New members, chair named to STCC Board of Trustees

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Springfield Technical Community College Board of Trustees recently welcomed two new members and a new chair, Mary Catherine “Marikate” Murren.

The new members are Jynai S. McDonald, of Springfield, who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker in June, and Yanira Aviles, of Springfield, who was elected by the student body in April.

Baker this summer named Murren as chair of the board. She replaces Christopher C. Johnson of Agawam, whose term recently expired. He had served as a trustee since 2006.

With Johnson’s term expiring, Baker named McDonald to the board. She is the Family Child Care Coordinator for Service Employee International Union Local 509. In her role, she provides leadership training, professional development and negotiation for over 3,500 child care providers throughout the commonwealth.

Previously, she served as Western Mass. Regional Manager for Training Resources of America, Inc. She also has worked at Hampden County Career Center and Northeast Center for Youth & Families, Tri-County School. McDonald was honored as a rising star in the regional business community when she was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty, Class of 2019.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in digital marketing and social media management from Bay Path University.

“It is an honor to be appointed by Governor Baker and serve the greater Springfield community by being a part of the governing body to the only technical community college in the commonwealth,” McDonald said. “With my background in education and workforce development, offering accessible and high-quality public education will always be a top priority for me.”

The new chair of the board, Murren, has served as a trustee for more than two years. An Enfield, Conn., resident, she is Vice President of Human Resources for MGM Springfield. Murren graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s in sports management.

“I am honored to accept the responsibility as chair of Springfield Technical Community College's Board of Trustees,” Murren said. “It will be a privilege to serve with my fellow trustees to continue the good work of the community college under President John Cook, the faculty and staff, and especially the students. Springfield Technical Community College is a valued partner in the city of Springfield for surrounding employers, and I am looking forward to being a part of their future success. As a new business in the area, the college was instrumental in our efforts to create thousands of jobs at MGM Springfield. It will be a pleasure to work with my fellow trustees to move the mission of the community college forward."

Cook said, "The college is grateful to Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for their recent STCC Trustee appointments.  With the appointment of trustee Murren as chair, STCC will enjoy continuity during our upcoming institution accreditation, and her knowledge of regional workforce needs is particularly valuable."

Aviles, the student trustee, said she wants to use her position to help other students who have faced barriers. In her mid-30s, Aviles took courses at STCC to prepare for the HiSET, or high school equivalency test. After passing her HiSET exam in 2016, she enrolled in the liberal arts/general studies degree program at STCC.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as student trustee at STCC,” Aviles said. “I’m the first one in my family to attend college, and there was a time I never thought that would happen. I understand what it’s like to come from a low-income background. I can relate to my classmates, and will do everything I can to help them transform their lives.”

The Board of Trustees, which has 11 members, is a governing body that works with the college president on fiscal oversight and long-range planning.

About Springfield Technical Community College

Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of about 7,000 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.

For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).

MEDIA CONTACT:

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

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