WELLESLEY HILLS (October 28, 2015) — Massachusetts Bay Community College announced today that it has been designated a 2016 STEM Jobs Approved College by Victory Media, the leader in connecting young professionals with education and career opportunities, and creator of STEM Jobsmedia and resources for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math. The 2016 STEM Jobs Approved Colleges survey rates universities, colleges, community colleges and trade schools on their ability and responsiveness to connecting programs and students with high-demand, high-growth STEM occupations. The new Top 5 Industry Awards recognize those institutions providing the best training and preparation for graduates to enter STEM fields profiled in STEM Jobs magazine.
Institutions submitting completed STEM Jobs Approved surveys were scored on publicly available data and responses to proprietary questions around four key indicators that demonstrate the extent to which a school works to 1) Provide opportunities for students to explore STEM subjects; 2) Promote partnerships that foster STEM literacy and connect classrooms to careers; 3) Ensure coursework and activities have a focus on careers; and 4) Promote STEM programs that actively attract and engage under-represented student populations. The assessment and rights to the STEM Jobs Approved Colleges designation are available to these qualifying schools for free. MassBay Community College will be featured in STEM Jobs magazine and online as part of the entire 2016 list of STEM Jobs Approved Colleges.
“At MassBay, we are committed to preparing the most talented Associate degree STEM professionals,” said MassBay Interim President Yves Salomon-Fernandez. “Our contributions to the workforce is recognized locally. This affiliation will enable us to continue to have a strong impact on the regional economy.”
“With our STEM Jobs Approved awards, we’re able to help educators evaluate whether they’re meeting the needs of students by employing the kinds of programs that our research shows are most effective in getting students involved in STEM,” said Glen Zollman, Vice President of STEM Jobs. “We’re pleased to showcase schools like MassBay Community College as an institution leading the way in this area.”
“I am thrilled that the College has received this recognition for our programs that are preparing students for careers in areas such as Advanced Manufacturing, Cyber Security, and Life Sciences,” said Chitra Javdekar, MassBay Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. “These programs are helping our regional employers find talent that they so desperately need. It really is a win-win for both our students and industry.”
“In addition to the breadth and rigor of our STEM courses and programs, the college deeply values experiential learning and professional mentorship,” said Valerie Kapilow, MassBay STEM Implementation Coordinator. “All MassBay STEM students have the opportunity to complete an internship with a STEM employer and participate in the STEM Mentor Program, which pairs students in one-on-one relationships with accomplished STEM professionals.”
For more information about MassBay’s commitment to STEM fields of study and careers, visit MassBay’s website at www.massbay.edu/stem.