Jun 2, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

SWICE Program Commencement at Roxbury Community College Marks Successful Completion of Pilot Clean Energy Program

On Friday, June 2, 2017, Roxbury Community College (RCC) hosted a commencement ceremony for the nine women who successfully completed the College’s Successful Women in Clean Energy (SWICE) Program. The ceremony was held at the Reggie Lewis Track at Athletic Center.

The innovative program, operated in partnership with Morgan Memorial Goodwill (MMG), prepares women for sales and marketing careers in the Clean Energy sector. SWICE is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), with the goal of diversifying the industry’s workforce.

“The Commonwealth’s clean energy industry is driven by a strong workforce and these women are a shining example of the career opportunities available in this thriving sector of the Massachusetts economy,” said MassCEC CEO Stephen Pike. “I want to thank Roxbury Community College and the Goodwill for partnering on this initiative and I congratulate all of the graduates on this terrific achievement.”

For 12 weeks, students attended classes on the RCC campus, following a focused curriculum which included reading, applied mathematics, graphic literacy, environmental literacy, Microsoft Office Suite, and work readiness training. Students also completed a three-credit Customer Service course through the college’s Business Administration program. Following graduation, students will enter into a six month paid fellowship with a local clean energy employer.

“This pilot program is an important component of RCC’s workforce development portfolio,” says Dr. Valerie Roberson, president of RCC. “SWICE is one of RCC’s many green energy initiatives; and, it is just one of the many ways we are training Boston’s residents for in-demand, well-paying jobs.”

Scheduled ceremony speakers include Joy Burghardt, Vice President, Programs and Services at Morgan Memorial Goodwill; Stephen Pike, CEO MA Clean Energy Center; Judith Judson, Commissioner, MA Department of Energy Resources; and Dr. Valerie Roberson, President, Roxbury Community College. Program graduates, Mildred Bonilla and Nakia Hills, offered student testimonials.

For additional details about the ceremony and the SWICE Program, please contact Peter Antonellis at 617-541-5303 or pantonellis@rcc.mass.edu.

Note to editors: Dr. Valerie Roberson, president of Roxbury Community College, Mildred Bonilla, SWICE graduate, and Nakia Hills, SWICE graduate, will be present and available for interviews.

Founded in 1973, Roxbury Community College (RCC) is a comprehensive, multicultural, urban, student-centered, open-access community college. RCC offers associates degree and certificate programs, online courses, corporate and community education programs, and lifelong learning programs. Our 16-acre, six building campus houses classrooms, specialized science and computer laboratories, the Library and Learning Center, the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center and the Media Arts Center.