A Happy Return
HCC alum Jordan Hart '14 back for next act
After Jordan Hart ’14 graduated from Holyoke Community College, she began working full time at the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce as an executive assistant to the president. She eventually worked her way up to executive director, but after several years on the job she started thinking about her next act.
During a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for her best friend’s wedding, Hart struck up a conversation with the groom's parents. The couple owned and operated a therapy practice and loved what they were doing, leading Hart to reflect on what she loved most about her line of work – helping other people. Over the years, she had grown more passionate about breaking stigmas about mental health and making it more accessible.
When she got back home, Hart, 34, enrolled at HCC again, this time to complete an associate degree in human services and a certificate in mental health. (Her first degree was liberal arts.) She currently works as an office/marketing manager at the University of Massachusetts and, after graduation, plans to transfer to a four-year school and eventually become a therapist.
What's your most vivid HCC memory?
I made the mistake of introducing myself to robotics in my very last semester my first time at HCC, and that was the coolest class I ever took. I felt such a sense of reward building these robotic Lego objects. That was just such a great class, and I was so bummed that I chose my last semester to take that as my science elective because it was just really cool.
How has HCC changed since your first experience as a student?
HCC has always been a community, a place where you feel that you can belong. It's always had a very welcoming environment. I was able to figure everything out on my own because things were so accessible, and I think that that has just significantly increased over the past decade.
I also love that HCC provides free gym memberships. I loved it then. I love it now. I think it's a really great asset.
What was the last album you listened to?
So, for a “new school” album, the last one I listened to was “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” by Bad Bunny. In terms of “old school,” I was listening to “Some Girls” by The Rolling Stones on my record player. It’s an original copy of the album because my dad is a music buff and worked in a record store while I was growing up. A lot of the records I've acquired are original LPs from the ’60s and ’70s.
What's your least useful talent?
I love trivia. My useless talent is knowing useless information that I will only ever need if I'm doing bar trivia. I even have a book that's all about bar trivia questions.
What is the best piece of advice you've received?
It was actually from the woman who hired me, the previous president of the Chamber of Commerce. I waited on her before I got my job, and she asked me why I didn't apply for a position at the Chamber. And I said, “Oh, you know, I'm in school full time, and my school schedule would interfere with your work schedule.” And she told me, “Don't ever not apply to something, because if somebody really likes you, they'll find a way to make it work.” That was just really sound advice.
What do you hate that everyone else loves?
Oh, I hate mayonnaise. I think it is so disgusting. I hate ranch dressing, white condiments. I hate them. I'm so repulsed by them, and everyone loves them.
What person alive or dead would you most like to meet?
I love FDR. I think he's the coolest president. And he's the only president who ever served three terms, and he was very revolutionary for his time. I don't know how much I would actually have in common with him, but I feel like Bernie Sanders is the modern-day version of him, and I would also really like to meet Bernie Sanders.
– DOUG SCANLON
PHOTO: Jordan Hart
