On Our Agenda

Addressing Substance Abuse on Campus

The Chief Student Affairs Officers Committee will hold a daylong conference at the Beechwood Hotel on Friday, April 20, 2012 on "Addressing Substance Abuse on Campus: It's Not Just Alcohol Anymore."  Keynote speaker will be Dr. Jose Lemos of the UMass Medical School.  Luncheon speaker will be Janina J. Kean, president/CEO of Highwatch Recovery Center.  A morning panel discussion and afternooon breakout sessions will round out the day.  Watch for further details and registration information.

Jamaican-American to present spring Consortium concert

Popular Jamaican-American singer Sean Kingston has been chosen to present the 3rd Annual Consortium Spring Concert.  Sponsored by Assumption, Becker, Clark, Holy Cross, WPI, Worcester State, Hanover Theatre and the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, the concert will be held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanover and is open to the public.  More information can be found on the SocialWeb.net.   

Title IX Training offered for college security and other personnel

Title IX: Investigation Training/Best Practices Seminar will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Assumption College.  The 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. event will be led by Attorney Christine Collins of Bowditch & Dewey.  For more information and registration instructions, visit the invitation PDF.

Using iPad Apps for teaching

The Consortium's Faculty Development Committee is planning a workshop for Wednesday, February 15, 2012 on using iPad apps in the classroom.  Stay tuned for further details.

ALANA students to explore personal identity

The Consortium's ALANA Network will host a day-long conference for students of color on February 11, 2012 at Worcester State University.  The 3rd annual conference will explore "Who Am I: Empowering Me to be Me" and focus on the concept of personal identity.  Students must register by January 27 with the office of multicultural affairs on their campus.

College students exhibit artwork in 8th annual show

Student artists at Consortium member institutions will exhibit their work in a juried show February 3 - March 2, 2012.  Sponsored by ArtsWorcester, the exhibition will be hung at the Aurora Gallery, 660 Main Street, Worcester.  An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 3, 6-8 p.m. in the Gallery. 

Connecting with Colleagues through Reflective Practice

A Faculty Development Workshop for Consortium members was held on Friday, February 3, 2012, in the Center for Academic Excellence at Quinsigamond Community College.  Connecting with Colleagues through Reflective Practice: a Hands-on Approach was led by Betsy Zuegg, professor of English and speech at QCC.  

2012 will be Worcester's Year of Sports!

In addition to NCAA Division I, II and III sports and the professional Worcester Tornadoes and Worcester Sharks sporting events, this year Worcester will see regional, national and/or international competitions in tennis, synchronized skating, hockey, rowing, running, cycling, Special Olympics and Little League.  Keep track on our special Sports Year page.

2012 Career Fair to be held at Beechwood Hotel

Career Fair 2012 will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 12 to 3:30 p.m. at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester.  Sponsored by the Career Services offices at Consortium member institutions, the fair will feature 70 employers and graduate schools from across New England.  Geared toward college students, the general public is also welcome to attend;  all attendees should wear business attire and bring resumes.  Employer registration, profiles of participating companies, directions to the Beechwood, and more details are available online.

Higher Education Access Services statistics mount

The Consortium's statewide EOC (Educational Opportunity Center) network served over 7200 individuals in 2010-11. Of these, over 75% were both low-income and potential first-generation college students.  65% were ethnic/racial minorities.  66% of college-ready clients successfully enrolled in postsecondary eduaction programs. 

Educational Talent Search (ETS) served over 800 high risk-high potential students in Worcester, New Bedford and Springfield.  67% were both low-income and potential first-generation college students. 70.5 % were ethnic/racial minorities.  44% were male;  56% female. 98% of high school seniors graduated from high school.  90.5% of college-ready students successfully enrolled in postsecondary education.