 and bring experience in business and community service.

The foundation also welcomed four new members whose expertise reflects the diverse strengths of Franklin County and Western Mass:

• Tim Grader, a real estate investor, broker, and property manager, is the owner of Cohn & Co. Real Estate and Stillwater Real Estate Services. A GCC alumnus, he brings a deep commitment to regional revitalization, historic preservation, and lifelong learning.

• Colleen Kucinski, executive director of the Literacy Project, has spent more than 25 years advancing educational access through leadership in higher education and philanthropy, including 18 years at GCC and eight years at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

• Hannah Rechtschaffen, executive director of the Greenfield Business Assoc., is a leader in creative placemaking and community development. Her background includes strategic roles with W.D. Cowls and the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation, where she built partnerships that drive local economic growth.

• Mary Siano, a social worker and civic leader, has dedicated her career to community service and advocacy. She has served on local boards and committees including the Greenfield School Committee, the Community Health Center of Franklin County, the Literacy Project, and the League of Women Voters of the Greenfield Area. A longtime GCC volunteer and annual campaign co-chair, she continues to strengthen community engagement across Franklin County.

“Each of our new board members brings a unique perspective and a deep commitment to education, equity, and community well-being,” said Alexis Page, executive director of the GCC Foundation. “Together, we’re building on decades of local generosity and ensuring that GCC students have the support they need to thrive.”

Greenfield Community College Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Community College (GCC) Foundation announced the addition of two new members to its board of directors, Andrew (AJ) Bresciano and Charles Jacques.

AJ Bresciano

Bresciano is first vice president, commercial loan officer at Greenfield Savings Bank. He was born and raised in Greenfield, attended Greenfield Public Schools, and is an alumnus of Greenfield Community College, which he says was pivotal to his path forward in life. After GCC, he attended the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2004. He has served several local nonprofit organizations in the capacity of a board or committee member, including Franklin County’s YMCA, Franklin County Community Development Corp., and Greenfield Housing Associates.

“As an alum of GCC and a lifelong resident of Franklin County, I value the quality education that GCC provides to our fellow community members, and am fortunate to see firsthand how that education makes our community stronger,” Bresciano said.

Charles Jacques

Jacques is a tax accountant at CBIZ with more than three years of experience in public accounting. He completed his graduate degree in accounting at UMass Amherst and is currently in the process of pursuing his CPA. His interest and industry focus is supporting the nonprofit field, stemming from his passion for supporting organizations, big and small, that are changing lives and improving their communities each day.

“Education is so important, and I admire the continual efforts of the GCC Foundation to create opportunities for students to realize their career goals,” Jacques said. “I’m thrilled to work and grow with a diverse and talented team, and to also carry on the work of Kathy Sisson, the board’s former treasurer, who has been a mentor for me as I transitioned into the accounting profession.”

Alexis Page, executive director of Institutional Advancement at the GCC Foundation, added that “we are thrilled to welcome these two new board members to the Greenfield Community College Foundation. Their expertise and commitment will be invaluable in strengthening our mission and enhancing our ability to support students and the community. We deeply appreciate their dedication to GCC and look forward to the lasting impact they will help us achieve.”

GCC Foundation Ensures Students Have Technology They Need to Succeed

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Thanks to a generous donor community, the Greenfield Community College (GCC) Foundation is giving $100,000 to the college to ensure all students have access to critical technology to achieve their educational goals.

The funds will be used to purchase laptops for GCC’s technology lending library, securing enough of the technology to provide one to any matriculated student who needs it. The laptops will be available for matriculated students when the fall semester starts in September.

“We’re dedicated to our students and their dreams of completing a college education, and this program will ensure that technology won’t stand in the way of their success,” said Chet Jordan, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.

GCC Foundation Executive Director Alexis Page added that “we are thrilled to help GCC provide much-needed technology for GCC students so they can successfully pursue their education.”

The technology lending library is operated through GCC’s library. The lending library also features other items students can borrow at no cost, like WiFi hotspots, digital cameras, voice recorders, and more.

The lending library is just one part of the complete wrap-around services GCC provides students to ensure their success, including access to student emergency funds, tutoring, disability services, a food pantry, and a fitness center and rock-climbing wall. GCC is also planning to reintroduce its internship program for students to get real-life skills while still in college to prepare them for their careers.