August '24 News Blog
News briefs from the HCC campus and beyond
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Excitement and Joy
Alex Santiago ’21 has taken part in HCC’s annual Bienvenidos twice before as an HCC alum but never once while she was a student. That’s because, when she was starting out at HCC, there was no Bienvenidos, HCC’s annual welcome event for new Latinx students. “I wish they did have some event like this when I was first coming to HCC,” Santiago said," to be able to get to know Latinx staff and faculty." When HCC held its fourth annual Bienvenidos on Saturday, Aug. 24, Santiago, 26, was there to welcome students herself as a full-time member of the El Centro staff, where she is now the student financial services clerk. (She graduated in 2023 with her bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University in ethnic and gender studies.) She also participated in a panel discussion titled “Empoderando y manteniendo la familia” – “Empowering and supporting the family” – along with her mother, Irza Bigas. “She talked about her role in supporting me as a student, and I talked about my journey here at HCC and tried to give students some advice and insight on what it’s like to be a Latinx student here,” said Santiago, the first-ever HCC student to graduate with a degree in Latinx Studies. Her advice? Get involved in the campus community, get to know your professors, and ask questions, even if you think you know the answer. "I think the students enjoyed the panel," she said. "The day went really well. It was a great turnout of students and their families, full of joy and excitement." See more photos in our Facebook photo album ...
Hope for Thrive
Representatives from Hyundai Hope and Gary Rome Hyundai paid a visit to the college earlier this month to deliver two checks worth $5,000 apiece for the Thrive Student Resource Center and Food Pantry. "Our commitment to community well-being is at the heart of Hyundai Hope," said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor North America. "We are honored to continue supporting the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Thrive Center and Food Pantry at Holyoke Community College, alongside our generous dealer partner Gary Rome, to help eliminate food insecurity and build a healthier community." This was the second year in a row that Hyundai Hope and Holyoke auto dealer Gary Rome, have made coordinated donations to the Thrive Center. Hyundai Hope is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America. "Hyundai Motor America has proven to be an invaluable partner to Holyoke Community College, consistently supporting our Thrive Center and Food Pantry for three consecutive years," said Julie Phillips, HCC director of development. "Their unwavering commitment ensures our students have access to essential resources, directly contributing to their success and well-being. Programs like these are fundamental in empowering our students to overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals." (Above) Surrounded by representatives from Hyundai Hope and Gary Rome Hyundai, Julie Phillips, HCC director of development, holds a large for the HCC Thrive Center and Food Pantry.
