The Greenfield Community College Foundation is pleased to welcome its new Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, Alexis Page. Page takes on the Foundation leadership at a watershed moment, when GCC is poised to implement a new five-year strategic plan, safely return to campus, and celebrate their upcoming 60th anniversary year. "GCC has very bright horizons," says Mitch Anthony, president of the GCC Foundation's Board of Directors, "and Alexis knows how to steer toward them."

After more than 20 years in philanthropy with an international focus, Page was drawn to GCC for the opportunity to address issues of inequity, especially as we rebuild the local economy post-pandemic. "I was eager to put my skills to use at an institution that works locally to remove barriers to higher-education," she explains. "GCC does just that—providing life-changing opportunities to people from all walks of life, and serving as a vital economic engine for the area."
Page has worked in the nonprofit sector for her entire career, at large international organizations, small direct service agencies, and higher education institutions, and she holds a master's degree in mission driven organizational management. Before joining GCC, she spent nearly nine years at World Learning/School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT most recently as the senior director of philanthropy. "I enjoy working for organizations that are actively working to improve lives and make the world a better place," she affirms. Page also enjoys the opportunity to match the needs of these organizations to the philanthropic passions of the donor community.

Mitch Anthony describes Page as a great match for GCC and its mission. "Alexis brings a trifecta of talent and experience that makes her the perfect director of institutional advancement right now: One, she brings a deep understanding that development is about relationships. Our goal is to demonstrate the impact donor gifts have on GCC and by extension, the larger community. Two, she is data-driven. In an over-communicated world it is essential that we understand what efforts work and what don't. Three, she has a holistic understanding of the unique role that GCC, our community's college, plays in our very special region."
Page started at GCC in mid-July, working side-by-side with retiring Executive Director Regina Curtis before assuming full leadership on September 1. In that time, she has been deeply impressed by the passion and skills of the GCC team, and struck by Greenfield's support of the college. "Everywhere I go, people love GCC. There's a lot of positive energy around our cornerstone community college. I feel really honored to be stepping in to carry on the work that Regina has done over all these years."

In these first few months, Page has been meeting with alumni and local community members to better understand what inspires them to stay engaged with GCC. She's been struck by the diversity of supporters and the breadth of their motivation. While some are alumni who want to give back to the college that transformed their lives, they are also community members who want to improve the economy of the region, who want to promote access to educational opportunities, or who admire the college's intellectual and cultural contributions to the city.

These conversations with stakeholders will continue to be an important part of Page's work going forward. She intends to continue the important work of expanding the role of the GCC Foundation to include more alumni engagement and community building. "For me, fundraising is really about authentic relationship building, and sharing stories about the impact that gifts have," she says. With this growing network, the GCC Foundation will continue the vital work of harnessing the talents, connections, and resources in our GCC community to support innovative new programming, life-changing scholarships, and the daily operations of the college.