Decades after graduating, nursing alumni keep strong ties to STCC

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – When Springfield Technical Community College’s Nursing Program was holding its 50^th anniversary pinning ceremony in 2022, two alumni who graduated over 40 years earlier were delighted to join the celebration.

Carol Caulton ’76 and Gloria Wilson ’80 came to STCC to participate in recognizing the landmark anniversary and honoring the latest class of graduates to enter the profession.

STCC Nursing Director and Assistant Dean Lisa Fugiel had known Wilson over the years through various professional organizations. Their professional relationship deepened when several years ago Wilson was hired as a clinical adjunct professor. 

Wilson's dedication to student success not only earned Fugiel's admiration but also sparked collaborative efforts between them to develop an alumni mentorship program, further enhancing support for students beyond the classroom.

Fugiel met Wilson’s friend, Caulton, when she was looking for alumni to honor and celebrate during the 50^th pinning ceremony. Caulton shared photos and recounted the history of the nursing program from her time as a student at STCC in the 1970s.

“Her insights proved invaluable as I prepared for the 50th ceremony and the video presentation showcased that evening. Carol's remarkable nursing career, which she credits STCC's Nursing program with launching, served as a reminder of the program's positive impact,” Fugiel said.

Wilson and Caulton once again returned to STCC on a spring day in 2024 to reflect on the nursing program and its impact on their lives and careers. Their story is not just about personal achievement but also about the transformative power of education and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities. It was at STCC that they found not only academic guidance but also a supportive community that believed in their potential.

“Going to STCC helped me to be more of a community person,” said Wilson, who works for the Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center, which provides patient services through telehealth or in person. “All my initiative came from STCC.”

Caulton, who retired from her nursing career, was interested in public service and served a term on the Springfield City Council from 2000-2001. She said that institutions like STCC provide opportunities for people who might not otherwise get them.

While she’s retired, Caulton stays active. She serves on the board of the Greater Springfield Senior Services as well as on the Western Massachusetts Black Nurses Association (WMBNA), among other organizations.

Going to STCC helped me to be more of a community person. Gloria Wilson '80, STCC nursing alumna

Wilson sits on a variety of community boards and organizations, including the WMBNA, which celebrated its 30^th anniversary on May 4, 2024. (Wilson was chair of the event planning committee).

The WMBNA’s mission is to help bring more individuals of the Black community into the medical field. The organization provides leadership training and mentorship for prospective nurses and scholarships for nursing schools.

As a sponsor of the event, STCC’s Nursing Program sent faculty, staff and students to celebrate the WMBNA anniversary.

Wilson wants to bring more people into the nursing profession, which ties in to her work with the WMBNA.  Wilson, Caulton and Fugiel are working together on a program that would allow WMBNA to mentor and support nurses of color at STCC. The WMBNA includes about 40 nurses.

“I’m working with area colleges, including STCC, to keep nursing growing,” Wilson said.

Born and raised in Springfield, Wilson decided to enroll at STCC in the late 1970s to get her degree and become a registered nurse. She had been an LPN (licensed practical nurse) for eight years when she entered the program. She continued her education and went on to receive her master’s in management from Cambridge College and a Master of Science in Nursing from Elms College.

During her long career she worked as a director of the Department of Elder Affairs in Springfield before taking her current position as a case manager for Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center.

She raised four children, including a son, Khambrel Wilson, an STCC graduate. Khambrel, who was diagnosed with a rare disease when he was young, passed away in 2022. Gloria Wilson said her son enjoyed his STCC experience and the support he received.

Like Wilson, Caulton went to STCC to pursue an associate degree after working as an LPN. “I always wanted to be a nurse, from the time I was very young,” she said.

After graduating, she went to work at hospitals as a registered nurse. She spent the bulk of her career working in the public sector. She served in the Springfield Health Department and worked as a regional nurse manager for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

“I always found politics very interesting,” she said. “It seemed like a good blend. When I ran for office (City Council), the state was pushing a smoking initiative (to ban smoking in public spaces). I could push it for Springfield.”

Over the decades since Caulton and Wilson graduated, the STCC nursing program has undergone significant transformations. Students now train with patient simulators and are using virtual reality for more immersive learning experiences.

STCC offers the state MassEducate and MassReconnect programs, free community college initiatives. Together, MassEducate and MassReconnect provide the opportunity for all Massachusetts residents, regardless of age or income who have yet to earn a bachelor’s degree, the opportunity to earn an associate degree or certificate at any one of our community colleges, if they meet all eligibility requirements and complete the proper steps to enroll and matriculate.

While the nursing program has evolved with the times, it has stayed true to its core values, preparing future generations of nurses to lead with compassion, integrity and competence.

Caulton noted that a nursing education at STCC opens the door to many opportunities.

“There are so many fields you don’t necessarily think of for nurses,” she said. “You don’t think of them in law offices, insurance companies or politics, but they can apply their skills in those areas and more. What’s great about a (community college) is you can get an affordable start. Whoever thought of it – it’s a wonderful idea. It brought more students into more opportunities.”

Watch a video of Carol Caulton discussing her STCC experience.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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