Quinebaug Valley Community College has announced the names of 169 students named to the Spring 2022 Dean’s List.

Ashford
Teagan Lynch, Eco Manso – Rich, Rachel Vertefeuille

Baltic
Adam Ritchotte

Bozrah
Hannah Goodwin

Brooklyn
Aya Ashour, Stephanie Bellows, Callista Bibeau, Andrew Blanchard, Emmanuel Blango, Jeffrey Boyette, Savannah Buisson, Kaylin Caissie, Angelique Caouette, Demosthenes Chrisovechotis, Jillian Gibeault, Diana Gonzalez Caraballo, Jennifer Greene, Madeline Guari, Caroline Hamill, Brooke Harrington, Nayomi Herring, Percy Howard, Justin Hubbard, Shawn Jordan, Heriberto Luciano, Moriah Marquis, Nicole Maxim, Logan Moyer, Abisai Rodriguez, Ricardo Roman, Afetion Sejdiraj, Emma Turner, Emily Zmayefski

Canterbury
Shayla Ames, Bernardo Barron, Emma Curtis, Bryna Ford, Chelsea Hart, Skyla Lindell, Matthew Moffitt, Stefanie Thetreault

Central Village
Haylie Bergeron, Sean Sweeney, Amy Sweet

Danielson
Jasmine Alvord, Riley Brunsdon, Lisa Cote, Angel Lewis, Jordan Mahon, Mariah McMaster, Colby O’Donnell, Bryce Pratt, Adrianna Riddick, Meagan Sullivan, Samantha Swenson, Ian Torrey, Victoria Trudeau-Mungham, Ethan Vernon, Abbigale Whitehead, Chelsea Williams

Dayville
Mandi Beckman, Sable Beley, Sabrina Berard, Sarah Brennan, Karagen Crowe, Sierra Duplisea, Hannah Kipp, Chase LeClerc, Krystal Maclure, Courtney Miranda, Colin Nadeau, Christopher Perry, Kayla Trickel, Amy Tucciarone

Eastford
Zoe Marshall

Enfield
Michele Girard

Griswold
Yvonne Dupuis, Tiffany Lee, Melissa Thibodeau

Hampton
Danielle Greene, Jessica Woody

Jewett City
Heather Emerich, Stephanie Orlinski

Killingly
Samantha Veglia

Moosup
Sarah Chamberland, Candace Ciotola, Benjamin DelleFave, Piotr Malinowski, Kennedy Shippee, Jessica Williams

North Grosvenordale
Hannah Bergeron, Jaylen Brinson, Bryan Erickson, Lindsey Houghton, Tyler Persson, Stephen Scrapchansky, Lukas Skaradowski, Gianna Stoico

Norwich
Margaret Babb

Pawcatuck
Lydia Miner

Plainfield
Michael Banning, Jesse Fultz, Emily Goyette, Elenore Jolley, Ryan Saros, Cade Wolak

Pomfret Center
Remi Benton, Iryna Huling, Ryan Lewis, Robert Manifold, Shelby Pendleton, James Phongsa, Kassidy Walden

Putnam
Eric Boucher, Joshua Brodeur, Carissa Gaugh, Anna Ionkin, Trevor Lewis, Haddijatou Mbye, Emma Nazario, Jordyn Poole, Haley Russo, Angela Sanchez, Noah Tomkins, Alison Tourtellotte, Dylan Varner, Misty Williams

Rogers
Aleksiy Ryan Lilov

South Windham
Kevin McGeary

Sterling
Hannah DeAngelis, Erin DeRouin, Maggie Fallon, Stacey Glaude, Megan Hart, Cody Jackson, Garrett Salisbury, Faith Smith, Ryan Young

Thompson
Regina Cross, Alyssa Leveille, Julia Paquette, Justine Petrella, Nicholas Prouty, Ian Rawson, Katrina Suibielski

Uncasville
Emily Mirante

Willimantic
Owen Delgado, Peter Gelinas, Maximiliano Navarro Romero, Stephanie Vellon, Patrick Walker Ayala

Windham
Katarzyna Shamshad

Woodstock
Paige Audet, Olivia Burrell, Antonia Carminati, Cody Currie, Haley Farley, Melissa Fish, Matthew Gianfriddo, Benjamin Green, Payton Peterson, Rebekah Rowe

Woodstock Valley
Tarryn Desrosiers

Dudley, MA
Brandon Johnson, Brett Spiewakowski

New Bedford, MA
Britney Cabral

Cranston, RI
Jessica Matthias

After two years of virtual and drive-through graduation ceremonies, Quinebaug Valley Community College was pleased to recognize the Class of 2022 with an in-person commencement on the evening of May 26. Nearly 200 graduates crossed the walkway of the Richard C. Berry Amphitheater, located on the grounds of the Danielson campus, to receive their degrees and certificates in QVCC’s 50th Commencement ceremony. Congratulations, Class of 2022!

CEO’s Award
Awarded to the degree graduate with the highest academic average and at least 45 credits earned at QVCC.
– Caroline Elizabeth Miano Hamill  (Liberal Arts and Sciences, 52 credits, 3.98 GPA)

4.0 Graduates
Awarded to the degree graduates with a 4.0 average and at least 30 credits earned at QVCC.
– Sumeyra Yavuz (Medical Laboratory Technician)
– Robert Manifold (Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology)

List of Graduates

Ashford
Sarah Elizabeth Lopez, Katie Elizabeth Renaud, Rachel A. Vertefeuille

Baltic
Adam Joseph Ritchotte

Brooklyn
Aidan Erick Anderson, Laura S. Bates, Eric Anthony Borkiewicz, Angelique Marie Caouette, Emily Ann Colangelo, Kathia Nicolle Gonzalez Caraballo, Caroline Elizabeth Miano Hamill, Nayomi Rebecca Herring, Ryan A. LaRose, Devin Edward Markley, Aidan James McGennis, Alexa L. Michalski, Jesse A. Paprota, Madison Kela Rattray, Tiahma Latreece Rawls-Centeno, Robert Reaves, Afetion Sejdiraj, Adam Raymond Shinkiewicz

Canterbury
Adam Charles Exley, Chelsea Mae Hart, Colette Christina Marchand, Matthew Ethan Moffitt, Katherine Hannah Otto

Central Village
Sean Patrick O’Brien Sweeney, Amy L. Sweet

Columbia
Kelly A. Spooner

Coventry
Miranda Caroline Bragdon, Abbie Rae Bragdon

Danielson
Jasmine S. Alvord, Jenna Leigh Blanchard, Melissa S. Clark, Lisa M. Cote, Abigail Rose Duprey, Jennifer Cecile Farquharson, Renée Theresa Gates, Ibrahim Kamara, Jordan Alyse Lawrence, Jordan Phillip Mahon, Ethan Jeffrey Miller, Danilo S. Palenzuela, Ethan Charles Sheldon, Brianna G. St John, Khone S.K. Thoummany, Ian J. Torrey, Brendan Trajanowski, Evan R. Zach

Dayville
Kristina Kelly Ballou, Mandi Lynn Beckman, Stephanie Marie Benoit, Emily A. Berard, Jennifer K. Brisson, Richard John Demars, Carson Everett Hadley, Jeffery Joseph Hemmig, Hannah Elisabeth Kipp, Abigail Nadial-Reine, Dana Lee Normandie, Hannah Grace Pouliot, Jarrica Dee Rainville, Amy Lyn Tucciarone, Madisen Jean Ventura

Eastford
Amy Elisabeth Ayer

Enfield
Michele Girard, Lina M. Mistry

Griswold
Mary E. Hayden, Tiffany Lee

Groton
Amanda Lynn Abbott, Paul Robert Neville

Hampton
Emily Elizabeth Schmidt, Mackenzie Fenton Silk, Jessica Marie Woody

Hebron
Chris Jadier Carrero Concepcion

Jewett City
Maryam Arshad, Emily Renee Brown, Heather Renee Emerich, Vincent Thomas Valenti

Killingly
Samantha Marie Veglia

Lisbon
Rohankumar H. Patel

Mansfield Center
Stacie Eve Digby, Alicia E. Jimenez Vargas, Marisol Prather, Naomi J. Soderberg

Marlborough
Erica J. Troiano

Moosup
Taya Alexis Beaudoin, Bonnie Jean Chambers, Kyla Grace Kampf, Tavy Lim, Piotr K. Malinowski

New London
Rebecca Taylor Richards

North Grosvenordale
Lacey B. Allard, Rebecca Jeanne Giles, Kevin David Gomes, Sylwia Marzena Helwig, Savannah Lynn Loiselle, Jennifer Lynn Perry, Tyler James Persson, Gianna Marie Stoico, Sara Elizabeth Watson

North Haven
Sumeyra Yavuz

Norwich
Christie Lynn Hughes

Oneco
Jesse Caitlyn Gunn, Jakob Labutti

Plainfield
Alyssa Yvonne Aubin, Michael John Hattayer, Bernadette Rose Michaud, Cassandra Lynn Miller, Gianna Nicole Pellegrino, Timothy Petrides, Jennifer Lynn Spinney, Ian Hans Wichmann, Cade Michael Wolak

Pomfret Center
Sydney Colleen Feragne, Iryna Huling, Abigail Adele Kruger, Ryan Anthony Lewis, Robert John Manifold, Noah Alexander McNamara, Shelby L. Pendleton

Putnam
Jordan I. Alexander, Morgan Therese Blackmar, Selena J. Cordero, Lauren Elizabeth Deery, Patricia A. DeTorio, Victoria Dias, Darren E. Dionne, Carissa Elizabeth Gaugh, Brittany Ann Kallio, Ismail Ahmed Kiani, Heather Nichol King, Cari-Ann Palmer, Jordyn A. Poole, Dylan Richard Varner, Misty Lynn Williams, Tyson R. Winchell

Rogers
Aleksiy Ryan Lilov

Somers
Nikki Burnett

Sterling
Tyler Nicholas Adams, Erin Sue DeRouin, Sarah Faith Dexter, Stacey Ann Glaude, Cody Moon Jackson, Annastacia Harmony Schneider, Mandy Lee Shaw, Angela Parent Stone, Olivia Hayden Tetreault, Ryan Wadsworth Young

Storrs Mansfield
Steven Thomas Gagne

Taftville
Kaytlyn Marie Betters

Thompson
Maya Melynda Blair, Travis James Cournoyer, Mikenzi Rose LaBonte, Nicholas H. Prouty, Katrina Lynn Suibielski, Mary Catherine Walsh

Voluntown
Adam Dale Eaton

Waterbury
Jonathan D. Fullbright

Willimantic
Shani Alyceea Acevedo, Michelle Nair Aguayo Castro, Melanie J. Alicea Del Rio, Craig Arthur Bakke, Chiricahua Eaglewolf Cochise, Owen O. Delgado Marquina, Giselle Soe Galarza, Gabriela Kristal Lopez Barreto, Doralis Lozano-Santiago, Bryan Eduardo Martinez, Kenia Marie Morales, Jayshelly Ochoa, Eduardo Perea Hernandez, Lysette Rojas, Brandy Elizabeth Shirley, Patricia Ann Todd, Megan R. Trueblood, Patrick Antonio Walker Ayala

Windham
Milagro Velasquez-Argueta, Dylan Ryan Werth

Woodstock
Paige Anne Audet, Robert J. Baldino, Aaron Michael Blanchflower, Samantha Dawn Eddy, Aria P. Gianfriddo, Hannah G. Hagstrom, Audrey Carolyn Helmetag, Ryan T. Latour, Dylan John Martin, Jarod Ryan Martin, Molly Emeline Millix, Zachary Alan Mowry, Payton Appel Peterson, Jed Daniel Rategan

Woodstock Valley
Abigail K. Kilburn

Charlton, MA
Johnathan Scott Tucker

Dudley, MA
Jillian Mable Gibbs, Brandon C. Johnson

Springfield, MA
Erika S. Phillips

Burdett, NY
Isaiah I. Bard

Coventry, RI
Kerrie L. Karowski

Harrisville, RI
Taylor Maria Castano

Quinebaug Valley Community College will hold its 50th Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 6 pm at the Richard C. Berry Amphitheater, located on the grounds of the Danielson campus. Approximately 200 students are expected to receive degrees and certificates.

This year’s speakers will include:
• Terrence Cheng, CSCU President
• Alexa Michalski, National Anthem soloist and graduating student
• Sarah Wolfburg ’02, Alumni Speaker
• Hannah Kipp, Student Speaker
• Linda Colangelo ’03, Keynote Speaker

Michalski, who enjoys drawing, sculpting, and performing arts, is graduating with an Associate of Arts in Visual Arts and plans to attend Eastern Connecticut State University to pursue her goal of becoming an art teacher.

Wolfburg, who is a 2002 graduate of QVCC, went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. After returning to Connecticut, Sarah first worked for Villager Newspapers before becoming the first Executive Director for Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW). Sarah then returned to QVCC in 2020, accepting the Director of Alumni Relations role, twenty years after she first began studying at the college.

Kipp, who served as a member of the Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and was a tutor in the Learning Center, is graduating with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences. She plans to attend Eastern Connecticut State University in the fall as she works towards her ultimate goal of becoming an occupational therapist.

Colangelo, a proud 2003 QVCC graduate, is a caregiver, public health educator, skilled communicator, freelance writer, and professional vocalist. She has enjoyed a life-long love affair with northeast Connecticut, contributing her skills, time, and talent to a number of community causes and callings. She will be delivering the ceremony’s keynote address.

Steven and Marjolaine ’87 ’88 Townsend will also be receiving the Quinebaug Valley Community College Merit Award, which recognizes extraordinary service or lifetime commitment to QVCC. Steven Townsend is a nationally recognized business leader who co-founded United Natural Foods (UNFI) in Danielson, CT. A long-time member of the QVCC Foundation, in 2012 Steve was honored with emeritus status for his “extraordinary contribution to the Foundation’s mission.” Marge Townsend is an active community volunteer whose hard work and dedication has helped many from our community. Steve and Marge are both proud Putnam High School graduates and both started their college career at QVCC. Steven went on to graduate from Bryant University, earning both a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA in Management and Information Systems. Marge graduated from Quinebaug Valley Community College with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts: General Studies and an Associate of Science in Accounting.

The Danielson campus is located at 742 Upper Maple Street. The ceremony will be held outside at the Richard C. Berry Amphitheater. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets, as seating is not available. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place at The Woodstock Academy field house, located at 57 Academy Rd, Woodstock, CT 06281. Tickets will be limited to six per graduate. A decision will be made by 12 noon on Monday, May 23 if there is a change in venue. Additional information about the ceremony can be found on the college website at qvcc.edu/commencement.

Quinebaug Valley Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) will host a Women in Manufacturing Day, in celebration of Women’s History Month. On Friday, March 25 from 8:30am – 1:00pm, young women from area high schools will speak with a panel of QVCC AMTC alumnae that are currently working or have worked in a variety of manufacturing careers. Following the panel discussion, students will be split into groups. Each group will be accompanied by several AMTC alumnae to complete the following hands-on workshops:

• Making a brass whistle using the manual lathe and milling machines
• Making a personalized tag using the CNC machines
• Working with a 6-axis robotic arm
• Completing a 3D printer and laser engraving project in the engineering lab

Both visiting high schools are currently participating in the Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (YMPI) program, which is part of the Eastern CT Manufacturing Pipeline. The program is a partnership between various area high schools and the Eastern Workforce Investment Board (EWIB), Electric Boat (EB), Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance (EAMA), Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC), and Three Rivers Community College (TRCC).

This program offers manufacturing skills training to high school students who are interested in a career in manufacturing upon graduation. Students who successfully complete the program will also earn manufacturing credits to QVCC (or TRCC) if they choose to continue their manufacturing education.

“Women in Manufacturing is an opportunity for young ladies to learn about all the great career opportunities that wait for them in manufacturing,” said Jodi Clark, Assistant Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. “If young ladies want to save lives, they can do that through manufacturing. If they want to help change the environment, they can do that in manufacturing too. The sky is the limit. Women have a place in manufacturing! Our goal is to show the ladies that girls can do anything!”

Learn more about QVCC’s Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics programs at qvcc.edu/manufacturing. For more information about the event, please contact Jodi Clark at jclark1@qvcc.edu.

Have you always wanted to go to college? Are you looking for a new career or the right career for you? Do you need help figuring out your next steps? QVCC is the place to find yourself and your path. Attending Open House on Wednesday, March 30 @ 6 pm is the best way to discover why QVCC should be your choice for starting, continuing, or finishing your college education. Space is limited, so register now at qvcc.edu/openhouse!

Alumni & Student Panel Q&A:
• Get the student perspective
• Includes Q&A

Learn about our programs:
• Allied Health, Business, Computer Science, Human Services, Liberal Arts, Manufacturing, STEM, Transfer Pathways, Visual Arts, and more!
• Staff & faculty will be on-hand to answer questions

Learn about paying for college:
• Financial Aid
• PACT Free Community College
• Scholarships

Tour the campus & apply on the same day:
• If you apply to the college and attend Open House, you may win the $1000 scholarship!

For more information, contact QVCC Admissions at admissions@qvcc.edu.

The following is a message from Terrence Cheng, CSCU President:

Today marks two years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I want to thank all of you for all you have done to support our students and institutions over the last two years and your continued efforts to ensure we have a safe and vibrant spring semester.

Several weeks ago, as I reviewed plans for the balance of the semester with campus leaders, we thought we would have to stay the course with our virus mitigation strategies. I am pleased to say that the state is turning the corner on the virus, and we therefore can relax our pandemic response, including ending the mask mandate effective Monday, April 4, 2022 for all 17 CSCU institutions and system office.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state Department of Public Health (DPH) have issued updated guidance and mandates which have lifted restrictions on public activities. In particular, the CDC’s new metrics related to the virus have deemed that all of Connecticut is at low risk of spreading of virus. Given these changes in guidance and through conversations with DPH, campus leaders, and COVID Coordinators, our consensus is that we are ready to relax our current protocols. Furthermore, although we had an agreement with the bargaining units on COVID mitigation strategies for the fall semester we did not execute an agreement this spring to continue those strategies.

Our campuses will now shift from pandemic emergency response to routine disease prevention.  Campus leaders and their teams will continue to monitor state and federal guidance and the community virus conditions. They will be prepared to reinstate mitigation strategies as needed to respond to upticks in cases if and when they occur this spring and in future semesters.

On April 4, the COVID reopen plans that were developed in June 2020 will expire. Effective that day, the mask mandate will come to an end. The campuses will shift to a “mask-optional” protocol. No employee has the authority to mandate the use of masks by others. However, mask wearing remains an effective prevention strategy against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, and we fully support and expect all employees and students to respect those who choose to continue wearing masks. Our COVID Coordinators will continue to make masks available for employees and students who want them.

In addition, we will remove physical distancing restrictions in areas such as lounges, cafeterias, conference rooms, and other non-academic setting. However, in most instances, current classroom arrangements will remain as set for the remainder of the semester. Campus leaders are encouraged to plan for more in-person activities including commencements and other special events this spring as well as a full schedule of in-person courses, meetings, convenings, etc. for the summer and fall.

Lastly, we will end weekly testing of employees and students and individual case contact tracing, effective April 1, 2022. We have made provisions to continue PCR testing on campus for any employee or student who wants access to testing through April 1, 2022. In addition, COVID Coordinators will have antigen tests available for those who are concerned about their potential exposure to the virus and would like access to a rapid test.

We expect employees and students to continue to self-monitor their health and stay home whenever they have COVID-like symptoms and follow current CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation. Employees and students who test positive should continue to follow the campus process for notification. Human Resources, Health Services, or the COVID Coordinator, as appropriate, will determine the quarantine and isolation expectations, confirm when it is safe to return to campus or classes, and notify close contacts as needed.

Thank you again for all your hard work over the past two years.  I am very excited that we’ve reached this point and can move forward having learned many lessons along the way about how to support our institutions, our employees and most importantly our students through a public health crisis.

Sincerely,

Terrence Cheng
President, CSCU

Quinebaug Valley Community College will host a panel discussion, “International Women’s Day 2022: #BreaktheBias” from 5:00 to 6:20 pm on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in the Fireside Lounge on QVCC’s Danielson campus, located at 742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson, CT. The event will also be livestreamed to our Willimantic Center at 729 Main Street, Willimantic, CT. The event, organized by the QVCC Cultural Programming Committee, will feature three guest speakers: New London City Councilwoman Reona Dyess, singer-songwriter Lara Herscovitch, and QVCC student Yasmin García-Juárez. Student Government Association President Dana Normandie will facilitate.

Reona Dyess, Councilwoman and President Pro Tempore of New London City Council is a member of the National Association for the Advance of Color People, The National Council of Negros Woman, the League of Women Voters, the Lion Club and the Kiwanis Club of New London. Dyess also serves as executive director of The Center: A Drop-In Community Learning and Resource Center Inc., as a member of the Board of Directors of Connecticut Storytelling, Expressiones, and St. Francis House, and as a youth advisor for the New London Linwood Bland NAACP Youth Council. Dyess is a founding member of the Steering Community of the Community Land Trust. Known as “Ms. D,” she enjoys being a grandmother to Rishad and a voice for families and children in her community.

Lara Herscovitch is a singer-songwriter-poet-performer gem, leading with authenticity, integrity, humor, and heart. As The Boston Globe describes, she brings “a luminous voice and a buoyant stage presence… big-hearted lyrics embrace the sum of life…” Former Connecticut State Troubadour, Sound Waves Magazine called her work “expertly written prose… songwriting at its best… good for your ears AND your soul.” Find out more about Lara at www.LaraHerscovitch.com.

Yasmin García-Juárez came from Mexico when she was 15 years old. She is a mother of three, a full-time worker, and a part-time college student. She began taking classes at QVCC in 2016 and earned her ESL( English as Second Language) Proficiency Certificate in 2020. She is now focusing on completing her medical assisting degree and expects to graduate in 2023.

International Women’s Day (March 8) has been observed annually across the globe for over a century to “celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women” and to “accelerate women’s equality.” The theme for this year’s day is #BreaktheBias. More information can be found at www.internationalwomensday.com.

The panel discussion is sponsored by the Quinebaug Valley Community College Cultural Programming Committee.
For more information contact Jon Andersen at jandersen@qvcc.edu or Norly Germain at ngermain@qvcc.edu.

Current and Future Students Can Apply February 1 – March 11, 2022

The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation is pleased to kick off the annual scholarship application period.  $130,000 will be awarded to students who will be attending QVCC as of the fall 2022 semester. The Foundation continues to support low or no-cost tuition to the residents of Windham County.

Chair of the 2022 Foundation Scholarship Committee and QVCC graduate Mark Light ’02 stated, “Thanks to the support of many donors, the QVCC Foundation will award over $130,000 to local students this year. The average scholarship is $1,500 and the process to apply only takes about 60-minutes. How many of us can say that we earned $1,500 for an hour’s work? We know these funds can help many students achieve their educational dreams and encourage current high school students, returning QVCC students, and PACT eligible students to apply.”

It is a short process to apply for a wide range of scholarships through an online application. The scholarship period begins Tuesdays, February 1 and ends on Friday, March 11. Apply and learn more at www.QVCC.edu/scholarships.

BEGIN THE SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS

Scholarship applicants are screened by an impartial committee from the QVCC Foundation. Recipients will be notified by members of the QVCC Foundation by April 20.

Questions should be directed to the QVCC Financial Aid department, 860.932.4003

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