BHCC News

BHCC Special Program Coordinator for Students Who are Parents Honored as ABCD Community Hero

Carmen Rondash is one of 18 community leaders honored by the Boston non-profit 

BHCC Special Program Coordinator for Students Who are Parents, Carmen Rondash, was honored as a Community Hero by Action for Boston Community Development—one of 18 local community heroes the non-profit feted at its annual celebration earlier this month. 

Women’s Edge Honors Bunker Hill Community College in Top 100 List

The annual Women’s Edge Top 100 Women-Led Businesses honors trailblazing women and celebrates the achievements of organizations prioritizing gender equity and leadership excellence. This year, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has proudly earned a place on the list for the fourth consecutive time, coming in at number 68. BHCC stands among several distinguished Boston-area higher education institutions, such as Suffolk University, UMass Lowell, Regis College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Simmons University, reflecting the strong commitment to inclusivity and leadership across the region.

The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance and Bunker Hill Community College Issue Call For Offers in Campus Redevelopment Project

The Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAMM) and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) have issued a Call for Offers, seeking proposals that would fulfill the state’s vision for a public-private partnership to revitalize the College’s Charlestown campus and create cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities for the community. This development project will deliver a reimagined mixed-use district as well as new, high-quality academic facilities for Massachusetts’ largest community college.  

Chief Robert Barrows Named Justice George Lewis Ruffin Society Distinguished Fellow

Northeastern University-based group honors criminal justice leaders of color from across greater Boston

BHCC Police Chief Robert Barrows was honored as a 2024 Distinguished Fellow of the Justice George Lewis Ruffin Society at Northeastern University, joining a group of more than a dozen other criminal justice leaders from across the Boston area, including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Suffolk County Sherriff Steven Tompkins, and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates One of the Most Comprehensive Free Community College Programs in the Country

Building on the first successful year of Governor Healey’s MassReconnect program, which provides free community college to students 25 and older, MassEducate offers all residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to attend any of the state’s 15 public community colleges and pay no tuition or fees.

BHCC Welcomes Wiley the Comfort Dog to Campus

College Police Department to Introduce Newest Member of the Community This Fall

Free community college has brought more than a thousand new students to Bunker Hill Community College this fall, but one new face on campus will have a very special role: meet Wiley, BHCC’s Comfort Dog.  

Dr. Cynthia K. Orellana Joins Bunker Hill Community College Board of Trustees

Mass Mentoring Partnership President and CEO, higher education leader begins term this fall 

Dr. Cynthia K. Orellana, President and CEO of Mass Mentoring Partnership, has joined the Bunker Hill Community College Board of Trustees. Appointed by Governor Maura Healey, Dr. Orellana attended her first BHCC Board meeting in September. 

Bunker Hill Community College and The Record Co. Announce Music Production Educational Partnership

Bunker Hill Community College’s (BHCC) Performing Arts Department and The Record Co. (TRC), a Boston-based non-profit that offers a community music workspace to local artists, are teaming up to offer a course in music production using TRC’s state-of-the-art facilities in Boston.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Introduces Transformative Redevelopment Opportunity at Bunker Hill Community College

State Will Seek a Development Partner to Deliver Academic Facilities and Commercial District

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards BHCC Higher Education Innovation Fund Grants

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded more than $1.3 million in Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) grants to projects that are collaborations between all 15 Massachusetts community colleges, state universities, and private institutions of higher education to advance racial equity. Bunker Hill Community College is a partner in three of the grant projects.

Bunker Hill Community College to Host Free Screening and Director Q+A of Inundation District

David Abel-directed documentary examines the planning and decisions behind the building of Boston’s Innovation District neighborhood, and how climate change is already impacting our city.

Bunker Hill Community College Student Participates at the 2024 Boston Intercollegiate Poetry Showcase

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey to Deliver Keynote Address at Bunker Hill Community College 2024 Commencement

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey will deliver the keynote address at Bunker Hill Community College’s 50th Commencement exercises on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the MGM Fenway Music Hall in Boston.

Bunker Hill Community College Proudly Named Founding Member of MassSkills Coalition

Governor Maura Healey has introduced the MassSkills Coalition, a collaborative effort among employers across industries to enhance talent recruitment and retention strategies. Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has been named a founding member.

Bunker Hill Community College Receives SUCCESS Institutional Leadership Award

On Friday, March 29, in Houston, Texas, Bunker Hill Community College received the 2024 SUCCESS Institutional Leadership Award at an inaugural SUCCESS Awards Ceremony hosted by TheDream.US, the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and Immigrants Rising.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Bunker Hill Community College Grant for New Community College Workforce Training Programs

The grants fund free non-degree training programs in areas such as education, health care, addiction recovery, cyber security, and manufacturing.

Office of the Provost Announces Fall 2023 Dean’s and Merit Lists

Excellence in Education: Honoring BHCC Outstanding Students

Bunker Hill Community College’s (BHCC) Office of the Provost is proud to announce the Fall 2023 Dean’s and Merit lists, which recognize more than 1,200 BHCC students for their achievement in academic excellence. 

BHCC Receives Life Science Workforce Initiative Grant from City of Boston

College partnering with Mass General Brigham and Project HOPE to train Medical Lab Professionals  

Massachusetts Launches MASFA, Expanding Financial Aid Access for Undocumented College Students

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has unveiled the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA), allowing currently enrolled undocumented college students in Massachusetts to apply for state need-based financial aid for the first time. Students can access the form at mass.edu/MASFA.

Bunker Hill Community College Student Valentina Ramos Receives First Literacy’s 2023-2024 Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship

BHCC student Valentina Ramos is the recipient of the 2023-2024 Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship. When Valentina was awarded the Tom Brunnick Memorial Scholarship, it served as a turning point in her life. “Now that I have this big financial help, I can slow down in my job, take more classes, and focus more on my education,” said Valentina.

UMass Announces Annual Scholarships for Top 10 Percent of MA Community College Graduates

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) has introduced the Community College Advantage Scholarship (CCAS), offering a minimum of $5,000 annually to the top 10 percent of future community college graduates in Massachusetts.

Bunker Hill Community College Employees Recognized for Excellence in State Government

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Performance Recognition Program Honors Three BHCC Leaders with State-Wide Honors; Nine more honored for outstanding performance

Twelve Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) employees were honored in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Performance Recognition Program—a state-wide program that formally recognizes Commonwealth employees for their extraordinary contributions to public service.  

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Financial Aid Expansion for Students in Massachusetts Public Colleges and Universities

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced MASSGrant Plus Expansion, a new financial aid program for students attending Massachusetts’ public colleges, including Bunker Hill Community College.

Humanities to Career Pilot Programs to Launch at Three Community Colleges, Including BHCC, with Combined Gift of $2.7 million

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation announces three grants as part of its new Humanities to Career Program, which seeks to strengthen humanities/liberal arts (HLA) pathways in community colleges through intentional career preparation.

Beamex Donates $10,000 to Empower BHCC Electric Power Utility Technology Students through Scholarship Fund

Beamex, a prominent leader in calibration and instrumentation solutions, has established a scholarship fund with a generous donation of $10,000 to support students enrolled in the Electric Power Utility Technology (EPUT) program at Bunker Hill Community College. This contribution is a result of the proceeds from the 2023 Annual Calibration Exchange (ACE) event organized by Beamex.

Bunker Hill Community College Named Top 100 Women-Led Business by Women’s Edge

The annual Women’s Edge Two 100 Women-Led Businesses is an annual who’s-who of leaders, companies, and institutions that exemplify gender equity and excellence. For the third consecutive year, Bunker Hill Community College was included on the list, this year coming in at number 55.

BHCC Kicks off STEM Week

Events this week promote pathways into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields 

October 16-20 is STEM week at Bunker Hill Community College, part of a Commonwealth-wide celebration organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s Nine Regional STEM Networks. STEM Week is a statewide effort to boost the interest, awareness, and ability of all students to see themselves in STEM opportunities. Young women, students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields yet make up a larger percentage of the overall workforce. 

Bunker Hill Community College Announces Some Kind of Girl: An African Girl Looking for America by Caroline Kautsire as 2023 One Book Selection

BHCC Professor’s 2022 memoir explores identity and the immigrant experience in Boston; College kicks off One Book with reading and book signing 

Bunker Hill Community College kicked off its annual One Book program with a reading and book signing by Professor of English Caroline Kautsire, author of Some Kind of Girl: An African Girl Looking for America.  

President Eddinger Testifies for Hunger Free Campus Initiative Legislation

Joint Committee on Higher Education holds hearing at Mass. State House 

On Monday, September 18, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger testified at a hearing of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Higher Education on behalf of legislation that would combat food insecurity on college campuses across the state. 

BHCC Receives 2023 Red Hat Community & Social Responsibility in Education Impact Award

Recognizing excellence and access in training partnership with global IT firm

Making higher education accessible to all is at the core of Bunker Hill Community College’s mission, both in the College’s degree programs and in its Workforce Development offerings. This fall, Red Hat, the global information technology firm that specializes in open technologies for enterprise, recognized the College’s commitment with the Community & Social Responsibility in Education Impact Award at the company’s Workforce Development and Red Hat Academy Conference. 

BHCC Police Officers Receive Life Saving Medal

Honor recognizes their service in saving man who fell onto tracks at Community College Station

Visitors to the BHCC campuses in Chelsea and Charlestown have likely encountered members of the Bunker Hill Community College Police Department—whether walking through the lobby in Chelsea or across the main entry plaza into B-Building where the department’s headquarters sits, the BHCC Police Department’s presence is an unmistakable reflection of their mission: to protect and serve the college community and all those who come to our campuses.

President Eddinger, Community College Leaders Talk MassReconnect on WBUR’s Radio Boston

Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger, along with Cape Cod Community College President John Cox and Roxbury Community College Interim President Jackie Jenkins-Scott, appeared on Radio Boston, public radio station WBUR’s daily local news show, to talk about the potential promise and impact of MassReconnect, the new state program that makes community colleges across Massachusetts free to Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older without a prior college degree.

Governor Healey Signs State Budget into Law, Ushering in a New Era of Free Community College in Massachusetts

MassReconnect Makes Community College Tuition-Free for Students Aged 25 and Older with No College Degree Starting This Fall; Includes Expansion of In-State Tuition to Undocumented Immigrant Students

Message from President Eddinger: Happy Juneteenth

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear Bunker Hill Community, 

Happy Juneteenth Independence Day! 

Charlestown Marina Owners Ann and Chuck Lagasse Make $2000 Scholarship Gift for BHCC Marine Technician Program

President Eddinger celebrates Charlestown Marina’s Large Marina of the Year Award and naming of Pier 6 public space in honor of former U.S.S. Constitution Commander and Charlestown native Robert Gillen. 

When Ann and Chuck Lagasse, the owners of Charlestown Marina, received the Large Marina of the Year award from Marina Dock Age Magazine, they called Bunker Hill Community College.  

BHCC Early College Expanding to Brighton and Malden High Schools

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) will have two new Early College programs in 2023

As part of a nine-school expansion announced by the Healy-Driscoll Administration, Brighton High School in Boston and Malden High School will both be home to designated BHCC Early College programs. The addition brings the total number of Early College programs to 60 across the Commonwealth, with approximately 7,800 students enrolled.  

Office of the Provost Announces Fall 2022 Dean’s and Merit Lists

Recognizing academic excellence of more than one thousand students 

Bunker Hill Community College’s (BHCC) Office of the Provost is proud to announce the Fall 2022 Dean’s and Merit lists, which recognize more than a thousand BHCC students for their achievement in academic excellence. 

Governor Healey Announces MassReconnect Program at Bunker Hill Community College

Would provide free community college to Mass. residents aged 25 and up with no previous degree 

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced the inclusion of the MassReconnect program in her administration’s budget proposal on Wednesday. The program, which would provide free community college and cover tuition, fees and some educational expenses to Massachusetts residents age 25 and older with no previous college degree, was announced in a press conference held at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC).  

Bunker Hill Community College Receives Skills Capital Grant Award for Health Sciences

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) was awarded a $135,799 Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant for the College’s General Sonography and Cardiac Sonography Associate of Science degree programs, one of only two Cardiac Sonography degree programs in Greater Boston. This is Bunker Hill’s fourth Commonwealth Skills Capital Grant in the last five years.

Bunker Hill Community College Student Literary Magazine Awarded First Class Prize by National Council of Teachers of English

Tell Magazine is one of 38 institutions internationally to be recognized for excellence in art and literary magazines 

Tell Magazine, the student literary magazine of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), was awarded a First Class Prize in the Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) contest by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Tell was selected from more than 250 literary magazines from institutions worldwide.  

Message from President Eddinger: Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,  

Overnight, devastating earthquakes struck the countries of Turkey and Syria, with a death toll in the thousands. The earthquakes were centered in southern Turkey, near the Syrian border and the Turkish city of Gaziantep. While we are still learning the extent of the damage, we know that millions of people are likely affected. 

A Message from President Eddinger: Tyre Nichols

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community, 

Bunker Hill Community College joins those around the world outraged by the murder of Tyre Nichols by police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, earlier this month - the latest in a seemingly endless trail of harassment and killing of Black men by law enforcement in our country’s history.  The release of the officers’ body camera footage this week has brought further grief and devastation, and revealed the full brutality, racism, and lawlessness of Tyre’s killers and the systems they represent.  For Tyre’s family, friends, and all who mourn his death and celebrate his life, we hope for the healing light of justice, mercy, and peace. 

Message from President Eddinger: Wishing You a Safe and Happy Lunar New Year

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

On Sunday, my family and I celebrated the Lunar New Year, an observance we will share over the next two weeks with other families around the world. But this year’s New Year’s celebration was different: not long after we welcomed the Year of the Rabbit, we heard news of several mass shootings, two of those in Asian American communities in California. Those events have introduced a sadness to what ordinarily is a joyful time of year. 

Message from President Pam Eddinger: Shootings in California

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

On Sunday, my family and I began the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Just as we finished New Year’s Eve dinner on Saturday evening, we heard about the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, often known as the city’s Second Chinatown. Ten individuals were killed, and as many wounded, all in their 50s, 60s, and 70s.  We were devastated that these elders, engaging joyfully in dance lessons and social activities, were so senselessly and brutally gunned down.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community, 

On Monday, January 16, we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  For all of us, it will be a day of service, reflection, and rededication to the values of universal equality, dignity, and love that animated Dr. King’s work, and that serve as a spark and inspiration to our own. 

Bunker Hill Community College Launches Certificate Programs in Cannabis Cultivation, Manufacturing, and Dispensing

Eight-week training programs will give students an entry into the fast-growing cannabis industry

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), in partnership with cannabis education and training leader Green Flower, has launched three cannabis certificate programs designed to provide the skills and training needed for a successful career in one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States.

Coming Together in Support of the Iranian Community: Thursday December 8

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community, 

Bunker Hill Community College unequivocally condemns the murder of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd woman who died in police custody this past September. Known to her friends and family as Zhina, she had been held for three days for her refusal to wear the Hijab, a violation of the Islamic Republic’s dress code laws. 

Message from President Pam Eddinger: Colorado Springs Shooting

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community:

In the midst of the holiday season, we are grieving. Our peace this past week was shattered by the deadly shooting at Club Q, a gathering place for the LGBTQIA+ community in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The violence claimed the lives of five people and injured 17 others, and to add to the devastation, this happened on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day named to honor those lost to anti-transgender violence. This latest incident echoes the 2016 mass shooting at Pulse, the gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, where 49 were killed and as many wounded. The trend of violence against the LGBTQIA+ community has not abated, and the acrimonious divisions in our society have only added fuel to these senseless acts.

Bunker Hill Community College Named One of the Grantees to Educate Boston’s Early Childhood Workforce

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is named as one of the four grantees in the Growing the Early Childhood Workforce Fund grant that will fund the education of nearly 800 early childcare educators who work in Boston. The funds will recruit new students to this field and help existing early childhood educators earn additional credentials at no cost. Awarded funds will support educators working in the City of Boston to pursue associate degrees in Early Childhood Development through apprenticeship or regular matriculation at no cost to educators. Wraparound services including childcare, transportation, and career planning, will be provided, along with a guaranteed job upon program completion. Other grantees named are Neighborhood Villages, Urban College, and UMass Boston.

Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger Appointed Co-Chair to Governor-elect Healey’s Transition Committee

Preparing to take office in January, Governor-elect Maura Healey announced Friday, November 18, that 15 committee co-chairs would join her transition team focusing on equity and affordability and how to ease economic burdens for Massachusetts residents, specifically communities that have been historically marginalized.

Bunker Hill Community College Receives $25,000 from the Ellucian Foundation to Support Students in Need

PATH Scholarship program directly supports financially-challenged students at U.S. Minority Serving Institutions

October 31, 2022—Boston, MA — Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) was selected as a 2022 Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship recipient through the Ellucian Foundation. The PATH Scholarship program provides grants to higher education institutions to support students facing economic hardship.  BHCC received $25,000, which will be distributed to up to 50 students to help cover items such as housing costs, tuition expenses, and food. 

Message from President Pam Eddinger: Observing Indigenous Peoples Day

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

On Monday, October 10, we observe Indigenous Peoples Day—a day to commemorate the proud histories of the people of the First Nations.  We offer gratitude to them for their role as stewards of the land on which we now live and solidarity in the work of preserving and extending the cultural wealth and richness of the Nations’ cultures.  

Hurricane Fiona: Supporting the BHCC Community

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

This weekend, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in the Caribbean, knocking out power and threatening over two million residents with severe flooding and wind damage in its path. In particular, Fiona devastates Puerto Rico on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, even as the island struggles valiantly to recover from the last tragedy.  We understand that it will take a number of days to restore power. Water, medicine and basic needs remain critical. Those of you with friends and family in Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, The British and the U.S Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, and all other impacted communities in the Caribbean and the Diaspora, we share your worries about the health and safety of your loved ones and hold them in our thoughts. 

Remembering September 11, 2001

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

On Sunday, we observe the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. In acts of unspeakable violence, 2,977 people from across the country and the world lost their lives in the attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The attacks and their aftermath were felt by people not only in the United States but around the globe. For those who lost loved ones and friends, the tragedy of that day rings undiminished through the decades—they can never be forgotten.  

Bunker Hill Community College’s Learn and Earn Program Featured in the Washington Monthly

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger and administrators at the College were interviewed about BHCC’s Learn and Earn program, specifically how paid internships were not reaching minorities and women in the numbers they intended when the program began in 2012. The article titled “Breaking the Cycle of Privilege” describes the program's momentum over the past ten years and the barriers and hurdles to making the program more accessible to women and people of color.

Office of the President: A message from President Eddinger on the recent events in Uvalde, Laguna Woods, and Buffalo

Dear BHCC Community,

Yesterday, the scope of national tragedy grew larger: the senseless murder of 19 people, all but one of them school children, in Uvalde, Texas. The more frequently these tragedies occur, the harder they are to comprehend. A supermarket in Buffalo, a church in Laguna Woods, a school in Parkland, a school in Sandy Hook, and so many more murders driven by racism, misogyny, homophobia, and other forms of hate, made possible by the easy reach of a gun. How do we end this senseless cycle of violence? Why are the broadly popular policies for gun safety left to languish in the halls of power? Why is the most common reaction to these mass shootings to simply wait for the next one?

BHCC stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with victims of war and violence everywhere

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

Since last week’s Russian invasion of Ukraine, I have watched the events unfolding in Europe with concern and sorrow. Violence and war are the enemies of the values that this College and virtually every educational institution hold dear. Where education broadens our understanding of ourselves and the world, war narrows it; where education lifts a light by which we might see, violence casts only shadow. As a College, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and with victims of war and violence everywhere. 

President Eddinger and BHCC Student Participate in a Discussion on Mental Health in Community Colleges

On Thursday, January 13, Dr. Pam Eddinger, President of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), and BHCC psychology student Julia Vogel participated in an event titled: Call to Mind Live: Pass or fail - mental health in community colleges. The discussion focused on understanding and navigating the mental health gaps in community colleges.

In Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

As we study the inspirational achievements and ongoing struggles in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 17, 2022, I hope we take his teachings to heart and reflect on our own work, and that of our community, our nation, and our world.  

The Boston Foundation Awards $15K in Recognition of Learn and Earn Program

The Boston Foundation (TBF) announced that Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has been selected as a runner up recipient of the 7th Annual Deval Patrick Prize for Community Colleges. This is the first time TBF awarded a runner-up prize and BHCC received $15,000 for their ‘Learn and Earn’ program, which provides internships for a wide variety of BHCC students at local organizations and businesses. In 2017, BHCC received the Annual Deval Patrick Prize for Community Colleges for its Learn and Earn program and was awarded $50,000. Recently, BHCC has redesigned and expanded Learn and Earn to ensure that the program met the needs of students with a range of interests and needs.

English Professor Enzo Surin Wins Massachusetts Center for the Book Poetry Prize

The Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB) awarded Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) English Professor Enzo Silon Surin The Poetry Award for When My Body Was A Clinched Fist. A debut collection about coming of age in New York during the 1990s, it describes the poverty and violence of that time and place with eloquence and sensitivity.

BHCC President Pam Eddinger Makes Top 100 Women-Led Businesses List

The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) and Boston Globe Magazine announced today the 2021 edition of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger landed number 38 out of 100 women on this distinguished list.

Bunker Hill Community College Offers Workforce Training Through “Be Mass Competitive” Initiative

A recent press release from The Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC) announced a partnership with the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MACP), for a “Be Mass Competitive” workforce training initiative. Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and Roxbury Community College (RCC) will offer up to 12 weeks of Customer Service or General Professional Administrative training at no cost to participants. Individuals with a high school diploma/equivalency or higher are eligible and encouraged to apply.

President Eddinger and DISH Coordinator Molly Hansen Featured on Channel 5

On Thursday, September 23, President Eddinger and The DISH Food Pantry Coordinator Molly Hansen were featured on WCVB Channel 5 on students’ struggle with food insecurity. The segment was aired following a 2-Year Anniversary Celebration of The DISH and the reality that 55% of the nearly 18,000 students enrolled at BHCC are food insecure.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Walsh Appoints Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger as Chairperson to the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the appointments of 29 members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, and provide advice and recommendations on issues related to Registered Apprenticeship. The advisory committee will also promote greater awareness of the benefits of apprenticeship, foster increased alignment between apprenticeship opportunities and workforce and education systems, expand apprenticeship into new industries and occupations, and ensure equity for under-represented populations.

Massachusetts Community Colleges Announce Vaccine Requirement

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined the Commonwealth’s 14 other community college presidents in announcing that students, faculty, and staff at the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges must be fully vaccinated by January 2022.

A Message from President Pam Eddinger on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear Members of the BHCC Community,

Tomorrow, September 11, 2021, marks the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our country.  As a nation, this extraordinary act of violence will always be a significant tragedy in our history.  For those of you who lost family members, friends, and co-workers, 9/11 also marks a consequential loss in your life in a profound way.  They are not forgotten.

BHCC Partners on New Research Center to Address Inequities in Online Education

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) joined nine other broad-access colleges and the Achieving the Dream network in the SRI Education and Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Columbia University’s Teachers College’s new research center aimed at addressing inequities in online learning in college. The new center is funded by a $10M grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Educational Sciences.

President's Statement on the Assassination of Haiti's President Jovenel Moise

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

The Associated Press from Port-Au-Prince reported early Wednesday morning that Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home. First Lady Martine was wounded in the attack as well. Claude Joseph, the interim prime minister, is in temporary control of the government. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti is restricting U.S. Staff to its compound, and the embassy is closed Wednesday.

President Eddinger Interviewed on What the Pandemic Exposed and the Promise of “A Just Recovery”

The Mary Christie Institute has hosted a series of interviews with leaders from higher education and healthcare on the emotional and behavioral health of teens and young adults.

BHCC Student Julia Soriano Honored as Newman Fellow

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) student Julia Soriano was honored as a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a Boston-based nonprofit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

Bunker Hill Community College Celebrates National Nurses Week

Nurses’ week is celebrated each year from May 6-12 to honor nurses worldwide for the work they do for others. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has extended the year of the nurse into 2021. BHCC recognizes the important role the College’s student, faculty, and alumni nurses play in the community every day. Please enjoy a brief video tribute from Elizabeth Tobin, Director, Nurse Education Department; Donna Savino, Assistant Dean, Health Sciences; Paula A. Hayes, Professor, Nurse Education Department; and Sara Blackwood, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Nurse Education Department. Happy Nurse’s Week!

President's Statement on the Jury Verdict in the George Floyd Murder Trial

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Late today, the Jury returned a guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd, bringing justice to the light of day after so much pain and turmoil. As we continue to mourn the loss of George Floyd, and are consoled by the triumph of justice today, we also acknowledge his important place in history. Mr. Floyd’s death served to reignite the civil rights movement of our age, and added to urgency to our search for justice and for healing.

Bunker Hill Community College Professor Caroline Kautsire Featured on CBS Boston and WCVB Chronicle

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) English Professor Caroline Kautsire was featured as a notable author for Women’s History Month on CBS Boston and WCVB Chronicle. During the interview with WCVB Chronicle, Professor Kautsire talked about her journey as an author in America and Malawi and her book, What Kind of Girl? An African Child Caught Between Worlds.

President’s Statement on Violence Against the Asian American Pacific Islander Community

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

The shooting in Atlanta yesterday that resulted in the death of six Asians, and the rise in attacks on the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Community across the nation have left many of us feeling outraged, disheartened, and fearful.  In mainstream press and social media, we hear reports of targeted acts of verbal and physical violence.  From our own students, we hear about experiences of aggression on and off-campus that have made them feel unsafe. With the recent attacks on elders in the Asian communities, in which respect for family and older generations is especially important, the physical and psychological insult is severely felt.

New Paramedic Certification Scholarships Offered for Boston Emergency Medical Services Members

A new scholarship program for Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) members aims to reduce financial barriers for paramedic certification and increase diversity and inclusion among promotional ranks.

President Eddinger Moderates "Community College Mental Health and Its Impact on Student Success"

The American Council on Education (ACE) and the Mary Christie Foundation hosted a webinar on February 8, 2021, titled "Community College Mental Health and Its Impact on Student Success." The webinar explored the links between mental health, a sense of belonging, and student success at community colleges. The promotion of mental well-being has been extensively explored to improve retention within the four-year college environment, but more examination is needed for community colleges.

Plough Quarterly Announces Annual Award in Honor of BHCC Distinguished Artist and Scholar in Residence Rhina P. Espaillat

Plough Quarterly announced the first annual Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry Award in honor of the achievements of the Dominican-American poet and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Distinguished Artist and Scholar in Residence. Plough Quarterly is an award-winning international magazine of faith, culture, and society.

Reflecting and Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

Our nation observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18 in the aftermath of an insurrection in the Capitol that threatens our democracy. The presence of white extremists and their violent acts make it clear that the movement led by Dr. King to find equality and opportunity for all is far from complete. On this commemorative day, in the spirit of Dr. King’s work, I invite all of us to reflect on our own efforts in lifting up our Black communities and our communities of color, in recognizing the cultural wealth that our students and employees bring to our institution, and in envisioning a world where Dr. King’s vision of social and economic equity can come about.

President Eddinger Reflects on the Insurrection and Riot at the US Capitol

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

On Wednesday, our nation experienced an unimaginable insurrection during the final, and normally ceremonial, phase of our presidential election. The incursion into the Capitol Building and the disruption of the certification of electoral votes was a direct challenge to our democracy. It breached the peaceful transition of power, a hallmark of our republic and a beacon of hope for so many around the world aspiring to democracy.

Bunker Hill Community College participates in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Performance Recognition Program

Each year Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) participates in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Performance Recognition Program, which is an opportunity to formally recognize state employees for their extraordinary contributions to public service.

Bunker Hill Community College Participates in Montgomery County Community College 26th Annual Technology and Learning Conference

On October 16, 2020, participants from around the world joined the Montgomery County Community College 2020 Technology and Learning Conference virtually. This year’s technology conference centered on the classroom in a virtual world, enhancing the student experience, technology beyond the classroom and what it means to be in the year of learning.

MA Student Advisory Council Scores Victory for Part-Time College Students

On Friday, December 11, Governor Baker made a change in state law that will allow the growing number of part-time students on public college and university campuses to serve as representatives of their student bodies. With two-thirds of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) students enrolled part-time, this progressive decision allows both full and part-time students to be involved in the BHCC community.

Bunker Hill Community College Public Safety Department Promotes Police Transparency

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Public Safety and Campus Police Department believes in fair and impartial policing in serving the diverse community at BHCC. As communities across the United States continue to contend with racism, the department supports the College’s mission to confront racial injustice. Understanding that transparency builds trust, the department created the Proactive Integrity Initiative that includes a Police Transparency and Accountability website.

Katie Colello and Learn and Earn Program Receive Spotlight Award

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Learn and Earn Internship Coordinator Katie Colello accepted the Strong Women in Action (SWIA) Spotlight Award on behalf of the College’s Learn and Earn program and the BHCC Foundation at the SWIA Annual Gala, held virtually on November 13, 2020. SWIA is dedicated to building a strong and effective network of partners and aims to empower families and break the cycle of family poverty in Massachusetts by promoting pathways to economic independence.

Eye on Early Education Profiles Business Management Major Teresia Kiragu

Through an internship at Strategies for Children, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Business Management major Teresia Kiragu has learned firsthand how the Massachusetts state budget distributes funds to schools. She learned that while Massachusetts has a strong early childhood education system, the state needs more funding to keep up with communities’ needs.

President Eddinger delivers “Insights from the Pandemic” at Annual Dallas Herring Lecture

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger presented “Insights from the Pandemic: The Reckoning and the Hope at Our Nation’s Community Colleges” at the Virtual Dallas Herring Lecture on Tuesday, November 10. The annual event is hosted by the North Carolina State University College of Education’s Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, and honors Dallas Herring, founder of the North Carolina community college system.

American Council on Education Recognizes BHCC Veterans Center

As part of a Veterans Day series on supporting veterans, the American Council on Education (ACE) recognized the work of the Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Veterans Center in ensuring a smooth transition to college for student-veterans, active duty military, Guard/Reservists, and their eligible dependents. Over the past decade, BHCC’s Veterans Center has supported nearly 5,000 student-veterans in achieving their education goals, with nearly half transferring to four-year institutions.

President Eddinger's Post-Election Reflections

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear Members of the College Community,

As I write you this morning, yesterday’s Presidential Election shows Biden-Harris at 238 electoral votes, Trump-Pence at 213, with a small number of states still tabulating. We do not currently have a definitive winner of the contest.  The final accounting and possible legal challenges might extend this uncertainty for a week or more.

President Eddinger on Election Day and Post-Election Reflections and Resources

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community,

As I am sure you know, tomorrow, November 3, is Election Day in the United States.  In the 232 years, since we elected the first U.S. President in 1788, we have held 58 elections, through a Civil War, two World Wars, and many other crises.  All of these elections are examples of a core principle of democracy: the peaceful transfer of power.

BHCC Alumna and NSF Fellow Bridget Benner to Participate in STEM Career Pathways Panel at College’s LSAMP Day

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) alumna and UMass Amherst doctoral candidate Bridget Benner will join panelists from the National Institute of Health and Massachusetts General Hospital for a panel discussion on career pathways in STEM, as part of the College’s second annual Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Day.

Bunker Hill Community College Joins Massachusetts Community Colleges in Continuing Remote, Online, and Hybrid Learning

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined the Commonwealth’s 14 other community college presidents in announcing that Spring 2021 courses will continue to be offered in primarily remote, online, and hybrid learning formats, with limited in-person courses.

Statement on Racism as a Public Health Crisis

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

In June 2020, the Mayor of Boston declared racism as a public health crisis and began implementing strategies to mitigate its damaging effects. Shortly after, the cities of Somerville, Revere, Everett, and Chelsea joined this declaration. In September, amid growing evidence, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley challenged the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to acknowledge the role of racism in precipitating the current deep public health crisis.

President Eddinger on “What It Takes to Be a Student-Centered Institution”

On September 10, 2020, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger participated in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s virtual forum, “What it Takes to Be a Student-Centered Institution.”

President Eddinger on “Equity First: Achieving Racial Justice in MA Public Higher Education”

On September 10, 2020, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) and the Lumina Foundation in the announcement of $1.2M in state and campus grants being awarded by the Lumina Foundation to pursue equity and racial justice for students attending the Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities.

President Eddinger on “Who Leads Colleges After COVID-19?”

In an Inside Higher Ed article “Who Leads Colleges After COVID-19?”, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined college and university presidents in speaking on factors amidst the pandemic that would contribute to the future of higher education.

President Eddinger joins WBUR Radio Boston on how Greater Boston's Community Colleges Confront An Atypical Semester

On August 31, 2020, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger, alongside Roxbury Community College President Valerie Roberson, joined WBUR to discuss how community colleges are overcoming challenges this upcoming fall semester.

President Eddinger joins Boston Globe Op-Talk on how COVID-19 & race are reshaping higher ed

On July 22, 2020, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger, along with Roxbury Community College President Valerie Roberson, joined the Boston Globe’s Marcela García for a Globe Op-Talk titled, “Community Colleges in Crisis: How COVID-19 & race are reshaping higher education.”

BHCC Joins Massachusetts Community Colleges in Call to Reverse ICE Guidance for International Students

On July 8, 2020, Bunker Hill Community College President, Pam Eddinger, joined the fourteen other community college presidents in Massachusetts in condemning the recent guidance by ICE regarding international students’ participation in the Fall 2020 semester.

President's Note on ICE Guidance for Fall 2020

Dear BHCC Community, Earlier this spring, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) instituted a temporary exemption regarding online courses for the spring and summer semesters. Under the temporary exemption, International Students (nonimmigrant students) were permitted to take more online courses than normally permitted by Federal regulation to maintain their International Student status during the COVID-19 emergency.

A Joint Statement from Massachusetts Community Colleges Against Systemic Racism

On Thursday, June 4, 2020, the 15 Massachusetts community college presidents issued a joint statement condemning systematic racism and expressed grief and anger over the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, and the far too many other Black Americans killed by racial violence. Together, the presidents echoed the call-to-action demanding changes to public policy that promote equity and justice in policing, housing, healthcare, education, and more.

President’s Letter to the College: A Community in Mourning

Dear College Community,

I am writing today with sorrow and anger, as our nation mourns yet another senseless death in the tragedy of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. The oppression and pain of systemic racism, unrelieved by the imperceptible progress towards equal justice and social equity, has boiled over in many communities across the nation. Marches and demonstrations of solidarity are happening in cities and towns, including our community of Greater Boston. The oppression and heartache are only compounded by the miseries of the COVID-19 outbreak, which disproportionately affects people of color, and magnifies the inequities in the communities served by the College.

President Eddinger on Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Future of Boston: Higher Education”

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined area college and university presidents on the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce “Future of Boston: Higher Education” virtual panel.

BHCC President Pam Eddinger Urges Congress to Fund Universal Wi-Fi

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger appeared on WGBH-TV’s (Channel 2, Boston) public affairs program “Basic Black” Friday evening as part of a special segment on the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on community college students. President Eddinger described how she’s seen first-hand the impact of the digital divide on communities of color as the College shifted to remote learning this semester.

BHCC President Pam Eddinger Moderates Discussion on WGBH “Asian Americans” Screening Event

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger moderated a virtual panel discussion on May 4 as part of WORLD and WGBH’s Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration. Attended by more than 1,000 viewers, the discussion spotlighted selections from the groundbreaking PBS film series Asian Americans, chronicling the contributions and challenges of Asian Americans.

Watch Live: President Eddinger to Appear on WGBH Segments

On Friday, May 1, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger will appear on WGBH-TV’s (Channel 2, Boston) public affairs program “Basic Black” for a special segment on the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on community college students.

BHCC Student Nickoliss Twohads Honored as Newman Fellow

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) student Nickoliss Twohads was honored as a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a Boston-based nonprofit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

Senator Warren Honors Wick Sloane’s Legacy at Bunker Hill Community College

On January 8, 2020, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren recognized Wick Sloane’s accomplishments at Bunker Hill Community College with a letter she submitted to the Library of Congress.

BHCC Students Rank among Semifinalists for prestigious Cooke Undergrad Transfer Scholarship

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced three Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) students as semifinalists for its highly selective Transfers Scholars program: Angelica Cabrera, Asmae Lichir, and Darkenley Minviel.

Blue Cross Blue Shield highlights DISH Partnership with Food for Free

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) highlighted the DISH Food Pantry’s partnership with food rescue nonprofit Food for Free in a Coverage health news article titled “Combating hunger on campus.” BCBSMA recently awarded Food for Free a $100K “healthy living accelerator grant” to continue to scale the program.

HOPE Initiative Welcomes Students to BHCC

Leading up to the Spring semester, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) faculty, staff and administrators leading the Halting Oppressive Pathways through Education (HOPE) Initiative came together to create a welcome video to introduce new and returning students to the initiative aimed at fostering a sense of community and belonging for Black and Latino males on campus.

Project Bread Honors Pam Eddinger for Social Justice Work

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger was named the inaugural recipient of the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice by Massachusetts’ leading antihunger organization Project Break for her leadership in addressing food insecurity, an issue impacting 56% of the College’s students.

BHCC Offers First Ever Online Winter Session

New for 2020, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) will offer its first ever online winter session. The accelerated courses will run January 2-17, allowing students to complete a full course in just over two weeks.

Bunker Hill Community College to Offer Courses as Part of Amazon’s Small Business Academy

On Friday, November 1, 2019 Amazon announced Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) as one of their community college partners in their new Amazon Small Business Academy. The academy offers a range of educational initiatives to help entrepreneurs, startups, and business owners succeed online. BHCC is one of six community colleges selected to offer Amazon-supported digital business courses. Launching in February 2020, the classes will cover the fundamentals of online business strategies, marketing, merchandising, inventory management, and more.

BHCC Student and Staff Honored by MWPHE

On November 1, 2019, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) student Angelica Cabrera and Jillian Glaze, Director of Financial Aid, will be honored by the Massachusetts Women in Public Higher Education (MWPHE) at the organization’s annual conference.

BHCC awarded $50,000 Grant to Support Graduates of Boston Public Schools

Bunker Hill Community College was awarded a $50,000 one-year project grant to increase college persistence and completion for graduates of the Boston Public Schools.

Bunker Hill Community College Announces New College Bulldog Mascot

Earlier this week, the Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC) division released a companion to the College’s Athletics Logo released earlier in 2019. For the mascot, IMC commissioned Phoenix Design Works, the same national brand identity firm that developed the BHCC Athletics Bulldog.

President Eddinger Offers Perspective on Adult Learners

In an article titled “Don’t Call Our Students Kids!” in Ferris State University’s Perspectives publication for Community College Leadership for the 21st Century, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger reminds us that the profile of a community college student has grown complex, and with that complexity, there is potential that must be recognized at the college level.

BHCC receives $200K Higher Education Innovation Fund Grant from Baker-Polito Administration to Drive Greater Access, Equity in Higher Education

On Wednesday, September 25, 2019, Governor Charlie Baker delivered $1.15M in competitive grants in Higher Education Innovation Fund grants to help the public campuses working together to accelerate change by increasing college-going and college completion rates of students of color, low-income students and those who are first in their families to attend college.

President Eddinger’s Take on JOBS Act

President Eddinger shared her perspective in an Inside Higher Ed article, “Brewing Battle Over Pell Grants”. In Washington D.C. there is bipartisan support for expanding Federal Pell Grants to include short-term job training. Proponents of the legislation see the bill as a way for adults to find better jobs in high-demand industries. However, there are legislators who express concern that short-term jobs may not offer livable wages and offer little connection to college degree pathways.

BHCC VMA Faculty Member’s Film Released on HBO

Professor Gustavo Rosa, assistant professor of the Visual Media Arts (VMA) Department wrote and directed a short film named, “Carro” that will be released on HBO this weekend. “Carro” is the story of an undocumented Brazilian immigrant living in the Boston area who decides to buy a car in an effort to better his life before returning home.

BHCC featured on WGBH’s On Campus Radio

President Pam Eddinger, BHCC student Valencia Ima were featured on WGBH News’ “On Campus Radio.” The program focused on innovative ways colleges prepare students for careers. Ima discusses her experience as a student involved in a paid internship. Eddinger also shares her perspective on the importance of paid internships at the community college level of higher education and how it impacts the chances for students to find future employment.

Boston Uncornered Program at BHCC Featured on NBC

On Sunday, May 19, 2019 on NBC Nightly News, Bunker Hill Community College’s Boston Uncornered Program (in partnership with College Bound Dorchester) was featured in an article called, “Unique Boston Program Pays Gang Members to go to School.” The article highlights the idea of paying former gang members to attend college for better opportunities as community core influencers.

BHCC Early College Student Awarded Full Scholarship to Curry College

Rosedina Blanc, a senior at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and a BHCC Early College student, was awarded a four-year scholarship to Curry College.

BHCC President Pam Eddinger Awarded the Neil Chin Community Service Award

The Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) celebrated 32 years of community building by hosting the “Heart of the Community” dim sum breakfast.  The event was held April 26 at the China Pearl with nearly 300 guests in attendance. Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger received the Neil Chin Community Service Award for her outstanding leadership, her dedication to the community and her passion to provide relevant, accessible and affordable education to the low income immigrant residents in the greater Asian American community.

President Eddinger Discusses Food Insecurity on NECN-TV’s “The Take with Sue O’Connell”

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank, on NECN-TV’s “The Take with Sue O’Connell” to discuss the findings of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report “Food Insecurity: Better Information Could Help Eligible College Students Access Federal Food Assistance Benefits.”

BHCC to undertake college “stop-out” research for Boston Opportunity Agenda

The Boston Opportunity Agenda, a public/private partnership focused on college readiness and building career and life skills for Boston’s youth, announced today it will receive nearly $150K from the national nonprofit StriveTogether to research the challenges facing college “stop-outs” and propose interventions to improve persistence. The grant award is part of StriveTogether’s Cradle to Career Community Challenge, which seeks to create local change to enable economic mobility.

BHCC Alumni Recognized at BIDMC Annual MLK Celebration

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) registered nursing alumna Afi Alfred was honored as a YMCA Achiever for her contributions to her community at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) 30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

In Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we observe the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I hope that we will all take the time to reflect on ourselves, our community, our nation, and our world.  I invite all of us to honor the legacy of Dr. King by reflecting on progress and work still to be done on social and economic equity.  Here at Bunker Hill Community College, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to a vibrant and safe teaching and learning environment, where diversity is cherished.

President Eddinger on GAO Hungry in College Report

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined the nation’s leading researchers, policy advocates, state officials, college administrators and students in Washington D.C. for “Hungry in College: Food Insecurity on American Campuses,” a briefing on hunger among college students. The discussion coincided with the release of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on how to increase access to nutrition in higher education and improve students’ ability to learn, thrive and grow.

BHCC Invests in Cultural Wealth by Supporting Asian/Pacific Islander Students

In an article in Community College Daily on the unique challenges community colleges face in addressing the needs of Asian/Pacific Islander (API) students, President Pam Eddinger shares how Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is leading efforts to reduce the achievement gap of its API students by focusing on their cultural wealth.

BHCC End of Year Countdown

We’re counting down our biggest news items of 2018. View them all below in no particular order.

President Eddinger Addresses Mental Health and College Students on WGBH-TV

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger appeared on WGBH-TV’s (Channel 2, Boston) public affairs program “Basic Black” on Friday evening for a special segment on mental health and college students and the specific issues students of color are faced with.

Joint Letter by Community College Presidents on opposition to changes re: "public charge"

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

The College has joined with other Massachusetts community colleges in writing to the Department of Homeland Security in opposition to the changes regarding "public charge,” published in the Federal register on October 10, 2018.  The definition of a "public charge" is someone who is dependent on government benefits and as a result, may be denied access to these critical resources.  An expanded “public charge” definition would include those who participate in additional safety net programs, including Medicaid and SNAP.

If you have questions, or would like more information, please feel free to contact the Dean of Students’ Office: 617-228-2408.

Mayor’s GRAD Last Mile Fund to Benefit BHCC Students

Today, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the launch of the GRAD Last Mile Fund, an innovative scholarship program to support students heading into their last semesters at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and four other local colleges.

Dean Nuri Chandler-Smith Appears on BNN-TV’s Neighborhood Network News

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Dean of Academic Support and College Pathways programs Nuri Chandler-Smith appeared on Boston Neighborhood Network’s (BNN-TV) “Neighborhood Network News (NNN).” Dean Chandler-Smith joined NNN Host Chris Lovett to discuss BHCC’s Early College programs at Charlestown High School and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and the $2.4M grant BHCC received from the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation to expand its Early College programs.

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education on BHCC Learning Communities

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Dean of Humanities and Learning Communities Lori Catallozzi and Director of Learning Communities Arlene Vallie spoke to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education about the impact of the College’s Learning Communities program on student retention, particularly for students of color.

Inside Higher Ed Features BHCC Learning Communities

In today’s Inside Higher Ed article, “Building Community for Part-Time Students,” Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Dean of Humanities and Learning Communities Lori Catallozzi and Director of Learning Communities Arlene Vallie discuss the impact of the College’s Learning Communities program on retention of part-time students.

BHCC Receives Grant to Enhance Paramedic Studies and EMT Programs

On Thursday, June 21, 2018, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $10.9 million in Skills Capital Grants to 33 high schools and educational institutions at an event at Salem High School. Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) received $135,393 in grant funding to enhance its Paramedic Studies and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) programs.

Facebook Partners with BHCC to Close Digital Skills Gap

On Friday, June 8, 2018, Facebook, Inc., announced its pledge to create local partnerships aimed at training 1 million U.S. business owners and equipping more people with the digital skills they need to compete in today’s workplace.

BPS Valedictorians Choose BHCC

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael Loconto and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Tommy Chang honored 36 valedictorians of BPS at the 20th Annual BPS Valedictorians Luncheon at the Boston Harbor Hotel on Tuesday, May 29. The luncheon acknowledged BPS valedictorians for their accomplishments. Among the 36 valedictorians, three have decided to attend Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) as their next destination in their educational careers.

President Pam Eddinger to Appear on WHDH-TV’s Higher Ground

BHCC President Pam Eddinger will appear on WHDH-TV’s (Channel 7, Boston) public affairs program, “Higher Ground.” President Eddinger, along with The Boston Foundation's Elizabeth Pauley, joins host Carmen Fields to discuss the Boston Foundation report from April 11, 2018, on college graduation rates of Boston Public School students—and efforts and success in improving the numbers.

BHCC Students Honored at State House Ceremony

On Wednesday, April 18, 2018, two Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) students were honored at a ceremony hosted by the Massachusetts Community College Executive Office (MCCEO), celebrating 34 of the highest academic achievers of the Commonwealth’s community college system.

BHCC Student Wins First Place in STEM Conference Presentation

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Engineering Transfer student Danial Haei Najafabadi was awarded first place in the Physics category for his oral presentation at the 2018 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

President Eddinger Responds to Success Boston Report at Boston Foundation Panel Discussion

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined the Boston Private Industry Council and the Success Boston college completion initiative at the Boston Foundation for the release of “Staying the Course: Six-Year College and Completion Experiences,” a new report that addresses college enrollment and completion for Boston Public Schools’ Class of 2011 graduates.

BHCC President and Trustees attend National Legislative Summit

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger along with Trustee Cathy Guild and Student Trustee Cam Ngoc Tu Do joined their colleagues from across the country in Washington, D.C. last week for the annual Community College National Legislative Summit. Co-hosted by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the summit featured meetings and workshops related to advocacy for Pell Grants, workforce development initiatives and the protection of vulnerable students on campus, as well as presentations from high-profile keynote speakers, political commentators and elected officials.

BHCC Student Receives LEADA@Liberty Scholarship

Liberty Mutual Insurance announced Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) student Imani Exilhomme as a recipient of its LEADA@Liberty Scholarship. Launched last year, the LEADA@Liberty Scholarship program is awarded annually to four students of African descent who are enrolled in the Massachusetts Commonwealth Commitment program and plan to complete their bachelor’s degree at a state university or University of Massachusetts campus. LEADA@Liberty scholarship recipients receive $2,500 annually for each of the four years of their college career.

Report Advocates for Employment of Community College Students in BioPharma Roles

MassBioEd in Cambridge, MA, released a new report showing a shifting trend in the hiring practices of the bio-pharmaceutical industry that favors candidates with four-year degrees over community college graduates, despite the investment the industry has made in associate degree programs.

BHCC Recognized in New York Times Op-Ed for Leadership in Student Hunger Relief

In an op-ed published by the The New York Times over the weekend, Temple University Education Sociologist Sara Goldrick-Rab recognized Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) for its work distributing meal vouchers to food-insecure students through the College’s “One Solid Meal” program.

In Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As our nation observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 15th, I urge our College community to join the observances in whatever way you find meaningful. We may choose to reflect on progress and work still to be done on social and economic equity, and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to a vibrant and safe teaching and learning environment where diversity is cherished.

BHCC’s Work on Housing and Food Insecurity is a 2017 Highlight for Local Professor

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger received mention in "Our Wish List for the Future of Higher Education" by the University of Venus. This wish list is a reflection of the past year’s events and how they inspire the organization’s blog contributors. Mary Churchill, professor at Wheelock College in Boston, MA, recognizes President Eddinger and sociologist Sara Goldrick-Rabb, Ph.D. for groundbreaking work around issues of hunger on college campuses.

Baker Administration and STEM Advisory Council Supports Career Development Experiences for BHCC Students

The Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) is one of a four Massachusetts Workforce Boards to receive a competitive grant from Governor Charlie Baker and the STEM Advisory Council to increase paid internship opportunities for high school students interested in the STEM fields.

BHCC Receives $100K Grant to Develop Center for Cultural Wealth and Equity

On Monday, December 11, 2017, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $1.2 million in Performance Incentive Fund (PIF) grants to sixteen Massachusetts public colleges and universities to make college more affordable and accessible through enhanced digital learning opportunities.

Hurricane Evacuees Receive Massachusetts Tuition Rate and More at BHCC

Earlier this week, the Board of Higher Education approved giving in-state tuition rates through the spring of 2018 to evacuees from hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who lost their homes after Hurricane Maria devastated the islands in September.

#GivingTuesday

It’s #GivingTuesday! In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, BHCC would like to share just a few ways to help those in need.

BHCC Alumna Named American Rhodes Scholar

On Saturday, November 18, Elliot F. Gerson, American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust, announced the names of 32 Americans chosen as Rhodes Scholars. Bunker Hill Community College alumna Tania N. Fabo of Saugus, Massachusetts, received the prestigious award to study how racism shapes the health of African Americans when housing segregation forces them to live in areas with limited access to medical care.

BHCC Professor Enzo Silon Surin Receives Brother Thomas Fellows Award

Associate Professor Enzo Surin was one of 14 artists named as Brother Thomas Fellow by the Boston Foundation and the Pucker Gallery on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

President Eddinger on NBC NEWS Education Nation Boston

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger joined NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis last night for a dynamic live town hall on the issues facing young adults after high school, and solutions to ensure their success.

BHCC Among Recipients of Workforce Skills Capital Grants

On Wednesday, October 11, 2017, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $9.5 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to 32 vocational schools, community colleges and traditional public high schools at an event at Nashoba Valley Regional High School. Bunker Hill Community College received $247,566 in grant funding to enhance its General Sonography and Cardiac Sonography Associate Degree programs.

President Eddinger on NBC Boston

Watch the NBC Boston feature on student hunger. President Eddinger talks about link between making food resources available on campus and academic success.

BHCC Continues Dual Enrollment at Malden High School

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger recently welcomed Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, Malden Superintendent of Schools John Oteri and Malden High School Principal Ted Lombardi to the College’s Charlestown Campus to renew the Memorandum of Agreement between Malden High School (MHS) and BHCC.

BHCC Students and Staff Recognized at Boston PIC 2017 Annual Meeting

On Wednesday, September 27, the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) hosted its 2017 Annual Meeting at the Federal Reserve Bank Auditorium to celebrate the council’s impact this past year and establish next steps to further the agenda of workforce development in Boston.

President Eddinger Shares the Power of OER at Capitol Hill

A group of congressional staffers, higher education policy makers and Open Educational Resources (OER) supporters attended a briefing led by Achieving the Dream (ATD) President and CEO Dr. Karen A. Stout, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger and Odessa College President Dr. Gregory Williams. The briefing was intended to share the success that both BHCC and Odessa College students have attained through taking OER courses. ATD is managing a project that will bring OER courses to 38 community colleges, a program that will save students money and keep them on track toward graduation.

Lumina Foundation Supports Academic Pathways at BHCC

Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation committed to making education beyond high school available to all, announced Boston as one of 17 communities across the country designated as a Talent Hub.

President Eddinger and Dean Elkins on “Morning Edition:" DACA students try to maintain a sense of normalcy

In an interview with higher education reporter Kirk Carapezza on WGBH Radio’s “Morning Edition,” BHCC President Pam Eddinger and Dean of Students Julie Elkins discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on BHCC students concerned about their immigration status.

A Joint Statement from Massachusetts Community Colleges and Boston Public Schools in Support of DACA

Massachusetts was recently named first in the country in terms of its K-12 education and the number of residents with college degrees. We recognize and affirm that excellent education is critical to the Commonwealth’s and America’s future economic vitality. We are committed to the education of all our children and young adults who pass through our doors.

Boston-based Data Company Carbonite Finds Talented Workforce through BHCC and Hack.Diversity

A recent BHCC graduate and member of Hack.Diversity is featured in an article focusing on the importance of a college education for today’s workforce, published by the Boston Globe.

Massachusetts Community Colleges Unite Against Hatred

The Presidents of the 15 Community Colleges of Massachusetts unite to voice our opposition to the violence, bigotry, racism and hate we witnessed in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend.

A Note to the BHCC Family on Charlottesville

Dear Members of the Bunker Hill Community College Family, In the aftermath of the fatal violence in Charlottesville, VA, and in anticipation of the demonstrations in Boston this weekend, I am reaching out to you in peace and in the spirit of community. I observe with great sadness that this is the third letter of this nature I have penned in the last year, in an attempt to remind one another of our humanity and to bind us once again to the College’s mission of learning, and its values of kindness, inclusiveness, equity and social justice.

Provost James Canniff Named ACAO Digital Fellow

Dr. James F. Canniff, Provost and Vice President of Bunker Hill Community College, is among 32 provosts and chief academic officers (CAOs) selected to participate in the Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO) Digital Fellows Program. The ACAO Digital Fellows Program, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a year-long opportunity designed to provide provosts and CAOs with critical information, effective resources and tested strategies to help them and their faculty understand and adopt high quality digital courseware.

President Eddinger Congratulates Success Boston Graduates

President Pam Eddinger joined local politicians, educational leaders, celebrities and other local leaders in congratulating the recent Success Boston graduates of the Class of 2017.

President Eddinger on “Food for Thought”

In an article titled “Food for Thought” for The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) online publication ACCT Now Trustee Quarterly: Perspectives, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger points to hunger and homelessness as the next hurdles for community colleges when it comes to retention and student success. A recent report released by the Wisconsin HOPE Lab and the Association of Community College Trustees found that two thirds of students struggle with food insecurity and one third are regularly hungry. The same survey was conducted at BHCC echoing similar results.