December 2024

Dear friends,

It's the time of year when we pause to reflect on the past twelve months and successes achieved among our faculty, staff, and students. An enduring tradition at Franklin Cummings Tech for more than 115 years has been to deliver tech and trade education that is equally focused on building students’ technical skills for career preparation while shoring up communication skills and character that supports lives of meaning and intention. Upholding these two areas of focus would not be possible without our amazing faculty and staff—more than 120 strong—to whom this issue of the Spark is dedicated.

Here’s to a holiday season of joy, peace and love, and a happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Massachusetts Apprenticeship Awards

On November 20, Franklin Cummings Tech hosted the 2024 Massachusetts GROW Apprenticeship Award Ceremony with MA Secretary of Labor Lauren Jones. At the event, over 100 participants took a tour of our college’s co-op and registered apprenticeship programs and then heard speeches from state leaders and Franklin Cummings Tech President and CEO Aisha Francis. One highlight was Bryan Galdamez, Automotive Technology '26, who gave a compelling 3-minute talk about the power of integrating work and school through apprenticeship. Here’s more information on our (award-winning) apprenticeship program, which is offered as a feature of our associate degree.

Students: Best Thing I Learned This Year

We asked students taking a short break from studying for final exams to tell us the best thing they learned at Franklin Cummings Tech this year. Their answers offer a snapshot of the practical, experiential learning that makes our college, and our students, special.

Secure Your Legacy Through Giving

Did you know there are many ways to support Franklin Cummings Tech that will hold benefits for future generations? Consider a Legacy Gift—make Franklin Cummings Tech a beneficiary of your estate, as a generous couple did recently.

"I am happy to have created a lasting legacy by naming Franklin Cummings Tech as a beneficiary of my IRA. It feels good to know that I will continue to make a difference in people’s lives even after I am gone."

Franklin Cummings Tech thanks these donors for their thoughtful support and generous gifts and invites others to do the same.

Anyone can do this by adding the college as a beneficiary on their retirement documents. We are aiming to enlist 25 requests of this nature by the end of 2025.

Interested in learning more? Please contact Janice Cooper, Senior Individual Giving Officer, at jcooper@franklincummings.edu. Expect a reply within 24 hours.

Preparing New Wiring Labs

As we prepare to move to our new purpose-built campus, our current building must provide students with the learning spaces they need to succeed. Current students in our Practical Electricity (PE) certificate program have been helping to build out and wire expanded lab space for our largest ever cohort of PE students, who start classes January 15. "Having current students help with the construction and wiring of this new space allows them to apply what they've been learning in the classroom and to gain real-world experience in their trade," said PE Department Chair Rui Gomes. Learn more about the fast-growing PE program here.

Spring and Summer 2025 adjunct faculty positions are available in our PE and HVAC programs. Sign-on bonus available for qualified candidates. See job descriptions and/or apply for PE positions or HVAC positions.

Help High School Students Get a Jump on College

Invest in accelerating students' careers at a fraction of the cost. High schoolers in the Boston area can earn their associate degree just one year after graduating high school through Early College at Franklin Cummings Tech. Support this program today so students can get a head start on a fulfilling career.

Donate at globalgiving.org/projects/early-college

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