As a Greenfield native, Jordan Brechenser chose to begin his college journey at Greenfield Community College—a decision influenced in part by his father, who once taught Psychology at GCC. At the time, Jordan wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to study or where he was headed professionally. What he did know was that GCC offered an affordable, supportive place to start exploring.

“Being local, GCC felt familiar,” Jordan reflects. “It wasn’t intimidating—it felt like a natural next step from high school.”

Jordan enrolled in the Liberal Arts program, where he began building the academic foundation and confidence that would carry him forward. After completing his associate degree, he transferred to Westfield State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Though he initially planned to attend law school, he decided to take a break from academics, entering the workforce to earn some money and gain real-world experience.

That decision would set him on an unexpected and fulfilling path. While working as a car salesman, Jordan was approached about a position as a sales associate at the Brattleboro Reformer newspaper. He took the opportunity and never looked back.

Jordan quickly became involved in strategic changes at the paper, helping lead the consolidation of several local publications and introducing digital media to the area. As the media landscape shifted, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming General Manager, then Publisher. In 2021, he was named President and Publisher of the newly formed Vermont News and Media—a company he now partially owns.

Beyond the newsroom, Jordan is passionate about food and giving back to his community. A self-described “foodie,” he teamed up with local restaurant Amaru Gourmet to launch “Cooking for a Cause,” a series of community dinners that raised funds for area nonprofits. Jordan prepared the meals himself, while local organizations invited the public to connect over food and support meaningful causes.

Looking back, Jordan credits GCC with helping him take that crucial first step. “It definitely was the right move for me,” he says. “My liberal arts degree gave me a taste of college curriculum and helped me gain the confidence to keep going.”

His advice to today’s students? “Explore. Put yourself out there. Expose yourself to new things and build as many social connections as you can.”