GARDNER, MA - January 22, 2026 - Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has been awarded $132,335 through the Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education Initiative (MAIPSE) by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, supporting the College's continued efforts to expand inclusive, equitable postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.

The MAIPSE grant helps Massachusetts public colleges and universities develop, enhance, and sustain inclusive postsecondary education programs that provide students with intellectual disabilities access to academic coursework, campus life, career development, and pathways to meaningful employment.

"This funding reinforces our commitment to ensuring that all students--regardless of ability--have access to high-quality, supportive educational experiences," said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. "Through MAIPSE, we are able to strengthen inclusive programming that empowers students to build skills, confidence, and independence while fully participating in campus life."

At MWCC, the MAIPSE funding will support expanded academic access, student support services, employment readiness, peer mentoring, and transition programming, helping students with intellectual disabilities thrive both academically and socially.

The award is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's broader commitment to accessibility, workforce development, and educational equity across the Commonwealth. MAIPSE-funded programs emphasize inclusive campus experiences and career-aligned learning that prepare students for long-term success.