Sen. Susan Moran, Rep. Steven Xiarhos and Undersecretary Josh Cutler honored
(L-R): Undersecretary Josh Cutler ( honoree), Rep. David Vieira (former honoree), Zackery Bohnet ( MMA panelist), Micaila Britto (BSU panelist), Rabbit, Rep. Steven Xiarhos (honoree), Kolby Karim (Bristol panelist), Dr. Laura Douglas, (President, Bristol Community College), Brian Knap (UMass Dartmouth panelist), Senator Susan Moran (honoree), Christopher Rota ( CCCC panelist), Dr. John Cox, (President, CCCC), Denny Cosmo, ( Veterans Center Director, Bristol Community College), Dr. Mark Fuller, ( Chancellor, UMass Dartmouth), Michael Rourke ( Massasoit Community College panelist), Rear Admiral Fran McDonald, ( President, Massachusetts Maritime Academy), Representative Steven Howitt, William Mitchell (Interim President, Massasoit Community College, Representative Patrick Kearney, and Fred Clark, Esq., (President, Bridgewater State University).
CONNECT, A Southeastern Massachusetts Public Higher Education Partnership, recently held its annual Legislative Gathering and Awards Dinner, honoring three legislators for their commitment to public service and advocacy for the public education system.
Senator Susan Moran, Representative Steven Xiarhos, and Representative Josh Cutler, who was recently appointed as Undersecretary of Apprenticeship, Work-Based Learning, and Policy for the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, were honored with Distinguished Legislator awards during the April 4th event held at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, delivered the welcoming address and provided highlights of the six CONNECT institutions – Bridgewater State University, Bristol Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massasoit Community College, and University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth – over the course of 2023.
“In 2023, across the six CONNECT institutions, we had over 36,000 undergraduate students enrolled in more than 300 degree programs and 250 certificate programs,” said Admiral McDonald, noting that 45% of the students were first generation college students.
“By working together, we have increased our early college programs among our campuses with district partners, including those in the Gateway Cities, placed a priority on mental health on each of our campuses, and added even more joint degree programs to assist students in graduate degrees,” he continued. “This progress would not be possible without the tireless support and advocacy from our legislators, who strongly support every aspect of education in the Commonwealth – from early childhood to K-12 and higher education.”
The welcoming remarks were followed by a buffet dinner and the 2024 Distinguished Legislative Award presentation.
Dr. John Cox, President, Cape Cod Community College, presented Senator Susan Moran with her award; Bill Mitchell of Massasoit Community College presented Representative Steven Xiarhos with his award; and Dr. Mark Fuller, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth presented the award to Undersecretary Josh Cutler. All award recipients shared brief remarks upon presentation.
Also in attendance were: Representative Patrick Kearney, Representative David Vieira, Representative Chris Flanagan, and Representative Steve Howitt.
In addition to the awards ceremony, another highpoint of the evening was a panel discussion with six veteran student panelists.
Dr. Laura Douglas, President of Bristol Community College, introduced panel facilitator Denny Cosmo, an alumnus of Bristol Community College who moderated the discussion among panelists
Micaila Britto, representing Bridgewater State University; Kolby Karim, representing Bristol Community College; Christopher Rota, representing Cape Cod Community College; Zackery Bohnet, representing Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Michael Rourke, representing Massasoit Community College; and Brian Knapp, representing the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.
The evening was dedicated in loving memory to Raymond DiPasquale, the seventh president of Massasoit Community College, who passed away on April 4th.
About CONNECT
CONNECT, A Southeastern Massachusetts Public Higher Education Partnership is a consortium of six public higher education institutions in Southeastern Massachusetts that enhances education access, enables cost-savings, and advances student achievement. CONNECT focuses on four major initiatives: enhance academic programs and ease transfer of students among the partnership’s institutions; foster economic development throughout the region; promote cultural programs and projects; and share expertise and resources. The partnership has been recognized for its success in enriching public higher education as well as its societal impact on school districts, businesses, social service agencies, and governmental organizations.
About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA)
MMA is a fully accredited, four-year, co-educational state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, MMA has prepared women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation’s finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Located on Cape Cod, at the mouth of the scenic Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the ideal college to pursue the love for the ocean, concern for the environment, interest in math and science, and a thirst for adventure. Follow MMA on FB: @massmaritime, @MassMaritime.Advancement; IG: @massmaritime, @mmacademyalumni; Twitter: @MMAadmissions, @MMAcademyAlumni; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
