April 2026 Edition

Sr. Margaret James McGrath Distinguished Alumni Award to Honor Dr. Cidalia Vital '03 at Reunion

Elms College is proud to announce that Dr. Cidalia Vital ’03 will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at this year’s Reunion Lunch. A standout leader at Baystate Health, Dr. Vital has built an extraordinary career advancing nursing research, patient safety, and holistic, person-centered care across the region. From bedside nurse to nurse scientist and director, her journey reflects innovation, compassion, and excellence at every step. She continues to give back to Elms by mentoring Doctor of Nursing Practice students and strengthening clinical partnerships that shape future healthcare leaders. Her work powerfully embodies the College’s core values of faith, community, excellence, and justice, making her an especially deserving honoree. The award presentation will take place during the Reunion Lunch, and attendance at the lunch is required to be part of the celebration. We hope you’ll join us in honoring Dr. Vital and celebrating her impact on the profession and the Elms community.

We are proud to share that Dr. Yolanda Marrow '06 '12 '23 has been nominated and selected as an honoree for the 11th Annual 100 Women of Color Gala & Awards, held in Hartford, Connecticut.

This prestigious celebration recognizes 100 outstanding women from communities spanning from Stamford to Springfield whose impactful work is shaping the region through leadership, entrepreneurship, education, athletics, entertainment, healthcare, government, and public and community service.

To be included among such an inspiring and accomplished group of women is both a meaningful honor and a testament to the continued impact of strong, community-driven leadership.

On April 15, the campus community gathered for an engaging lecture delivered by alumna Jolanta Stryjczak ’00, Head of Public Relations & Marketing Communications at HONOR Poland. The event drew a full audience eager to hear her perspective on the evolving field of public relations.



During her presentation, Stryjczak shared insights from her professional journey, offering valuable reflections on navigating challenges, building resilience, and creating a successful career path in a competitive industry.

The College extends its appreciation to the Business Division and the Elms College Business Club for their collaboration in organizing this event. It was a pleasure to welcome Jolanta back to campus and provide students with the opportunity to learn from her experience.

Additional photos from the event are available here: https://ow.ly/P4El50YK2xy

Donor Scholar Brunch

Nearly 200 members of the Elms College community gathered on April 19 for the annual Donor Scholar Brunch celebrating the impact of endowed scholarships. This year $535,000 was awarded to 167 students. President Harry E. Dumay thanked donors for their generosity, noting the lasting difference their support makes in students’ lives and future opportunities. Three newly established scholarships were announced and recognized: the Mary Giblin Letellier ’35 Endowed Scholarship, the Mary E. Prehoden ’85 Endowed Scholarship, and the Anne M. Sullivan ’67 Endowed Scholarship. Alumna Diane Brunelle ’84 offered a donor's perspective and reflected on how her Elms College experience launched her 30-year nursing career and inspired her to give back, while senior Ryann Anderson shared how scholarship support helped her overcome financial challenges and stay on track to graduate. She now plans to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing, crediting donor support for making her journey possible.

Elms College Softball welcomed a 1st and 2nd grade youth team from South Hadley Youth Baseball/Softball for a special joint practice at Cheryl R. Condon Field. The visit gave the young athletes a unique opportunity to step onto the field as “Little Blazers” for the day.

Guided by Blazer student-athletes, the session featured interactive drills, skill-building activities, and team-based games designed to introduce fundamentals in a fun and supportive environment. The afternoon concluded with a spirited scrimmage that brought both teams together in friendly competition.

The youth team is coached by Karalee Yvon '10 '14, Director of Institutional Assessment and Research, with support from assistant coaches including Teresa Winters-Tobin '98 '05, Dean of Students. Both alumnas played an important role in fostering the connection between the College and the local community.

The event highlighted the strong partnership between Elms Athletics and area youth programs, creating a meaningful experience centered on mentorship, teamwork, and a shared love of the game. As a fun follow-up, some of the youth team came to cheer on their ‘new buddies’ during the recent game against Colby-Sawyer. These new Blazer fans were without a doubt the loudest in the bleachers and even snagged some high-fives between games.

May 1, 2026

Presidential Showcase Kick Off - 9:30 AM

Join us at Elms College for our Experiential Learning Showcase — a celebration of hands-on learning in action. From internships and research to service and clinical experiences, see how today’s students are turning knowledge into real-world impact. Come support our students, reconnect with campus, and witness the future of Elms in motion.

Learning in Action: Students Participate in Legislative Advocacy Day

Social Work and Psychology students recently traveled to the Massachusetts State House to participate in Legislative Education Advocacy Day (LEAD), hosted by the National Association of Social Workers on March 13, 2026. Students engaged in hands-on experience exploring how a bill becomes a law and when and how to effectively advocate with legislators. 

Students selected from 4 active bills in the house to focus their advocacy efforts, including initiatives to expand access to social work licensure, address the behavioral health workforce shortages through interstate agreements, improve access to obtaining a Massachusetts license for unhoused individuals, and enable local decision-making on overdose prevention centers. 

The experience provided valuable insight into how policy can impact their clients and the social work profession. 



Thank you to the Office of Experiential Learning and the Social Work Department for supporting our students on this trip!

Elms College is proud to collaborate with a range of respected organizations across our region, including businesses, school districts, and healthcare providers. These partnerships expand access to high-quality education, support workforce development, and strengthen the communities we serve. 

Classes ending in 1's and 6's join us for a fun-filled reunion weekend!

Save the Date

Summer Events!

Jill Perry '21 '23, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Email: Perryj@elms.edu

Phone: (413) 265- 2388