CORE @ HCC
If you or a member of your immediate family have been impacted by the criminal legal system, CORE @ HCC is here to help with services and assistance tailored for formerly incarcerated students and those closest to them.
Our Origins
Western Mass CORE was founded in 2019 by HCC professors Mary Orisich and Nicole Hendricks during a joint sabbatical. The program, whose name stands for Community, Opportunity, Resources, and Education, was born out of their experiences in the classroom working with students who were impacted by incarceration, as well as their commitment to justice and liberation. The initial goal was to create a pathway for incarcerated students to transition into higher education. This goal expanded to serve formerly incarcerated students and their families across western Massachusetts. In 2024, Western Mass CORE moved from Holyoke Community College to the community, and the on-campus program became CORE @ HCC.
mission
CORE @ HCC is dedicated to supporting justice-impacted individuals and their families through access to transformative education, tailored pathways, and holistic support services. We foster community engagement and collaboration to empower people, break down barriers, and create opportunities for success in education and beyond.
vision
CORE @ HCC envisions a community where justice-impacted individuals are fully supported in their pursuit of education and personal development. We aim to be a leader in reentry education, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed in college and beyond. Through collaborative efforts, we aspire to break the cycle of incarceration and contribute to a more just and equitable society. Our vision is to create an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers students to overcome barriers, achieve their academic and career goals, and lead fulfilling lives.
Services Offered by CORE @ HCC:
- Assistance with enrollment and financial aid processes
- An on-campus community of mentors and peers
- Individualized academic and career advising
- Referrals to essential services, including housing, food assistance, and counseling
Location
- Office: Frost 160
- Student Lounge: Frost 158
Contact Information
- Mary Orisich: Co-founder, Professor of Economics | morisich@hcc.edu
- Norma Hairston: Recruitment Counselor | nhairston@hcc.edu
- Program Contact information: core@hcc.edu | 413.552.2286
"Funding roundup," Community College Daily, March 30, 2022
"HCC Western Mass CORE program receives state grant," New England Public Media Connecting Point, Feb. 9, 2023
"Holyoke Community College grant to expand outreach to formerly incarcerated," BusinessWest, Jan. 13, 2023
"HCC program helping lift people's heads out of jail," Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 21, 2022
"Western Mass Core providing a pathway to higher education," WWLP-22 News, April 27, 2022
"Core principles," Community College Daily, March 22, 2022
