Three Rivers Community College 58th Pinning Ceremony Celebrates 38 Nursing Student Graduates (List of graduates and their towns included at end of release)

Norwich, Conn. — On Friday, December 17, Three Rivers Community College held its fifty-eighth Nursing Pinning Ceremony. Hundreds of friends and family gathered to watch their loved ones take the final step in becoming nurses, a select few in the same room and others in nearby classrooms where the ceremony was broadcast live. During the ceremony, 38 nursing students of the Class of Fall 2021 received their nursing pin, marking the completion of their nursing degree and serving as a symbol of their readiness to be compassionate professional caregivers.

The students have earned an Associate of Science in Nursing. Upon completion of a licensing examination, the graduates will have earned the credential of Registered Nurse (RN).

Three Rivers graduates’ scores on the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) are consistently above the national average, with a three-year average of over 95%. Graduates also report a 98% job placement on the last three graduate surveys.

List of Nursing Graduates with their towns

Dakota Anderson, Moosup

Samantha Armstrong, Plainfield

Matthew Blackburn, Uncasville

Christina Bottomley, Norwich

Allyson Briggs, North Franklin

Kristen Burdzy, Norwich

Justin Butler, Pawcatuck

Jennifer Carver, Groton

Christa Conville, Taftville

Krystal Csuka, Colchester

Tanya Durand, Pomfret Center

Rachel Gaines, East Lyme

Jamie Gonzalez, Stonington

Jacquelyn Hatlee, Norwich

Allison Hill, Mystic

YuFang Hua, Stonington

Jennifer Kudlach, Norwich

Rebecca Lee, Windsor Locks

Nancy Linn, Gales Ferry

Nicole Los, New London

Miranda Marriott, Griswold

Melissa Martinez, Columbia

Jamey Martyn, Windham

Samantha Morrison, Hebron

Kathryn Murphy, Gales Ferry

Stacy Myles, Norwich

Nathalie Onema, Middletown

Roxanne Palladino, Brooklyn

Aayushi Patel, Jewett City

Mariah Qualley, Waterford

Elizabeth Robbins, Norwich

Jordin Sanborn, North Windham

Lisandra Santana, New London

Bronwen Seaman, Plainfield

Jennifer Shiling, Preston

Angelica Sonnema, Quaker Hill

Kelly Thayer, Chester

Kala Warren, Norwich

Alison Zerull, Canterbury

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In The News | Young Democrats of Connecticut expand into New London County

New London (November 30, 2021) — A young Democrats group is forming in New London County.

Engineered by New London Board of Education member Danni Cruz, the group is meant as a place for 18- to 35-year-olds to organize politically.

Cruz, who is 18 and attends UConn Avery Point, says he’s the youngest elected representative in the city by a lot. He said this backs up his belief that young people aren’t heard proportionally in politics.

“We can get a lot more young people to turn out and vote with this group and show people that their voice matters as much as an older person in our community,” Cruz said.

Cruz said it will be important for the group to build connections with local mayors, first selectmen, state representatives and state senators.

“We have our upcoming race for senator, and I want a lot of people to volunteer and sign up for these campaigns, then we can put a bug in their ear and say, ‘Here’s what we’re looking for,’” Cruz said. “I’ll use Daryl Finizio, who’s running for state Senate, as an example. If we have a pressing issue or concern, we can go to Daryl, we can go to [State Rep. Anthony] Nolan, and say, ‘Here’s what’s going on, can you help us with this or can you represent us in this way?’”

In October, Cruz approached the statewide Young Democrats Vice President Bella Langlois, President Gabriela Koc, as well as Grace Carlos, a 21-year-old Democratic candidate and student at Three Rivers Community College who was at the time running for Montville Board of Education. Cruz said the day after this year’s election, he and Carlos began recruiting members. Thus far, they’ve come up with more than 10 people and expect that number to increase.

Both Carlos and Cruz made it clear that this is a New London County chapter, not strictly New London, partly because some towns in the county are too small to have functioning chapters. Apart from New London and Montville, young Democrats from Groton and Waterford have reached out. There is no Republican counterpart in New London to the growing Democratic group.

“There is a Young Republicans of Connecticut, but there’s no Young Republicans of New London,” Cruz said. “If they see us doing it, they may do it, and that’s OK. If young people want to get involved, no matter what party, they should get involved.”

While there’s still paperwork involved before becoming an official chapter, the Young Democrats of Connecticut have given New London County’s young Democrats its blessing to organize. The regional group is currently working on writing its bylaws.

Carlos said Cruz is looking for “a huge membership number, as many as we can get.”

“So many people have been reaching out, wanting to be involved,” Carlos said. “One of our long-term goals is to have our own space, our own offices. With the election coming up, we’re planning on endorsing candidates, helping out with campaigns, organizing events.”

Langlois, a UConn student from Ledyard, said there’s not a lot of Young Democrats chapters in the region.

“One of my big things when I joined Young Dems was getting more people from eastern and southeastern Connecticut involved because right now it’s mostly central and western Connecticut,” Langlois said. “I’m from Ledyard, so it was really important for me to have an organizational structure there. The president and I just finished up an official chapter guide, so we’re trying to get these regional chapters started. As long as you have decent support and willingness to put together constitution, bylaws, code of ethics, etc. … it’s really not that hard.”

Langlois noted that some local chapters do stay confined to one town or city, such as the chapter getting started in Stamford, and there are other regional chapters, such as in Naugatuck Valley.

“The Young Democrats are a legit arm of the Connecticut Democratic Party, so we have communication there,” she said. “They have their regional chapters, which report to us, and we have our statewide meetings. There wasn’t huge youth involvement in southeastern Connecticut, there wasn’t a structure to take part in it, so I’m really happy they’re taking the initiative to start this chapter and be that structure for people to reach out to and get involved in different social justice issues and electoral politics.”

Langlois acknowledged that there are already youth social justice groups in New London, but said the Young Democrats are filling a political gap in the area.

 

— By Sten Spinella, Day staff writer

The original article can be found here: “Young Democrats of Connecticut expand into New London County”

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In The News | Connecticut community college students uncertain on consolidation plan

Norwich (December 4, 2021) — When Allen Lyon of Norwich wanted a new life, Three Rivers Community College was the most logical step.

He started at the community college at age 27 and, because he had dropped out of high school to help family at a young age, first needed to obtain a GED. Now 30, he graduated from Three Rivers this year with an associate degree in environmental engineering technology, and is going on to study natural resources at the University of Connecticut.

“I never really thought I was capable of going through school, so I always told myself don’t even bother. But as I got a little bit older I was like, ‘Well I don’t want to be in the restaurant service for the rest of my life,'” Lyon said. “That’s what made me go back. Three Rivers made a lot of sense distance-wise because I was in Norwich.”

“Thankfully, it all fell into place,” he said. “It was a good program and a good school, so I’m glad I ended up going.”

While professors have criticized a plan to consolidate the state’s community colleges, and administrators defend the move and the process, students are mostly focused on their futures.

Lyon said it doesn’t seem like Three Rivers or other schools are telling students the ramifications of consolidation.

“In my opinion I don’t think the college itself talks about it enough to its students,” he said. “I think that it’s very based in money, which makes sense. I understand that the state wants to save money where it can, but I think it’s important not to sacrifice the experience or success of the student to save a couple dollars, and I think that’s why it’s not talked about as much. It’s unfortunate because if more students knew what was on the chopping block, more students would be outspoken.”

In conversations with several current and former Three Rivers Community College students, none claimed to be an expert on the consolidation plan. Some said they didn’t know what it was. But everyone was clear on why they were at this community college — be it affordability, convenience or some other reason — and everyone praised Three Rivers.

Professors from different teaching unions, unified under the “Reluctant Warriors” tag, including Diba Khan-Bureau, professor and program coordinator of environmental engineering technology at Three Rivers, view the merger as a threat to academic freedom for professors and students. And the unions feel they’ve been ignored when offering ideas on how to align the curriculums.

Professors believe there’s still hope to defeat the merger, but Connecticut State Colleges and Universities anticipates it will be completed — marked by the launch of Connecticut State Community College — for the fall 2023 semester.

Protests from the teachers’ unions regarding the consolidation and ongoing contract negotiations continue throughout the state. But in late November and early December in Norwich, students were focused on their classes.

Lyon and others, including Jacob Hall of Sprague, 18, highly praised how Three Rivers prepares students for the next step.

Hall, in his first year at Three Rivers, said the college wasn’t his initial choice but he’s content with how it worked out. “Originally I wanted to go to a university, but I’m from an area where I don’t have that much money, so I couldn’t go there, and I always knew this was an option,” he said. “I love it. It’s a lot more work than high school but I think it’s exactly what I needed.”

Of all the students who spoke to The Day, Hall was the one most supportive of the merger.

“Honestly it’s a great idea because, say I do need to transfer for some reason, or I want to transfer for some reason, all my credits would transfer over, and it would just be an easier process in the long run,” he said. “Professors and students haven’t talked about it a ton. They know it’s there, but it’s more of a subconscious thing.”

Olivia Corrente and Tyler Dean, who are both 18 and in their first semester at Three Rivers, went to Norwich Technical High School. Corrente said the PACT program, which allows students to attend Three Rivers and other community colleges for free, is a big reason why she decided to attend the college. Dean also said affordability had something to do with his decision to attend Three Rivers.

Dean is hoping to attend UConn or Eastern Connecticut State University when he’s finished at Three Rivers. Corrente also is hoping to go to a larger school after her two years, to study criminal justice and forensics. She, along with several other students, complimented the professors at the Three Rivers.

While Corrente hadn’t heard about the consolidation, Dean was evenhanded in his assessment.

“I’ve been hearing some word about it lately. I heard that they’re trying to combine all the community colleges into one to make it more of a university style rather than these small, separate community colleges,” he said. “I feel like there’s benefits to both arguments. Having a small college like this is nice because it keeps the class size per teacher ratio down, like 20 kids a class is always nice.”

Vanessa Sotelo, 40, is in her first semester at Three Rivers and studying sociology. She has lived in Gales Ferry the past few years and said she is part of a military family.

“It’s from in part being involved in activism and wanting to do something that hopefully makes a difference in the community,” Sotelo said of why she chose to study at Three Rivers. “I’m very impressed by the teachers and their dedication, they’re so well-prepared and everything.”

Sotelo, too, is looking to transfer to UConn after two years at Three Rivers. As for the consolidation of community colleges, she’s uncertain of its implications.

“Professors have brought it up, have mentioned that it’s happening, and I still don’t feel very familiar with what that means for me,” she said. “All I know is my program is still going to be be here. As far as I know it’s possible certain classes that were available are no longer going to be.”

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities has repeatedly disputed claims about a loss of local and faculty control over curriculums. What will change is that a single institution’s curriculum must be aligned across the new college system. Professors and administrators disagree on what that should look like, and the curriculum remains one of the biggest sticking points in the consolidation process.

Heather Lussier, 54, has been going to Three Rivers for more than a decade. She is an Army veteran who was deployed three times — to Afghanistan, Iraq, Spain and Jordan, among other locations — since she began at Three Rivers.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I knew I needed something besides the military experience,” she said. “I got my first degree in liberal arts, then I stayed and changed my focus to environmental engineering technologies, which will later bring me into natural resources of the environment up at UConn.”

Lussier lived in Groton, and coming to Three Rivers was for “the convenience factor.”

As for consolidation, she said she doesn’t know much about it but fears it could affect special programs.

Michael Morin, 51, is a former Three Rivers student who is now in the radiologic technology program at Middlesex Community College. He said he went to Three Rivers because he was nearing retirement and looking into secondary careers.

“I looked into cost-effective opportunities that would provide an education for employment in the medical field, one that could be directly applied to a work setting,” he said. “I began taking math and science prerequisites at the new Three Rivers Community College. What was once a good college, was now a great college. The professors are extremely helpful and want you to succeed. It is now a state of the art facility with resources to fit any students’ needs.”

 

— By Sten Spinella, Day staff writer

The original article can be found here: “Connecticut community college students uncertain on consolidation plan”

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In The News | Courtney visits Three Rivers, talks Build Back Better, infrastructure

Norwich — U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, addressed a class of about 15 students, along with some faculty members, at Three Rivers Community College on Friday.

Speaking in professor Diba Khan-Bureau’s environmental engineering technology class to about 30 people in all, Courtney discussed a variety of environmental issues facing the region, as well as his views on the infrastructure and Build Back Better bills making their way through the legislative process.

Courtney stopped in from Washington and was introduced by Kem Barfield, the dean of academic and student affairs, who said Courtney has supported Three Rivers in its manufacturing work, its partnership with Electric Boat and environmental areas.

Courtney said the infrastructure and Build Back Better bills are focused on climate change in a way “that none of us could have imagined even a year ago.” He compared past COVID-19 relief bills to natural disaster relief legislation, but said infrastructure and Build Back Better are different. Rather than “keeping the lights on,” he said these bills will be “a pathway to a stronger future for the country.”

In total, the infrastructure package, which has some Republican support, and Build Back Better, which doesn’t, amount to $2.75 trillion. Infrastructure accounts for $1 trillion while Build Back Better accounts for $1.75 trillion. House progressives resisted an effort to vote on the infrastructure deal Thursday. Centrist Democratic Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia have been largely responsible for the holdup on the Senate side, as they’ve balked at including paid family leave, taxing billionaires and setting lower prescription drug prices.

Courtney said it’s very rare for a bill to get passed exactly the way it’s imagined. But following Friday’s appearance at Three Rivers, he did express some disappointment.

“To some degree the die was cast back in January when the Democrats squeaked to a majority,” he said. “I’m frustrated that the prescription drug piece fell off the table. To me that makes no sense, something that has such overwhelming support. We hear about it nonstop. And it would have saved the country money. They’re still doing some kind of inflation cap, but that’s not the same as real price negotiation.”

Courtney, who has been in office since 2006, recalled a debate between former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former President Donald Trump where not a single question about climate change was asked. Now, he notes, the infrastructure bill is built around the idea of combating climate change, with high-speed rail, modern transit services, more charging stations for electric vehicles and other provisions.

Build Back Better is not deficit spending nor does it involve raising taxes on fuel. Instead, “People and corporations that can afford to contribute more to the federal government and treasury pay for it.” The bill will provide increased funding for federal Pell Grants to help students in need receive financial aid, and it also significantly will lower day care prices. The legislation also will boost job training in manufacturing and health care.

Courtney said Build Back Better also will upgrade the electric grid and invest in clean energy. “As we change how we generate power in this country, particularly offshore wind, the voltage that comes from the generation right now, we don’t have a grid that has the capacity and capability to receive that kind of power,” he said. “Nuclear is included in there, I get asked that a lot with Dominion in the region.”

With State Pier being renovated in New London and its promise of offshore wind energy, this part of the bill is applicable to the region, Courtney said.

He mentioned that President Joe Biden is headed to Scotland for a U.N. Climate Summit. Khan-Bureau asked how can the U.S. show its face there when it and China are the two biggest polluters in the world? Courtney said the rest of the world still looks to the U.S., and Biden had hoped to have at least some of the legislation passed before the summit. “Theoretically it’s still possible that he could have a deliverable while he was there,” he added.

“Biden’s not going to quit on this thing, he isn’t and neither is (Nancy) Pelosi,” Courtney said. “Those two won’t stop until we get something. It might continue to shrink, but I don’t see that happening.”

 

— By Sten Spinella, Day staff writer

The original article can be found here: “Courtney visits Three Rivers, talks Build Back Better, infrastructure”

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In The News | Governor Lamont, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and Google Announce Google Career Certificates Are Now Available Across the Entire CSCU System

Connecticut Is the First State in the U.S. to Offer the Full Suite of Google Career Certificates to Their Entire Community College and State University System

(MIDDLETOWN, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Terrence Cheng, and Alphabet’s Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat today announced that Connecticut has become the first state in the nation to offer the full suite of Google Career Certificates across its state colleges and universities system, and that the program is now available to all community colleges and career and technical education (CTE) high schools across the nation to onboard.

Part of the Grow with Google economic opportunity initiative, the certificates are available on the online learning platform Coursera. The program equips people with skills for in-demand jobs within three to six months – with no degree or experience required – at a time when employers in information technology related sectors have reported a skills gap in the U.S. workforce.

“This is exactly what workforce development is all about,” Governor Lamont said. “We have employers that are looking to hire individuals with these digital skills, and our community college system responded quickly by entering into a partnership with Google to ensure our colleges are ready to start equipping students with these skills so they can enter these in-demand careers that pay over $60,000.”

Following an agreement between Google, the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, and CSCU, Google and Coursera will provide a diverse population of Connecticut residents with the training to fill positions in data analytics, IT support, project management, and UX design fields that are projected to grow in the next ten years, with an average starting salary of $69,000. After completing the program, graduates can share their resume with an employer consortium of more than 150 companies – including Infosys, Verizon, Walmart, Wayfair, and Google. Infosys has already pledged to hire 250 program graduates at its Hartford location.

“We are excited about this expansion of our Grow with Google Certificates program and the opportunity to partner with academic institutions across the U.S., including community colleges, which are critical to workforce development and economic mobility,” Porat said. “We believe that to have sustainable economic growth, we must have inclusive growth, and we are committed to continuing to help people develop the digital skills they need to participate in this economy.”

“Starting in early 2022, community colleges in all corners of Connecticut will offer Google’s IT Support Certificate, with other certificates rolling out throughout the spring and summer,” CSCU President Terrence Cheng said. “Our public colleges and universities offer the highest quality education and cutting-edge training opportunities. We are thrilled to be the first in the nation to offer all Google Career Certificates on a statewide basis – it is a testament to Governor Lamont’s laser focus on workforce development.”

Building on Google’s initiative with Jobs for the Future to offer its first certificate in IT support to more than 100 community colleges, the company’s new partnerships aim to help individuals bridge the skills gap by gaining the skills needed to take advantage of job openings. These institutions play an essential role in workforce training with 44% of all U.S. undergraduates attending community colleges, and 7.5 million high school students enrolled in CTE programs.

Through the College of Technology, all Connecticut community colleges will offer credit courses that will include Google Career Certificate courses beginning in spring 2022. Non-credit courses will also be offered regionally using the community colleges’ workforce development offices, with the roll out of the Google IT Support certificate in spring 2022. CSCU will partner with the Office of Workforce Strategy to help initially subsidize these programs for students and job seekers.

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) was recruited by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies to be one of five states administering up to 100 Grow with Google scholarships for veterans and their spouses. The scholarships will be distributed through the American Job Center by CTDOL’s Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program specialists who work directly with veterans to meet their employment training needs.

“The Connecticut Department of Labor is proud to be one of only five states with Grow with Google scholarships for veterans and their spouses,” Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said. “With certificate programs in technology, analytics, and project management, we can prepare the workforce of the future and help Connecticut’s veterans by providing free access to certifications that will help them prepare for, find, and retain good-paying jobs in growing industries.”

The Google Career Certificates have a track record of helping people rapidly skill and obtain in-demand jobs. Fifty-three percent of graduates identify as Black, Latino, female, or veteran, and eighty-two percent of graduates report a positive career impact within six months of completion, such as a raise, promotion, or new job.

 

— By The Office of Governor Ned Lamont

The original article can be found here: “Governor Lamont, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and Google Announce Google Career Certificates Are Now Available Across the Entire CSCU System”

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In The News | Montville Board of Education candidates talk masks and transparency

Montville (The Day, October 21, 2021) — Candidates for the Board of Education answered questions on mask and vaccine mandates, school programs and issues of transparency with the public.

Democrat Tara Crossley, 40, is a real estate agent who lost when she ran for the board four years ago and wants to give it another go as a mother of two children in the school system. She said the school board already does a “pretty good job,” but believes there could be better advertising of board meetings to ensure more parents have an opportunity to provide input.

In regards to masks and vaccine mandates, Crossley said she is comfortable with whatever the government wants although she understands others may see it differently.

Running for a spot on the Board of Education for the first time, Democrat Timothy Shanahan, 58, has served on the town’s youth advisory board and volunteered at local fire departments for a long time. He is the treasurer of the Chesterfield Fire Co.

He said he would like to improve the yearly budget and see more transparency within the district, “making sure things aren’t swept under the rug.”

Currently filling a vacancy on the board, Republican Wills Pike, 63, also is running for Town Council.

Pike said he would push to upgrade the district’s computer and information technology systems, developing a plan to invest half a million dollars to make sure students have adequate resources.

Pike said the schools should continue to follow state mandates on masks or else face liability should there be any consequences of not doing so.

The current chairman of the board, Democrat Sandra Berardy, 79, is a retired advanced practice nurse and had two kids who grew up and were educated in Montville. She said she is interested in the continution of safety programs and the introduction of new programs that improve technology and internet broadband.

Berardy said she does not think the board has issues of transparency with the public, adding that the members are at the meetings to take public comments into discussion.

Newcomer Tina Grove, 66, a Republican, is a former Navy official and professor at Goodwin University in East Hartford. Grove said in July she hopes to use her background and doctorate in education to keep Montville at “the forefront of education.”

Democrat Grace Carlos, 21, graduated Montville High School in 2018. She is studying political science at Three Rivers Community College, has interned in the lieutenant governor’s office and hosts a podcast with the town’s youth services in which she interviews local and state leaders on youth-related topics.

Carlos said she is “excited” about the start of state-required Black and Latino studies at the high school and added that there is always room for improvement when it comes to transparency.

“I feel working on new ways to share information in timely and effective manner will strengthen the communication and relationship our board has with our community,” she said.

Democrat John Desjardins, 54, has been on the Planning and Zoning Commission since 2008. He said it was a good start but he wants to be more active in the community. Havine spent 26 years in the military, he said he has a “holistic” philosophy in regards to education and feels strongly that students should have a well-rounded education.

Republican Florence Turner, 50, could not be reached for this article. According to the Republican Town Committee website, she has resided in Montville for the past 36 years and has worked at the town’s transfer station for the past 19 years. She has a child and a grandchild in the school system.

She “believes that educating our children is an enormous responsibility and two-thirds of the town budget,” the site reads.

Running for Board of Assessment Appeals are Democrat Gary Murphy and Republican Richard Cenami. For the Zoning Board of Appeals, the candidates are John MacNeil, a Democrat and chairman of the board, and Republicans Alfred J. Mandler and Vincent Atwater-Young.

Mandler, who also is running for Town Council, said if elected to the ZBA, he would “make informed decisions based on what the town has and needs.”

Editor’s Note: John MacNeil, who is running for a position on the Zoning Board of Appeals, is not a newcomer. He is chairman of the board.

 

— By Johana Vazquez , Day Staff Writer

The original article can be found here: “Montville Board of Education candidates talk masks and transparency”

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In The News | CT launches Amazon-connected partnership to provide technical skills training to 2,000+ residents

New Haven (Stamford Advocate, October 18, 2021) — A partnership between the state, its community college system and a subsidiary of e-commerce giant Amazon will establish non-credit certificate program classes offering training in a variety of computer and information technology skills, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday.

Amazon Web Services, which provides on-demand cloud computing platforms to individuals, companies and governments, will provide the curriculum for the courses, which will be offered through Connecticut’s community college system. The courses will cost $795 and will be taken over a five- to seven-week period, according to state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe.

“We will help with the cost of the course for people who it is an issue for,” Geballe said. The partnership does not involve any money changing hands between the state and AWS, he said; the money a student pays for the course goes to the community college the individual attends.

Lamont announced the partnership during a press conference at Gateway Community College.

“We have tens of thousands of these jobs that are being advertised every year and now we want to match the training with the need,” he said.

The initial goal of the program is to train more than 2,000 Connecticut residents by 2024, said Terrence Cheng, president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, which oversees the state’s 12 community colleges. Cheng said 20 faculty members across the community college system are being trained to teach the classes.

“We have tens of thousands of these jobs that are being advertised every year and now we want to match the training with the need,” he said.

The initial goal of the program is to train more than 2,000 Connecticut residents by 2024, said Terrence Cheng, president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, which oversees the state’s 12 community colleges. Cheng said 20 faculty members across the community college system are being trained to teach the classes.

Geballe said more than 40,000 jobs were advertised last year alone that sought individuals with skills relate to cloud computing and information technology. The median salary for cloud computing jobs is $180,00, he said.

“These are great jobs,” Geballle said.

An inability to fill those positions can slow down a technology company’s productivity or force Connecticut-based companies to look to hire out-of-state residents with the necessary skills, he said.

“We want to keep those jobs here,” Geballle said. “Amazon is a leader in cloud computing. Here in Connecticut, we can choose to be stuck in the past or we can modernize the way the state operates.”

The CSCU has created a dedicated web page for interested students to get more information and sign up for the training. For more information, visit www.ct.edu/aws.

 

— By Luther Turmelle, Hearst Media Staff Writer

The original article can be found here: “CT launches Amazon-connected partnership to provide technical skills training to 2,000+ residents”

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In The News | First Toni Morrison bench in state honors Prudence Crandall and Black students

Canterbury (The Bulletin, September 20, 2021) — Poets, activists and community leaders gathered outside the Prudence Crandall Museum Sunday afternoon under the bright, late summer sunshine to unveil the first Toni Morrison Society bench in the state. 

The 6-foot steel Toni Morrison “Bench by the Road” sitting area was dedicated to the memory of Prudence Crandall, an educator and 19th century local civil rights icon, and her Black students, a group whose story traces a direct line to the modern civil rights era and beyond.

The bench, fronted by a black plaque inscripted with gold lettering, was brought to Canterbury through a fundraising effort spearheaded by Windham Judicial District State’s Attorney Anne Mahoney with the help of the Sustainable CT group and local donators.

“My hope is the next generation can find inspiration here and seek out the works of (Morrison) and become more morally enhanced,” Mahoney said.

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CSCU ANNOUNCES STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SUSTAINED FUNDING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Terrence Cheng today announced the launch of the Student Support Program, an initiative aimed at providing sustained payments to community college students throughout the academic year. Funded through the American Rescue Plan, the federal stimulus package signed by President Biden in March, the program seeks to provide students with the resources necessary to continue their education during difficult economic times.

“We are doing everything in our power to remove external barriers, helping community college students stay in school and complete their degrees,” said President Cheng. “The Student Support Program will provide a boost to assist students and their families in making ends meet. While this money can be used for any component of the cost of attendance, I strongly encourage those students who have not yet done so to register for classes for the fall 2021 semester.”

The first round of funding will be sent this week, mostly via paper checks, to all students who are currently enrolled or were previously enrolled in a community college at any point since March 13, 2020. The amount of each check will be either $100 or $350 depending on financial need as demonstrated on the FAFSA or the Aid Application for Connecticut Undocumented Students (AACTUS).

“A community college education can be transformational, but it is only possible if students have the ability to attend and complete,” Connecticut State Community College Interim President David Levinson said. “The Student Support Program is just one step CSCU is taking – using federal stimulus funding – to provide our students with the resources necessary to continue their educational journeys.”

CSCU expects to make additional Student Support Program payments in October and December 2021 and in spring 2022. Future payments may be limited to currently enrolled students, and will include direct payments based on need as well as application-based grants for students with extraordinary needs. The total cost of the Student Support Program is estimated to be approximately $58 million. CSCU has previously provided $28 million directly to community college students. While the Student Support Program is specific to community college students, the state universities have already paid out $27 million directly to students and expect to provide another $37 million this year. Charter Oak State College has already distributed $284,000 and will distribute an additional $477,000.

In July, President Cheng announced a separate $17 million initiative, also using federal COVID-19 relief funding, to forgive debt to the community colleges which students took on or could not repay because of the pandemic.

“We are here for you,” President Cheng concluded. “If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to register for classes this fall.”

To learn more about the Student Support Program, visit ct.edu/StudentSupportProgram.

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Spring 2021 Dean’s List

Three Rivers Community College is pleased to release the Spring 2021 Dean’s List.

Congratulations to those students who made the Dean’s List this spring!

Students earn their place on the Dean’s List by receiving a 3.4 or higher grade point average based on a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Student Names and Towns

Sophie A. Arustei, Salem, CT
Paige A. Babcock, Niantic, CT
Frederick A. Bacamante, Groton, CT
Lorenzo A. Blanco, Gales Ferry, CT
Kimberly A. Boulay, Norwich, CT
Julia A. Boyce, Foster, RI
Brandon A. Chance, Voluntown, CT
Abigail A. Cossou, New London, CT
Brian A. Dec II, Colchester, CT
Ashley A. Doak, Niantic, CT
Josue A. Escobar, Bethany, CT
Tyler A. Guertin, Norwich, CT
Sarah A. Haggett, Canterbury, CT
Jocelyn A. Hanley, Old Saybrook, CT
Stacey A. Johnson, Plainfield, CT
Lisa A. Joyner, Oakdale, CT
Svetlana A. Kasem-Beg, Waterford, CT
Juliet A. Kimble, Oakdale, CT
Lisa A. Kutneski, Plainfield, CT
Dorie A. Langlois, New London, CT
Kayla A. Lopez, Groton, CT
Malachi A. Meuse, Niantic, CT
Joel A. Ortiz, New London, CT
Adriana A. Peralta-Jimenez, Norwich, CT
Dimitri A. Pia, Waterford, CT
Robert A. Rhoades Jr, Jewett City, CT
Zoe A. Ribeiro, Pawcatuck, CT
Thomas A. Rogers, North Grosvenordale, CT
Richard A. Sadler, Niantic, CT
Katja A. Sieling, Ledyard, CT
Lauren A. Susi, Gales Ferry, CT
Hope A. Tracy, Canterbury, CT
Ariel B. Babbitt, Gales Ferry, CT
Laura B. Chester, Mystic, CT
Chad B. Johnston, Waterford, CT
Lydia C. Clifford, Branford, CT
Dustin C. Durham, Waterford, CT
Andrew C. Haase, East Lyme, CT
Danielle C. LaSalle, Taftville, CT
Lord Han Godric C. Magpali, Groton, CT
Bellana C. Parungao, Gales Ferry, CT
Nichole C. Rodriguez, Preston, CT
Brooke C. Speller, Waterford, CT
Gregory C. Wetzel, Salem, CT
Jermaine D. Beason, Windsor, CT
Brendan D. Bernier, Uncasville, CT
Ingrid D. Burdick, Uncasville, CT
Connor D. Hogan, Old Lyme, CT
Megan D. Kurey, Westerly, RI
Bountai D. McCaffrey, Norwich, CT
Matthew D. McNulty, Willimantic, CT
Alexandria D. Moore, Waterford, CT
Allen D. Murallo, Salem, CT
Derrick D. Otero, Salem, CT
Tyasha D. Pace, Greenwich, CT
Dillon D. Palombizio, Lebanon, CT
Matthew D. Schreiter, Lebanon, CT
Abigail D. Tabilas, Preston, CT
Luis E. Andino, Gales Ferry, CT
Caitlyn E. Anton, East Lyme, CT
Katherine E. Archer, Pawcatuck, CT
Nolan E. Arruda, North Stonington, CT
Meghan E. Babb, Groton, CT
Brooke E. Benedict, Hampton, CT
Kayla E. Brackett, Waterford, CT
Courtney E. Cyr, Canterbury, CT
Eymi E. Delcid, Waterbury, CT
Ezra E. Delgado, New London, CT
Gavin E. Grabowski, Deep River, CT
Payton E. Hall, Gales Ferry, CT
Gillian E. Jordan, Mystic, CT
Lauren E. Kearney, Gales Ferry, CT
Kayleen E. Keefe, East Lyme, CT
Andrew E. LeBlanc, Groton, CT
Julia E. Maranzano, Gales Ferry, CT
Kevin E. McMenemy, Moosup, CT
Cassondra E. Nowland, New London, CT
Sage E. Passarelli, Waterford, CT
James E. Pepin Jr, Norwich, CT
Marissa E. Purcell, Waterford, CT
Mikayla E. Tigner, East Hampton, CT
Ashley E. Werber, Norwich, CT
Cole E. Wilbur, Pawcatuck, CT
Thomas F. Ashton, Groton, CT
Austin F. Egger, Pawcatuck, CT
Emma F. Stilphen, Waterford, CT
Eric G. Anderson, Groton, CT
Karina G. Huerta, New London, CT
Ethan G. Miller, Norwich, CT
Kelsey G. Ng, Ledyard, CT
Devon G. Sousa, Quaker Hill, CT
Stanley H. Beckford, Groton, CT
Jason H. Bowser, East Hampton, CT
Fiona Elizabeth H. Torre, Groton, CT
Eric H. Weissenborn, Willimantic, CT
Hannah I. Carlson, Oakdale, CT
Alisha I. Towpas,z Pawcatuck, CT
Juliet I. Walker, Lebanon, CT
Veronica J. Bowles, Lisbon, CT
Monica J. Brooks, Voluntown, CT
Abimelech J. Caraballo, Norwich, CT
Kelsey J. Coriaty, Norwich, CT
Tiffany J. Delancy, Norwich, CT
Andrew J. Donnelly, North Grosvenordale, CT
Richard J. Gagnier, Deep River, CT
David J. Jones, Uncasville, CT
Aykurt J. Kalican, Quaker Hill, CT
Karissa J. Knudson, Voluntown, CT
Aaron J. Lanati, Salem, CT
Nicholas J. Litke, North Stonington, CT
David J. Medina, New London, CT
John J. Minnifield, Uncasville, CT
Angel J. Molina, Plainfield, CT
Guill J. Pomales-Velez, Fort Worth, TX
Kayla J. Rivera, Moodus, CT
Cameron J. Sousa, Groton, CT
Nicolas J. Spuches, Wethersfield, CT
Tanner J. Suplita, Norwich, CT
Nathan J. Swift, Uncasville, CT
Andrew J. Thevenet, Voluntown, CT
Ryan J. Tramont, Groton, CT
Katherine J. Trejo, New London, CT
Fabri J. Villanueva-Verde, New London, CT
Conrad J. Waters, Preston, CT
Tanner J. White, Oakdale, CT
Nicholas J. Wylie, Canterbury, CT
Aaron K. Brooks, Norwich, CT
Rita K. Coyner, Temecula, CA
Cardell K. McKinney, New London, CT
Brandolf K. Schlieper, Norwich, CT
Braxton K. Smith, Groton, CT
Mariel K. Willbanks, Old Saybrook, CT
Maximilian L. Adamson, Waterford, CT
Charlotte L. Avery, North Franklin, CT
Laurie L. Baker, Ellington, CT
August L. Carignan, Danielson, CT
Franchesca L. Casucog, Norwich, CT
Dani L. Collins, North Grosvenordale, CT
Tamika L. Coppedge, Norwich, CT
Ashley L. Davis, Lisbon, CT
Isabella L. D’Eliseo, Marlborough, CT
Jessica L. Fenner, Preston, CT
Donna L. Flowers, Griswold, CT
Christy L. Gregg, Waterford, CT
Maylyn L. Haydash, Ledyard, CT
Jessica L. Hewitt, Preston, CT
Amanda L. Hutchinson, Johnson City, NY
Carter L. King, Norwich, CT
Vanessa L. Labonte, Taftville, CT
Christina L. Marotti, Wallingford, CT
Cathy L. Marvin, Colchester, CT
Jacqueline L. McGrade, Gales Ferry, CT
Korrine L. Nye, Ledyard, CT
Jennifer L. Paul, New London, CT
Daphne L. Roberts, Groton, CT
Harry L. Sanders IV, Norwich, CT
Coral L. Smedberg, New London, CT
Stacey L. Smith, Taftville, CT
Matthew L. Snyder, Griswold, CT
Brittany L. Stickman, Preston, CT
Cara L. Tingley, Canterbury, CT
Herminia L. Torre, North Stonington, CT
Melissa L. Valenzuela, Niantic, CT
Crystal L. Vallieres, Colchester, CT
Jordan L. Wheeler, Preston, CT
Jherymel M. Adille, Norwich, CT
Joy M. Amarante, Dayville, CT
Selena M. Baker, Waterford, CT
Seth M. Barr, Oneco, CT
Joseph M. Bernardo, Oakdale, CT
Alexa M. Blais, Lisbon, CT
Hunter M. Bossie, Griswold, CT
Julianna M. Cargo, Windham, CT
Jessica M. Coggeshall, Norwich, CT
David M. Donnelly, Branford, CT
Autumn M. Ehman, Waterford, CT
Nicole M. Fisher, Pawcatuck, CT
Carson M. Gibbs, Norwich, CT
Hannah M. Gienau, Pawcatuck, CT
Noelis M. Guzman, Norwich, CT
Erin M. Harris, Ledyard, CT
Alyson M. Hartung, Oakdale, CT
Sean M. Hayslip, Bozrah, CT
Ryan M. Hessling, Waterford, CT
Tara M. Hoyt, Mystic, CT
Theodore M. Kapinos, Bozrah, CT
Steven M. Kind, Uncasville, CT
Susan M. Kobyluck, Oakdale, CT
Leah M. McNeir, Mystic, CT
Lorenzo M. Morales, Preston, CT
Kayla M. Morey, Plainfield, CT
Sean M. Morris, Groton, CT
Quinn M. Ottilige, Canterbury, CT
Tamar M. Pensis, Canterbury, CT
Lillian M. Ramos, Norwich, CT
Cynthia M. Resto, New London, CT
Emily M. Robinson, Uncasville, CT
Andres M. Rosas, Yantic, CT
Dominick M. Saguiped, Uncasville, CT
Fiona M. Saunders, Old Saybrook, CT
Katherine M. Sloan, Coventry, CT
Sister Alexandria M. Smith, Baltic, CT
Jenna M. Topalis, Ledyard, CT
Melissa M. Tucker, Waterford, CT
Kelsey M. Wilson, Waterford, CT
Rhiannon M. Wing, Colchester,CT
Elizabeth M. Wyland, Voluntown, CT
Raleigh N. Aboy, Groton, CT
Julia N. Antezzo, Gales Ferry, CT
Auri N. Baez, New London, CT
Anthony N. Bailey, Griswold, CT
Le N. Czaja, Norwich, CT
Yamila N. Garcia, Ledyard, CT
Alexandria N. Neal, Waterford, CT
Jasmine N. Peterson, Groton, CT
Remanje O. Carter, Jewett City, CT
Ifeoluwa O. Sogunle, New London, CT
Eric P. Belske, Putnam, CT
Andrew P. Lambert, Willimantic, CT
Mariah P. Lupo, North Stonington, CT
Justen P. O’Dell, Groton, CT
Chanel P. Puetz, Baltic, CT
Sean P. Williams, East Lyme, CT
Jessica R. Bell, Groton, CT
Ian R. Carey, Colchester, CT
Devin R. Chenail, Brooklyn, CT
Stephen R. Cloudas ,Mystic, CT
Emme R. Drummond, Ledyard, CT
Maranda R. Hay, North Franklin, CT
Beatriz R. Lawler, Norwich, CT
Cadey R. McCormack, Jewett City, CT
Justin R. Murphy, Niantic, CT
Michelle R. Oliver, Groton, CT
Zeta R. Perry, Norwich, CT
Marcus R. Ploof, Colchester, CT
Jason R. Plotkin, Westerly, RI
Caroline R. Powell, Groton, CT
Liam R. Rubarth-Lay, Ledyard, CT
Kimberlin R. Stanford, Norwich, CT
Gabriel R. Stark, North Stonington, CT
Cassidy R. Stefanski, Uncasville, CT
Nazarene R. Vasile, Norwich, CT
Rachel R. Weed, Gales Ferry, CT
Caitlynn R. Wiese, Voluntown, CT
James S. Arnold, Jewett City, CT
April S. Baker, Colchester, CT
Mustapha S. Bello, Uncasville, CT
Marc S. Bryan, Preston, CT
Nyila S. Carter, Jewett City, CT
Noah S. Carver, Uncasville, CT
Helen S. Funk, New London, CT
Nathaniel S. Horgan, New London, CT
Benjamin S. Kinnie, Griswold, CT
Kshanti S. Livingston, Lisbon, CT
Nicholas S. Niedojadlo, Quaker Hill,CT
Naoko S. Sinrich, Oakdale, CT
Darren S. Swiatlowski, Canterbury, CT
Thomas S. Whitman III, Niantic, CT
Kenneth T. Aanensen, Oakdale, CT
April T. Breen, East Haddam, CT
Michael T. Gibbens, Norwich, CT
Sabrina T. Piccione, Groton, CT
Monn T. Pierre, Norwich, CT
Jake T. Shumbo, Colchester, CT
William T. Tate, Norwich, CT
Joseph T. Zachas, Colchester, CT
Kiera V. Burlingame McCord, Norwich, CT
Elizabeth V. Exley, Canterbury, CT
Gwendolyn V. Glaude, Pawcatuck, CT
Jenna V. Milukas, Quaker Hill, CT
Ankush V. Tolani, Jewett City, CT
James W. Armstrong, Uncasville, CT
Christopher W. Clark, Norwich, CT
Timothy W. Flynn, Ledyard, CT
Andrew W. Kunze, Niantic, CT
Allen W. Lyon, Norwich, CT
Anthony W. Mazzella, North Stonington, CT
Robert W. Warren, Waterford, CT
Ada Y. Davila-Rosario, New London, CT
Maxine Adamson, Waterford, CT
Ramia Alakkad, Groton, CT
Angelina Andreozzi, Westerly, RI
Willy Andujar, Norwich, CT
Enilyan Aponte Febus, New London, CT
Nicholas Ashley, Colchester, CT
Sierra Atchley, North Stonington, CT
Kelly Bailey, Putnam, CT
Larissa Bailey, Putnam, CT
Stephanie Baldwin, Amston, CT
Krystal Banushi, Norwich, CT
Scott Baumgartner, Waterford, CT
Kami Bedingfield, Waterford, CT
Arly Berroa, Norwich, CT
Erik Blanco, Norwich, CT
Briahna Borysewicz, Quaker Hill, CT
Davon Brown, Wauregan, CT
Mercedees Bruton, Norwich, CT
Taylor Burch, Groton, CT
Shelby Burdick, Groton, CT
Lilia Burdo, Norwich, CT
Madison Cann, Old Lyme, CT
Ilia Chavez, New London, CT
Jason Chen, Norwich, CT
Kevin Chen, Norwich, CT
Patience Clarke, Groton, CT
Jessica Cleary, Quaker Hill, CT
Matthew Clunan, East Hampton, CT
Meghann Coers, Taftville, CT
Sarah Collins, Shelton, CT
Melissa Curran, Quaker Hill, CT
Christine Debroisse, Waterford, CT
Lynda Denomme, Mystic, CT
Jeremie DeWitt, Groton, CT
Cris Dias, Norwich, CT
Jennifer Dragon, Bozrah, CT
Tiraa Edwards, New London, CT
Victoria Eisenhauer, Norwich, CT
Savannah Eldridge, Preston, CT
Rida Fatima, Norwich, CT
Chanel Ferguson, Ledyard, CT
Macy Flores, Norwich, CT
Sam Foster, Pawcatuck, CT
Logan Gagne, Groton, CT
Estela Galarza, Groton, CT
Autumn Gardner, East Hampton, CT
Garrett Gasparino, Jewett City, CT
Jessica Gaulin, Uncasville, CT
Valerie Glover, Colchester, CT
Alyssa Gomes-Normil, North Franklin, CT
Kayla Grimshaw, Plainfield, CT
Ethan Hasson, North Franklin, CT
Sean Heald, Pawcatuck, CT
Robert Holland, Preston, CT
Julie Holt, Columbia, CT
Jared Horner, Groton, CT
Aqeeb Hussain, Niantic, CT
Shayne Ignazio, Colchester, CT
Wanaia Jean Francois, Groton, CT
Gere Johnson, New London, CT
Marie Kobar, East Lyme, CT
Anastasia Larionova, Westbrook, CT
Keri-Lin Le, Norwich, CT
Jesse Leckie, Gales Ferry, CT
Renandy Ledoux, New London, CT
Sara Lenney, Mystic, CT
Barry Lin, Uncasville, CT
Benjamin Lisle, New London, CT
Jianyi Liu, Norwich, CT
Jordan Lombardi, Preston, CT
Jared Lovell, Waterford, CT
Bonnie Ludovico, Essex, CT
Brooke Mackin, Jewett City, CT
Sean Massett, Groton, CT
Brianna Matias, Waterford, CT
Franklin May, Jewett City, CT
Dennia Miller, Norwich, CT
Carmen Montoya, Norwich, CT
Ermir Morina, Deep River, CT
Lori Muche, Mystic, CT
Lauren Murphy, Groton, CT
Aviana Nash, Groton, CT
Brandon O’Connor, Putnam, CT
Whitney Orefice, Windham, CT
Jee Eun Park, New London, CT
Lisette Pascual Adames, New London, CT
Diana Pasholli, Waterford, CT
Anima Patel, New York, NY
Jason Pere, Jewett City, CT
Rafael Perez, Waterford, CT
Michael Pettini, Stonington, CT
Sereyvichea Phan, Quaker Hill, CT
Bryauna Phillips, Norwich, CT
Raymond Phonthaphanh, Oakdale, CT
Samuel Pimentel, Salem, CT
Andrew Pires, Columbia, CT
Heather Poole, Oakdale, CT
Nicholas Raill, Colchester, CT
Luke Reynolds, Colchester, CT
MariAnne Rice, Groton, CT
Eunice Rosado, Norwich, CT
Saniya Sabitova, Lebanon, CT
Rut Sanchez, Waterford, CT
Anna Senay, Moosup, CT
Jessica Senphansiry, Waterford, CT
Abigail Simpson, Tolland, CT
Molly Smith, Taftville, CT
Ashley Sparkman, Uncasville, CT
Erin Special, Norwich, CT
Evan Spohn, Quaker Hill, CT
Tanner Spreer, Mystic, CT
Kathleen Stirlen, Colchester, CT
Sara Swift, Colchester, CT
Jennifer Timmons, Colchester, CT
Valerie Torres, New London, CT
Amy Trahan, Norwich, CT
Katarzyna Tylicka, Plantsville, CT
Sabrina Tyree, New London, CT
Toni Underwood-Milan, Ledyard, CT
Sarah Van Valkenburg, Old Lyme, CT
Hannah VanDevander, Pawcatuck, CT
Yamilka Vaquero-Perez, Willimantic, CT
Meiling Wang, Waterford, CT
Rafayel Wassef, New London, CT
Elizabeth Weber, Ledyard, CT
Ara Wilnas, Willimantic, CT
Maureen Zachas, Colchester, CT
Anne Yee Zhang, Uncasville, CT

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