By Kelly Cacciolfi | Observer Contributor
With decreased enrollment, the demographic of students that is ever changing and budget restrictions, both Robert LaBonte, Vice President of Finance and Administration and Jason Zelesky, Dean of Students said that they have tough jobs of doing the best for the overall student and retention of those students here at MWCC.
LaBonte has been at MWCC for 22 years. Raised in the Gardner area, LaBonte said, “I feel this is the best place for me; my position is challenging as I am responsible for running the Finance and Administration Office, Cafe, Fitness Center, Theater, and the Facilities Department.” LaBonte said, “It’s like running a large company with a lot of separate businesses within, and MWCC is the parent company.”
LaBonte said, “the budget is one of the most difficult parts of my job and I do love my job. It’s never boring with something new to do each day.” The operating budget for MWCC is approximately $35 million and LaBonte must determine what 30 to 35 offices will have each year to spend on their programs.
LaBonte said “people call me the money guy around the college.” With the recent decrease in enrollment LaBonte’s job with the budget has become even more of a challenge. LaBonte said, “I ask each department for their needs and wants list, hoping that we can cover their needs, then we can look at each office and their wants.”
LaBonte said he “appreciates strong advocates for more money within their budget for each of the offices; it is sometimes hard when trying to prioritize where the money goes each year. This is where grants become so important.” Grants are not part of the regular operation budget and is often needed to be used in a year’s time for a specific office or program. LaBonte said, “MWCC has two grant writers.”
Zelesky has been at MWCC for three years, and is one of those fighting for budget money each year for Student Services. Zelesky said, “I live in Gardner; this was the next logical position in my career and it’s was like a dream opportunity.” After working at Clark University for 13 years, Zelesky said, “I feel connected and mission driven in my work here at the Mount, after being raised by a single mother, I feel like these are my people.” Zelesky said, “Our office provides direct service to students and we make immediate change for an individual allowing that student the ability to stay a student.”
Also, he said, “Student Services always is honest with making right decisions and if someone comes in hungry they help unpack that hunger as to how and what they can do to help.” If a small loan is needed to make a difference for a student, a payment plan is put in place to keep this program sustainable for years to come.
Grants do help to run certain programs when the Student Service budget cannot. Zelesky gave a few examples. S.O.S., Students Serving Our Students is a club that is operated out of the Student Services office. Zelesky said “this group is part of Civic Engagement and is helping students with sustainable solutions.” CCAMPIS, Child Care Access Means Parents is School is another program that is run by Ann Reynolds, CCAMPIS Advisor in Student Services. This is a federal grant offering assistance with child care cost helping with retention at MWCC and is currently the only school in Massachusetts that offers this program.
Kimberly Cook, current first semester nursing student at MWCC, is one benefiting from CCAMPIS, which is a grant and is separate from the budget. Cook said, “I currently get 60% of help with my child care, which, I am never worried where my child is while I am at school, gives him social interaction, and provides me with much needed study time.” Michel Cocuzza, current President of the Parents Support Group and in her last semester, said, “Without Student Services, CCAMPIS, and Jason Zelesky’s help I wouldn’t have been able to be a student here.” Cocuzza said, “I was helped with paperwork confusion from 20 years ago, and sending me to the right people for help with daycare.” Both Cook and Cocuzza said “Student Services have made them want to give back 100% while attending MWCC.”
Cook and Cocuzza are just a couple of examples of how grants can help retain students when the budget is not able to. Zelesky said, “The biggest fundraiser of the year, Winterfest, just took place on December 7th and 8th, and all money raised goes directly to the emergency student loan fund.” Zelesky said, “this is how we retain current students and connect them with this institution for years to come.”
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