Article • May 28, 2025

MassBay Graduate, Jesica Jimenez Pineda, Receives Prestigious Foster Furcolo Award

Jesica Jimenez Pineda Wins Foster Furcolo

MassBay Community College International Business graduate, Jesica Jimenez Pineda poses on the Wellesley Hills campus, Wellesley Hills, MA, May 2025 (Photo/Jesica Jimenez Pineda).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (May 28, 2025) — MassBay Community College 2025 graduate, Jesica Jimenez Pineda of Chestnut Hill, MA has been awarded the esteemed Foster Furcolo Award. This Award is presented annually to one graduate from each of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges who exemplifies outstanding academic achievement, leadership and commitment to community service. The Scholarship is accompanied by a two-year scholarship covering tuition and most mandatory fees to attend the University of Massachusetts Boston.

The Foster Furcolo Scholarship is named after Massachusetts’ 60th Governor, John Foster Furcolo. Governor Furcolo was the first Italian American governor of the Commonwealth, an active promoter of community colleges, and a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1949–1952.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and receiving this scholarship means so much, not just to me, but to my entire family,” said Jesica. “They’ve always encouraged me to continue my education, and now I have the chance to pursue a college degree, something no one in my family has done before. I’m the youngest of five siblings and the first to move to another country for my education. My mother, who raised us on her own, has always believed in the power of higher education. I’m currently working full-time to support my family back home, and this scholarship makes it possible for me to keep moving forward. Thank you, MassBay, for believing in me.”

Jesica is originally from Colombia and moved to the United States to become an au pair. When she heard about the College and learned how close it was to her home she decided to enroll in classes. While at MassBay Jesica earned a spot on the Dean’s List and President’s List every semester, participated in the Rotaract Club, was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and maintained and will graduate with a 4.0 GPA.

“MassBay was the perfect place to begin my academic journey. The College truly prioritizes creating a supportive environment for its students. I’m especially grateful to Karen Akukwe in the Advising Office, she was instrumental in the transfer and scholarship process. I was also fortunate to learn from outstanding professors like John Dunn, Susan Hamilton, and Richard Farrell, who constantly motivated us and sparked our intellectual curiosity.”

Jesica will be graduating from MassBay in May with her Associate in Arts degree in International Business. She was honored at commencement with the All-College Award for a 4.0 GPA, the All-Division Award for highest GPA in her academic division, and the All-Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program. She will transfer to UMass Boston’s, College of Management to pursue a bachelor’s in information systems and business analytics.

MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands-on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.