Holyoke Community College (HCC) has been awarded two grants worth more than $1 million to continue educating and training early-childhood educators and supporting the programs they work for in Western Mass. Both the Career Pathways Grant, for $680,000, and the Strong Start Training and Technical Assistance Grant, for $360,000, come from the Massachusetts Department of…

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Assumption University announced this week the naming of one of its schools as the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in honor of philanthropists Donald D’Amour and wife, Michele. In its mission statement, Assumption University, sponsored by a religious order, says its students “will benefit from 2,000 years of the Catholic intellectual tradition and…

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Westfield State University (WSU) is again one of Massachusetts’ top public universities among its peers, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2021 list. The rankings underscore the university’s commitment to accessibility, affordability, and intentional outcomes. In this year’s release, Westfield State is ranked 90th among 170 institutions in “Regional Universities – North.”…

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Elms College improved its ranking by 30 spots on U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 list of “Top Performers on Social Mobility” in the northern U.S. region. The list ranks schools for enrolling and graduating large proportions of students who have received federal Pell Grants. Elms College improved its ranking dramatically, moving to seventh among…

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At least once, and perhaps twice, Robert Johnson strongly considered removing himself from the mix as a search committee narrowed the field of candidates to succeed Anthony Caprio as president of Western New England University (WNEU) in Springfield. It was early spring, and the COVID-19 pandemic was presenting every institution of higher learning, including UMass-Dartmouth,…

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Caring Health Center, a Federally Qualified Community Health Center, has named Yvonne L. Williams its first Chief Development Officer. Williams was previously a six-year member of Caring Health Center’s Board of Directors, and brings to her new position a strong understanding of the organization. She also has deep roots within the community, and will be…

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The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) has announced four new staff members to their team, filling philanthropic and program support roles at the organization. Bianca Walker has been hired as Philanthropic Officer; Nikai Fondon has been hired as Donor Engagement Coordinator; Anastasia Dildin has been hired as Grants Assistant; and Sophie Kanetani has been…

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From personal trainers to phlebotomy technicians and plumbers, Springfield Technical Community College’s (STCC) Workforce Development Center offers a number of affordable training options this fall to prepare students for a range of career opportunities. Some of the courses may be free for those who use services provided by the statewide MassHire workforce system. In addition,…

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Berkshire Bank has chosen Boston-based Nexamp as its community solar provider to reduce costs and improve sustainability. Founded more than 170 years ago, Berkshire Bank operates 130 branches across seven northeastern states. By enrolling in the Nexamp community solar program, the bank is taking an active role in the advancement of clean energy. Corporations and…

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