Mount Wachusett Community College Celebrates 73 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inductees

GARDNER, MA - April 30, 2025 - Mount Wachusett Community College proudly announces the induction of outstanding students into the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for the 2024 - 2025 year. The ceremony, held on April 17th, recognized seventy-three exceptional students for their exemplary academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to community service.

Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, honors students who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship and service. Membership is extended to those who embody the values of scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. Inductees join a network of over 3.5 million members worldwide, representing the best of community and technical colleges. Some notable PTK members include astronaut Fred Haise, actress Sela Ward, singer Trisha Yearwood, and news anchor Jim Lehrer.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of our 2025 Phi Theta Kappa inductees," said James Vander Hooven, President of Mount Wachusett Community College. "I am always so impressed by your achievements. You are all balancing so many things in your lives, your dedication to academic excellence and service is inspiring."

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society induction ceremony at MWCC showcased the academic achievements and leadership potential of students from various disciplines. Each inductee has demonstrated a commitment to scholarship and community, making significant contributions both inside and outside the classroom..

Kaleb Beasley of Winchendon was included in the inductees.

Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Lends Support to MWCC Expansion of Equity in Summer Adventures Program

GARDNER, MA - April 30, 2025 - The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc. has been awarded a grant of $8,070 from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. The grant will provide scholarships to 15-30 children of MWCC students for the Equity in Summer Adventures Program this summer at the MWCC Gardner campus.

The Equity in Summer Adventures Program, led by the college's Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development, integrates outdoor recreation, STEM, life skills, and creative expression to foster emotional and physical development in children while instilling a sense of environmental responsibility. By combining science, art, and play, the program helps children care for the planet and benefits families by supporting the educational journeys of MWCC students. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of environmental preservation, strengthen their academic skills, and boost their confidence through engaging, hands-on learning activities.

"The Equity in Summer Adventures Program aligns with MWCC's commitment to engage both parents and children in high-quality learning experiences that foster family-wide educational growth," stated MWCC President James Vander Hooven. "By providing these scholarships, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is helping to promote educational success for both parents and children, helping to break the cycle of poverty and improve economic mobility for families in North Central Massachusetts."

"Summer vacation poses a significant challenge for low-income families in our region," said MWCC Foundation Executive Director Carla Zottoli. "Many children miss out on critical educational and enrichment opportunities, widening the gap in academic achievement and personal development. Our Summer Adventures Program will bridge that gap, offering outdoor education experiences that help children build an appreciation for nature and sustainability."

For MWCC parent students, many of whom struggle to afford enrichment opportunities for their children during the summer, the Summer Adventures Program also presents a unique solution. One in four students at MWCC is a parent, and many report difficulty securing affordable care or educational enrichment during the summer months. The proposed scholarships will allow these students to continue their studies while ensuring their children participate in educational and recreational activities.

The MWCC Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development has run the Summer Adventures Program for twelve years, offering enriching activities that engage youth through active learning, excursions, and hands-on experience. Visit mwcc.edu/youth to learn more.

Monty Tech Holds Ribbon Cutting for MVP Academy Training Center

FITCHBURG--On Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, local school officials, business leaders and state and local politicians gathered to celebrate the opening of the region's newest workforce training center - MVP Academy. The Montachusett Vocational Partnership (MVP) Academy was, for many years, just a dream, but with the help of generous donors and forward-thinking educators, more than 120 high school students will now have access to valuable vocational training in the trades--working and learning in a truly magnificent facility.

"Massachusetts vocational schools have been asked to find ways to give more students access to vocational training opportunities, but with limited building capacities, and, often, training facilities that are 50-60 years old, finding these new opportunities has been a challenge," remarked Monty Tech Superintendent Thomas Browne. That was, until the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education launched it's first-ever "Lab Modernization Grant. "That grant gave us room to be creative. We could identify a space in need of updating, propose new equipment and training technologies, and include a proposal for the funding needed to update the space. That's a rare combination in a grant," continued Browne, who, in just his first year as Superintendent, accepted a challenge none before him have taken. Maybe it was the perfect storm of increasing student interest, lack of funding for new and creative partnership solutions, limited building capacity, and close proximity to available warehouse facilities that could be transformed into useful space again that drove Browne to take up this challenge; or maybe it was just innovation and an opportunity to say "yes" when so many before had said "no." In 2023, Monty Tech leaders set out to accomplish what had never been done before.

With a $1.9M award from the Executive Office of Education, the perfect facility sitting empty just down the road, and a clear vision for new opportunities for area students, Monty Tech school leaders convened a meeting with partnering districts--Fitchburg Public Schools, Gardner Public Schools, and Narragansett Regional School District. "These districts often represent the majority of students who sit on our wait list each year. It made sense for us to see if we could offer some of those students a chance at vocational training before they graduated from their high schools," stated Katy Whitaker, Monty Tech's Development Coordinator, and initiator of this new academy. Without hesitation, the four partnering districts agreed to modify the state's "After Dark" educational model, to suit the needs of the students that would benefit most. "We wanted to replicate the Monty Tech training schedule--one full week in academics, one full week in vocational training. This schedule allows our students and instructors to engage in complex projects, working Monday--Friday, all day, to learn and complete new tasks. The half day model just would not suffice," continued Whitaker. With that, the sending districts revamped academic schedules for interested students, and began recruiting the first class of MVP students.

While the sending districts began recruitment efforts, Monty Tech students and instructors set out to retrofit an old warehouse only a mile from the school's main campus, creating three state-of-the-art training centers in Carpentry, Electrical and Plumbing. The 2023 Lab Modernization Grant provided funding for all training equipment needed to outfit two shops--Carpentry and Electrical.

A subsequent grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provided funding needed to roll out the program in its pilot year, and yet another generous grant from Massachusetts Clean Energy Center will allow Monty Tech officials to replicate this new daytime training for interested adult learners--at no cost--beginning Fall 2025.

To capitalize upon this generous investment, and maximize opportunities available with this new equipment and new facility, Monty Tech leaders tapped into the adult education sector, and have also developed evening courses that will help prepare unemployed or underemployed adults for careers in climate critical industries. "Clean energy jobs grew at more than twice the rate of overall employment in the United States in 2023, proving that the clean energy sector has the power to be a major driver for the Massachusetts economy," said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. So, with this generous $1.2M grant from Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Monty Tech will train not only more high school students, but also adult learners interested in clean energy jobs. "These grants from MassCEC will fund opportunities for people across the state, whether they're a high school student from an Environmental Justice community or a union electrician looking to gain new skills," continued Reichert.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony marks a special day in Monty Tech's long history of preparing students for meaningful careers. "Partnering with comprehensive districts to make vocational training available to students who would not otherwise have had these opportunities, honoring and recognizing generous donors who took a chance on our vision, and opening the doors to this new facility for all to see, it's just a wonderful day for Monty Tech and Massachusetts vocational education, in general," commented Superintendent Browne. "As Massachusetts vocational schools continue to see a rise in student interest, vocational leaders will undoubtedly use the "Monty Tech model" to expand opportunities using grant funding, build-ready space, and collaborative partnerships--all to benefit regional workforce needs and Massachusetts students."

Students like Nano Brefo, who spoke of his MVP experience at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, deserve opportunities that schools like Monty Tech and MVP Academy can provide. Born and raised in Ghana, and having moved to Massachusetts when he was just 10, Nano did not place much value in the education system. But with encouragement from his Assistant Principal, Mr. Lamey, and guidance from MVP instructor Mr. Guisti, Nano remarks, "this program completely changed my life and outlook on education. I have an interest in learning. I'm no longer bored. I don't have to sit at a desk all day anymore. I no longer skip class because my brain and hands are busy. I even find my academic classes to be more relatable."

Monty Tech officials have submitted another application, which will, if awarded, provide funding needed to open a third workforce training program in Plumbing.