Category: All News

“Waiting for Yoko”: A Celebration of the Art of Resistance, featuring the internationally recognized poet Martín Espada, will be held Wednesday, March 28, at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson. The event, which runs from 6 to 9 pm, includes local musician and Quinebaug Middle College Principal Gino LoRicco, Windham/Willimantic NAACP Chapter President Leah Ralls, and activist/musician Miles Wilkerson. An open mic follows the featured performances.

Espada has published almost 20 books as a poet, editor, essayist and translator, most recently the poetry collection Vivas to Those Who Have Failed (Norton 2016). His many honors include the Shelley Memorial Award, the National Hispanic Cultural Center Literary Award, and the American Book Award. The Republic of Poetry was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His book of essays, Zapata’s Disciple (1998), was banned in Tucson as part of the Mexican-American Studies Program outlawed by the state of Arizona. A former tenant lawyer in Greater Boston’s Latino community, Espada is a professor of English at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

A multi-talented musician, LoRicco plays the guitar, banjo, harmonica, djembe, cajon and the garbage can, and writes and records original music. Ralls, a social worker and longtime advocate for those suffering from homelessness, addiction, and mental illness, is currently the president of the Windham/Willimantic chapter of the NAACP. Wilkerson is a local activist, scholar, and musician, who has most recently led anti-racist actions in response to the white supremacist attacks in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Waiting for Yoko Series is named for Yoko Ono, an artist, author and peace activist, who is invited to each event and has sent a letter of greeting. So far, she has not attended. “This reading series never fails to disappoint. This is a place where great art, world-class poetry, and new student voices come together in an almost magical way” says Professor of English Brian Kaufman.

Sandwiches and light refreshments will be provided and the public is invited to attend. For more information please contact Jon Andersen, professor of English  at jandersen@qvcc.edu or 860-932-4054.

Released March 20, 2018

Women in Government: How they ran. How they won. is the topic of a Women’s History Month panel discussion to be held Monday, March 26, at 12:30 pm at Quinebaug Valley Community College.

Participating in the panel will be Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, State Representative Anne Dauphinais, Pomfret First Selectwoman Maureen Nicholson, and Windham Town Councilwoman Rose Reyes.

The discussion will examine the reasons they chose to run for office, how they marketed themselves while campaigning, what physical, mental and emotional challenges they faced, and how they won their races.

The event takes place in the Auditorium at the Danielson Campus. For additional information, contact Karla Desjardin at 860-932-4106.

Released March 19, 2018

“The Ides of March” – plein air painting by Mona Stratos, is on exhibit at the Spirol Art Gallery at Quinebaug Valley Community College through April 6.

Stratos’s landscape paintings of oil on linen feature many areas in rural Connecticut as well as the coasts of Massachusetts and Maine. Her energetic and broad brushwork combined with well-defined patterns of light and shadow convey a peaceful atmosphere in her paintings.

A reception for the artist will be held Thursday, March 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.

Released March 12, 2018

Sue Spencer and Cindy Shirshac received the following note from Jeffrey Trawcik-Smith, Phyllis Waite Endowed Chair and Professor of Early Childhood Education, at Eastern Connecticut State University:

“. . . what an honor it has been to work with all of you and to meet the great students you send our way. Your students come to us with both remarkable knowledge and a true understanding of the early childhood culture and teach our conventional four-year college students so much. You do such important work and it is my sincere hope that the state, its policy makers, teachers, childcare providers, and families recognize what you contribute to Connecticut’s children.”

March 2, 2018

Will be taught by John Miller, president and CEO of National Chromium

If you dream of running your own business or have a business that needs to update its blueprint for success, Building Your Business Plan is the workshop to enroll in. It will be held at Quinebaug Valley Community College on three Monday evenings in April from 6 to 8 pm.

The workshop was developed and will be taught by John Miller, president and CEO of National Chromium Company, Inc., and former director of human resources for Day Kimball Healthcare. Using his experience and expertise, the instructor will guide students through the best practices in developing and communicating a successful business plan. With classes held every two weeks — April 2, 16, and 30 — students will have time to fine-tune their proposals using the lessons learned in the previous week.

This workshop comes with a special introductory cost of $99. Seats are limited and early registration is recommended. For more information or to register, call the Continuing Education hotline at 860-932-4005.

Released March 1, 2018

QVCC’s Beta Beta Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa had a very successful fall semester earning Two Star Status for 2017.

Phi Theta Kappa chapters have five levels of engagement that progress from local, campus involvement to regional involvement to international involvement. The Five Star Chapter Plan is the roadmap guiding the chapter through the levels.

Reflecting the scholarly ideals of Phi Theta Kappa, the Plan serves as a blueprint for developing a strong chapter and for earning local, regional, and international recognition.

PTK participated in the following projects and activities: winter clothing drive, C4 event to encourage college completion, Food Box project – filled food boxes around campus and held a Winter Benefit concert which raised $306, and the New England Regional Conference at Cape Cod Community College.

Congratulations to the dedicated officers and members of PTK on their achievement!

2/22/18

Quinebaug Valley Community College will host the Core Ensemble’s performance of Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance on Thursday, February 22, at 12:30 pm in the Robert E. Miller Auditorium.

A chamber music theatre work, Of Ebony Embers celebrates the lives of the great African American poets, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Claude McKay, as seen through the eyes of the great muralist and painter Aaron Douglas.

The musical score includes works by jazz giants Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Billy Strayhorn, Thelonius Monk, and Charles Mingus, as well as concert music by Jeffrey Mumford and George Walker.

Of Ebony Embers features actor Dracyn Blount as Aaron Douglas, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen, with Byron Sean on piano. A question and answer period with the performers concludes the program.

This Black History Month performance is sponsored by On Cue: Culture and Conversations at QVCC. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.

Released February 13, 2018

January 25, 2017

Dear Members of the 115th Congress,

Once again, we here in higher education are watching as the lives and futures of some of our hardest working students are put on hold in a partisan political fight. This is having a devastating impact on our campus communities, and the ability of these undocumented students to pursue their educations.

At the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, we have hundreds of DACA and undocumented students who are striving to earn their degree and achieve a piece of the American dream. While most of these students are from Connecticut, we also host DACA students from all over the country who are on academic scholarship funded by the private The Dream.US. Many of these students work to help support their families and are active members in their local communities, while juggling the responsibilities necessary to excel in their studies. They do all of this while living with the constant fear that their families could be deported at any moment. They are watching DACA’s March 5th expiration date fast approaching, with still no action from Congress.

This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. This is about supporting young Americans who are doing everything we ask our young people to do. They simply want to continue to live safely in the only country they have called home. A recent CBS News poll found that 87% of Americans support legal protections for undocumented immigrants brought here as children.

The fundamental responsibility of a public education institution is to foster learning, innovation, and strong communities for any student willing to put in the work to learn and achieve. We have and will continue to fight for DACA students because they are an essential part of our CSCU community, our neighbors, our friends, and our family.

Fortunately, the members of our Connecticut delegation have been strong supporters of our DACA students. We urge them to continue fighting for what is right, and what the majority of the American people support. On behalf of our students, I hope others have the courage to do the same.

Respectfully,

Mark E. Ojakian
President, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

Quinebaug Valley Community College has announced the names of 214 students named to the fall semester dean’s list. For a printable PDF of the dean’s list, click here >>

Ashford:
Amanda E. DeMaire, Connor J. Grimason, Zulma D. Montalvo, Tyler J. Smith, Marcella L. Vertefeuille

Brooklyn:
Justin M. Becker, Dean C. Campanaro, Cheryl L. Clark, Mary J. Coraccio, Summer L. Coraccio, Rafael J. Crespo, James S. Dinnauer, Marrisa J. Herring, Sherry A. Lowe, Sarah H. McMerriman, Pamela P. Mello, Rory C. O’Toole, Michael A. Perry, Barbara A. Rainville, Robert C. Tuttle, Katrina R. Zannini

Canterbury:
Julianne Alice, Romona L. Clauson, Courtney J. Knudson, Adam J. Roberts, Madison E. Sajkowicz, Justin R. Sulich

Central Village:
Adelyn C. Shellenberger

Chaplin:
Jessica L. Beaulieu, Kristina L. Davenport, Dylan L. Milhomme, Neel H. Patel

Coventry:
Catsy A. Turre

Danielson:
Tammy L. Adams, Ryan W. Ballard, Robert B. Challinor Jr., Judith R. Chatelle, Analia J. Correa, Linsey A. Diamond, Emily R. Ernest, Alexander D. Hopkins, RoxAnn Huckaby, Vicki Kapilotis, Lisa M. Long, Viengsamay Maligna, Sheana M. Pimentel, Angie M. Prindle, Michaela A. Raymond, Abigail M. Roberts, Isabel Rodriguez-Mendez, Rachelle E, Roose, Joseph Shaw, Tori R. Singer, Ashley N. Spalty, Anthony J. Sychevsky, Carrie L. Tetreault, Joseph T. Thivierge, Jacqueline R. Varin, Edward M. Walsh, Joseph M. Wetherbee

Dayville:
Nicole Abbott, Nicholas E. Allaire, Stacy M. Baranski, Jeremy R. Billings, Louis R. Bousquet, Jennifer E. Crossman, Kyla P. DesRoberts, Angela J. Maynard, Julianne M. Salliby, Ashton Stephens

Eastford:
Michael J. Lavallee

Griswold:
Sean B. Anderson, Sean M. Bruyere, Aurora K. Dziadul, Deneuve Mazarine Hernandez, Rebecca A. Leffler

Grosvenor Dale:
Rhonda L. Neves

Hampton:
Cathleen A. Greene

Jewett City:
Amanda N. Fenner, Rachel L. Kistler, Jennifer S. Robillard

Ledyard:
Brian T. McGuire

Lisbon:
Mary E. Truman

Mansfield Center:
Mary R. Arsenault, Robert A. Dunnack

Moosup:
Alexus R. Arrington, Christie C. Cantwell, Shelly A. Dumont, Eneriko Ferraj, Evan M. Hernandez, Edward K. Kraemer, Samantha L. Provost, Brittany M. Savage, Emily K. Thurston, Paige M. Waterman

Niantic:
Burim Kurtishi

North Franklin:
Zachary J. Beebe

North Grosvenordale:
Joshua C. Allen, Ivy M. Collette, Nickolas I. Graham, Ashley Klein, Joshua A. Lewis, Kasey L. Marrier, Maria C. Miranda, Bernard J. Nanni, Katie C. Purcell, Joslyn N. Tellier, Jason Walker

North Windham:
Jezabel Calixto

Norwich:
Amanda R. Boore, Katie M. Contreras, Almouhallab Y. Tmeem

Oakdale:
William E. Arcand

Plainfield:
Bailey S. Boettcher, Hannah L. Cloutier, Autumn J. Fortin, Justin R. Kapilotis, Elizabeth A. Lemoine, Amy R. Macha, Cassandra L. Mille, Marcus L. Porter, George C. Robinson, Jennifer L. Spinney, Renee L. Vezina

Pomfret:
Hannah-Rose Andrews, Sarah E. Andrews, Jewelia K. Aubin, Alyssa J. Becker, Kayla N. DeMaire, Olivia M. DePetrillo, Tanya M. Durand, Sydney C. Feragne, Thomas R. Kacerik, Tyson J. Malek, Stephanie Marasco, Lacey M. Wood, Kristen A. Yanick

Preston:
James M. Laudon, Emma J. Salatin

Putnam:
Michael G. Aubin, Charles W. Blagburn, Paulette Blagburn, Ethan C. Bruso, Angelica R. Desrosiers, Timothy S. Dignam, Zachary P. Dion, Alec J. Fontaine, Joy E. Fredette, Hazel E. Glaude, Priscilla M. Gunas, Christopher M. Heaney, Joshua P. McFadden, Heather L. Montie, Myriah Morris, Kristen L. Moseley, Michael P. Pedersen, Devin S. Provost, Kristen A. Ramdohr, Marc M. Ravenelle, Valerie J. Schrump, Samantha Stone, George S. Thompson III, Jaimee Toutant, Alicia Troiano, Robin D. Vaudrain

Quinebaug:
Clarence J. Chauvin Jr.

Sterling:
Jarod Denomme, Johannah L. Thompson

Storrs:
Emily M. Stewart

Thompson:
Karena Burnham, Arthur W. Corriveau, Grace M. Deneault, Johnathon K. Deneault, Cameron Huizenga, Ashley E. Salvas

Vernon:
Carolyn Asadoorian, Edward Dugan

Voluntown:
Jesse C. Preston

Willimantic:
Katemilly Alvarado, Kate R. Crescenzo , Scott M. Doubleday, Fabiola Gonzalez, Margaret Rempel, Ceciliana Robles De Jesus, Luis J. Rodriguez, Irmarie J. Santiago, Katlyn A. Tourigny, Melinda A. Tourigny, Rosario A. Vazquez, Ashley M. Vincent

Willington:
Theodore E. Kryznel

Windham:
Lauren E. Cote, Nafaely Frutos, Victoria M Rooke

Woodstock:
Kaylea B. Bessios, Jacob J. Blain, Michelle M. Bouchard, Denise M. Castellani-Frink, Jeffrey R. Draper, Elijah C. Dufour, Charles J. Hall, Benton S. Harris, Genie A. Johnson, Crystal C. LeBoeuf, Jacob R. Parent, Zeke W. Parent, Ryker J. Pawloski, Cassandra M. Sampson, Margalit S. Kaufman, Kimberly P. Powell

Dudley, MA: Trevor J. Gibbs
Foster, RI: Shannon N. McMaugh
Greene, RI: Nathanael Pimental

Released January 22, 2018

Two new job-focused training programs are starting this winter at Quinebaug Valley Community College.

A day-long Security Officer Certification training will be held Tuesday, February 6. The state of Connecticut requires this training course in order to obtain certification as a security officer. The curriculum provided by LJB Security Training is approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection and covers all aspects of the security industry, including state laws. Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a CT Guard Card.

Personal Care Attendant (PCA) training is an intense two-week program beginning March 5. Personal care attendants, also known as personal care aides or personal care assistants, help people living with physical or mental disabilities perform day-to-day activities and lead normal lives. The program will provide students with the training necessary to gain employment as a personal care attendant.  The class meets Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information on these and other job-focused training programs, contact Jessica Deojay at 860-932-4138 or jdeojay@qvcc.edu