The Vision of the Community College Hub - ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Workforce Development Programs Meet Industry Demands
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Spring/Summer 2021
Bunker Hill Community College Magazine
The Vision of
the Community
College Hub
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Workforce Development
Programs Meet
Industry Demands
in this issue
A Message from the President 7
Congratulations to Power
Dear Bunker Hill Community College Friends and Partners, Utility Program Graduates
EPUT program alumni
It has been a year like no other. Since last spring, the COVID-19
pursue goals in the energy
pandemic has devastated our communities. We shuttered our
industry
physical campuses and went remote in mid-March of 2020. The
10
needs of our students, from the basics to academic and social
support, became more urgent as they strove to complete their
education in isolation. The neglect of our communities over
the last few decades has left social and economic infrastructure
weakened, unable to withstand the onslaught of the pandemic.
Unlocking Potential
The reignition of the Civil Rights Movement in late spring with the
murder of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd pushed us to understand the The Vision of the Community
intolerable historical and social context under which so many of our students live and learn. College Hub
16
Economic disinvestment and systemic racism in our communities of color and communities
of poverty have hollowed out support for our students, their families, and their communities
over time. The pandemic and the anti-racism protests were the twin lightning in the night
that revealed the fractured landscape.
As we emerge from COVID, and see our community’s endurance and strength through Workforce Development
new eyes, we must commit to a more just and equitable recovery—not just the restoration Programs Meet Industry
of jobs, but training for jobs that are sustainable and support the economic expansion of Demands
the local community; not just the restoration of social services, but the restoration of the Short-term training programs
cultural wealth and assets that would see that community thrive and be proud. The events connect employers with
of the past year and a half have left me more convinced than ever that community colleges, skilled workers
and Bunker Hill Community College, in particular, are part of the answers to this recovery,
20
this new social contract with our people. BHCC has always valued the full complexity of
our students and their communities, in addressing their social and economic needs, and
in recognizing their cultural worth. As we prepare our students for a career pathway that
ensures economic mobility, we will continue to nurture within them a deep sense of place
and belonging in honoring their personal history and lived experiences. Internship Pipeline Lessens
Equity Gap
This is a time of learning and critical reflection about our difficult past and our nation’s
history. This is also a time to envision the future and to see our path ahead with new eyes. STEM Internship Initiative
Having come through the darkness of the last year, we know that Bunker Hill Community expands paid opportunities
College is a beautiful crossroads, and a community Hub, where helpers, teachers, and for BHCC students
24
learners gather to serve as one another’s beacon of hope. As our campuses get ready
for the fall semester, we will come together again, and light one another’s way forward.
With optimism and gratitude,
Dream Job
BHCC students and alumni
turn passions into purpose
Pam Y. Eddinger, Ph.D.
President
D E PA R T M E N T S
1
Bunker Hill Community College Magazine | Spring/Summer 2021 | Vol. XVI No. 1
Campus News
Articles featured in the Spring/Summer 2021 edition of BHCC Magazine were adapted
from the Boston on Track: Community Colleges Unlock Potential partnership between
Bunker Hill Community College and Roxbury Community College with WCVB Channel 5.
6
Grants
BHCC Magazine Online 28
Visit bhcc.edu/magazine for exclusive web extras and a more in-depth look into our featured articles. Arts & Culture
campus news
Photo: Oldren Romero and Luz Valdez
Espaillat on Restoring Community
Distinguished Artist and Scholar in Residence prepares for future recovery
in Dominican-American communities affected by COVID-19
istinguished Artist and Scholar translating between both languages, leading workshops, readings, and melodic
in Residence Rhina Espaillat running workshops for students and adults, performances that examine the power of
was a featured artist at the and serving as visiting poet at colleges and words and the ability of art to both enrich
third annual Dominicans on other cultural centers. and transform lives.
the Hill event where she read Earlier this year, award-winning Special guests and segments at
"Seedlings," a new poem she wrote for international magazine of faith, culture, Dominicans on the Hill included a fireside
the occasion. Hosted by Congressman and society Plough Quarterly announced chat between Dr. Anthony Fauci and Karl
Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) as a way to the first annual Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry Anthony-Towns about COVID-19, a tribute
increase engagement and collaboration Award in honor of the achievements of the to loved ones lost in the pandemic by
in Dominican communities across the Dominican-American poet. The award will “La Reina del Merengue” Milly Quezada
U.S., the event focused on restoring be given for an original poem that reflects and “El Caballo Mayor” Johnny Ventura,
the community as we prepare for Espaillat’s lyricism, empathy, and ability to and presentations from poet and author
future economic, educational, political find grace in everyday events. Elizabeth Acevedo, David Ortiz, Lin Manuel
flourishment in a post-COVID-19 world. A founding member of the Melopoeia Miranda, and Oz Rodriguez. n
Espaillat, a former New York City public trio and member of the quintet known as
school teacher, has devoted her time in The Diminished Prophets, Espaillat has atch the Dominicans on the Hill event
W
retirement to writing poetry, short stories, served as the College’s Distinguished Artist at bhcc.edu/magazine
and essays in both English and Spanish, and Scholar in Residence since fall 2019,
BHCC Magazine 1
campus news
See Yourself in STEM
Alumni reflect on STEM Mentorship experiences
BHCC celebrated Massachusetts STEM Week in students from the Massachusetts Institute of
October with STEM alumni reflecting on their Technology (MIT), a Civil Engineering Seminar
experiences with STEM Mentorship partners BioNTech with environmental and geotechnical engineering
US, Merck, and more. From building relationships to company Haley & Aldrich, a presentation on
defining goals, mentorship partners prepare students Biomarkers with Platelet Bio, and panel discussion
for graduate school and beyond by providing students on Virology, Vaccines and the Racial Inequality of
with fundamental skills and real-world laboratory COVID-19 sponsored by the College’s Biology and
experiences to launch their careers in science. Chemistry departments.
The week’s programming featured a Pathways to
Graduate School workshop with Biology graduate Read more about STEM students on Page 26.
BHCC alumni reflected on mentorship experience at Merck
(2018) as part of Mass STEM Week; Panel discussion on
Coronavirus: Virology, Vaccines, and the Racial Inequality of
COVID-19 brings industry experts from BioNTech, Merck,
and the Seaman Laboratory Center for Virology and Vaccine
Research to BHCC community.
2 BHCC Magazine
campus news
Bunker Hill Community College
Receives 10-Year Accreditation
from NECHE
BHCC received a continuation in accreditation status from
the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
in October. The accreditation establishes that the College
has demonstrated it is educationally effective and a good
steward of public resources, and allows BHCC to participate
in Title V Pell grant funding, enabling student access to
federal financial aid. Over 60 percent of BHCC students
receive financial aid to complete their studies. The
continuation in accreditation will dramatically increase
access and degree completion.
The reaccreditation followed a rigorous self-study and peer-
review process that involved faculty, staff, administration,
students, and the Board of Trustees and a virtual visit from
the Commission that found the College in compliance with
the Standards of Accreditation.
Women in Science
“The Commission commends Bunker Hill Community
College for its institutional achievements and its continued
commitment to and focus on student success,” stated the
BHCC hosts second annual LSAMP Day;
Commission in a letter announcing its recommendation for
Partnership brings Covid-19 vaccine forum to the College’s continued accreditation. “The College’s use of
College community local and national datasets, such as Achieving the Dream,
AACC’s Volunteer Framework of Accountability, and BHCC’s
BHCC hosted the second annual Louis
program reviews to inform planning and decision making is
Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
particularly noteworthy.”
(LSAMP) Day promoting women in science
The Commission went on to commend BHCC for its
as part of a grant-funded partnership with
efforts to address the needs of its student community through
UMass Boston in October. New Mexico
initiatives such as the DISH Food Pantry and the Pao Arts
State University Professor Rebecca Creamer,
Center partnership, and noted the success of the College’s
Ph.D., delivered a keynote address sharing
LifeMap and Learning Communities initiatives.
her personal experience as the only woman on the
“The roots of our success reach back a decade to those
Microbiology and Plant Pathology faculty at the University
innovations and early efforts that prepared the path we are
of California.
currently on,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger in a letter
As part of the event, BHCC alumna and UMass Amherst
to the College community. “I want to thank everyone who
doctoral candidate Bridget Benner joined panelists from
contributed to our current success through work in teaching
the National Institutes of Health and Massachusetts General
and learning, student service, and support. We should be
Hospital for a discussion on career pathways in STEM.
very proud and ready to see BHCC through another 10 years
LSAMP Day also featured presentations on career
of service to our students and our community.”
opportunities in biology and chemistry, STEM internship
NECHE is one of seven commissions in the United States
programs, scholarships, and summer research opportunities.
that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis.
This spring, LSAMP hosted a panel discussion on
Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as
COVID-19 vaccines and the importance of community
a whole. The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S.
outreach and awareness. Panelists included Sharon Terry,
Department of Education, accredits approximately 220
CEO, Genetic Alliance; Swati Mukherjee, Ph.D., Associate
institutions in the six-state New England region as well as
Director, Editas Medicine; Kristin Millin, M.D., Physician,
several American-style institutions overseas.
Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin; and
Elisabeth Farnum, M.D., Assistant Medical Director, Warren
Alpert Medical School, Brown University.
BHCC Magazine 3
campus news
DISH Food Pantry
Delivers on Food Access
Pantry reflects on first year and how it's adapted to
a virtual service model
CONGRATULATIONS!
On behalf of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, we are thrilled to
honor you as a 2021 Pinnacle honoree!
President
Please find tools below to help you promote your recognition.
SOCIAL M E D IEddinger
A HANDLES
Receives 2021
@BostonChamber @BostonChamber Pinnacle Award
@Greater-Boston-
Chamber-of-Commerce
@BostonChamber_
EVENT HASHTAGS
#BosBizWomen
Award recognizes achievements in arts
#PinnacleAwards
and education
CREATIVE ASSETS
LINK
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s
Women’s Network SHA R E A BBHCC
named L E L IPresident
NK Pam
DISH Food Pantry partners with SnapChef to deliver pantry orders to students.
Eddinger as a 2021 Pinnacle
LINK Award honoree for
outstanding achievement in Arts and Education.
Since the DISH Food Pantry opened its
The recognition was announced at a virtual
doors on the BHCC Charlestown Campus
ceremony in January where President Eddinger
in the fall of 2019, the pantry has become
shared her story of migrating to the United States
a staple for students and staff by adapting
with her parents who wanted a better education for
to remote operations and consistently
their children. She went on to credit her parents for
reinforcing its mission to deliver information,
her leadership in the community college movement
sustenance and health to the community.
so the next generation of immigrants will have
The following March, just months after the
choices, have language, and see a broader horizon.
pantry opened, the DISH Food Pantry pivoted
“I do my work so every immigrant and native
into action as the BHCC community was
child will have access to affordable, higher education
forced to adjust to physical separation from
and be touched by the grace and power of the arts,”
the campus and each other by offering remote
said President Eddinger.
pick-up and delivery services to students.
The Women’s Network was founded in 1994
“We’ve been operating longer in a
to promote and expand economic opportunities
pandemic than we were open before that,” says Molly Hansen, DISH
throughout the Greater Boston region for all
Food Pantry Coordinator. “We’ve had to find alternative ways to
women in business through shared leadership and
assist students.”
expertise. The Network offers programs that provide
Last spring, the DISH pantry partnered with New England-based
career enrichment and development opportunities
staffing agency SnapChef to deliver food orders and Chromebooks
for women at all professional levels, spotlight the
to BHCC students directly to their homes. The initiative was initially
achievements of women, and promote the positive
funded through the College’s Student Government Association, and
influence women have on the region. Previous
later through MassHire and the Boston Resiliency Fund. As the College
Pinnacle Award honorees include Anita Hill, Sandra
looks forward to welcoming more students back to campus, the DISH
Fenwick, Vicary Graham, Penni McLean Connor,
plans to extend delivery services to students as needed through the
Liz Cheng, and Courtney Scrubs.
summer months.
“Thank you to the Chamber CEO Jim Rooney, and
“We’ve had to be innovative and creative in how we reduce the
Chair Micho Spring, for providing a platform to lift up
stigma associated with food insecurity while at the same time meeting
the contributions of women to the Boston economy,
the diverse needs of our students,” adds Hansen. While the pantry
and to encourage our next generational leaders to
receives monthly deliveries from the Greater Boston Food Bank,
reach up and speak up,” said President Eddinger.
community partners and donors such as long-time donor Stop & Shop,
Food for Free, Food Link and Hope & Comfort allow the DISH to offer
4 BHCC Magazine
campus news
NCMPR Presents
Paragon Award and
Three Medallions
to BHCC
BHCC won a Paragon Award and three
939
medallions from the National Council
of Marketing and Public Relations
TOTAL NEW (NCMPR) for publications created by
INTAKE FORMS the College’s Integrated Marketing and
Communications Division.
2,519 The annual awards recognize
outstanding achievement in design
TOTAL ORDERS and communication at community and
FILLED technical colleges in the United States
and Canada.
641
38,419 TOTAL USERS
Gold
Spring/Summer 2019
Bunker Hill Community College Magazine Medallion
1,066 Whose cultural
wealth is (de)valued
in higher education?
BHCC Magazine
Spring/Summer
TOTAL DELIVERIES
BHCC's Second Annual CECW
Institute, Power and Place 2019
TOTAL POUNDS DONATED (May–December 2020)
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
President Eddinger interviews
Karen A. Stout, Ed.D.,
of Achieving the Dream
weekly specialty items such as cleaning supplies, coffee and tea, and pet food. The
pantry also has been able to provide student parents with diapers and baby food, and
offers toiletries and hygiene items including ethnic hair products designed for
natural and textured hair.
The DISH aims to provide a safe and dignified response to food insecurity for the Silver
campus community. To reduce stigma, Hansen has started to offer Mexican-inspired, Medallion
Asian-inspired, and Italian-inspired meal and recipe kits as part of the DISH offerings,
Academic For the latest
information about
as well as birthday celebration kits complete with frosting, cake mix and candles,
this catalog,
please visit
Catalog
bhcc.edu/catalog
monthly mystery snacks, and holiday items. 2019-2021
L earn more about the DISH Food Pantry and how to donate
to the DISH at bhcc.edu/magazine
Bunker Hill Community College
2019–2021 College Catalog
Outstanding New Professional
at a Two-Year College
Bronze
Medallion
Spring 2020
DISH Coordinator Molly Hansen was awarded the 2021
Bunker Hill Community College Magazine
Outstanding New Professional at a Two-Year College Award
BHCC Magazine
from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA):
Spring 2020
College Student Educators International Commission for
Two-Year Colleges. Hansen has shown dedication to BHCC
students and works to promote the importance of college Bronze
Paragon
Molly Hansen
campuses in providing services and resources so students Vital Signs
struggling to finance their education don't have to decide Nursing faculty revive pulse of
BHCC's Nurse Education Program
“Vital Signs”
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
between skipping meals to make ends meet or losing focus Feature Article
President Eddinger interviews
Peggy Fogelman of the Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum
on their studies. She was recognized at the ACPA National BHCC Magazine
Convention in March. Spring 2020
BHCC Magazine 5
grants
Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions
Title V Grant Supports Pathways to Success through Culturally
Responsive Programming
BHCC received a $2.9M grant institutions and strengthen an institution’s
from the United States ability to serve minority and low-income students.
Department of Education’s The “Pathways to Success through Culturally
Title V: Developing Hispanic Responsive Programming” grant will improve
Serving Institutions (HSI) student achievement and engagement through
“Through this
program and is now Integrated Support Services and Enhanced
designated as an HSI. The Teaching and Learning. funding, BHCC will
grant program was created The Integrated Support Services component be able to implement
by the Department to help institutions expand will revitalize the continuum of support for a multipronged
education opportunities for Hispanic students Hispanic/Latinx students, including onboarding
approach to improve
by increasing and enhancing academic offerings, and enrollment with defined Guided Pathway
program quality, and institutional stability. on-ramps. Student support will continue service and support
This is the second designation and grant through career exploration, goal setting, and for our Hispanic and
awarded to the College by the Department. In 2017 financial-academic-career planning in a culturally Latinx students.”
BHCC received designation and a federal grant responsive and equity-minded environment.
award as part of the Department’s Title III: Asian The Enhanced Teaching and Learning —President Eddinger
American and Pacific Islander Serving Institution component will establish the Guided Pathways
(AANAPISI) program. Eligibility for Title III and with contextualized introductory courses, bringing
Title V designation and funding is dependent on together similar majors and programs of study to
the percentage of the targeted population at an share content and outcomes to create synchronicity
institution, and submission of a proposal to support within the first year of study, and enable students
improvements in educational quality, management to explore career options and participate in
and financial stability at qualifying post-secondary internships, co-ops and shadowing experiences.
BHCC Receives $250,000 Grant from
JPMorgan Chase Focusing on Career Pathways
sociological research methods to find work helped to guide the CPIP program
clarity in their potential career path. to provide integrated career guidance
With a generous $250,000 investment These skills will be even more important to to more BHCC students and additional
from JPMorgan Chase, BHCC launched prepare BHCC students to be competitive BHCC programs.
the Career Pathways Impact Project (CPIP) during the pandemic-induced downturn. "Without good career counseling,
this past year. “We are so grateful to JPMorgan Chase students are unable to progress into the
CPIP seeks to equip traditionally for their support,” said BHCC President workforce easily," said Kristen McKenna,
underserved students with the tangible Pam Eddinger. “The Ethnographies of Dean of Workforce and Economic
skills required to navigate the labor Work framework advances the social Development at BHCC. "This work puts
market, workplace culture, and develop a mobility and equity for our students.” BHCC in the position of solving the supply
better understanding of career pathways. With support from the Harvard Project and demand gap between workers and
The newly developed Ethnographies on Workforce, three graduate fellows from employers that exists in the greater Boston
of Work (EoW) curriculum is being Harvard’s business and policy programs area workforce."
integrated into a pilot of courses at BHCC worked at BHCC last summer to accelerate Ethnographies of Work originated at
with a goal of offering an ethnographic the career pathways agenda. The Harvard Guttmann Community College (CUNY)
and sociological approach to career team focused on the effect of the COVID- as a year-long social science course and
development. From Sociology to 19 pandemic on students’ career planning adapted for community colleges and
Computer Science to Art to Economics and post-graduation job opportunities, high schools and BHCC has expanded it
and Learning Community courses, and how this might shift the College’s to 36 courses and 610 students over the
students use ethnographic and career preparedness strategies. This past year.
6 BHCC Magazine
In 2020, 17 students graduated from the Electric
Power Utility Technology (EPUT) program ready
to pursue their goals in the energy industry after
two years of study and real-world job experience
in the field. The students earned both an associate
of science degree in Electric Technology and a
certificate in Natural Gas Technology.
BHCC Magazine 7
The EPUT program is a partnership 98% 2020 Graduates
of Bunker Hill Community College, hired at Eversource Energy
Eversource, UWUA Local 369 and USW
Local 12004 USW. 80% inducted into the
As their studies came to a close and Honor Society at BHCC
they prepared for the real world—and a
potential career at Eversource or other 70% maintained a
utility company—we spoke with three 3.0 GPA in the program
graduates from the Class of 2020 who
shared their most memorable EPUT $30/Hour average
experiences and goals for the future. starting salary for Energy
and Utility Laborers
Marion Jones, technical training
supervisor and head of the EPUT program,
can be credited with helping to make
the student experience a positive one.
To maintain the program during the
pandemic, Jones, with support from other
members of the Technical Training team,
transitioned to online classes with virtual
labs, which challenged students and
allowed them to grow in new ways.
“Overseeing the EPUT program affords
me the opportunity to focus my efforts on
helping others become the best version of
themselves,” says Jones. “Through EPUT,
we are developing the workforce of the
future, challenging students to take pride
in an unwavering work ethic while always
striving for a standard of excellence both
personally and professionally.”
The EPUT program is designed to
prepare students for a variety of employment
opportunities in electric and gas related
positions. Most graduates go on to have
successful careers at Eversource; the
program boasts a 98% job placement
Brad Cronin
success rate. “Students thrive in this
program because of the strong connection
between academics and career,” said Hometown: Belmont, New Hampshire
Dean of Professional Studies at BHCC Dream job: Eversource Journeyman
Austin Gilliland. “We’re proud to partner Lineworker
with Eversource to support students in a Memorable EPUT experience:
program that furthers their education Participating in the 12-week co-op program
and leads to a fulfilling career.” n alongside Eversource employees was an
invaluable experience and gave me the
To learn more, visit bhcc.edu/eput opportunity to have hands-on training in the
field. I now feel more prepared and excited for
my career and am proud to do my part to help
keep the lights on for our customers. The EPUT
program gave me the confidence I needed and
taught me to never give up on myself.
8 BHCC MagazineMia Dottin
Hometown: Cambridge, Mass.
Dream job: Position in Eversource
Gas Services
Memorable EPUT experience: I had a
hard time finding my place in EPUT until we
had our first natural gas lab. After learning how
to mold and fit pipe with help from employees
in Southborough, I finally saw something that
I was truly interested in and motivated me to
continue in the program. I’m extremely grateful
for all the support I received during my time in
the EPUT program. Having Eversource employees
and other industry leaders believe in me helped
me believe in myself.
Luis Martinez
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
Dream Job: Eversource Underground
Lineworker
Memorable EPUT Experience: I’m
fortunate to have had many unforgettable
experiences during my time in the EPUT
program. Outside of my studies and lab work,
I had the opportunity to serve as a STEM tutor
at the Boston Teachers Union Pilot School in
Jamaica Plain. I am the first in my family to
graduate college and giving back to others is
extremely rewarding. I’m also grateful for the
many unique experiences I had at Eversource,
like participating in events with members of the
Diversity and Inclusion Council and Business
Resource Group. I look forward to starting my
career at a company that values the differences
and unique perspectives that we all have to offer.
BHCC Magazine 910 BHCC Magazine
The community college hub serves as a champion for
innovation in education, social justice, equity, and support
networks for our students to succeed.
Unlocking
Potential
The Vision of the Community College Hub
Insights from the Pandemic
In the past year, community colleges have witnessed the disintegration of
systems and values that have strengthened institutions over the last quarter
century. Through the darkness of the pandemic and the clouded history
of racism and systemic deprivations, Bunker Hill Community College
President Pam Eddinger witnessed not only the power of the student success
movement, but the emergence of a transformation that promises a new
vision of “community” in community college—a new social contract with
the students and the community it serves.
BHCC Magazine 11President Eddinger delivered “Insights from the
Pandemic” at the Annual Dallas Herring Lecture
BHCC President Pam Eddinger presented “Insights from the Pandemic: The Reckoning
and the Hope at Our Nation’s Community Colleges,” at the William Dallas Herring Lecture
in November 2020. In her discourse, she advanced a renewed vision of the community
college as an educational, economic and social hub of the community.
The Herring Lecture is an annual event hosted by the North Carolina State University
College of Education’s Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research
in honor of the visionary, who was instrumental in the formation of the North Carolina
Community College System. Herring was driven by his abiding belief in the potential of
all beings to contribute to the progress of humankind. In advocating for community
colleges, he asked politicians not to underestimate the poor and the underserved and to
recognize they are human beings with immense capacity for creatively contributing to the
progress of civilization. This feature captures highlights of President Eddinger’s lecture.
“Like a flash of lightning in the night, the pandemic...gave
us a stark and unsparing look at the cavernous wealth and
attainment gap before us...” – President Eddinger
Community Colleges Before the the long-standing mission and collective enhanced predictive analytics, technology-
COVID Pandemic belief of community college educators enhanced services and supports with only
Prior to the pandemic, the Community that all students have the potential to modest results.
College Success Movement and its learn and succeed, and sets the
mission-driven research were a dominant expectation that the attainment gap is A Stark Lesson
force centered on improving persistence bridgeable between white, economically It was in the midst of this push for answers
and degree completion, and closing advantaged students, and students at about student attainment, and in the
achievement gaps in marginalized the margins; that students of color, first progression of our understanding about
populations. The movement has grappled generation students, and students caught the factors affecting student success
with these areas of inquiry for more in generational poverty can achieve that the COVID-19 pandemic came on
than two decades, producing a number academic success. It also implies a the scene in March 2020. Like a flash
of different conceptual frameworks promise—a social contract—that academic of lightning in the night, the pandemic
and analyses and an abundance of success will lead to social and economic revealed all the cracks and fissures hidden
pedagogical and technical solutions, mobility, and that social and economic in the landscape, and gave us a stark and
from assessment and accountability in equity is imaginable and reachable. unsparing look at the cavernous wealth
the early 2000s, to the College Scorecard Community colleges have invested in and attainment gap before us, in our Black
and Completion Agenda of the Obama everything from professional development and brown urban communities, in the
Administration in the following decade, for teaching and learning, to growing immigrant communities of our Gateway
to the more recent introduction of the the next generation of leadership, more Cities, and in our poor white communities
Guided Pathways concept. focused data analyses, targeted case in the rural regions. While the struggles of
These frameworks and solutions reflect management and advising, technology- these communities are not new to educators
12 BHCC Magazine77% of students fall within the two lowest
in the field, the depth of the needs, as
well as their systemic and entrenched
nature, now shapes and informs a national
conversation as never before. quintiles of income; generational poverty is
The systemic deprivations predicated
on race, on class, and on the persistent
choice of private profit over public common. Three quarters of students work,
good has eroded our social contract.
The optimism that fuels the mission of many full-time. Three out of five are parents,
community colleges is obscured by the
dismantling of social contracts in related
sectors, in elementary and secondary
half of the parents are single mothers. Last
54% are food
education, in housing and transportation,
in public health, in generational care. surveyed three years ago,
The hope of community colleges in
lifting our students above the attainment
gap, in restoring their social privilege
insecure; 14% are homeless.
and speeding their economic mobility,
becomes fainter when the support network
is frayed in so many other places. The generational poverty is common. Three of their lives. They are adults, with families
lightning bore witness to its disintegration quarters of students work, many full-time. to take care of. They are family strong and
in the hometowns of our students. Three out of five are parents, half of the economically fragile; when money runs
Bunker Hill Community College parents are single mothers. Last surveyed short, college gives way to family, jobs, and
serves students from Boston and the five three years ago, 54% are food insecure; the urgency of survival.
Gateway Cities in the Greater Metropolitan 14% are homeless. When the pandemic hit, the needs
Area. Like many large urban community While the students know higher were immediate, but the deprivations
colleges, 77% of students fall within education is their path to economic and were long-standing. Community colleges
the two lowest quintiles of income; social mobility, college is not at the center have evolved over past decades to
BHCC Magazine 13compensate for systemic disinvestment in partnered with a local nonprofit to deliver marginalized communities we serve;
our communities, building infrastructure groceries to student’s homes, and mailed that our students are economically fragile
on campus to address the lack of support students grocery store gift cards. despite their resilience.
resources in individual families and Faculty worried about the physical and
communities. BHCC has built libraries mental health of their students, and how The Vision of a Just Recovery and
and study commons, computer labs with they were caring for their school-aged the Community College Hub
WiFi, dining commons, clinics, food children as they struggled with their own Community colleges are the social,
pantries, community gathering spaces, studies, and understood when students economic, and educational hubs for our
offices of emergency services, emergency were unable to appear on video in class communities. They are no longer a stand-
housing, mental health counseling, and because they were embarrassed about alone educational institution. As much
many other social services that kept their home environment. as the COVID lightning has revealed the
students connected. Still, close to 800 students fell silent. failure of our social and economic systems
With a promise of open access, and Follow-up surveying showed that logistical in serving our communities of poverty and
the availability of physical, social, and challenges, a digital gap, and separation communities of color, it has also shown
cultural support infrastructure, community from social support were among the us a radical transformation in the nature
colleges are the social and education main reasons for their disengagement. of community college as holistic equity-
hub for the communities served. The Determined that a moment of academic minded institutions promoting community
importance of this physical and social disarray would not undermine a engagement, economic mobility, and
support was validated when campuses student’s achievements long-term, BHCC ultimately, social equity.
closed due to the pandemic. Without a revised academic and financial policies The crack of lightning that was COVID
place to call home, many students went temporarily to provide students with time lit up the inhumane conditions in our
adrift, and our focus shifted to replicating to acclimate and complete their courses. communities, and brought to a crisis
as much of the Hub as possible in a It does not take much to disrupt a point the systemic failures long fed by
virtual environment. learner’s journey—a sick child, a lost racism and marginalization of the poor.
In March 2020, BHCC pivoted 1,700 job, a bad WiFi connection. The Difficult as it is to witness the misery
classes from in-person to remote, providing pandemic revealed what educators and urgent need, BHCC will seize this
students with WiFi, Chromebooks, and attuned to their local communities have moment of clarity to think anew about
laptops. When the College’s DISH Food known for a long time; that equity or the role of colleges in our community,
Pantry closed its doors, the College fairness are rare commodities in the and how we can be agents of change in
Chief Equity and Compliance Officer Nahomi Carlisle Joins BHCC for the 3,000+ employee
agency and acted as an
Carlisle, Esq., to the position values of equity and inclusion integral part of the executive
of Associate Vice President, in the community-at-large, team on diversity and inclusion
Chief Equity and Compliance and within the community goals, program development
Officer, Affirmative Action college movement regionally and planning. She has
Office, and Section 504/ADA and nationally. practiced as an attorney for
Coordinator at the College. more than ten years with
Prior to joining BHCC, the legal background and
In this role Carlisle provides Carlisle served as the Director experience to assist the
vision and leadership in of Diversity & Inclusion/ College in its compliance
the integration of equity ADA Compliance for the work. She has a passion
and cultural wealth into all Massachusetts Department for diversity, equity, and
aspects of institutional life for of Public Health, where she inclusion, and has dedicated
students, faculty and staff, oversaw internal compliance the last several years of her
Bunker Hill Community and will advocate on behalf of with the Affirmative Action / professional career to creating
College welcomed Nahomi the College in forwarding the Equal Opportunity programs sustainable equity.
14 BHCC Magazinethe coming decade. We will explore the “While the students know higher education is
changing future of the Hub—as a place of
convergence, a place of revolution, and
the home of a new social promise with
their path to economic and social mobility,
our students, to honor their histories, to
activate their potential, and claim their college is not at the center of their lives. They
place in the world.
As we look forward toward a post- are adults, with families to take care of. They
pandemic recovery, BHCC will remain
committed to unlocking potential for our are family strong and economically fragile;
students by providing access and ensuring
equity in post-secondary education across when money runs short, college gives way to
a full range of options—from non-credit
workforce training to credit-bearing family, jobs, and the urgency of survival.“
associate degrees and certificates. n
o learn more about the community
T
college hub, visit bhcc.edu/magazine
BHCC Magazine 15Workforce Development
Programs Meet
Industry Demands
Short-term training programs connect employers with skilled workers
16 BHCC MagazineEconomic Impact of COVID-19:
Communities of Color and Poor Hit Harder
• Unemployment rates in Massachusetts have
lowered to 7.4% (as of March 2021), down
from the June 2020 high of 17.7%, while
unemployment rates in communities of
color remain at least 7-8% higher than the
statewide average.
• For those already living in poverty (defined as
an annual household income of less than $27k),
C
unemployment rates hover around 22-23%.
ommunity colleges play a for a new job while
unique role in filling local • In certain neighborhoods, economic recovery collecting unemployment
workforce needs—especially is slow: In Chinatown, unemployment rates are benefits. Scholarships
in Boston, with 90% of BHCC 26.8% and Boston has witnessed a 41% decline may be available through
alumni remaining in Massachusetts in Black-owned business over the past year. our Rapid Recovery and
after graduation. BHCC’s workforce Reemployment program for
development programs have long been these opportunities.
crucial to providing employers with
skilled graduates who are committed professional development programs, Short-Term Training Programs
to improving their lives and their education opportunities, career counseling Looking toward economic recovery from
communities. Now, the COVID-19 services and skilled labor training for the pandemic, BHCC quickly developed
pandemic has made such programs more pre-college and adult learners. These and launched a series of short-term
important than ever. offerings connect skilled labor to careers in training programs designed to help people
The impacts of COVID-19 in industries that desperately need them. who are unemployed or underemployed
communities of color and on those already “Our mission is to provide career and those that need economic mobility get
living in poverty have proven greater than advancement opportunities and
on other segments of the population, and industry-leading training options to
their economic recovery has been slow. our communities,” says McKenna.
Meanwhile, Boston’s essential industries “We focus on closing gaps in the Rapid Recovery and
—information technology, healthcare, current workforce, while furthering Reemployment Program
biotechnology and transportation—are academic success and personal
BHCC’s Rapid Recovery and
working to rebuild and revamp their achievement for our students. And
Reemployment Program is a unique
recruiting efforts. By aligning its workforce because we have the privilege of
grant-funded program that allows
development programs with the needs of supporting diverse, passionate and
students or community members
industry amidst the changes brought on innovative communities, our variety of
impacted by the COVID-19 economic
by the pandemic, BHCC optimizes the program offerings are designed to be
downturn to get back in the game
economic potential for students, workers accessible, progressive and flexible.”
with financially supported training.
and employers. BHCC program offerings range from
Eligible participants will have access to
“Our ultimate goal is to increase Google IT support to personal training
full tuition and materials scholarships,
economic mobility on all fronts so that to dental assistant to HR management.
as well as stipend for successful
students do well and employers do well,” The College also partners with leading
attendance and completion. These
says Kristen McKenna, Dean of Workforce industry experts MassHire Career
short-term trainings will allow a student
and Economic Development. Centers and The Training Opportunity
to study over a shorter period of time,
The College works closely with employer Program to help unemployed
develop skills in a field, and earn an
and workforce partner agencies to provide students develop the skills needed
industry-recognized credential, which
makes them employable quicker.
Learn more at bhcc.edu/training
BHCC Magazine 17to work by learning the skills and earning
an industry-recognized certification.
Part of the College’s Rapid Recovery
and Reemployment initiative, these short-
term training programs include a Cisco
Networking Technology Certification
course that prepares students for a
network administrator position in less
than eight weeks, Information Technology
(IT) Support Technician with A+
Certification, and various certifications
in the health professions. These include
training and certification as a Certified
Nursing Assistant, Certified Professional
in Healthcare Information and
Management Systems, Dental Assisting,
and Medical Interpreting.
“This initiative is BHCC’s response to Through special grant funding, BHCC Certificates for Flourishing IT Jobs
the growing need in our community for will cover the cost of tuition, course In tune with the changing needs of
opportunities to fast-track learning with materials and exam fees for those who the technology market, BHCC recently
an accelerated program and industry- are unemployed, Pell-grant eligible, launched two new IT programs. Last
recognized credentials,” McKenna says. or demonstrate financial need. Career fall the College began offering a five-
The short-term training programs will counseling and job placement support course Google IT Professional Support
be offered Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 will also be provided to students enrolled Certificate as part of Google’s Grow with
at no cost to students who are eligible. in the programs. Google initiative to prepare students for
an entry-level job in the fast-growing field
of IT support. It covers key topics from
troubleshooting and customer service to
Workforce and Economic Development networking, system administration, and
Program Offerings security and operating systems. Students
can complete coursework at their own
• Adult education and college transition programs
pace, and earn their certificate in 2.5
• Test prep courses months with 20 hours per week of work, or
in eight months with six hours per week of
• Online and hybrid certification programs in
work. Training vouchers may be available
Technology and Healthcare
for Massachusetts residents who are
• Career advancement, customized training programs unemployed through MassHire.
and employer counseling Participants in the certificate program
also have the opportunity to learn
• Language Institute with courses in English as a
Second Language (ESL), Spanish and more
• Entrepreneurship and small business support
Learn more at bhcc.edu/workforce
18 BHCC MagazineSomerville English as a Second Language
To support English language learners, BHCC offers no-cost English as a Second
Language classes to low-income Somerville residents through a $250K grant
from the City of Somerville’s Job Creation and Retention Trust Board. The
project, known as Somerville English Language Learners or SELL, is funded
from Google employees with unique
through collaboration with employer partners East Somerville Main Streets, the
backgrounds and perspectives whose
Community Action Coalition of Somerville and The Welcome Program. Designed
own foundation in IT support served as a
for all levels of English language learners, the SELL project focuses on career
jumping-off point for their careers. Upon
readiness, providing students the opportunity to develop customer service and
completion, students are able to apply
job-seeking skills while furthering their language skills.
for entry-level IT positions with industry
employers such as Cognizant, GE Digital,
Hulu, Info Says, Intel and Sprint.
Also, through a collaboration with
Socratic Arts, a leader in cybersecurity environment with the support of a BHCC offers a broad array of courses
training education, BHCC’s office of knowledge industry mentor and extensive and programs geared to in-demand
Workforce and Economic Development online learning resources. Tasks are health careers including nursing,
launched a Cybersecurity Training embedded in the realistic, but fictional, medical imaging, paramedics, pharmacy
Certificate in 2021 to meet growing context of work as an entry-level employee technician, surgical technology, medical
industry demand. Emsi, a national labor of a government operations agency. assisting and interpreting. Certification
analytics firm, recently revealed the Scholarships for this certificate program programs are also available in Phlebotomy,
United States has less than half of the may be available through our Rapid Dental Assisting and EKG Technology.
cybersecurity candidates it needs to keep Recovery and Reemployment program. Graduates of these associate degree and
up with the burgeoning demand. certificate programs are equipped with the
The Cybersecurity program is a Affordable Paths to In-Demand skills and knowledge to find immediate
progression of three courses designed to Health Careers work in high-demand health fields or to
impart a strong foundation of defensive Boston’s healthcare and social assistance transfer seamlessly into health degree
cybersecurity skills in 18 weeks of study industries account for over 18% of total programs to further their education,
at 25 hours per week. In three 6-week employment, with five of the 10 largest ensuring their success in competitive
courses, students learn to think like employers being hospitals, and the health careers now and in the future.
an attacker by exploiting a defense demand for skilled and diverse healthcare Among BHCC’s health programs is
contractor’s website and develop skills in professionals is higher than ever in this our Cardiac Sonography program, the
advanced network traffic analysis, digital pandemic era. BHCC is prepared to only one in Massachusetts public higher
forensics and incident response. meet the growing demand by providing education. This accelerated program
Cybersecurity students work through affordable, quality education in the health prioritizes both quality in-class instruction
1-2 tasks per week in a cloud-based sciences field. and hands-on laboratory training.
Students have the opportunity to work
with industry-grade, state-of-the-art
“Our ultimate goal is to increase economic mobility medical apparatus—including ultrasound
machines, radiological systems, x-ray
on all fronts,” says Kristen McKenna, Dean of imaging technology and remote simulation
equipment—to familiarize themselves with
Workforce and Economic Development, “so that the very technologies they will encounter
in their careers. Many graduates of this
students do well and employers do well.” program work at Boston’s top hospitals. n
BHCC Magazine 19Internship Pipeline
As Massachusetts employers seek to
recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,
labor market experts predict a shortage
Lessens Equity Gap
of skilled employees needed for these
companies to grow and succeed. BHCC’s
Learn and Earn initiative connects
students—many of whom are low-income
and people of color—with paid internship
New Community College STEM Internship Initiative opportunities at Greater Boston’s top
expands paid opportunities for BHCC students corporations, small businesses, and
nonprofit and civic organizations. The
initiative is designed to meet supply and
demand needs by offering students hands-
on experience and the opportunity to
grow their careers while also supporting
20 BHCC Magazinecompanies’ equity goals and diversifying Unlike traditional four-year college civic and cultural organizations such as the
the work force in growing industries. students, BHCC students, like many Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Strong
According to the 2019 Uncovering community college students, work in Women in Action, and All In Energy, to
Hidden Talent report from The Boston addition to taking their classes. Though corporate partners such as State Street,
Foundation, many Massachusetts many BHCC students bring prior work Vertex Pharmaceuticals and HubSpot.
employers, especially those in STEM experience and cultural wealth to their Learn and Earn interns are paid at
industries, report difficulty in hiring skilled internship hosts, students may not have least $18 an hour and provided a travel
workers to fill open positions. Community reliable transportation options to pursue stipend ranging from $200-$650. While
colleges can help by partnering with internship opportunities, have families employer-paid compensation is the
employers to offer work-based learning to support, or lack the time or financial preferred option, many small businesses,
opportunities and internships to close the means to take on unpaid internships— nonprofits, and civic organizations are
gap, and support its students in getting even if the role could lead to employment unable to pay their interns the minimum
their foot in the door. after graduation. wage required for the program. BHCC
Community college students remain Since 2012, BHCC’s Learn and Earn employs a cost-sharing model to
vastly underrepresented in STEM program has provided paid internship supplement wages by securing private
internships, often getting less than 10 opportunities to BHCC students across funding. The model has allowed BHCC
percent of internships matched through a variety of industries. The program to expand Learn and Earn internship
the Massachusetts Life Science Center, has expanded to include more than 50 opportunities to these employers, and with
Clean Energy Center and Mass Tech employer partners ranging from nonprofit, The Boston Foundation grant funding, will
Collaborative. These programs provide
resources and support to stimulate
STEM internships and employment
opportunities in Massachusetts. While
state universities receive $1M annually
Strong Women in Action Spotlight Award
from the Massachusetts state legislature to Learn and Earn Internship Coordinator “SWIA is a wonderful organization,
support internships, no equivalent funding Katie Colello accepted the Strong and we are thrilled to have BHCC
is earmarked for community colleges. Women in Action (SWIA) Spotlight students intern there to gain hands-
The Boston Foundation launched Award on behalf of the College’s Learn on experience,“ said Colello. “The
a new Community College STEM and Earn program and the BHCC organization values our students and
Internship Initiative in 2021 awarding Foundation at the SWIA Annual Gala provides incredible mentorship.“
grants to four local community colleges,
including BHCC. The funding, which SWIA is dedicated to building a strong SWIA provides a wide range of
spans 18 months through the 2021-2022 and effective network of partners programs to meet the needs of
academic year, will support expansion and aims to empower families and the families they serve. Their youth
of existing STEM internship initiatives break the cycle of family poverty in and teen programs are designed to
at the College and provide seed money Massachusetts by promoting pathways empower, engage, and equip the next
for new STEM internship opportunities. to economic independence. generation of leaders to realize their
Through this new initiative, The Boston potential with amazing hands-on career
Foundation aims to connect community exploration, mentorship programs,
college students with better internship simulations, internship opportunities,
opportunities and focuses on removing the workshops, and experiences.
barriers community college students find
in pursuing internships in STEM.
BHCC Magazine 21allow BHCC to expand STEM internship on their areas of expertise, and student interns bring to their organizations as well
opportunities for students regardless of the recruitment. Liaisons will also work with as guides them on how to offer effective
employer’s ability to compensate interns. faculty in their academic division to and equitable support to student interns.
In nearly 10 years of offering Learn and introduce new and revised curricula for Over the 18 months of funding, BHCC
Earn internships, BHCC has learned first- internship courses, and expand capstone will engage the College’s Institutional
hand the necessity of engaging employer and bridge course offerings. Research to make equitable internship
partners in the mission of the program The Boston Foundation initiative will opportunities a high-impact institutional
and building trusting relationships. enable all four colleges that received priority by collecting and analyzing
funding to bring an intentional focus data on STEM internship participation,
to ensuring equity in internship disaggregated by race, gender and STEM
opportunities. BHCC has already revised field, and continually counteracting
its employer orientation program to reflect equity gaps. This work will inform future
The program has the equity and cultural wealth framework. practice and ensure students typically
The program demonstrates to employers underrepresented in STEM fields have
expanded to include the many cultural assets BHCC student access to internship opportunities.
more than 50
employer partners
ranging from
nonprofit, civic and
cultural organizations
and interns are paid
at least $18 an hour.
Faculty play a critical role in developing
meaningful internship experiences and
curricula, and bring industry expertise and
established relationships to the program.
As part of The Boston Foundation’s
new initiative, BHCC will appoint three
faculty liaisons representing the Science,
Engineering, and Computer Science
Departments to support onboarding of
new partners, alignment of required skills
to BHCC curriculum, review student
resumes for technical content based
22 BHCC MagazineYou can also read
