From STCC to educational leadership: The inspiring journey of Chicopee’s school superintendent

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Marcus Ware ’02 came to Springfield Technical Community College as a 19-year-old feeling, in his words, “humbled.”

He graduated in 2002 feeling transformed.

Today, more than 20 years later, Dr. Ware serves as superintendent of Chicopee Public Schools, a position he has held since July 1, 2023. It’s not unusual for him to step into a classroom to speak with high school students and offer them advice, which is to consider going to community college.

Born and raised in Springfield and a graduate of the Springfield public school system, Ware often shares with students his own journey that brought him to STCC. After high school, he didn’t think about going to his local community college. Even though he had taken dual enrollment classes at STCC and earned college credit while still a student at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School. Instead, after graduating in 1999, he wanted to go to a big university. But, after struggling for a year and a half in that environment, he decided to come to STCC, where he could knock out his prerequisites.

While enrolled at STCC, he discovered a love for the community college experience and realized he should have started there after graduating from high school.

“I didn’t appreciate the offerings it had until I was humbled,” Ware said. “I wish I would have started at STCC. The relationships I built with my professors and relationships I built with my classmates were more than helpful. I remember saying, ‘This feels like college. This feels doable.’

“What worked for me was the relationship building I experienced at STCC, the intimate nature of getting to know the person who is teaching. The professors at STCC challenged me. I remember a professor who made physics relatable to everything. I remember a sociology professor who challenged us and pushed us every day.”

I wish I would have started at STCC. The relationships I built with my professors and relationships I built with my classmates were more than helpful. Dr. Marcus Ware, Chicopee School Superintendent

At STCC, Ware learned to manage his time. He worked at a retail store and was able to find a balance between his job and his studies. He met with friends in the morning to study and get ahead of homework.

“Looking back on it, it was the support structures that STCC had in place to make someone like me be successful,” he said.

He was able to take advantage of support services like tutoring. He found it easy to reach out to professors to ask questions to get help.

Ware graduated with an associate degree in general studies and felt prepared for a four-year institution. He decided on Western Connecticut State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in meteorology. He tutored and worked as a substitute teacher, finding a passion for a career in education. He thought that would make for a better career than one in meteorology.

He went on to earn a Master’s in Education from Cambridge College in Springfield and his Doctor of Education from the University of Hartford.

Ware’s professional experience includes working as a teacher at Eagle Hill School in Hardwick and then at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton. He moved up the ranks and served as head of Springfield Commonwealth Academy in Springfield before accepting a position as assistant principal at Windham Middle School in Windham, Conn. Ware was promoted to principal of the middle school, and then promoted to central office during his five years at Windham.

In 2023, he was hired as superintendent in Chicopee. Ware grew up in East Springfield, on the border of Chicopee, so he feels close to home. His mother and a bevy of aunts, uncles and cousins live in Springfield, which he visits a few times a week.

“I always believe I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m where I am needed,” Ware said. “It was a nice upward climb pretty quickly, but each experience has brought me to where I am today as a superintendent in Chicopee.”

Dr. Karen-Louise Walker, STCC’s Assistant Vice President of Advancement, said Ware’s story reflects the transformative impact of an STCC education and degree.

“As an alumnus of Springfield Technical Community College, Dr. Ware exemplifies the spirit of determination, resilience and excellence that defines our institution,” Walker said. “His journey from student to school superintendent in Chicopee serves as a testament to the power of education to shape lives and communities.”

Looking back on his journey, Ware said he is grateful for STCC and its impact on his life.

“Some of the best education I got was at STCC, and I told my professors that when I was at STCC,” he said. “I tell people I had to be humbled to appreciate that I had to go to a community college first where I received an excellent education that helped prepare me to get where I am today.”

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

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