At a recent MassEdCO Board of Directors' meeting, CEO Pamela Boisvert celebrated the five years of providing higher education access services throughout the State under the name of Massachusetts Education and Career Opportunities, Inc. However, she added, the agency has much more experience with that mission than five years. The work began 48 years ago under the umbrella of the college consortium in Worcester with federal grants to underwrite the work. Pam thanked the MassEdCO Board for being “the wind beneath our wings” with wit, wisdom and wealth; time, treasure and talent. Several members have been with us since the reorganization in 2013. She also acknowledged the staff, especially those who continued with us from consortium days and helped develop this new organization.
"Five years ago this past June, this decades-old organization transitioned from being the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc, – to Massachusetts Education and Career Opportunities, Inc. (MassEdCO, Inc.) Going forward, our sole focus became ensuring college and career access and success for the thousands of students and clients we serve each year.
"We’re very proud of the successes we have achieved during these first 5 years as MassEdCO. Our Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) project is now the largest in the country. We have added a new program (On Our Way) that focuses on the education goals of pregnant and parenting teens. Our Educational Talent Search Program has expanded to 3 cities, and school-based programming has also increased. The CSI and GEAR UP programs continue to make a difference in countless lives. Our partnership model continues to flourish, with like-minded organizations across the state collaborating with MassEdCO to ensure that vital services continue.
"We look forward to many anniversaries to come - after all, education is the foundation of a successful democracy AND a successful family. Thank you to all our supporters and funders who have made this journey possible."
Pamela Boisvert, CEO