Skip to Content
Springfield Technical Community College
Search
Menu
  • Opener Explore Programs & Classes
    • Credit
    • Degrees & Certificates
    • Register for Classes
    • Class Schedules
    • Course Descriptions
    • Flex Terms
    • Honors Program
    • Online Learning
    • Challenge Exams
    • Transfer Options
    • Non-Credit
    • Springfield Adult Learning Center (SALC)
    • HiSET/GED Exams
    • Testing & Placement
    • Workforce Development Center
    • More Programs
    • STEM Starter Academy
    • Early College
    • College Now Dual Enrollment
    • Gateway to College
    • Summer Youth Programs
  • Opener Apply To STCC
    • Admissions Policies
    • Information Sessions
  • Opener Pay for College
    • Financial Aid
    • College Costs
    • Scholarships & Awards
    • Free College
    • Financial Wellness
  • Opener Student Resources

    Student Support Quick Links


    • Academic
    • Tutoring
    • Registrar's Office
    • Request a Transcript
    • Academic Advising
    • Transfer Services
    • Library
    • Inter-college Access
    • Tech Support
    • Support
    • Career Services
    • Child Care
    • Disability Services
    • Domestic Violence Resources
    • Leadership/Mentoring
    • Student Affairs
    • Student Policies
    • TRIO Services
    • Veterans/Service Members
    • Wellness
    • Center for Access Services
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Health Compliance
    • Health & Wellness Center
    • Medical Re-entry Process
    • Mental Health Support and Resources
  • Opener Campus Life
    • Arts and Culture
    • Athletics
    • Bookstore
    • Campus Safety
    • Inclusion & Belonging
    • Fitness Center
    • Food Services
    • Housing
    • Parking and Transportation
    • Student Activities & Clubs
    • WTCC 90.7 FM
  • Opener About STCC
    • Accreditation
    • Board of Trustees
    • Shared Governance
    • Campus Map & Directions
    • Community Engagement
    • Contact Information/ Directories
    • Employment
    • Hispanic Serving Institution
    • History of the College
    • Institutional Research
    • Marketing & Communications
    • President's Message
    • Publications
    • Public Records
    • Purchasing/Bids
    • Strategic Planning
    • Student Consumer Information
  • eTools
    • STCCNet Portal
    • Email
    • Blackboard
    • ARIES

    • STCC Account/Getting Started
    • Reset Password
    • Tech Tutorials
  • Library
  • Visit
    • Visit STCC
    • Virtual Tour
    • Campus Map and Directions
    • Smoke-Free Campus
  • News
    • STCC News
    • Media Coverage
    • Campus Blog
    • STCC Around
    • Student News
  • Calendar
    • Academic Calendar
    • Final Exam Schedule
    • Events Calendar
    • Commencement
  • Alumni
  • Give
    • Donate Now
    • STCC Foundation
    • Ram Warrior Society
    • Past Campaigns
  • Translate
  • Home
  • /
  • About STCC
  • /
  • News
In this Section
About STCC
  • Accreditation
  • Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, & Diversity
    • Policy
    • Complaints
    • Resources
  • Board of Trustees
    • Bylaws
    • Board of Trustees Meetings
    • Minutes of Board of Trustees Meetings
    • Alumni Trustee Position
  • Cabinet
  • Campus Map and Directions
  • Community Engagement
    • Community Dental Care
    • Facility Rentals
      • Event Request Form
    • Farmers' Market
    • STCC Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
    • We the Women
    • WTCC Radio
  • Contact STCC
  • Employee Directory
  • Faculty Directory
    • Endowed Chairs
  • Office Directory
  • Employment at STCC
    • STCC Cares: Employee Well-being Strategy
    • Employee Benefits
    • Internal Postings Job Availability Notice
    • Employee Excellence Awards
    • Retiree Community
    • Professional Development
    • Center for Online & Digital Learning
  • Hispanic Serving Institution
    • HSI Stories
  • History of the College
    • Our Presidents
    • Our Founders
    • Shays' Rebellion Website
  • Institutional Research
    • Data Request Form
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Marketing and Communications
    • Publications
      • College Catalogs
      • Course Brochures
      • Dean's List
      • STCC Student Success Plan
  • News
    • Hometown News
    • Media Coverage
    • STCC Around
    • Student News
      • Merit
        • STCC Merit Page
        • Share Your Story
  • President's Message
  • Public Records
    • Guidelines for Seeking Public Records
  • Purchasing
    • Accounts Payable
    • Facility Contractor Bids
  • Rankings
  • Shared Governance
  • STCC Assistance Corporation
  • Strategic Planning
    • Strategic Planning Task Force
  • Student Consumer Information
  • 29 Who Shine

STCC Board of Trustees chair Marikate Murren steps down

October 2, 2023

Marikate Murren with Board of Trustees commencement 2023Marikate Murren, center, stands with other trustees at the STCC Commencement on June 1, 2023 in the MassMutual Center. From left: Norman Roldan, Samalid M. Hogan, Elizabeth A. Oleksak-Sposito, Murren, Tonia Butler Perez, Jynai S. McDonald and Jeffrey S. Sattler.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Springfield Technical Community College Board of Trustees on Sept. 25 said farewell to chair Marikate Murren who decided to step down after serving on the board for seven years.

Murren, who has served on the board since 2016, was appointed chair by Governor Charlie Baker in 2019. She submitted her resignation in a letter to Governor Maura Healey on Sept. 8. After a vote on Sept. 25, the Board of Trustees, per their bylaws, chose Vice Chair Jynai McDonald to serve as acting chair. The governor appoints the permanent chair.

Marikate Murren, left, stands with Jynai McDonald after a Sept. 25 Board of Trustees meeting.

“It has been a great honor to serve the college during such a consequential time in our history. Working closely with President John B. Cook over the past seven years, I know STCC has the leadership needed to continue our essential mission of helping students transform their lives,” Murren stated in the letter.

President Cook praised Murren for her leadership and commitment to STCC’s mission.

“We are grateful for the years of dedication and service Marikate Murren has given to Springfield Technical Community College,” Cook said. “She has made a meaningful difference and has helped us achieve a number of successes during her tenure.”

It has been a great honor to serve the college during such a consequential time in our history. Marikate Murren, Chair, STCC Board of Trustees

In her letter, Murren cited several successful projects and initiatives implemented at STCC during her time on the board. They include but are not limited to:

  • Securing and managing $50 million for the Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons, which opened in 2018
  • Securing and managing $50 million in funding to relocate the School of Health and Patient Simulation
  • Taking a lead in the establishment of the Cyber Center of Excellence at Union Station in Springfield
  • Receiving re-accreditation for STCC by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic through “a remarkable set of changes”
  • Endorsing the next STCC Strategic Plan – Momentum: 2023-2028, which establishes a set of five key strategic goals.

Murren shared that she is leaving her position now in part because the need to focus on her family has grown considerably.

Marikate Murren holds a plaque at the Sept. 25 Board of Trustees meeting. She stands with President John B. Cook, left, and other members of the board.

“I also know this is an opportune time to step down given the successes noted above, the steady leadership STCC has in administration, as well as recent state policy and budget supports,” Murren said.

Murren said Trustees welcome tuition equity for undocumented students, as well as MassReconnect, a version of free community college for Massachusetts residents 25 years of age or older to earn an associate degree or certificate.

“I am grateful to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the opportunity to serve,” Murren said in the letter.

The college’s Board of Trustees includes nine members whom the governor of Massachusetts appoints to a maximum of two five-year terms, as well as an alumni-elected member who also serves a maximum of 10 years and a student trustee elected by the student body.

The Board of Trustees with authority derived from state statute, establishes policies, sets fees, awards tenure, provides fiduciary oversight including approval of the annual budget and delegates powers and responsibilities to the college president.

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

  • See All News

Website Disclaimer

Springfield Technical Community College provides the information herein as a public service, with the understanding that Springfield Technical Community College strives to achieve the highest standards in content accuracy on its Website. Springfield Technical Community College makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this Website. Errors or omissions should be reported to the web developer: webmaster@stcc.edu. Visitors to our Web pages might see links to Internet resources outside of the Springfield Technical Community College Website: all are provided solely for the convenience of our Website visitors. By providing such links, Springfield Technical Community College should not be considered as endorsing any or all outside sites linked from our main site. When a visitor links to another site that is not an official Springfield Technical Community College Website, the user is no longer on a Springfield Technical Community College Website and thus, Springfield Technical Community College disclaims any responsibility or liability for the services or information offered at such non-college sites. At all times, Springfield Technical Community College makes every effort to accurately present programs and policies to the public. Those responsible for preparation of the catalog, the class schedule, and all other public announcements make every effort to ensure that the information presented is current and correct. However, Springfield Technical Community College reserves the right to modify or eliminate courses or programs and to add, amend, or repeal any and all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures at any time. Springfield Technical Community College assumes no responsibility for publication errors beyond its control. All users of the College's Website shall have no expectation of privacy over such use.

Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square,
Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 781-7822
.
  • Contact
  • Employment
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap
  • Campus Map & Directions
  • Affirmative Action & Title IX
  • Student Consumer Information
  • Accessibility
Comwealth Commitment Logo
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram