Charlotte Gifford Emerita Faculty Word Languages

GCC is awesome! I feel very fortunate that I found my academic home here.

Charlotte's 37-year career at Greenfield Community College began on a serendipitous note. On leave from a Vermont private school, she accepted an adjunct position at GCC, intending to teach for just one year. However, she quickly fell in love with GCC and its mission to provide higher education to everyone, regardless of background or age.

GCC classes were radically interesting with learners of all different experience levels. This diverse learning environment, so different from her previous experiences, resonated deeply with Charlotte. Over the next five years, she continued as an adjunct while also training as an EMT.

One of her proudest moments was developing a course in Spanish for health professionals. Graduates can communicate the basics to Spanish-speaking patients. As a former EMT, Charlotte knows firsthand how calming it is for a patient to be able to understand what is happening to them.

Four years ago, Charlotte received a GCC innovation grant and used it to establish the Global Seal of Bi-literacy program. The seal is awarded to students who have four semesters of language and meet the criteria for speaking, listening, reading and writing at the intermediate level.

Charlotte has been bilingual in French since childhood. Her parents taught languages and took the family to live for a year in France when she was in the 6th grade. In July 2024, GCC Trustees granted her emerita status at GCC, a title for retiring faculty members who have served with distinction as a recognition of exemplary teaching, research, and service. Reflecting on her long career, Charlotte states, "GCC is awesome! I feel very fortunate that I found my academic home here."