It is with great excitement that Greenfield Community College welcomes Dawn Creighton as the College's new Chief Workforce Development Officer. With a passion for serving employers and a wealth of local and state-wide connections in business, government and education, Dawn will officially join GCC on October 21, 2019. Her office will be located at the Downtown Center, 270 Main Street.

A GCC alumna (2005), Dawn began her career as an Employment Specialist at MassLive before becoming Regional Director for the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) -- our state's largest employers' resource group -- in 2009. During her tenure at AIM, Dawn served thousands of employer members, uniting them around issues ranging from health care and employment law to sustainability, budgeting, and hiring. With a characteristic energy, an ability to listen, and a gift for connecting people across the state, Dawn has been a valuable contributor to the growth of economic opportunity in the Commonwealth.

"Nothing gives me greater pleasure than bringing people together and finding a solution," shares Dawn, "whether a CEO who can't find staff to take on a new supply chain or a bank looking for tellers-- I take great pride in bringing people together."

As the former Board President of Dress For Success, Dawn also built Foot in the Door -- a workforce readiness program dedicated to helping women develop critical skills for entering and reentering the workforce.

"As an alumna, we are especially proud of Dawn's professional achievements and are delighted that she wants to serve her alma mater and community this way," says GCC's president, Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernandez, "She rose to the top in the search process. There is much anticipation for her to lead us to new heights!"

And lead she will. Not only does Dawn understand the diverse needs of employers across our region, including manufacturing, but she is invested in furthering innovation and bolstering our creative economies. Her state-wide perspective will help GCC increase its unique value. As it embraces the future of work and of higher education, Dawn will help GCC integrate the liberal arts and technical education it offers.

"This role is the pinnacle of everything I have been working on and towards," shares Dawn, "This is an exciting time to come into Franklin County -- an exciting time to watch this county flourish and grow with all of the new leadership. I can't wait to be a part of this success story."

Poised to work collaboratively with colleagues in the business and non-profit sectors, as well as with the chambers of commerce and business associations, Dawn's arrival at GCC is not only right timing, but a story of coming full circle.  "What an absolutely phenom opportunity to be a part of the system that helped shape me."

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