April '24 News Blog
News briefs from the HCC campus and beyond
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Mural Models
Whatever legacy they might leave behind as they ultimately move on from HCC, their images will remain for many years to come, captured in acrylic in the new mural that covers the main wall in the Campus Center cafeteria. A few weeks ago, students Tahir Bey, Carineh Santana, and Arnaldo Lassend posed at the request of artist Betsy Casañas, who took a photo of the trio reading books on a Campus Center stairway. The mural was commissioned for the recent inauguration of President George Timmons and meant to showcase the values of HCC: kindness, inclusion, trust, innovation, and collaboration. Now that the mural is complete, the models have had some time to reflect on their larger than life-size likenesses. Tahir: "It's a little bit weird, walking by and seeing yourself. It's going to take some time getting used to." Carineh: "It is weird, but also, it's moving. I wouldn't imagine myself being on a wall at HCC. Now everyone walking by can see it." Tahir: "I thought it was gonna be on some hidden wall. And then I saw them painting over here. I was like, whoa. Not hidden at all." (Above: Students Tahir Bey, Carineh Sanatana, and Arnaldo Lassend stand in front of the new campus mural that bears their likenesses.)
Top Forty
Business West magazine has selected Shannon Glenn, academic counselor of HCC's Gateway to College program as a 40 Under Forty award winner for 2024. At Gateway, an alternative high school program, Glenn, 39, helps students at risk of dropping out. "Students trust Shannon," her Gateway supervisor Vivian Ostrowski said in an April 29 Business West story about Glenn's award. "They lean in her doorway to say 'good morning.' They often disappear into her office, sometimes talking through some issues and sometimes just resting in a safe spot ... She has created a culture where students feel seen and respected, where they can regain their confidence and hope and lean into their future." Gateway students say the honor is well deserved. "She's amazing person," Aleidis Calderon Martinez said after the awards were announced. "She puts a lot of effort into her job and us students. She cares a lot." "I wouldn't be graduating without her," said Aquari Adel. "I was so behind but now I'm caught up to graduate on time this year." HCC alum Payton North '15, executive editor of The Reminder Publications, was also named to the 40 Under Forty list. Glenn, North and the other 40 Under Forty award winners will be celebrated at a banquet at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on June 20.
Going Mobile
While you may have seen it on the road (or in the campus courtyard during Inauguration Week), the HCC culinary arts truck got the start-up it deserved on April 19 during an open house and free community tasting event at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute. With the snip of a very large pair of scissors held by President George Timmons, the culinary arts truck was officially open - not exactly for business, but for community outreach and culinary arts education. While the college does not intend to sell food from the truck as a money-making venture. The main purpose is to engage in community service, as well as teach students about food truck operations and how to work in a much smaller space than they are used to inside the culinary arts institute. "We're looking at how to marry culinary arts with health and wellness in the community," Amy Brandt, dean of health services and culinary arts, told a reporter from the Springfield Republican. "So the focus of the truck is to give students an applied-learning opportunity, to have them working with community agencies that are targeting issues, like food insecurity or poor health." Check out more photos from the culinary arts open house in our Facebook photo album.
Visual Art Awards
The Visual Art department recognized 10 outstanding students with awards during an April 11 reception opening the annual Student Art Exhibition in the Taber Art Gallery. They are: Joanne C. Lavallee of Palmer and DeAndra Roy of Chicopee (recipients of the Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Art); Ariana E. Aquilino of Florence, McKayla G. Boman of West Springfield, Sarah S. Carragher of South Hadley, Malyna J. Dansereau of Wilbraham, Madison E. Gallant of Hampden, McKallum S. Malanowski of Chicopee, and Ethan M. Romero of Westfield (Faculty Award for Excellence in Visual Art); and Brianna C. Morisset of West Springfield (Pulp City Art Editor Award). The exhibition runs through May 1. (Above) Students tour the Taber Art Gallery during the 2024 Student Art Exhibition
Ready for Fall
With registration for the fall semester open as of April 1, Jada Carrasquillo didn't wait long to sign up. The very next day, Carrasquillo attended a special registration event at Holyoke High School, where she is a senior, and met with members of the HCC Admissions team. "I'm really excited," said Carrasquillo, who plans to major in Foundations of Health before applying for admission to HCC's nursing program. "I'm just happy that I can get my college education and still be able to live at home, drive only five minutes to school, not pay as much, and still get a good degree and have a good career." Carrasquillo was one of more than 60 Holyoke High School seniors who enrolled at HCC that day. "We've been working really intentionally with Holyoke High School for the last three months," said HCC Admissions counselor Harold Santiago. "We did Accuplacer testing right here on site, and we coordinated this registration day to capture as many students as possible who are planning to come to HCC and get them over the finish line." Another registration day is planned at Holyoke High for May. (Above) Santiago, left, with Holyoke High School seniors Marquez Aponte, who plans to study visual art at HCC, Carrasquillo, and HCC advisor (and ALANA mentor) Miguel Velez, far right. (Thumbnail) Santiago works with Holyoke High School senior Jada Leis, a future HCC psychology major.
