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Posts tagged as “Vander Hooven”

(Archive February 2019) A Welcome Back Message from President Vander Hooven

By editorialteam on April 3, 2025

Welcome back students!

As I sit in my office during every January, I go through several phases. The first phase is relief! It is so quiet around here and I can actually get caught up on all the work I’ve been falling behind on for many months. The second phase is excitement. I already start receiving emails about commencement planning, which seems entirely too soon but necessary nevertheless. The final phase is, “when will the students return!” I speak on behalf of the entire faculty and staff when I welcome you back to campus for the start of the spring semester. I can assure you that busy hallways, classrooms, and a Bemis Student Center filled with activity is far preferable to the peace and quiet. read more

(Archive September 2018) A New President, A New Precedent

By editorialteam on March 5, 2025

By Ayana Brodeur-Edmonds | Observer Contributor

Photo courtesy of MWCC
President James L. Vander Hooven

It has been an eventful year for the community since President James L. Vander Hooven took office at MWCC. After a year of changes, President Vander Hooven and the community share their thoughts on where MWCC is now.

When Vander Hooven first looked into MWCC, he says that he was very impressed by the students and faculty. He “loved” the programs offered at MWCC, and said, “It [Working at MWCC] just seemed like a really great opportunity for me.” So far, his time at the college has been enjoyable. Vander Hooven has gotten to explore the community, and get a “deeper understanding” of what goes on here at the Mount.  read more

(Archive February 2018) A Welcome Back Message From President James Vander Hooven

By editorialteam on February 4, 2025

Welcome to spring semester! For those of you who are returning for another semester toward your graduation goal, welcome back! For those of you who are just starting out at the Mount, welcome! While a little down time or quiet around the campuses is nice over the break, it is much better to see the students and faculty return to the campuses to begin again.

There are lots of big things happening at MWCC this year. I am excited to announce that the College received a significant gift that will help us, over a couple of years to design and implement a new career/advising approach that will build upon the regional business and industry partnerships we have established and hope to establish soon. This will mean more opportunities for students to receive state-of-the-art career advising from day-one. I’m also excited to announce that the College will be hosting my inauguration as president of MWCC on Wednesday, March 28th at 2pm. I hope that you will all consider attending this event to hear about the future directions of the College. Finally, immediately following the Commencement exercises in the spring, we will begin a massive reconstruction of our parking lots and roadway around the College. This desperately needed work will undoubtedly cause some disruptions during the summer but we will do our best to minimize the obstacles for the greater good (as I think you’ll agree). read more

(Archive October 2017) President Vander Hooven: Retrenching

By editorialteam on January 9, 2025

By Brianna Stevens | Assistant Editor

Photo by Daderot https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mount_Wachusett_Community_College_-_DSC00917.JPG

Early in September, Mount Wachusett’s President Vander Hooven announced an organizational restructure to alleviate budget strains by retrenching the Executive Vice President of Student Affairs and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Anne McDonald and Melissa Fama worked at MWCC for years assisting students. What seemed like a sudden decision to cut their positions, was an incredibly difficult one. Vander Hooven said, “We’re talking about two individuals who served this college very well for many years.” read more

(Archive March 2017) Meet the New President of MWCC

By editorialteam on March 23, 2017

By Courtney Wentz | Co-Managing Editor

Dr. James Vander Hooven, the incoming President of Mount Wachusett Community College. 
Photo courtesy of Courtney Wentz 

Dr. James Vander Hooven, MWCC’s incoming President is officially taking over on March 18th.

Vander Hooven previously worked at Landmark College, a four year school in Vermont, but he has worked at two community colleges in the past. He was President for four years at Tohono O’odham Community College in Arizona and Lakes Region Community College in New Hampshire as Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. He said, “Community colleges is where my passion is.” read more