Dear Friends and Colleagues;
I am writing to let you know of an upcoming “changing of the guard” at MassEdCO.
I will be leaving my position as the MassEdCO CEO at the end of January, after having worked in the field of education access and success for almost 40 years. (And for the same organization!) Mark Bilotta, our current Board President, will be taking over this leadership position as of Feb 1. Mark comes to this role with significant experience in this arena, but even more importantly, with much passion for our mission and dedication to our students and clients. We expect this transition to be seamless, as our critical work supporting educational equity continues across the state.
It has been my great honor and pleasure to have spent my entire professional career with education access and success programming – a field that really has no downside. What could be better than working with individuals, both youth and adults, who see education as their primary road to achieving their dreams? They come to us with difficult stories and backgrounds. (If this was an easy process for them, they wouldn’t need us!) But they are willing to work diligently to overcome their concerns and fears, and put in the necessary hard work, relying on their grit and perseverance to succeed. And we get to travel along with them on these personal education journeys, supporting them as they go. Their success becomes our success, so I feel truly fortunate to have been in this position, helping in small ways that ultimately can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
I want to sincerely thank you all for your ongoing support and collaboration. I wish you all much success in your own personal and professional journeys.
Warmest wishes,
Pam Boisvert
Media Release about Pam's Retirement:
Boisvert Retiring after Four Decades of Helping Low-income Students Prep for College
(Worcester, MA) . . . After almost four decades directing college and career readiness services for low-income, first-generation college-bound students throughout the Commonwealth, Pamela M. Boisvert will retire as CEO of Massachusetts Education and Career Opportunities, Inc. (MassEdCO).
During her tenure, Boisvert became the chief architect of statewide partnerships that annually provide free readiness services to more than 12,000 middle and high school students and adults from Boston to the Berkshires.
The organization’s federally funded Educational Opportunity Centers Project (EOCs), operating since 1973, has grown to be the nation’s largest EOC program, serving some 5,000 adult clients a year. In 1993, the organization added the federally funded Educational Talent Search (ETS) program, which was then followed in 1999 by Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Additional programs have included: the Collegiate Success Institute (CSI), in partnership with the Worcester Public Schools, and On Our Way, helping teen parents stay on track, graduate from high school and continue their education.
"I have been extremely fortunate to spend my professional career working in an education arena that empowers people from all walks of life to reach their full academic and career potential,” said Boisvert. “It is truly inspiring to see the courage and commitment that people bring daily to their education endeavors, regardless of the barriers they face."
Elizabeth Fontaine, assistant executive director of MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority), incoming MassEdCO Board president, and long-time colleague of Boisvert’s noted: “Pam is an extraordinary professional, distinguished across the country for her leadership and commitment to helping underserved individuals. It has truly been a great honor working with Pam over the years and witnessing her dedication to so many individuals in need of college and career guidance. MassEdCO will remain ever grateful to Pam for her longstanding leadership.”
Mark Bilotta, former CEO of The Colleges of Worcester Consortium and current MassEdCO Board president, will assume the CEO position on February 1.