A message from GCC President Michelle Schutt:

April is National Community College Month and a great time to reflect on what makes GCC and all community colleges so special.

Did you know that 46% of all college students in Massachusetts attend community college? This remarkable statistic shows just how powerful community colleges are in helping students attain goals otherwise not possible, changing the trajectory of their careers and lives. Here are just a few of the ways GCC is supporting our region and beyond.

Graduates of community colleges increase their earnings significantly, with the average graduate earning nearly $10,000 more per year than their peers without a degree. GCC also serves as an onramp to higher-level degrees for many students, and particularly for the most demographically and socioeconomically diverse students. Approximately 45% of GCC graduates go on to subsequent education, illustrating GCC’s effectiveness in providing further education pathways, better career outcomes and more prosperity throughout our region and beyond.

Our graduates help build a highly educated and skilled workforce, which in turn contributes to stronger local economies and vibrant, resilient communities. As a primary educational institution for healthcare professionals, first responders, educators, business owners, tradespeople and public servants, our skilled graduates provide essential services that we all count on. And by training more than 400 individuals per year through our Workforce Development programs, we are meeting workforce needs of many large and small employers throughout the region.

GCC also serves as a hub for community engagement and intergenerational initiatives in Franklin County, hosting close to 100 events each year, including workshops, cultural programs, and public lectures. These activities foster community involvement and promote lifelong learning among residents. Participants bring diverse perspectives and experiences to their communities, contributing to cultural enrichment and fostering a greater appreciation for the arts, sciences, and civic discourse.

Everywhere I go, I am told by current and former students that choosing to go to GCC has been one of the best decisions they ever made. And now, thanks to Massachusetts’ new free community college programs, enrollment has increased 31% since 2022!

What truly makes GCC unique is that it is a place that brings people together. It doesn’t matter where you come from, how you identify, or how much money you have. Education is for everyone here. And as our motto reminds us “You belong here.” We are nonpartisan in our mission to provide accessible, affordable education that can transform lives.

The threads of Greenfield Community College run through every corner of our community—whether it’s the businesses that are thriving because of our students and employees, the families whose lives are being uplifted, or the connections we’re making every day. We’re all in this together, and that’s something we can be incredibly proud of.

So, as we commemorate National Community College Month together, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the work of the staff, faculty and students that help change family trees and build  brighter futures for everyone.

Thank you.