Press
img-816140425-0001.pdfFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2017
Contact: Jim Danko
Coordinator of Media Relations
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square
Springfield, MA 01102
Office: (413) 755-4812
STCC gearing up for STEM Week April 18-21
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – STEM Week at Springfield Technical Community College will offer eighth- and ninth-graders from Springfield an opportunity to create and explore new projects in a fun way during Spring Break.
Between April 18 and 21, participants will work on building projects and team challenges to learn how to make a difference through science, technology, engineering and math, the STEM fields.
Activities for STEM Week at STCC will occur throughout campus during April vacation. Off-campus field trips have also been planned.
Events are scheduled over four days between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with lunch provided each day. Transportation is available upon request.
Registrations are closed, but anyone interested can join a waitlist by visiting www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-stem-week-at-stcc-april-18-april-21-tickets-32686466100 or contacting José D. Saavedra at (413) 351-0545 or jsaavedra@worcester.edu.
Organized by HSI STEM and the Latino Education Institute, STEM Week at STCC is free to participants. The week will feature hands-on activities with STCC faculty. The middle- and high-school students will see STEM demonstrations and go on field trips to local programs and facilities to learn about technology and different careers with STEM, said Dr. Felicia Griffin-Fennell, Activity Director of the Hispanic Serving Institution-STEM (HSI-STEM) grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
On the last day, participants will learn about drones and see them in flight on the STCC campus green. Families also are invited to a celebratory lunch Friday, April 21, to share in the excitement of the week. Last fall, STCC was awarded a five-year, $3.4 million federal grant to support Hispanic and low-income students.
STCC HSI STEM works to:
- Increase the number of Hispanic/Low-Income students in STEM disciplines;
- Increase pass and retention rates by redesigning developmental and gateway STEM coursework;
- Provide student supports throughout the degree program to encourage progression and completion; and
- Provide high-quality professional development for STEM faculty.
The Latino Education Institute works to improve academic outcomes for Latino students in Springfield by strengthening the connection among families, schools and higher-education, and providing after-school, vacation-time programming and parent academies throughout the year.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2017
Contact: Jim Danko
Coordinator of Media Relations
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square
Springfield, MA 01102
Office: (413) 755-4812
STCC to host Biophysics Day on March 6
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College on Monday will host the first Biophysics Day, which will feature the recreation of an historic photo that served as critical evidence in identifying the structure of DNA.
HSI STEM at STCC is collaborating with Bay Path University on the event, which begins at 12:15 p.m. at Building 2 (Scibelli Hall), 7th Floor, Rooms 701 and 702.
“Biophysics Day is an opportunity for our students to learn about the field of biophysics through a talk conducted by Bay Path University assistant professor of biology and undergraduate research program coordinator Yadilette “Yady” Rivera-Colón,” said Dr. Felicia D. Griffin-Fennell, activity director of the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) STEM grant. STEM refers to the academic fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
Rivera-Colón and her students will also lead STCC students in a hands-on activity in which they will recreate Photograph 51, the nickname given to an X-ray diffraction image of DNA taken by a chemist and her student in 1952. The experiment helped determine the structure of DNA, the material that carries genetic information in all living organisms.
The schedule is as follows:
12:15 p.m. – Welcome to the first Biophysics Day at STCC
12:20 p.m. – Presentation: What is biophysics?
12:35 p.m. – Question and answer
12:40 p.m. – Activity recreating Photograph 51: How was the structure of DNA determined?
12:55 p.m. – Discussion
1:10 p.m. – Concluding remarks
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 6, 2017
Contact: Jim Danko
Coordinator of Media Relations
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square
Springfield, MA 01102
Office: (413) 755-4812
STCC names Activity Director for grant supporting Hispanic students
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is pleased to name Dr. Felicia Griffin-Fennell as Activity Director of the Hispanic Serving Institution-STEM (HSI-STEM) grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
In her role, Griffin-Fennell will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the grant, leading the campus effort in supporting Hispanic and low-income students in STEM fields of study as they enter, progress, graduate and transfer in their degree programs. STEM refers to the academic fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
“I am excited to be a part of this initiative at STCC. This grant will provide us an opportunity to have an even greater impact on the lives of the constituents of the greater Springfield area. I look forward to getting this vital work started,” Griffin-Fennell said.
STCC last fall was awarded a five-year, $3.4 million federal grant to support Hispanic and low-income students. (Read more about the grant here.)
Dr. Arlene Rodríguez, Vice President of Academic Affairs at STCC, said, “It’s one thing to secure the grant; it’s another to implement a successful program. Dr. Griffin-Fennell brings to this grant a commitment to transforming students’ lives, a creativity with program development and the organizational skills to make this a great program for our students.”
The HSI-STEM grant will allow STCC to create several initiatives, including, but not limited to:
- Developing an on-campus STEM Center;
- Providing professional development for STEM faculty;
- Redesigning the math curriculum;
- Visiting the community to conduct STEM demonstrations and teach about different STEM fields of study and career options; and
- Creating a summer boot camp for students intending to major in high-tech academic programs such as Laser Electro-Optics Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electronic Systems Engineering Technology.
With a Hispanic student population of 27.6 percent, STCC has officially been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2013.
A triple graduate of the University of Connecticut (B.S., Psychology, M.A., Psychology, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, and graduate certificate in Women’s Studies), Griffin-Fennell was the Founding Director of the STEM Starter Academy at STCC, a statewide initiative at the 15 community colleges to increase the number of students to complete associate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Griffin-Fennell has worked as an academic program manager of psychology and human services at Post University in Waterbury, Conn. She was also a postdoctoral fellow through the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
She lives in Bloomfield, Conn., with her husband and two sons.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 29, 2016
Contact: James Danko
Coordinator of Media Relations
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square
Springfield, MA 01102
Office: (413) 755-4812
Cell: (413) 222-9311
STCC lands $3.4M grant to boost Hispanic science, technology, engineering and math graduates
Federal funding package provides services, support and resources
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has been awarded a five-year, $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help Hispanic and low-income students obtain degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.
U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, today announced the funding package during a press conference at STCC.
Called the Hispanic and Low-Income Transformed Education in STEM (HiLITES) Project, the grant will provide services and supports across campus to ensure student success in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) classes and majors.
Congressman Neal said, “Most jobs in the future will require a basic understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. That is why this federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Education is so important and timely. It will give Hispanic and low-income students an opportunity to learn the necessary skills that can lead to a successful career in the growing STEM industry. (STCC) President (John B.) Cook understands this, and that’s why I congratulate him and his team at STCC for securing this highly competitive grant. Because of their leadership, some of our region’s diverse student population are being given an extraordinary opportunity to receive a STEM-based education and find a good-paying job.”
STCC is the only community college in Massachusetts to receive the award from the DOE’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions-STEM program.
Dr. Cook said, "We feel tremendously fortunate to receive this funding from the U.S. Department of Education and are also very grateful for the support offered by Congressman Neal. STCC is open-eyed about student needs, and this grant helps us address complex challenges. We look forward to building diversity across our unique array of STEM programs, and this is a chance to both expand initiatives, while also trying new and creative approaches."
Only 11.4 percent of Hispanic students at STCC – and 14 percent of low-income students – major in STEM fields, said Dr. Arlene Rodriguez, vice president for Academic Affairs at STCC.
She said Hispanic and low-income students enter college with greater developmental math needs and have lower rates of retention and graduation. Students who are Hispanic and low income perform worse on all three measures than students who are only Hispanic or low income.
The grant is designed to help Hispanic and low-income students overcome hurdles on their path to an associate STEM degree and transfer to a baccalaureate program.
“I am pleased that we have been awarded this grant, which aims at providing greater possibilities for a bright future for Latinx and low-income students,” Dr. Rodriguez said.
Dr. Adrienne Smith, dean of the School of Engineering Technologies and Mathematics, said, "I am thrilled about the receipt of this grant award as this funding will provide the College with the necessary resources to increase the numbers of Hispanic and low-income students in STEM, thereby increasing their chances for employment in high paying STEM careers."
The following are the main goals of the project:
- Increase the number of Hispanic/Low-Income students in STEM disciplines
- Increase pass and retention rates by redesigning developmental and gateway STEM coursework
- Provide student supports throughout degree program to encourage progression and completion
- Provide high-quality professional development for STEM faculty
Highlights of the project include:
- Hands-on STEM demonstrations for local middle and high school students
- An expansion of the method for assessing math placement for entering students
- A redesign of developmental math and entry-level chemistry curricula
- The hiring of two STEM advisors to conduct outreach and help transition STEM majors into the college
- The creation of a STEM Center as a centralized location for presentations, group study and tutoring
- Assessment software to support faculty work
- The funding of numerous professional development opportunities for faculty
STCC began planning for the grant in September 2015 with the formation of a HSI STEM planning committee.
To be eligible to receive the grant, colleges must have the federal designation of HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution). An HSI institution must have at least 25 percent Hispanic students making up the total student population.
With a Hispanic student population of 27.6 percent, STCC has officially been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2013.
Additionally, 56 percent of STCC students receive federal Pell grants, which are limited to students with financial need.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).
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