Dear Friends,

As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with profound gratitude for your unwavering support of our students and their educational journey. Your generosity has funded scholarships that celebrate academic excellence, helped keep students focused on the finish line by supporting them through unforeseen emergencies, and has fundamentally enhanced the student experience across our campus.

This year, we witnessed the power of collective giving through our first micro-philanthropy campaign, which brought tangible improvements to student life. Thanks to your targeted support, students now have convenient charging stations throughout the library to power their devices during long study sessions. Our music department received vital new equipment, enriching the artistic development of our talented performers. Our veterinary technician students are now benefitting from a canine vet trainer named Pinta. These seemingly simple additions have had a tremendous impact on our students’ daily lives and academic success.

Beyond the physical improvements to our campus, chief of which has been the ongoing renovation of our Marieb Life Sciences Center thanks to donor support, the 2023-24 giving year was one of meaningful connections. Our Holyoke Junior College Reunion brought together alumni who benefited from the same care, support, and exceptional teaching that today’s students experience. Our annual Scholarship Reception enabled donors like you to meet the students whose lives you’ve touched and to see firsthand the profound difference your support makes. These moments of connection remind us that we are not just funding education — we are nurturing dreams and building futures.

The inauguration of our fifth president filled the Leslie Phillips Theater and Campus Center with joy and anticipation for all that’s ahead for Holyoke Community College — and for what we will accomplish together. This historic moment also marked the launch of the President’s Fund for Opportunity, a fund that ensures we are ready to respond to student needs as they evolve.

I am particularly excited to share the success of our new Scholarship Resource Center, which opened its doors this year. This innovative space has quickly become a vital hub where students learn about the transformative power of philanthropy and gain a deeper appreciation for the donor support that makes their education possible. It stands as a testament to the ongoing relationship between our generous donors and the students who benefit from your kindness.

As we look to the future, I am inspired by your commitment to our students’ success. Every scholarship funded, every piece of equipment donated, and every program supported represents an investment in the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators. Your generosity does more than fund education — it changes lives.

Thank you for being such an integral part of our community and for helping us create an environment where students can thrive and realize their full potential.

With deepest appreciation,

Amanda E. Sbriscia, Ed.D.
Executive Director