Two Minority Fellows Named at MCC

Manchester, CT – August 29, 2005 . . Wanda I. Reyes-Dawes, of Hartford, and Eric Robinson, of Enfield, have been named to the position of Minority Fellow at Manchester Community College for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The Connecticut Community College System has administered a Minority Fellowship Program for qualified individuals interested in beginning or advancing a career in the community colleges for the past ten years. The Minority Fellowship Program pairs an experienced college professional with a “fellow” for a year-long mentoring experience. The goal of the program is to further diversify the system’s professional workforce and to promote community college career opportunities as desirable options for members of minority groups.

The program offers a superb opportunity to work with and learn from an experienced faculty or staff member, as well as a chance to build relationships with professionals in their field within the community college system. Fellows are exposed to the diverse needs and interests of students enrolled in the community college system. Fellows may be either current employees of the system or graduate students who have successfully completed at least six (6) credits of graduate studies.

Reyes-Dawes received a master’s degree in Counseling/Student Development in Higher Education at Central Connecticut State University in July 2005.   She also holds a bachelor of science degree in Human Services from Springfield College. She has held several positions in local educational, including State of Connecticut Career Services Director, Dean of Students at Hartford’s Sawyer School, and Office Manager for the Hartford Federation of Teachers. While pursuing her master’s degree, she held the positions of Program Assistant in the Office of Minority and International Student Programs and Student Retention Specialist at Manchester Community College.

A member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, she is also active in Leadership Greater Hartford’s Latino Leadership Network, the National Career Development Association, the Hispanic Professional Network, the Connecticut Association of Latino Americans in Higher Education and the National Association of Female Executives.

As an administrative fellow at MCC, Reyes-Dawes will spend at least six hours per week in structured administrative activity, with the remaining time spent on assigned activities such as attending campus orientation activities and participating in college meetings or professional development activities. She will be working in the college’s Center for Student Development, which provides advising, counseling, test, tutoring, and other core services to MCC’s students, and will be mentored by Voncille Wright, its director.

Robinson is a graduate of Smith College with a master’s degree in Social Work; he also holds a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline from Elms College. Currently, he is a Multisystemic Treatment Therapist at the Wheeler Clinic in Plainville, where he is responsible for case management, treatment interventions and family support. Previously, he was a member of the management team at Hartford’s Catholic Family Services and a social worker in the Hartford Public Schools.

Robinson is also the founder of Family Life Consulting & Education, which provides comprehensive training and workshops on social, developmental and educational issues. He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Black Social Workers, the Greater New England Alliance of Black School Educators, and the National Black Child Development Association.

As a teaching fellow in the Sociology department, Robinson will spend six hours per week in teaching-related activities under the supervision of his mentor, Professor Jean Wynn, taking on increased responsibilities as the year progresses. During the second semester, he will assist his mentor in teaching a course.

The Minority Fellowship Program is jointly sponsored by the Board of Trustees of Community Colleges and the professional staff union: the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges, AFSCME and AFT.

Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The College offers over 50 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.