2008-09 Annual Report

 

From the Board Chair: 

Mission Statement: To enhance and promote the individual missions of our college and university members and to advance higher education in the region

For more than 40 years, the Colleges of Worcester Consortium has served its members and their communities by facilitating shared academic and administrative services. Today, more than 400 administrators, faculty and students continue that tradition through the Consortium's 30-plus committees which over the years have expanded to include two additional focus areas: higher education access services and community engagement, particularly economic development.

The colleges and universities that comprise the Worcester Consortium are as diverse as the students they attract. They include public and private institutions, research universities, professional schools, liberal arts colleges, and a community college, some internationally renowned and some local in focus. All are vigorously pursuing their various missions to serve their students and the wider society. At the same time, all have been challenged in some way by the current economic crisis. Some have been impacted by dwindling state support; others by the shift in demographics here in New England and the greater financial need of students and their families. All have felt the ripples from Wall Street in one way or another.

Building on the Consortium's strong history of collaboration, our college and university members continue to seek mission-related ways to provide additional quality services in cost-effective and efficient ways. Nowhere is this more evident than in the academic area where, since the Consortium's founding, undergraduate students have been able to cross-register for classes at no additional charge. A more recent success is the growing Consortium-sponsored Certificate in College Teaching program, which has been a welcome opportunity for PhD candidates, tenure-track and adjunct faculty, and career changers to sharpen their teaching skills. The certificate program is grounded in the latest educational research in college teaching, and is designed to enhance the teaching and learning experiences for faculty and students at our member institutions.

The Consortium continues to play a vital role in coordinating service opportunities in the greater Worcester community. Each year, about 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students contribute more than 630,000 hours of their time and talent to our public schools and nonprofits. Whether through service-learning classes, volunteer placements, or clinical or practicum experiences, Worcester and the region becomes a learning laboratory for our students and, at the same time, receives the benefits of this time and talent.
As you'll see throughout this annual report, this "team" approach has been a winning one.

Michael C. McFarland, SJ
President, College of the Holy Cross
Chair, Consortium Board of Directors

 

From the CEO:

Vision Statement:  To position Worcester and the region as a premier destination for undergraduate and graduate students as well as future college and university faculty and staff

During these challenging economic times, colleges and universities are seeking ways to maintain their core operations while minimizing any interruptions caused by revenue shortfalls. At the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, members have been using some of our 30-plus committees to mitigate some of these challenges. In this 2008-09 Annual Report, we take a look at how our committees under Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Administration and Finance are working as a team to identify shared areas of concern and opportunities to further enhance their missions.

For example, this past year the Chief Financial Officers Committee discussed an interest in joint internal audit services. Through an RFP and interview process, a subset of six CFOs selected CBIZ Tofias to conduct an analysis of their respective systems and risk assessments. Another prime example was our shared professional development programs. Approximately 400 faculty and staff participated in 20 technical or management training programs while another 82 administrative assistants participated in their own certificate program.

Our Chief Student Affairs Officers have found a niche with offering regional conferences. This past year, some 150 individuals representing Consortium and non-Consortium colleges and universities met to discuss alcohol use and abuse. Other student affairs committees are working to provide additional opportunities for more than 30,000 students within the Consortium. We've established a few attractive off-campus events that are contributing to new traditions, like the Taste of Shrewsbury Street College Shuffle and events at the beautiful Hanover Theatre. These and other activities are welcomed as we continue to promote Worcester and the region as a premier destination for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for future faculty and staff.

In the upcoming year, the Consortium will continue to fulfill its mission: To enhance and promote the individual missions of our college and university members and to advance higher education in the region. We will do so in our true collaborative nature. As Babe Ruth said, "The way a team plays as a whole determines its success." As you'll see in the following pages, our committees have proven tack records of accomplishments. Our thanks go to all our committee chairs and vice chairs who have contributed to our ongoing success. 

Mark P. Bilotta
Consortium CEO

 

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The Consortium works collaboratively with its member institutions to enhance and promote the educational experience for current and potential students, faculty and staff.

Chief Academic Officers Committee

The chief academic officers meet regularly to exchange information and/or collaborate on issues of mutual interest affecting the academic programs of their respective institutions. They review the work of such groups as the Certificate in College Teaching Program (CCT), Faculty Development Committee and Registrars Committee. The committee collaborated on many successful events in 2008-2009.

A timely panel discussion, entitled, "Interfacing Education with the Workforce in Biomedical, Biotechnology and Health Professions Fields," was held on February 24 at Worcester State College. The event explored the topic of workforce needs in the biomedical, biotech, and health professions (BBHP) fields and the resources needed for educating that workforce. Panelists were: Jean Jackson, vice president for workforce planning, Baystate Health; Lois Schiappa, human resources, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Angelique Torres, Genzyme Corporation; Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, president and CEO, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center; Diane Bennett, Saint Vincent Hospital; and Patricia G. Webb, senior vice president and chief human resources officer, UMass Memorial Health Care. Kevin O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mass. Biomedical Initiatives, Inc., served as panel moderator.

The committee hosted its bi-annual research showcase, "America Ages: Our Region Responds; Showcasing Research and Projects on Aging in our Communities," on March 26 at the College of the Holy Cross. This symposium brought together faculty, students and community partners working on research examining gerontology and geriatrics issues facing Worcester County and its communities.

In addition, the committee facilitated a joint, full-page advertisement of faculty openings in an October issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education. Five member institutions participated in the ad. The committee continues to explore ways to collaborate which would broaden curricular offerings for students as well as conserve institutional resources. Under current discussion are opportunities to utilize the Consortium cross-registration program to share course offerings in foreign languages and education.

"The CAO committee offers a forum where bilateral and multilateral initiatives can be forged in an atmosphere of true collegial cooperation. The initiatives can lead to concrete actions and events which are mutually beneficial for all institutions such as the new faculty reception, the BBHP poster session and the potential sharing of academic initiatives. This is especially important during these fiscally challenging times."
- Michael Malloy, Dean, School of Pharmacy, Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

"Biotechnology, biomedical research and health care professions (BBHP) are the largest combined employers in the Commonwealth, and the major economic engine for Central Massachusetts. Consortium member institutions are actively engaged in preparing our students for the workforce needs of these industries. A task force of the Chief Academic Officers Committee, BBHP is providing a vision for the Consortium and strategizes ways to best prepare our students to take their places as members and leaders of these professions."
-Deborah Harmon Hines, Vice Provost for School Services, UMass Medical School

Certificate in College Teaching Completers

Six individuals completed the CCT Program in 2009.The primary focus of the program is to prepare graduate students, adjunct and full-time faculty, and career changers who aspire to, or who are currently engaged in, a career in academia. CCT is designed to enhance the teaching and learning experiences for faculty and students. The program culminates with the Practicum in College Teaching, a one-credit capstone course which produces a comprehensive teaching portfolio. Total enrollment for the program has risen from 48 in 2003 to 139 in 2008. Since its inception, the program has enjoyed a total of 545 course enrollments, with the number of participants completing the entire program increasing yearly. Certificate recipients in 2009 were: Ellen Duggan (doctoral candidate at Harvard University, adjunct faculty, Nichols College); Jane Harrington (PhD, UMass Medical School, adjunct faculty, Assumption College); Roberta Hawkins (PhD student, Clark University, teaching assistant, Clark University); Allison Hunter (PhD student, WPI, adjunct faculty, WPI); Leena Razzaq (PhD student, WPI, adjunct faculty, WPI); and David Schmidt (master's degree, Clark University, teaching assistant, Clark University).

Art Show

Students from nine Consortium institutions submitted 215 works for the Fifth Annual Colleges of Worcester Consortium Art Exhibition at ARTSWorcester. Jurors chose 62 works to be displayed in the exhibition.

Combined Chorus

254 student singers from Anna Maria, Assumption, Clark, WPI and Worcester State performed with the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra as a combined chorus at the annual Holiday Pops Concert at Mechanics Hall.

Faculty Development Committee

The Faculty Development Committee meets four times per year to design and implement programs to foster effective teaching and learning strategies throughout the Consortium. The programs aim to increase reflection and dialogue on teaching by linking faculty to all member institutions as well as to state, regional and national organizations. In February 2009, the committee hosted its annual workshop ("Affective Domain in the Classroom") which was attended by more than 100 faculty members from within and outside the Consortium. The workshop was presented by Edward Nuhfer, PhD, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at California State University at Channel Islands.

Registrars Committee

The primary focus of the Registrars Committee is to work on promoting and supporting the Cross-registration Program as well as sharing information and best practices. The committee often discusses problems on campus, changing regulations and registration software. In 2008-2009, more than 400 undergraduate students took advantage of more than 350 courses through cross-registration. A total of 15,000 riders took advantage of the Consortium day shuttle which connects six campuses and makes stops in downtown Worcester. Through collaborations with the registrars, the Consortium maintains an online master course database and a master list of majors and degrees.

Academic Support and Disability Services Committee

The Academic Support and Disability Services Committee is a network of college administrators who work in academic support and/or disability services roles on their campuses. They meet quarterly to discuss and/or collaborate on issues of mutual interest including academic support programs, tutor training, disability support and legal issues related to accommodations for students.

STUDENT AFFAIRS

In the area of student affairs, Consortium committees aggressively employ strategies for enhancing students' intellectual, cultural and social development while creating networks of support among students, faculty and staff. An emphasis is placed on intercollegiate social programming in an effort to enhance students' out-of-class experiences and to build student networks and social opportunities across the campuses.

Chief Student Affairs Officers Committee

The chief student affairs officers (CSAOs) meet regularly to exchange information and/or collaborate on issues of mutual interest affecting the students and student life at their respective institutions. In February, the committee facilitated "Promising Practices: Addressing Alcohol Use and Abuse in the College Population," a conference at Holy Cross on alcohol use and abuse on campus. The keynote speaker was Brandon Busteed, founder and CEO of Outside the Classroom, a Boston-based company founded to address epidemic-level public health issues affecting education, corporate and government institutions. The conference brought together more than 150 individuals from the fields of higher education, public service, health professions, for-profit and nonprofit organizations and law enforcement. A total of 19 colleges were represented, including 12 Consortium institutions. The committee also discusses issues of concern such as gang violence, care teams and threat assessment.

"Topics such as student and academic affairs collaboration, campus intervention teams, emergency preparedness and H1N1 influenza planning are just some of the agenda items the committee has addressed over the past two years. Member institutions enjoy the benefits of sharing and learning best practices as well as planning and executing conferences and round-table discussions to educate student affairs practitioners throughout the greater Worcester area."
- Janet Begin Richardson, Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life, WPI

ALANA

The ALANA Consortium Support Network is an organization of college administrators within the Consortium who work to support the recruitment and retention of ALANA (African-Latino/Hispanic-Asian-Native American) students. The committee holds annual events such as a welcome barbeque, an Autumn After-work Connection Reception for faculty, administration, staff and community members, and a Student Leader Awards Banquet.

"The ALANA Support network provides students with a wide variety of opportunities for personal growth and development through recognition and affirmation. While we all come from different areas of college administration, the network has proven to be an excellent means for support through the sharing of information and resources."
- Stephanie Williams, Director of Multicultural Affairs, Anna Maria College

Athletic Directors Committee

The heads of athletic departments meet occasionally to exchange information and/or collaborate on issues of mutual interest.

"The members of the Athletic Directors Committee generally meet four times a year to share updates and best practices pertaining to our ever changing profession. Our goal is to provide a quality experience for our student-athletes in Central Massachusetts, and most often our best resources are right here in the Worcester corridor."
- Charlie A. Robert, Director of Athletics, Nichols College

Alcohol & Other Drug Educators Committee

Consortium alcohol and other drug educators meet regularly to discuss issues common to all of the campuses and to plan joint programming. The committee publishes an annual "parent brochure" which is sent to parents of incoming students each summer.

Career Services Directors Committee

The career services directors work as a collective unit to provide career-related programs and services that could not otherwise be offered to students. The directors also network and share best practices with each other. The major committee project is the annual Consortium Career Fair which is held at the DCU Center and typically features 75-100 employers and more than 600 students. Other annual events include the Working in Worcester Open House for students, and the Career Services Professional Development Day for staff. In November 2008, the theme of the professional development day was "Green" Careers and attracted more than 70 career counselors from across New England. Also in November, students attending the Working in Worcester Open House connected with downtown employers and learned about career and internship opportunities at St. Vincent Hospital, Unum and Webster Five.

"The joint career fair provides students with a much larger and more diverse pool of employers than any one institution could coordinate on its own. Employers appreciate the opportunity to access students from all the colleges at one event, rather than attending several individual career fairs."
- Eric Saczawa, Director of Career Services, Becker College

What did students say?

Evaluation forms filled out by students who attend the annual Career Fair often carry comments like these:

• "The employers were great and very knowledgeable. They all had something different to offer; very friendly and eager to listen to me and answer my questions."
• "Excellent interview experience; lots of interaction; good practice at self-presentation"

Green Careers Day

The Career Services Committee held a professional development day for "green" careers at the EcoTarium in fall 2008. The goal of the day was to provide career services personnel with an in-depth perspective of "green" career options.
Participating organizations included Heifer International, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Evergreen Solar, World Energy Solutions and Moss Hollow LLC.

What did they say?

Evaluation forms filled out by students who attend the annual Career Fair often carry comments like these:

• "The employers were great and very knowledgeable. They all had something different to offer; very friendly and eager to listen to me and answer my questions."
• "Excellent interview experience; lots of interaction; good practice at self-presentation"

Internship Database

As part of a joint venture between the local higher education and business communities, the Consortium operates a free, comprehensive online internship database.

The site allows area employers to post internship opportunities targeting college students at Consortium institutions. Students have the capability to search internship postings, post resumes, review their search history, and receive e-mails about programs, services and internship-related topics. All database services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are free of charge to both employers and students.

The strategy behind the internship database is to engage students with the Worcester-area business and nonprofit communities before they graduate with the ultimate goal of retaining qualified graduates in the Central Massachusetts workforce. To date, approximately 2,000 students and 300 employers have registered for the site which has featured a total of more than 500 internship postings.

Green Careers Day

The Career Services Committee held a professional development day for "green" careers at the EcoTarium in fall 2008. The goal of the day was to provide career services personnel with an in-depth perspective of "green" career options.
Participating organizations included Heifer International, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Evergreen Solar, World Energy Solutions and Moss Hollow LLC.

Student Activities Group

Members of student activities staffs meet monthly to exchange information and/or collaborate on initiatives of mutual interest and to promote/facilitate intercollegiate social programming. Some of these initiatives include events such as the Shrewsbury Street College Shuffle, an annual fall tradition when approximately 1,500 students sample Shrewsbury Street restaurants amid a festive atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon. The group meets for updates and to discuss professional development topics. Recently, the group hosted a representative from the district attorney's office to address the issue of cyber-bullying. Their annual project is the Emerging Leader Conference held in February combined with the Worcester Residence Life Network's annual resident assistant conference, attracting approximately 300 students from nine participating institutions.

Student Affairs Middle Managers Committee (SAMM)

Associate and assistant deans on Consortium campuses meet occasionally to exchange information and/or discuss matters of mutual interest. In addition, SAMM plans three annual networking and/or development events for student affairs administrators. In 2008-2009, the workshops dealt with at-risk students, changes in drinking age policies and a student affairs summit.

"The ability to communicate and share ideas with other student affairs professionals helps me do my job better and serve my students more effectively. Within our Consortium, we are truly blessed to have such talented and committed professionals; and our meetings provide an essential opportunity for us to network, explore best practices and support each other in our work with students. In such a challenging climate for higher education, working with and learning from my colleagues is critical to being effective on my campus."
- Jason Zelesky, Associate Dean of Students and Wellness Outreach Coordinator, Clark University

Student Conduct Group

The Student Conduct Group is comprised of judicial officers from Consortium campuses who meet to share ideas, concerns, resources and expertise in the area of judicial affairs. The group recently developed two Consortium-wide sanction courses for students: Alcohol/Other Drugs and Civility/Respect. These courses are designed to be part of a sanction for students being adjudicated on campus.

Worcester Intercollegiate Government (WIG)

The Worcester Intercollegiate Government was created to promote collaboration and support among Consortium college and university student body presidents. WIG was instrumental in implementing the Woo Bus, a Friday and Saturday night shuttle service that brings students to and from downtown areas from five participating institutions. The Woo Bus makes stops at the following locations of interest: Shrewsbury Street, Union Station, downtown Worcester, Highland Street, Lincoln Plaza and the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley. Other focus areas for WIG included share-a-bike, Zipcar, elections regulations, recycling, and sustainability. The group hosted guest speakers from the Hanover Theatre, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority and the Worcester City Council.

Woo Bus

Approximately 2,000 students rode the Woo Bus, a weekend shuttle service connecting five campuses with desirable off-campus destinations throughout the city.

Worcester Area Counseling Services Committee

Counselors meet occasionally to exchange information and/or collaborate on initiatives of mutual interest. This group hosts a bi-annual networking event with local clinicians for referral purposes. In addition to the networking event, the committee hosted sessions on gang violence and acceptance and commitment therapy training during the 2008-2009 academic year.

International Student Advisors

The designated officials from Consortium institutions and other area schools meet three times per year to exchange information and/or collaborate on issues of mutual interest affecting the international students at their respective institutions. The committee has recently discussed issues such as changing immigration regulations and their impact on foreign students at member campuses. There are approximately 1,600 international students within the Consortium.

Worcester Residence Life Network Committee

The Worcester Residence Life Network (WRLN) is composed of professionals at Consortium institutions who provide services to resident students on their campuses. The group meets monthly to discuss issues of mutual interest and work on their focus areas: a mentor program for new professionals, professional development, and para-professional development. Four networking socials for professional staff are also held each year. The committee maintains its own Web site with resources for residence life staff. The committee has also facilitated a conference for resident assistants.
 

"The group has a strong core and committed members who tirelessly work to engage their fellow residence life professionals. The Worcester Residence Life Network has seen many successes this year including authoring and ratifying a constitution, solidifying leadership positions and clarifying its mission. In a challenging economy, there is no substitute for the well-thought-out, reasonably priced, local professional development opportunities that are provided by WRLN."
- Kristin Murphy, Assistant Director of Residential Services, WPI

Resident Assistant Group

The Resident Assistant Group is a new committee whose main goal is connecting resident assistants (RAs) across campuses. The group shares information about what's happening on their own campuses, serves as a support network for one another, and collaborates to plan Consortium RA socials and workshops.

 

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

The Consortium works to enhance benefits for member institutions through increased emphasis on programs and services that provide cost savings and efficiencies. By aiding its member institutions to increase and communicate their economic, intellectual, educational and cultural impact on Greater Worcester and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Consortium places special emphasis on serving the local region and its people.

Chief Financial Officers Committee

The chief financial officers meet bi-monthly to exchange information and/or collaborate on initiatives of mutual interest to various members. They also oversee the annual audit of Consortium accounting, make suggestions to the Board of Directors about such items as member dues and service fees, offer advice on the Consortium's budget, and review the work of the Joint Purchasing Group and the new Controllers, Facilities, and General Counsels committees.

In 2008-2009, a subset of six institutions worked with the CBIZ Tofias accounting firm to conduct an out-sourced, shared internal audit program for an analysis of systems and risk assessment. The joint audit program addressed an area of shared concern that many Consortium institutions operate with financial staffs that are primarily oriented to accounting issues with investments being a second priority. No one institution is large enough to facilitate a separately designated internal auditor. In addition to the joint audit program, the committee revamped the data collection criteria for the Consortium's annual Facts Sheet and also welcomed speakers on risk assessment and general student housing.

"Through the CFO Committee, six of the members in the group have been able to take advantage of a joint internal audit arrangement with an outside audit firm. No one school would have been able to do this alone."
- Christian McCarthy, Executive Vice President, Assumption College

Purchasing Directors Committee

The Consortium Joint Purchasing Group establishes group purchase contracts to benefit Consortium members financially. Through cooperative relationships, the group enables members to make the most cost-effective allocation of scarce or limited resources. The group also provides a forum in which purchasing directors can share valuable information and develop and implement best practices in purchasing management. In 2008-2009, the committee negotiated contracts on and saw a total of $5.4 million of spending on 20 agreements. The group currently has contracts for products including appliances, auto/van rental, computer technology, electric lights, and office furniture and supplies.
Human Resources Directors Committee

The human resource directors meet occasionally to discuss professional issues, share information, foster regional cooperation, and investigate current employment opportunities at Consortium institutions. The committee maintains a benefits survey as a resource for members, provides employee discounts through the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, provides mediation training for committee members and facilitates a dental insurance plan for four members. In 2008-2009, the committee heard presentations on employer-provided educational assistance and taxation issues, 403(b) updates, and the new COBRA regulations.

Human Resources Training Committee

The Human Resources Training Committee presents professional development programs to staff, administrators and faculty throughout the Consortium. A calendar of these programs is updated frequently. The programs fall into three areas: technical training, management training, and retirement and financial information seminars, conducted by TIAA/CREF. In 2008-2009, approximately 400 faculty and staff members from across the Consortium participated in 20 trainings. Certificate programs for administrative assistants (new in 2008-2009) were also provided for 82 participants. Due to the popularity of all these programs there were waiting lists, but budget restraints did not allow adding extra sessions. There were 58 graduates of the Management Certificate program in 2009.

Comments from previous management certificate program participants:

• "I learned a lot of helpful tools to be a better manager."
• "Excellent, very well organized, top-notch presenters."
• "I found many things applicable as they actually happened, so I got plenty of practical experience."
• "I loved it! It was so much fun, better than I expected."
• "I can use many ideas to educate our staff."

External Relations Committee

Institutional officers with responsibilities for external relations meet bimonthly to serve as proactive communications links with appropriate public officials, to serve as a collective sounding board for externally generated concerns, to assess higher education's needs as they relate to community and economic development, and to offer recommendations and proposals for consideration by the Consortium Board of Directors. Several members of the committee also serve as campus liaisons for the Hanover Theatre partnership, a financial agreement between 10 Consortium institutions and the theatre that allows colleges to buy blocks of tickets, rent space to host functions, or host their own theatrical performances. In fall 2008, members of the committee worked with the Consortium to adopt six Lincoln Square traffic islands for landscape improvements as part of the city's "Adopt an Island" program. The committee welcomed guest speakers such as State Senator Michael Moore and State Representative Vincent Pedone on taxing endowments and repeal of the Dover amendment, and the organizers of Worcester Local First and the Worcester Tree Initiative who spoke of the need to involve students in their projects. The committee also met with City Councilor Kate Toomey, the chair of the council's education committee. In 2009-2010, the committee will help facilitate a talent retention survey of the Class of 2010 in partnership with the Worcester Regional Research Bureau.
 

"Participation in the External Relations Committee is extremely helpful as it provides access to a collective and credible knowledge of the community. The committee is a trusted and valuable resource whose members provide one another guidance on complex and important issues."
- Linda Carre Looft, Assistant Vice President, Government And Community Relations, WPI

Community Relations Committee

The member institutions' public relations and marketing officers meet regularly to exchange information on issues of mutual interest and to plan promotional initiatives and economic impact and partnership reports. The group typically welcomes local and regional media members as guest speakers to discuss current trends in the media and foster networking opportunities.

"Having been a member of the Community Relations Committee for over 10 years, the last two of which as chairman, I have found the membership rewarding in that it gives member colleges an opportunity to work together. As a team, we not only get to know each other, but we work to foster the benefits of having students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, cultures, religions and social strata coming together as a ‘student community.' You need only talk to the numerous organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Worcester Public Schools, the Worcester County Food Bank, the Main South Coalition, and the Shrewsbury Street Area Merchants Association to hear about the impact our students have made and continue to make each year."
- Victor Somma, Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations, Quinsigamond Community College

Web Professionals Committee

Webmasters, content managers and site designers meet every other month to share common challenges and solutions and hear guest presenters on topics of mutual interest. Recent topics have included Web analytics/usability and the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and iTunesU in higher education.

Community Engagement Committee

Community Engagement Committee members meet monthly to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as professional development for faculty and staff, student recruitment and training, linkages with community agencies/organizations. One of its major projects is the annual community placements survey which charts the number of students placed in organizations in the region as volunteers, interns, etc. The Community Engagement Awards were presented at the Alden Awards Dinner in April. Twelve awards were given to individual students and groups of students from Consortium member institutions who provided exemplary service to their communities within the last year.

2009 Community Engagement Awards

• Anna Maria College - Social Action Group
• Assumption College - Julia Kilgore '09 (African Community Education Program)
• Becker College - men's ice hockey team (City of Worcester Parks & Recreation Department)
• Clark University - Clark High School Partnership
• College of the Holy Cross - Andrew Le '09 (Southeast Asian Coalition)
• Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University - Paws for People
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences - Christopher Ho (St. Anne's Free Clinic)
• Nichols College - Arts & Entertainment Management Club (Webster-Dudley Boys & Girls Club)
• Quinsigamond Community College - Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Youville Orphanage)
• University of Massachusetts Medical School - Joanna Chaurette (Seven Hills Symphony)
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Lambda Chi Alpha (Friendly House Community Shelter)
• Worcester State College - Kathy Rutledge/Spencer Dinsmore (Chandler Magnet School)

Campus Police Chiefs

The heads of campus police departments meet occasionally to exchange information and/or collaborate on issues of mutual interest.
 

"Emergency preparedness is always at the top of our discussion list, regardless of whether it is weather-related, an act of violence or a health issue on our campuses. The H1N1 flu virus has everyone's attention for its potential recurrence. The havoc it would cause at our institutions can be minimized with having effective collaborative methods in which to educate our college communities."
- Rosemary Naughton, College Police Chief, Worcester State College

 

HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS

The Consortium works to facilitate partnerships between higher education and public school systems to ensure college readiness and success. Member institutions work together with the Consortium to raise awareness of the need for higher education and the benefits it can provide to residents of the region. The Consortium houses and supports the federally funded TRIO programs-Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) and Educational Talent Search (ETS)-and the federal GEAR UP program for Central Massachusetts and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Educational Opportunity Center in Worcester annually serves approximately 1,500 disadvantaged adults who are interested in returning to school to further their education and careers.

Higher Education Access and Retention Committee (HEARC)

The HEARC reviews the Consortium's higher education access programs and services and advises the Board of Directors on strategic or compliance matters that affect the role and scope of Consortium access programs and services. Members represent the Consortium Board of Directors and staff, admissions and financial aid officers of member institutions, and representatives from the Worcester Public Schools. One of the committee's primary activities is the SUCCESS Initiative (Schools and Universities Continuing Conversations to Ensure Student Success). The purpose of this initiative is to bring secondary school staff and administrators together with postsecondary faculty and staff to share information and brainstorm ideas about the challenges facing students as they transition to college. Three main topic areas have been identified: social transition issues, math and English.

Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)

The Consortium's EOC project again exceeded its service goals in 2008-09, and worked with more than 6,500 individuals across the state as they sought to pursue postsecondary education and training programs. Many of these individuals are economically challenged, first-generation college-going students. More than 50 percent of EOC clients successfully enrolled in programs that will lead to increased job skills and a brighter future for them and their families. The current high unemployment rate has meant that an increasing number of EOC clients have been employed in the past but are now seeking re-training, and a new start. EOC has become a significant resource in the workforce development arena.

Educational Talent Search (ETS)

A postsecondary education has never been more critical to personal and career success than it is currently. The Consortium's ETS project served more than 800 high-risk but high-potential students in 2008-2009, enabling more than 93 percent of them to enroll in the postsecondary academic program of their choice. In most cases they are low income, and the first in their families to go to college. They can now serve as role models for other family members. This is the workforce of the future.

GEAR UP

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) continues to be a very welcome partner in our host middle and high schools, serving over 5,000 students each year. The GEAR UP scholarship, which has added greatly to our graduates' financial aid packages, has served to ensure that not only are they well prepared academically to succeed, but also that financial burdens are significantly lessened as they pursue their postsecondary dreams.

 

MEMBER INSTITUTIONS

Anna Maria College is a four-year, private, co-ed, Catholic liberal arts institution located on a beautiful 190-acre campus in Paxton, Massachusetts. AMC provides quality programs that integrate liberal education and professional preparation committed to the fundamental value of liberal arts and sciences education rooted in the traditions of the Sisters of Saint Anne. (www.annamaria.edu)

Assumption College is a Catholic, coeducational institution known for its classic liberal arts curriculum and strong academic programs in business and professional studies. Assumption offers its undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students a personalized educational experience to help them find success and purpose in college and life. (www.assumption.edu)

Atlantic Union College, located in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, is a Christian professional college in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition. As a diverse learning community, its mission is to develop the whole person by inspiring faith in a loving Creator God and encouraging a passion for knowledge, truth and service to humanity. (www.auc.edu)

Becker College serves 1,700 students and offers more than 27 diverse bachelor's degree programs, ranging from Nursing and Equine Management to Computer Game Design and a variety of adult learning options. With campuses in Worcester and Leicester, Massachusetts, Becker traces its history to 1784 and has over 20,000 alumni. (www.becker.edu)

The College of the Holy Cross, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is among the nation's leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 2,900 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. Since its founding in 1843, Holy Cross has made a positive impact in society by graduating students who distinguish themselves as thoughtful leaders in business, professional and civic life. (www.holycross.edu)

Clark University is a private, liberal arts, research university with more than 2,200 undergraduates and 900 graduate students. Among Clark's nationally recognized programs are psychology, geography, international and urban development, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Clark is listed among the top 50 "Best Values in Private Colleges" and offers accelerated BA/master's programs with the fifth year tuition-free for eligible students. (www.clarku.edu)

New England's only veterinary college, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University aims to improve the health of animals, people and the environments in which they live through the best in research, teaching and clinical service. Through the Cummings School's PhD and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree programs and five master's programs - including a new Master's of Conservation Medicine degree - the school is preparing the next generation of veterinarians, biomedical scientists, and public health advocates. (www.tufts.edu/vet)

Located in the heart of downtown Worcester, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers innovative degrees in Pharmacy (34-month accelerated PharmD), Nursing (16-month accelerated BSN) and Physician Assistant Studies (24-month accelerated MPAS). All three programs offer state-of-the art facilities and clinical affiliations with the finest hospitals and health care organizations in the region. (www.mcphs.edu)

Nichols College, a private business college located in Dudley, Massachusetts, strives to develop tomorrow's leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business education. Nichols' unique, four-year Professional Development Program leads to graduate success: 1 in 10 Nichols graduates becomes a CEO, corporate president or business owner. The Nichols experience happens in a safe, welcoming environment where students are encouraged to learn and grow under the guidance of a mentoring faculty and staff committed to student success. (www.nichols.edu)

Quinsigamond Community College is a two-year, public institution of higher education offering over 70 associate's degree and certificate programs in the fields of business, technology, health care, human services, and liberal arts. In addition, the College offers a variety of non-credit courses, seminars and workshops through its Training and Education Center located in the heart of downtown Worcester. Its new satellite location in Southbridge, serving the South County region, offers over 60 courses and will soon offer a number of complete associate's degree programs. (www.qcc.edu)

Founded to provide high-quality medical education to state residents and increase the number of primary care physicians serving under-served areas of the state, the University of Massachusetts Medical School is a vibrant academic health sciences center focused on advancing local and global health and well-being through pioneering education, research and health care delivery. UMMS is comprised of the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Graduate School of Nursing. (www.umassmed.edu)

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a national university offering more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs in science, engineering, technology, management, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. Known for its innovative project-enriched undergraduate curriculum, its pioneering global projects program, and its cutting-edge research in such areas as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, and materials science, the university prepares students to put theory into practice to solve important problems around the globe. (www.wpi.edu)

A four-year public, liberal arts and sciences college with a wide variety of programs including business, allied health, biotechnology and teacher education taught by committed, accessible faculty offering engaging research opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students alike. Worcester State College is the only Massachusetts State College to be named a Best Northeastern College by the Princeton Review six years in a row and is nationally recognized for its community service. (www.worcester.edu)