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Simulation Coordinator Brings Realism to Health Education at STCC

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Daniel O’Neill, Patient Simulation Information coordinator at the SIMS Medical Center at STCC.
Healthcare News Special Coverage

True to Life

Daniel O’Neill, Patient Simulation Information coordinator at the SIMS Medical Center at STCC.

Daniel O’Neill, Patient Simulation Information coordinator at the SIMS Medical Center at STCC.

When healthcare program students in Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) step into a patient room at the SIMS Medical Center, they’re entering a high-tech learning environment designed to mirror the real world of healthcare.

Daniel O’Neill, Patient Simulation Information coordinator at the SIMS Medical Center, helps make those experiences possible.

“I’m one of two simulation coordinators,” said O’Neill, referring to himself and his colleague, Daniel Taibbi. “Together, we oversee a team of 15 employees who essentially build small movie sets so that students can practice high-fidelity healthcare simulations in a risk-free environment.”

The SIMS Medical Center hosts about 16,000 simulated experiences each year for students enrolled in 26 degree and certificate programs. O’Neill and his team ensure each scenario runs smoothly and meets national accreditation standards.

Accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare is no small point of pride. Last year, SIMS Medical Center earned this designation, making it one of only a few simulation centers in Massachusetts to reach that level of recognition, which is considered the gold standard in healthcare simulation and serves as a benchmark for excellence in patient simulation.

“These patients can blink, breathe, cry, respond to pain, and more. With the exception of walking out of the bed, they can do everything a human patient can.”

The center’s fleet of approximately 120 high-fidelity robotic patients allows students to practice their clinical skills in a realistic but safe setting.

“These patients can blink, breathe, cry, respond to pain, and more,” O’Neill said. “With the exception of walking out of the bed, they can do everything a human patient can.”

 

Virtual Reality

Simulation offers a powerful advantage in healthcare education. Studies show students retain up to 80% of knowledge gained through simulated experiences. STCC graduates also complete their clinical onboarding more quickly than peers from other institutions, O’Neill said, because they arrive with extensive hands-on practice.

Faculty play a key role in the process. Professors define learning objectives, and the SIMS team brings those objectives to life. “It’s a deep partnership,” he said. “We make sure what we’re setting up aligns with their vision for student learning.”

O’Neill spends a growing portion of his time in training and development meetings with faculty, helping them understand and use emerging technologies to enhance student learning.

Since 2020, STCC has expanded its innovation lab, introducing virtual reality to multiple health programs. Students can step into immersive scenarios or even view care from a patient’s perspective.

“AI lets us create more realistic and dynamic encounters that reflect cultural, religious, and social diversity. It prepares students to care for people who aren’t just like themselves.”

One simulation left a lasting impact on a 6-foot-5 student who experienced what it was like to lie in a hospital bed with a tall doctor standing over him. “He took the headset off and said, ‘I never realized how intimidating that feels,’” O’Neill recalled. “From that moment on, he started sitting down when talking to patients. That’s empathy building — and it’s just as important as any clinical skill.”

The SIMS Medical Center is also embracing artificial intelligence (AI), which allows for more authentic patient interactions. “AI lets us create more realistic and dynamic encounters that reflect cultural, religious, and social diversity,” O’Neill said. “It prepares students to care for people who aren’t just like themselves.”

In recognition of his contributions, O’Neill received the 2025 Individual Contributor Award/Star Award, an annual honor presented to an employee who demonstrates outstanding dedication and signature contributions to the college community.

STCC President John Cook praised O’Neill’s impact on the SIMS Medical Center and on students preparing for healthcare careers.

“What a unique skill set,” he said. “Dan, we are so grateful for all that you contribute to a very high-profile asset for the college. Our SIMS Medical Center, with the talent of Dan along with staff and faculty colleagues, provides a national model for future-now healthcare in higher education.”

 

Patient Approach

O’Neill’s path to STCC wasn’t traditional. He previously worked in restaurant management, at Apple as an educator, in event production, and even as a photographer for Lego. He joined STCC nearly nine years ago, first as a part-time simulation operator.

“I’ve always loved building teams and improving systems,” he said. “This role lets me do that while helping students prepare for meaningful careers.”

Prospective students experienced STCC’s SIMS Medical Center during a recent Career Exploration Night, where live simulations showcased the technology and immersive learning opportunities available.

“It’s the best night of the year to see what happens here,” O’Neill said. “Our goal is to give students the skills and confidence they need before they ever step into a hospital.”

STCC Launches Workforce Readiness Academy

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Katherine Ortiz (left), an education and career advisor, seen here assisting a student in a workforce development class, will oversee college and career workshops as part of the Workforce Readiness Academy at STCC.
Education

Tools to Succeed

Katherine Ortiz (left), an education and career advisor, seen here assisting a student in a workforce development class, will oversee college and career workshops as part of the Workforce Readiness Academy at STCC.

Katherine Ortiz (left), an education and career advisor, seen here assisting a student in a workforce development class, will oversee college and career workshops as part of the Workforce Readiness Academy at STCC.

 

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is now enrolling for the Workforce Readiness Academy, a free, 20-hour-per-week program designed to help prospective students build the digital, academic, and career skills needed to thrive in today’s job market and succeed in college.

The Workforce Readiness Academy offers a hands-on, personalized learning experience that equips participants with essential digital literacy skills, industry-recognized certifications, and strengthened college and career readiness competencies. Whether students are entering the workforce, changing careers, or preparing for further education, the Academy provides the foundation they need to move forward with confidence, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Development Gladys Franco said.

“This program is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to gain confidence, earn meaningful credentials, and take their next step toward a rewarding career or higher education,” Franco noted. “The Workforce Readiness Academy was intentionally designed to remove barriers and meet students where they are. Our goal is to ensure every participant leaves with the skills, support, and resources they need to succeed.”

“This program is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to gain confidence, earn meaningful credentials, and take their next step toward a rewarding career or higher education. The Workforce Readiness Academy was intentionally designed to remove barriers and meet students where they are. Our goal is to ensure every participant leaves with the skills, support, and resources they need to succeed.”

The Academy is supported by the state Gaming Commission’s Community Mitigation Fund. The program is offered in two sessions. The first runs Jan. 26 to April 9, while the second runs April 13 to June 25. Both run Monday to Thursday. Enrollees can choose day (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) or evening (5-9 p.m.) options.

Each participant is paired with a dedicated college and career advisor for individualized support throughout the program.

The Academy offers the opportunity to develop computer competency and workforce readiness skills every employer expects. Students will work toward industry-recognized certifications, including ServeSafe and OSHA 10, while also engaging with local employers through networking and career connection opportunities.

To learn more or register, visit stcc.io/wra or call the Workforce Development Center at (413) 755-4225. To enroll in person, stop by Building 27 at STCC.

Gail Carberry Named STCC’s 2025 Distinguished Alumna, Commencement Speaker

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Gail E. Carberry ’77 has been named Springfield Technical Community College’s commencement speaker and distinguished alumna for 2025.

The commencement ceremony and awarding of the Distinguished Alumna honor will be held May 29, at 6:30 p.m., at the MassMutual Center.

In many ways, Carberry exemplifies the transformative power of a community college education. As a Springfield Technical Community College student, she struggled with dyslexia and faced economic challenges, but found the support she needed to succeed. She earned her certificate in administrative bookkeeping from STCC and soared to great heights in the decades that followed. 

Indeed, she served in many roles at STCC, and would go on to serve as president of Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) in Worcester.

“I think, in a lot of ways, I’m very much a typical STCC graduate,” Carberry said. “I was an older student, coming from very moderate means. I’m dyslexic. Reaching this point in my life –— retiring as a college president and now being honored by my alma mater — is very meaningful to me because I am so passionate about the community college mission, having experienced it myself.”

After earning a degree in early childhood education from Worcester State University, she and her husband, Donald H. Carberry, a Vietnam War veteran, struggled to find stable employment. “We were living in subsidized housing with two small kids, trying to get on our feet after an unpopular war,” she recalled. “Teachers were being laid off, and I needed to reschool.”

It was at STCC that Carberry found her confidence. “I had gone through public school struggling, and when I got to STCC, that flipped,” she said. “People believed in me, and I began to believe in myself.”

STCC served as a launching pad for Carberry’s career. She served in several leadership roles at the college, where she worked for 28 years. Early in her career at STCC, Carberry was a grant writer — a role that would define much of her early success. She eventually rose to be the director of Grants and Institutional Development, the assistant dean of Development, and completed her career at STCC as vice president of Grants and Development, a role she held for more than 15 years.

During her tenure at QCC, Carberry continued her legacy of innovation, securing funding and expanding educational access. “I was able to build a health sciences and workforce development building in downtown Worcester without additional state funds,” she said. “We created a campus in Southbridge, and 1,300 students poured through the doors in the first year.”

Throughout her career, Carberry worked to expand access to education for underserved populations. At STCC, she played a role in launching disability services, a childcare center and a women’s center. “I was trying to push STCC into the community to reach into the lives of people, to bring them to the college and to enable some of the colleges programs to move into the community,” she said. “The transformation of lives has always been key to me, and the projects that transform the lives are the ones I’m most proud of.”

Her work in Worcester followed a similar trajectory. “My legacy is in the 10,000 students who graduated from QCC on my watch,” she said. “Nobody does it alone. I had a good team of people at both campuses working with me, and if I didn’t have them, I found them. That’s how you do it.”

Discovery High Students Make Connections, Earn College Credit

By Contributor
Environment and Engineering

Getting a Leg Up

 

 

Students from Discovery Polytech Early College High School are taking a leap into higher education by earning credits from Springfield Technical Community College (STCC).

This innovative partnership offers students a head start on their college journey, giving them the opportunity to take college-level courses, gain valuable academic experience, and save on future tuition costs.

As part of the ‘wall-to-wall’ early college program, high-schoolers ride a bus to the STCC campus two days a week — Tuesdays and Thursdays –— to take STEM-focused classes together in cohorts. The only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC is one of six area colleges and universities that offer an opportunity for Discovery students to earn at least three to six college credits per semester.

Discovery is one of the schools operated by the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP), which has collaborated with STCC since 2020, when students at Springfield High School of Commerce started taking college courses to earn credit.

Discovery is one of several in the family of Commerce schools. These schools have distinct identities and leadership teams that serve their student and family communities, while still reflected as part of Commerce at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Springfield Empowerment Zone is a partnership between Springfield Public Schools, the state, and the Springfield Education Assoc.

Discovery students started coming to STCC in the fall of 2023. They are taking classes focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and are enrolled in the following pathways at STCC: business, cybersecurity, healthcare, optics and photonics, mechanical engineering technology, and technical arts.

Students in the cybersecurity pathway take courses in the newly opened Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity of Excellence at Union Station in Springfield, which features a cyber range, which is a virtual environment to practice real-world skills.

STCC President John Cook said the partnership with Discovery gives students a valuable opportunity to get exposure to a college environment and take classes in programs that cannot be found elsewhere in the region.

“The students are gaining a significant head start, and the experiences they have here will help prepare them for the next steps in their academic and professional lives,” he said. “We are thrilled to welcome Discovery students, and we are proud to work with the Springfield Empowerment Zone.”

SEZP collaborates with STCC staff, including Melanie Laurin, director of Early College Initiatives. The academic pathways align with the Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint, said Kelley Gangi, chief of School Innovation for SEZP.

“Melanie and I and others on the STCC team have been strategic on which pathways are optimal for high-wage, high-growth career areas,” Gangi said. “We’re so blessed to be one of the first on the ground at the STCC cyber range.”

 

View to the Future

The wall-to-wall early-college program means all students taking college classes are on a pathway to earn an associate degree or 60 credits toward their bachelor’s degree for free, said Declan O’Connor, principal of Discovery. They begin classes on the STCC campus or other college campuses starting in the spring of their freshman year.

“We’re a STEM high school,” O’Connor said. “Our kids pick us because they want to be in a STEM environment. They’re gamers, they’re coders, they’re interested in digital media and managing social media. No student would come to us that didn’t have an interest in a STEM field.”

Gangi said some Discovery students may obtain a degree from STCC, while others might take classes at STCC but obtain a degree from another partner institution, depending on their major.

For many students, this program provides an opportunity to explore a field of study that interests them and prepare for the academic rigors of college. It also fosters a sense of independence and responsibility as they navigate college courses, manage their time, and engage with STCC’s diverse student body and faculty.

“They are definitely learning how to be on a college campus,” O’Connor said. “Nobody is sitting in on their classes. They’re walking to their classes. They’re experiencing college life.”

Izabella Martinez, a senior, has earned about 42 college credits so far. “I take two classes at STCC, and my professors have been very helpful,” she said. “During the first few weeks, they always welcomed us into class. The professors are easy to email. They brought supplemental instructors into class to help us. We are getting the experience that other college students are getting.”

Martinez takes a Computer Basics course with STCC Professor Anthony Rondinelli. On one October day, he was teaching the high-school students Microsoft Excel, showing them how to manipulate data, use formulas, create graphs, and more.

“They have different needs as students who are not yet graduated, but they’re very pleasant, and they want to learn. They’re receptive to being taught,” Rondinelli said. “I really believe in the partnership. A lot of the students have voiced to me that they like the course and they’re learning a lot. That’s really important to me, and hopefully it’s something that will continue on for many years to come.”

 

Accepting the Challenge

For the Discovery students, there are challenges as well as rewards to studying on a college campus like STCC.

Michael Anderson said some days he would rather be with his friends than be in a class. But he understands that knuckling down on his schoolwork will ultimately lead to the reward of earning college credit. “It always trickles down to your mindset: you might not be a college student, but you have to act like one. You’ve got to think, ‘what would a college student do?’”

The partnership aligns with STCC’s mission to provide accessible, affordable education to students from all backgrounds and to support pathways to higher education for underrepresented communities. It also reflects the growing trend of early-college programs across Massachusetts, designed to increase college readiness and close the achievement gap for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Discovery students are already reaping the benefits of this program, with many feeling more confident and motivated to pursue their educational goals.

“It’s very exciting being on a college campus,” Martinez said. “We are used to being in the same building every day and seeing the same faces. When we are on the college campus, we can work with people in fields that we eventually want to get to. We’re also able to network with people in those fields.”

STCC Creates Career Opportunities for Non-traditional Students

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Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC.
Special Coverage Technology

Inside the IT Academy

Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC.

April Bellafiore teaches the IT Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC.

The IT Academy at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is a “life changer” for Juan Burgos.

Echoing comments from other students enrolled in the IT Academy at STCC, Burgos said he’s excited to be working toward certifications that are tickets to good-paying jobs in the cybersecurity industry. Students in the first cohort, held this spring, are enrolled for free, supported by a grant.

“This opportunity came up, and I jumped on it,” Burgos said one Wednesday afternoon at STCC, where he was seated in a classroom with the other students. “This is a life changer. This is going to change everything.”

Launched on March 12, the IT Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC supports non-traditional students who are new to information technology (IT) and computer technology. They are learning skills that set them up for entry-level IT careers. Students also have the option of moving into the two-year Cybersecurity program, which can lead to an associate degree.

The comprehensive curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The program includes a part-time option running classes three evenings a week for nine months. A summer and winter boot camp will be offered that runs for 10 weeks (full-time day program), which allows students to attend classes five days a week.

Eventually, students who follow the cybersecurity track will use the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Springfield, scheduled to open later this year. The facility will serve as a dynamic hub for advancing cybersecurity awareness, education, innovation, and battling global security threats.

“This opportunity came up, and I jumped on it. This is a life changer. This is going to change everything.”

The 6,000-square-foot facility will include a cyber range, which is a simulated training environment, and security operations center, which is envisioned as a support service for Massachusetts municipalities, as well as regional businesses, to detect cybersecurity events in real time and respond quickly.

STCC offers a number of training opportunities through its Workforce Development division, from a free program that prepares students to be paraeducators in Springfield to the Hampden Prep program, which provides basic computer skill training.

“We are excited to offer a wide range of training programs that help non-traditional students pursue their dream careers,” said Gladys Franco, assistant vice president of Workforce Development at STCC. “Our goal is to make it easier for people looking to get started in a career. We’re particularly excited about the IT Academy, which provides a pathway to build a career in IT and cybersecurity. It’s a growing field with many opportunities.”

 

Immersive Education

Students in the Pathway to Cybersecurity program are learning in person in a classroom taught by April Bellafiore, Cruz Antonio Pagan, and Andrew Collins, a professor for the Cybersecurity program at STCC.

Students also participate in interactive computer training labs focused on obtaining CompTIA certifications, which are industry standards that IT professionals can use to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to potential employers.

The training is “beginner-friendly,” Bellafiore said. The course provides students with skills to be successful in the Cybersecurity program and in the workforce.

Students enrolled in the course come from a variety of backgrounds. Shelby Kiendzior graduated from STCC with a degree in dental hygiene and worked in the field, but plans on changing her career.

“We are excited to offer a wide range of training programs that help non-traditional students pursue their dream careers.”

“I will be getting four certifications in different IT-related courses,” Kiendzior said. “This course will set me up for where I want to go in IT or tech.”

Luz Padilla, who hails from Puerto Rico, called the IT Academy “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

She added, “I love computers. I love troubleshooting, and I would like to work in homeland security someday. The class is amazing. The teacher’s great. I got a lot of encouragement from everybody here, especially Miss April.”

She was referring to Bellafiore, an instructor who has taught in-person and online courses for more than 20 years.

“I am excited to work with the IT Academy students to prepare them for a dynamic and exciting industry,” Bellafiore said. “We also encourage students to continue their education and apply for the STCC Cybersecurity two-year degree program. In today’s digital age, every industry relies on IT expertise. It’s a growing field with many rewarding and diverse job opportunities.”

STCC Helps Non-traditional Students Access Jobs

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Ian Noonan teaches a workforce-development class at STCC.
Professional Development

Professional Development

Ian Noonan teaches a workforce-development class at STCC.

Ian Noonan teaches a workforce-development class at STCC.

It’s called the IT Academy.

Launching on March 12, it’s a new program within Springfield Technical Community College’s (STCC) Workforce Development Center that focuses on cybersecurity, a growing field with a constant need for new talent.

“We’re really excited about this one,” said Ian Noonan, STCC’s director of Instruction and Asssessment for Workforce Development, noting that the program will have full- and part-time options. “There is such a big need for that piece, and this is a pathway to build careers in IT and cybersecurity. We want to make it easier for folks trying to break in, maybe non-traditional students who are not going to college.”

Indeed, the Workforce Development Center (WDC) focuses its considerable energies on such students, who are not taking classes for college credit, but instead training for employment in fields that badly need a stronger pipeline of talent.

“We offer plenty of different workforce-development, certification-based programs,” Noonan said. “Some matriculate into credit-bearing courses, and some are ways to earn certifications.”

One of the more popular options is the certified nurse aide (CNA) program, which prepares students with entry-level job skills that allow them to enter the healthcare field and prepare for the state board examination to become a CNA.

Other healthcare options include phlebotomy technician, emergency medical technician, EKG technician, and a few options for people already working in healthcare, including phlebotomy certification, CPR basic life support, and dental radiology.

“We’re always looking at what the best needs are for the community and how best to support students in building skills, earning certifications, and getting hired.”

The WDC describes its offerings as “non-credit programs and classes meet the ever-changing technology and workforce demands of individuals, businesses, and industries in the region.”

Part of that role is coordinating with the STCC Career Services Center to provide internship opportunities as well as full- and part-time employment opportunities. Meanwhile, the programs and classes offered at the center include both instructor-led and web-based workforce training and certifications in a wide variety of areas, including advanced manufacturing, construction and project management, healthcare, skilled trades, IT/network certification, and certification and license preparation in areas like auto damage appraisal, drinking-water treatment and distribution, and ServSafe preparation for food handlers and managers.

“One of the bigger programs we do is a HiSET/GED adult-education program funded through the state on a five-year grant,” Noonan explained. “With that, we provide HiSET and GED prep courses, both day and evening, both in person and online, as well as for students who are just getting started. We run these sessions in eight-week programs.”

 

Help Where It’s Needed

Among other programs at the WDC, the Educators’ Academy provides a free, 10-week course to prepare participants for the job of paraeducator in the Springfield Public Schools. Para-educators work with teachers and other school staff to provide instructional assistance and classroom support.

Another free offering is the Hampden Prep program for basic computer use skills, which helps reduce the digital divide that keeps many individuals from accessing jobs. The course provides instruction in technology and digital literacy, and students work to improve their computer and job-ready skills as well as prepare to earn certificates.

Noonan said the WDC is also developing a green-jobs program to create a pathway to support another rising industry. “We’re always looking at what the best needs are for the community and how best to support students in building skills, earning certifications, and getting hired.”

It’s critical work, he added. “This is so important, not just for students, but for the community as a whole. We’re talking about students coming into these programs, especially for the HiSET or the GED, who weren’t successful in traditional schooling, and this is a great opportunity for them to build their academics and learn those skills they need to move into a career.”

One benefit of the Workforce Development Center is that students are assigned a college and career advisor as soon as they start classes.

“It’s incredibly rewarding work to meet our students where they are. That’s why we’re here.”

“Our students all have access to that,” Noonan said. “We’re able to support them with résumé development, interviewing skills, cover letters, anything that will help support our students with that next step.”

Students enrolled in programs at the center also get access to all the college’s resources, from disability services to the Center for Access Services, which assists with needs like food and housing assistance.

“The mission of the college is to transform students’ lives. And what we’re doing here at the Workforce Development Center sets the stage for students to transform their lives and create better lives for them and their families,” Noonan said. “We’re here to support them with whatever they need, with programs ranging from HiSET and GED prep to getting their master electrician certification. There’s a lot here to offer the community.”

 

Rewarding Work

Noonan said it has been personally gratifying to him to see the impact the WDC has on people who may have walked an erratic path to get an education, or may have previously struggled with high school or college, but are now able to take the first steps toward a fulfilling career.

“It’s been great work, getting to see student success from day to day, seeing students who may not have been successful with traditional schooling be successful,” he told BusinessWest. “It’s incredibly rewarding work to meet our students where they are. That’s why we’re here.”

STCC’s Dean of STEM to Serve on Engineering Technology Council  

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Lara Sharp, dean of the School of STEM at Springfield Technical Community College, was named to the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Engineering Technology Council. 

Sharp is the only community college representative on the council.  

The ASEE is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. The ASEE Engineering Technology Council is committed to promoting quality engineering technology education. 

“It is an honor to be voted on to the Engineering Technology Council,” Sharp said. “This will be an opportunity to share best practices and develop new ideas that we can use in our engineering technology programs at STCC.” 

Vice President of Academic Affairs Geraldine de Berly said Sharp’s membership benefits the School and STEM and students enrolled in the programs. 

“I’m delighted that Lara Sharp will be the STCC representative on the ASEE Engineering Technology Council,” de Berly said. “By serving in this position, she will have an opportunity to share ideas with distinguished colleagues in colleges and universities across the nation. We see this as a win for our students and faculty.” 

The only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC offers a wide variety of programs in science, technology, engineering and math, many of which cannot be found elsewhere in Western Mass. The college offers affordable transfer options in engineering and science as well as two-year degrees and one-year certificates that prepare graduates for positions in the region’s workforce. 

Programs include civil engineering technology, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, optics and photonics (laser technology), and more. 

Sharp was named dean of the School of STEM in 2021. Her professional experience includes six years at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, Fla., as the program director for Engineering, Manufacturing and Building Arts and also serving as the acting dean of Natural Sciences, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Building Arts. 

From 2013-2015, she was at the Corporate College of Polk State College, in Winter Haven, Fla., managing National Science Foundation (NSF) and Department of Labor (DOL) grants in advanced manufacturing and engineering technology. 

Sharp spent more than 11 years teaching chemistry, natural science and engineering to high school students at various locations. 

Sharp also brings industry experience, having worked at Specialty Minerals Inc. as a process engineer and an operator technician as well as an educational consultant for PASCO Scientific. 

She has been recognized for her outstanding teaching as well as her community engagement including a STEM Woman of the Year Award from Girls Inc. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. 

STCC Offers Summer Programs for Youth 

By
Daily News


SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Technical Community College will be offering a variety of summer programs for people ages 11-16 to provide learning opportunities in STEM fields. 

The following programs will be offered this July and August: 

  • Theater, July 11-15 (ages 11-14): This class is designed to help build self-awareness, cultivate self-confidence, and help students explore their inner creativity. Students will learn teamwork through theatre games, acting exercises, and improvisation;
  • It’s Your Turn to Take the Mic, July 18-22 (ages 11-14): A workshop in public speaking that seeks to empower girls to develop the poise and communication skills needed to engage in effective public speaking;
  • Basketball and Physics, July 18-22 (ages 11-14): This class will teach the skills needed to be a better player on the court by giving small group instruction on fundamentals and skill development. This session will also include 3.5 hours of instructions relative to the physics of basketball and exercise;
  • JUS10H University, July 25-29 (ages 13-16): Students will learn the basic fundamentals of sewing, modeling and styling, as well as how to build a career in the fashion industry;
  • “Who done it?” Extreme Science Kid (Forensic Science), August 1-5 (ages 11-14): Children will actively engage in data collection, observation, analysis, and problem-solving while performing an interactive group-style investigation.
  • Say It Loud!! Extreme Science Kid (Great Debaters), August 8-12 (ages 13-16): Children will learn critical thinking skills, respectful dialog, research techniques, and fact-checking tips through debating topics of interest.

All programs cost $189 to enroll and run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents are responsible for providing lunch. Participants must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and are required to provide documentation of vaccination. 

Retired Assistant Superintendent  Lydia Martinez-Alvarez to Address Graduates at STCC Commencement 

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Lydia Martinez-Alvarez, recently retired assistant superintendent for Springfield Public Schools, will serve as the featured speaker at Springfield Technical Community College’s 2022 commencement on June 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. 

The ceremony, which was held virtually over the past two years due to the pandemic, will take place in person for the first time since 2019. 

Martinez-Alvarez made history when she became Springfield’s first Latina assistant superintendent in 2012 and has become a role model in the community. Many of STCC’s graduates might see a little bit of themselves in Martinez-Alvarez when she steps up to the podium at the MassMutual Center. STCC is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, with about 30% of the students identifying as Hispanic. 

Martinez-Alvarez served in the school system for 28 years before announcing her retirement earlier this year. She began her teaching career as a substitute and worked her way up in roles throughout the district. She served as assistant principal at the Springfield High School of Science and Technology in 2003 and a year later was named principal at Chestnut Accelerated Middle School. 

A product of the public schools, Martinez-Alvarez has strong roots in the Springfield community. Shortly after her retirement announcement in January, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno highlighted her achievements during his proclamation of Jan. 31 as “Lydia Martinez-Alvarez Day.”  She is a strong advocate of education. 

Born and raised in Springfield, Martinez-Alvarez served as “Madrina” of the 2016 Springfield Puerto Rican Parade. 

Martinez-Alvarez was recognized as a 2019 “Woman of Impact” by BusinessWest for her professional accomplishments and contributions to the greater Springfield community. The award was established to honor women in Western Massachusetts whose contributions have positively influenced the community. 

Martinez-Alvarez serves on the Board of Trustees for Westfield State University. She is a graduate of the Westfield State Class of ’86. 

She holds a bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Westfield State, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Elms College, and is a doctoral candidate at American International College. 

State Awards $30 Million to STCC to Relocate Health Programs

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College has received $30 million in state funding to move healthcare programs out of an aging building on campus that has outlived its usefulness.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced the award on Wednesday. College officials in December asked the state for the maximum amount of $30 million to vacate Building 20, which houses 18 degree and certificate allied health programs as well as the acclaimed SIMS Medical Center. STCC has secured $11.5 million from other sources for the $41.5 million project.

The award announced by the governor comes from the state Division of Capital Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).

Constructed in 1941, Building 20 is past its useful life and has a history of expensive emergency repairs. The healthcare programs in the School of Health and Patient Simulation educate more than 700 students per semester and employ more than 120 faculty and staff.

“We offer our thanks to Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor (Karyn) Polito and Education Secretary (James) Peyser for investing in the future of healthcare and workforce development in such an impactful way,” said STCC President John Cook. “This has been a true team effort between the administration, trustees, our legislative delegation and the STCC Foundation.”

The STCC Board of Trustees committed $6 million from the college’s budget to the project. Trustees Chair Marikate Murren said, “We’re thrilled and grateful to Gov. Baker and DCAMM for their support to make this move possible. The relocation of the programs in the School of Health and Patient Simulation will allow STCC to continue to prepare students for healthcare careers. The investment in this project represents an investment in the City of Springfield and the region.”

To best summarize the outlook for the College, Cook said, “I am delighted for our students and faculty as this ensures that STCC stays on the leading edge of healthcare education; the future of STCC is bright.”

STCC Obtains Federal Grant to Lower Cost of Textbooks for Students

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College is one of six colleges that received a federal grant that aims to increase the number of college courses that use free Open Educational Resources rather than costly textbooks.

STCC is part of a consortium that received a $440,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a new project to add more access to free Open Educational Resources (OERs). The goal of the grant is to make college more affordable and inclusive.

Chelsea Contrada, STCC’s OER librarian, said the grant will help STCC support its mission to remove barriers for underrepresented students. According to a survey of STCC students, about 70% of them said they decided against buying or renting a textbook because of the cost.

Contrada said OERs not only help students save money, but offer faculty resources for their classrooms. OERs are educational materials in the public domain or introduced with an open license. The nature of these open materials means that anyone can legally and freely copy, use, adapt and re-share them. OERs range from textbooks to curricula, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, tests, projects, audio, video, and animation.

“We currently have about 70 courses with zero textbook cost, with more added each semester,” Contrada said.

“We are so excited for the opportunity to be a part of this grant,” Contrada added. “The program will certainly save students money on textbooks, but it will also create materials and learning environments that are more equitable and culturally relevant for our students.”

This project is called “Remixing Open Textbooks through an Equity Lens (ROTEL): Culturally Relevant Open Textbooks for High Enrollment General Education Courses and Career and Professional Courses at Six Public Massachusetts Colleges.” Librarians and faculty will receive training and assistance in the creation and adaptation of OER materials that are accessible, intentionally inclusive and representative of the student population.

Faculty at STCC say they welcome using OERs in their classrooms.

“The average textbook in a science class like mine would be a few hundred dollars,” said Brandon Poe, professor of Biological Sciences at STCC. “They usually have to buy a couple of books, so in one class they’re laying out $500 or $600. I wanted to find an option that would be more affordable for students. My payoff is having students getting quality material that they don’t have to shell out a whole lot of money for.”

Colleges taking part in the effort, in addition to STCC, include Framingham State University, Fitchburg State University, Holyoke Community College, Northern Essex Community College and Salem State University, in consortium with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

STCC Offers virtual series to help students ‘survive and thrive’

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College will help build students’ studying skills this summer through a series of live virtual sessions from July 15 to August 12.

The Academic Advising and Transfer Center at STCC will host “Survive and Thrive: Summer Edition,” which consists of six Zoom sessions focusing on the following topics:

• Time Management;

• ‘The Importance of Creating Positive Social Networks’;

• ‘Your Health and College Success’;

• TRIO Student Support Services (an overview of the program which assists students in adjusting to the college environment);

• ‘What to Do With the Degree?’; and

• Stress Management

For dates and times of each free session and to find links to register, visit stcc.edu/resources/survive-and-thrive.

Kiyota Garcia, assistant dean of Student Initiatives, said the series is for current and new students. STCC faculty and advisors will host the sessions and answer questions.

“If the topics don’t cover what you need to know, you’ll have the opportunity to ask or set-up a one-on-one chat or virtual appointment,” Garcia said.

The sessions cover skills students should develop to get started in their classwork, including:

• Prioritizing tasks to complete school work and assignments on time;

• Planning ahead, setting aside the time needed for projects and assignments; and

• Improving work-life balance

Those with questions should contact the Academic Advising and Transfer Center at (413) 755-4857, at [email protected], or by ChatNow! Find more information about “Survive and Thrive” at stcc.edu/resources/survive-and-thrive.

STCC Faculty, Students Make Investment in Digital-literacy Skills

By Contributor
Kimberly Quiñonez says her professors
Technology

Learning on the Fly

Kimberly Quiñonez says her professors

Kimberly Quiñonez says her professors encouraged her to overcome the challenges of online learning and succeed.

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) had a long-term plan to ramp up online and digital learning.

But then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced staff working at STCC’s Center for Online and Digital Learning to move faster than they ever imagined. The staff includes instructional designers who assistant faculty in online teaching methods they incorporate into the classroom experience.

To maintain the safety of students, faculty, and staff, STCC moved classes to remote instruction last March. Instructional designers worked with faculty over the summer to prepare for fully online teaching in the 2020-21 academic year.

Faculty and administrators acknowledge the abrupt change to remote learning created great challenges and, for some, led to a less-than-ideal learning environment last spring. The sudden need to vacate campus resulted in the use of a slew of digital tools to communicate with students, including e-mail, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and teleconferencing by phone and Zoom.

“Many faculty had been using online tools for the delivery of their face-to face classes. However, for those faculty who were not familiar with the digital space or whose courses required hands-on instruction, the ‘lift’ to online was great,” said Geraldine de Berly, vice president of Academic Affairs at STCC. “Since the summer, STCC invested in tools and training to assist faculty in developing the best truly online experience possible, including the hiring of a third instructional designer. Today, all online instruction occurs in a single platform, supplemented by class discussions using tools such as Zoom.”

The college anticipates spending nearly $800,000 through May 2021 helping faculty develop hundreds of online classes and labs, de Berly said. Today, more than 80% of the credits are offered online, a jump from 12% prior to the pandemic. Over the coming year, STCC also expects to expand its online-only options in addition to its existing in-person and hybrid degree programs.

STCC English Professor Denise “Daisy” Flaim has years of experience teaching students on campus in classrooms, so converting to the online experience was a big adjustment. But she worked closely with the online team at STCC to prepare for the transition, and now feels confident.

“We’re learning technology, just as the students are learning technology,” Flaim said.

Daniel Misco, an STCC alumnus and faculty member in the Digital Media Production program, said he’s well-versed in the online teaching world. Today, he teaches most of his classes online, but misses the face-to-face interactions with students in a classroom.

“I considered myself a face-to-face instructor,” Misco said. “I always excelled in the classroom. I liked being there with students to build a rapport with them.”

The adjustment to online learning can be challenging for some students, but Misco said faculty try to do all they can to help.

STCC student Kimberly Quiñonez, who is studying social work, expressed gratitude for the support from faculty over the past year.

“My experience as an online learner has really been amazing, although there were times I felt like quitting,” she said. “During those times, my professors would reach out and check in with the class. In the very beginning, I must admit that it was quite challenging transferring from an actual classroom to a computer. The classroom brought security to most students because questions were answered immediately. With online learning, you may have to wait for a response through e-mail.”

Aminah Bergeron, a mechanical engineering technology student at STCC, said she found benefits to online learning, noting she has “gotten the hang of it” after a year of studying from home.

“It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. It was for sure different, but a ‘good’ different,” she said. “I didn’t have to worry about getting ready, or making sure my house doors are locked, or even thinking in the back of my head, ‘did I leave the faucet running?’ I just had to open my laptop and start my schoolwork, whether at my own pace or scheduled Zoom meetings. I also had much more time to research and not worry about calculating the time I’d lose on commuting from one location to another.”

STCC will return to face-to-face, on-campus instruction when it’s safe to do so, de Berly said, but will continue to offer online options and apply digital tools to enhance the classroom experience.

STCC Announces Events for Massachusetts STEM Week

By Contributor
Technology

Career Connections

To celebrate Massachusetts STEM Week, Oct. 19-23, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) announced a week-long series of events.

STEM Week 2020 is organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s nine regional STEM networks. It is a statewide effort to boost the interest, awareness, and ability for all learners to envision themselves in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and employment opportunities.

The theme for the third annual statewide STEM Week is “See Yourself in STEM,” with a particular focus on the power of mentoring.

Barbara Washburn, interim dean of the School of STEM at STCC, said the initiative represents an opportunity to learn about interesting and exciting real-world applications of STEM.

“We’re thrilled to participate in STEM Week again this year. We have several engaging live and recorded virtual events planned,” Washburn said. “As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC is known for its high-quality STEM programs, and this is a chance to showcase them.

“We invite our students and the general public to participate in these free events,” she went on. “We particularly encourage people who are underrepresented in STEM to join us. They include women, people of color, first-generation students, low-income individuals, English-language learners, and people with disabilities. We want to show how everyone can see themselves in STEM.”

The following events will be held live through Zoom videoconferencing. For more information and to register, visit stcc.edu/stem-week.

 

• Monday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to noon: “Farming While Black: Uprooting Racism, Seeding Sovereignty.” Naima Penniman, program director of Soul Fire Farm, will give a talk about the importance and value of food production. The presentation will explore racism in food distribution, access, and other related topics. This is a collaborative event with HSI STEM, the Officer of Multicultural Affairs, the School of STEM, and the Urban Studies program.

 

• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2-3 p.m.: “Know Where Your Food Comes From.” Speakers include Ibrahim Ali, co-director of Gardening the Community; Dr. Raja Staggers, assistant professor of sociology; and Jose Lopez-Figueroa, director of the Center for Access Services. The event features a panel discussion on the importance of food security, the prevalence of food deserts in our inner cities, the need to know where food comes from, and food access within the Greater Springfield community. This is a collaborative event with HSI STEM, Multicultural Affairs, the School of STEM, and the Urban Studies program.

 

• Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to noon: “Virtual STEM Careers Symposium.” Hosted by the STEM Starter Academy at STCC, this event features UMass Amherst professors and STEM industry leaders who will participate in an interactive symposium on STEM pathways and careers.

 

• Friday, Oct. 23, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Dell Technologies will host a webinar about employees’ experience with the company.

STEM Week will also feature recorded presentations featuring faculty in specific STEM programs. The following are planned:

• Physics: “The Science of Sports and the Engineering Behind Sports Equipment.”

• Engineering: “Computer Application in Engineering”.

• Optics and Photonics: “What is Optics & Photonics?”

• Math: “The Mathematics Behind Bin Packing.”

• Manufacturing: “Extreme Precision: Splitting Hairs on a CNC Machine and Measuring Them in the Metrology Lab,” and a video created at Governors America Corp., an electronics manufacturer in Agawam.

• Robotics: A demonstration of a Fanuc robot functioning as a pill sorter with programmable logic controllers.

• Computers/IT: “What is Computer Systems Engineering Technology?”

 

While there is a concentration of events planned for STEM Week, STCC offers STEM-themed discussion and presentation for students and the public throughout the year. In early October, STCC STEM Starter Academy joined students and researchers from UMass Amherst, Florida International University, and other universities and organizations from across the globe as part of the International Assoc. for the Study of the Commons (IASC) Global Symposium on Commons Without Borders: Global Multiscale Ecosystem Frameworks. A playlist of the symposium’s presentations is available on STCC’s YouTube channel.

 

STCC’s Civil Engineering Technology Grads Entering Robust Field

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Construction

Building a Bridge

Cynthia DeSellier instructs Aleah Pannell, second from right, and other students in a classroom at STCC.

Civil engineers help design bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure projects. In fact, “we make civilization possible,” Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Assistant Professor Cynthia DeSellier tells her first-year students.

“You turn on the water in your house — a civil engineer made that possible,” DeSellier added. “Engineering truly does make civilization possible. Without us, the standard of living we enjoy wouldn’t be there.”

The civil engineering technology (CET) program at STCC prepares students for robust careers as technicians who help civil engineers to plan, design, and build highways, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. They play a key role in commercial, industrial, residential, and land-development projects.

With a two-year associate degree, a civil engineering technology graduate is poised to work in a growing field where the median pay in 2018 was $52,580 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Graduates typically search for jobs in industries such as construction, engineering, planning, design, and management.

The bureau projects that jobs for civil-engineering technologists will continue to grow over the next several years. “The need to repair, upgrade, and enhance an aging infrastructure will sustain demand for these workers,” according to the BLS.

“CET is a hallmark engineering technology program at STCC,” said Professor Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh, an STCC graduate who chairs the department and earned a master’s degree in civil engineering. “The program was founded in 1968, and our graduates have always been in demand. That speaks to the consistency of overall demand and growth in the field. The need to build new infrastructure or upgrade existing infrastructure is constant. Local employers are eager to hire our graduates in a range of civil engineering sectors.”

First-year students enrolled in STCC’s civil engineering technology program will acquire skills in computer-aided design (CAD), construction estimating, and construction materials and methods. In the second year of the program, students will study structures, hydrology, surveying, quality control of materials like concrete, asphalt production, and roadway construction.

“Our graduates have always been in demand. That speaks to the consistency of overall demand and growth in the field. The need to build new infrastructure or upgrade existing infrastructure is constant.”

DeSellier graduated from STCC’s CET program in 2000. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from a four-year institution. After working in the field for several years, she joined STCC as an assistant professor. Since then she has been able to combine her passion for civil engineering with her love of teaching.

“I went into the civil engineering technology program as a young student at STCC not knowing anything about the field, but I came out with my degree loving it,” she said. “After working as a civil engineer for several years, I started teaching. Civil engineers specialize in areas such as structural analysis, transportation, soils and foundations, water resources, and environmental engineering. Our jobs are extremely important.”

While there have been great strides toward gender equality in the workforce, female engineers continue to be underrepresented at companies and in classrooms. According to the Society of Women Engineers, only 13% of working engineers are women, and only 3.7% of female college freshmen plan to major in engineering. Latinos and African-Americans make up about 12% of the engineering workforce, according to U.S. News & World Report.

McGinnis-Cavanaugh, who is the faculty advisor for the Society of Women Engineers, said the college would like to see more overall diversity in the classroom and in the field.

“We have several women teaching engineering at STCC, which is terrific,” she said. “There’s a misconception that civil engineering is a man’s field, but that’s not the case. Women successfully manage large construction and engineering projects and make significant contributions to the planning, design, construction, and sustainability of buildings, bridges, dams, water and wastewater facilities, and road and highway systems.

“The work of the civil engineer helps society by ensuring clean water, safe structures, and innovative transportation systems, among other civil works,” she added. “Women who enter this field are passionate about helping society and applying their knowledge and training to improve the quality of life for all. I would love to see more women and people of color enrolled in the civil engineering technology program. It’s important to bring diverse backgrounds to the field to offer different perspectives and better solutions to critical infrastructure and sustainability problems.”

Aleah Pannell, who graduated from STCC in May and was sometimes the only woman in a class, said women should not feel intimidated by engineering or any of the science majors.

“Some other programs might be easier than engineering, but I like the challenge,” Pannell said. “I would say to any woman — or anybody — take the chance. At the end of it, you will be able to say you accomplished something that was challenging.”

STCC Acquires New Simulator

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Technical Community College surgical technology program has acquired a new simulator that gives students hands-on experience addressing emergencies during birthing procedures.

Featuring an open abdomen with access to internal organs filled with artificial blood, the C-Celia Emergency Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Simulator allows training for postpartum and cesarean hysterectomy procedures. Surgical tech students can use the simulator to learn how to control bleeding and make stitches with a suture.

“We actually can make this unit bleed, profusely if we want,” said Mary Jayne Rossman, Surgical Technology program director at STCC.

The unit includes a simulated uterus, bowel, fallopian tubes and ovaries that students can cut into. Students learn the best ways to stop bleeding if a mother is experiencing post-partum hemorrhaging. Surgical technology instructor Kathleen Sawtelle said the simulated blood looks real and even changes color after exposed to air over time, as real blood does.

The STCC surgical technology program teaches students skills needed to become a surgical technologist. Technologists handle the instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during a surgical procedure. Surgical techs must have an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipate the needs of the surgeon, which is why training on the simulator is so important.

“You have to know how to assist the surgeon and understand what the surgeon needs,” said Michelle Dodge, a surgical technology instructor.

Some scenarios involving the simulator might go above and beyond a surgical tech’s scope of practice. But such training “is going to help you think like a surgeon in order to better help him or her,” Dodge said.

“We have to respond quickly in high stress and emergency situations,” Dodge said. “It’s a good teaching tool.”

Students will work on the PPH simulator in the SIMS Medical Center at STCC, a nationally recognized patient simulation facility. The technology has evolved since the center opened in 1999 when simulators were used for basic medical training like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and learning to insert an intravenous (IV) needle. Today, the units are more lifelike and allow students to practice more complex procedures.

“Simulation is cutting edge,” Dodge said. “It’s the way everything in healthcare is going. If you do it for real out in the field, it’s better that you have the simulation in the classroom first.”

In 2019, STCC received a $500,000 state Skills Capital Grant in part to purchase new medical patient simulation training equipment for the School of Health and Patient Simulation. The new PPH simulator cost $15,000.

Surgical Tech students learn in a classroom, which is set up like a real operating room, complete with a bed an instruments surgeons would use. The PPH simulator will be the newest learning tool added to the room. Students have worked on simulators before, but the new unit takes their training to a new level.

“This is going to be like it’s real,” Dodge said. “Now you’re under the gun. The patient’s bleeding. What are you going to do? What do you need next? What kind of suture? This is going to really help prepare our students.”

Asphalt Academy at STCC Paves the Way to Construction Careers

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Construction

Hot Opportunity

From left, Gloryvee Diaz, internship coordinator at STCC; Elliot Levy, senior director of Workforce Development; and Barbara Washburn, interim dean of the School of STEM, stand in front of the asphalt lab with industry partners.

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) plans to open a mobile lab on campus to meet a demand in the construction industry for trained asphalt technicians and inspectors.

Students will train in the mobile lab as they pursue certification as hot-mix asphalt plant technicians and hot-mix asphalt paving inspectors. The jet-black lab, which resembles a boxcar without wheels, is located next to a civil engineering technology classroom on the STCC campus.

The college plans to offer courses in 2020. The program is designed for students without prior asphalt training.

STCC will be the only community college in the state with asphalt certification training, said Jim Reger, executive director of the Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Paving Assoc. (MAAPA), which provided funding for the mobile lab. The training is made possible through collaborative efforts with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MAAPA, and the NorthEast Transportation Technician Certification Program (NETTCP).

“There is a tremendous need for asphalt technicians,” Reger said. MAAPA represents owners and operators of hot-mix batching plants and quarries in Massachusetts.

Reger explained that new specifications from MassDOT will require more licensed technicians and inspectors who will be in demand for jobs working in the field or at asphalt-production facilities.

Janet Callahan, president of Palmer Paving Inc., initiated the idea of an Asphalt Academy while serving as chairwoman of MAAPA. She echoes Reger’s sentiments that the industry needs trained technicians and inspectors. Asphalt training has been available only in Eastern Mass.

“We really wanted to establish something for people in the western or central part of the state. This is critical for our industry,” Callahan said. “There are not enough inspectors in the market right now. As a business owner, I know how difficult it is to fill these positions.”

Students who enroll in the program will be able to choose between two courses, which will be taught by NETTCP instructors: hot-mix asphalt plant technician certification, which is for individuals responsible for the sampling and testing of hot-mix asphalt at a production facility, or hot-mix asphalt paving inspector, which is for those responsible for inspecting, sampling, and testing hot mix in the field.

Also in development is a 420-hour asphalt pre-apprenticeship program designed to introduce people to the asphalt industry. The program would align with MAAPA’s 2,000-hour asphalt apprenticeship program and would offer advanced certification.

For more information about the program, including prerequisites needed to enroll, visit www.stcc.edu/wdc/asphalt-academy or contact the Workforce Development Center at (413) 755-4225 or [email protected].

STCC Students Land Internships at MIT Lincoln Laboratory

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Manufacturing

Leading Lights

Two Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) students are working as interns this summer at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Defense research and development center in Lexington.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory selected Douglas Bednarczyk and Shane Richardson, students from the Optics and Photonics Technology program at STCC. They are interning at the Lexington facility through August.

Richardson earned his associate degree from STCC in May, but will return this fall to take additional classes. Bednarcyzk finished his first year in the two-year Optics and Photonics Technology program and hopes to earn his associate degree in spring 2020.

Students in the Optics and Photonics Technology program learn about the practical applications of light, optics, and electronics. High-tech applications include lasers, fiber optics, holography, laser materials processing, optical systems, and more.

“Students in the Optics and Photonics Technology program at STCC train on state-of-the-art equipment used in many commercial laboratories,” said Nicholas Massa, department chair for Optics and Photonics Technology. “There aren’t any other associate-degree programs like ours in the region. That’s why companies approach us. They discover our students know how to use the laser equipment and know the theory. They’re ready to go to work.”

Massa said there are not enough trained candidates to meet the demand for jobs in the optics and photonics industry.

“I get calls every day from companies asking about candidates for internships and full-time positions. Nearly all of my students who graduate from the program get hired, and they often get multiple job offers,” he said. “After you get a degree in Optics and Photonics Technology, you can land a job that pays between $40,000 and $60,000 a year to start, and you go up from there.”

Bednarczyk is a third-generation STCC student. His grandfather studied electrical engineering technology, and his father graduated from a biomedical technology program. He looked into the optics and photonics technology after reading an article about STCC’s program.

“I enjoy the program,” he said. “It’s really engaging and hands-on. I’m not the type of kid that was meant to sit behind a computer all day. To use the laser-etching and marking systems we have, I think that’s a blast.”

Meanwhile, Richardson came to the Optics and Photonics Technology program with a bachelor’s degree in theater from a university in California. At STCC, Richardson had the opportunity to study with a mentor, Eric Lim, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

“As a hiring manager, I’ve been impressed with the quality of students who came out of this program,” said Lim, who worked at a laser-technology company. “It was exciting to find a student who was hands-on and interested in laser physics, something I had trained for in my graduate days. So I was very happy to mentor Shane.”

For his class project at STCC, Richardson experimented with converting invisible infrared light into visible green light.

“In order to change light to interact with anything, we have to change the wavelength, and that is what this whole experiment was about,” he said. “I didn’t realize how much I was going to enjoy the program or how beneficial it was going to be. It was a nice fit. I like the people here, and I like the atmosphere. Not many people know about optics and photonics technology.”

STCC Rolls out Child Development Associate Plus Program

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — This fall, Springfield Technical Community College this fall will launch a new certificate program to help early childhood educators or school paraprofessionals take their careers to the next level.

The Child Development Associate Plus (CDA Plus) certificate of completion is designed for educators who want to get their Child Development Associate credential and earn college credit at the same time.

“STCC’s CDA Plus program puts educators on the fast track to earn an associate degree in Early Childhood Education Transfer,” said Richard Greco, dean of Liberal and Professional Studies at STCC. “We’re thrilled to offer this affordable professional development opportunity.”

An individual with a CDA credential, which is nationally recognized, has demonstrated competency in meeting the needs of children and in working with parents and other adults to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth, said STCC’s Early Education and Care Pathways Grant and Activity Director Nancy Ward.

The Career Pathways Grant, funded through the state Department of Early Education and Care, enables STCC to provide a range of support for CDA Plus students which includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Assistance with enrollment and financial aid processes;
  • Embedded tutoring and coaching within courses;
  • Flexible hybrid models with online opportunities that can be completed remotely;
  • Training and courses offered at times that are convenient for working students;
  • Training on the use of technology and a lending library of technology resources; 
  • Academic advising, career counseling, and job placement support;
  • CDA application and submission support;
  • Financial support for child care and transportation;
  • Credit for prior learning;
  • Membership to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); and
  • Opportunity to be part of a CDA Learning Community.

STCC also has credit-earning opportunities available for educators who have earned their CDA credential or have acquired other skills in the field or from existing certifications. Students with a CDA credential can receive 17 credits toward an associate degree, Greco said.

STCC has named experienced educator Aimee Dalenta as chair of the Early Childhood Education Department. Among her responsibilities she will oversee the new CDA Program.

STCC Project Brings the Past into the Present

By
Construction

New Life for an Old Building

Begun almost two years ago, a massive, $50 million project to convert the structure at Springfield Technical Community College, formerly part of the Springfield Armory complex, known as Building 19 into a new learning commons is moving rapidly toward its conclusion. Used more than 150 years ago to warehouse gun-barrel stocks, the building will become home to a wide variety of facilities and services — from the library to the admissions office; from common areas to learning spaces — and should be ready for occupancy late this fall, said Socha.