Fall 2023 Newsletter
Healthcare: Building Healthier Communities
When Hartford Healthcare (HHC) assumed ownership of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, they created a Community Health fund to address a variety of health needs and programs within the local area. Both Northwestern and Charlotte employees have benefited from this generosity in the amount of $20,000. The money will be used to up-train Charlotte employees through Northwestern’s Allied Health programs, providing opportunities for not only employee advancement, but better area health care for patients as well. Allied Health programs such as Pharmacy Technician and Clinical Nurse Assistant are two of the healthcare options offered to employees.
“We are excited to provide training to Charlotte employees who will be better able to serve local patients,” said Northwestern President Dr. Michael Rooke. “This is a prime example of how our community providers work with the college to keep jobs and skills where they are needed – in the local communities.”
Education: Regional Education Partnership (REP)
Representatives from CT State Northwestern, The Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce, and EdAdvance recently met with area high school superintendents and principals for the first Regional Education Partnership (REP) meeting to begin identifying ways to help students navigate the transition from high school to college, or to their chosen career.
“I’m excited to collaborate with this dedicated group of education leaders on strategies that will provide both career and college opportunities for our area students,” said Dr. Rooke, who serves as REP committee chair. “We want students to know that there are many opportunities for them to study, work, and live in the Northwest region, which will build our local economy and help all residents.”
One primary topic for discussion is High School Dual Enrollment, an option that provides qualified high school students with an opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school.
“One of the biggest barriers for students, along with transportation and cost, is a student asking: ‘Am I cut out for college?’” said Dr. Rooke. “Dual enrollment is a way to jump-start their college career and show them that they can be successful in college while still being in high school.”
At their first meeting, the partnership group had more than thirty-five attendees representing all stakeholder groups and fifteen different school districts from throughout the region. “The focus for this year will be identifying how we can build strategic partnerships across education – and especially with the business community – to build these pathways to a family sustaining career,” said Dr. Rooke.
Business: The Entrepreneurial Center of Northwest CT
The Entrepreneurial Center of NW Connecticut, whose offices are located on the Northwestern campus, provides area business owners with many educational and mentoring opportunities. The Entrepreneurial Center receives support for its programs from local businesses, The Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce, S.C.O.R.E. and local foundations.
Small Business Summit
The Entrepreneurial Center hosted the Small Business Summit at Farmington Gardens last summer to honor state-wide small business and startup training and activities, which provided valuable service to more than 500 entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the state. Summit attendees participated in seminars and networking opportunities with fellow business owners throughout the day and had the opportunity to connect with representatives from business support organizations.
Senator Richard Blumenthal welcomed business founders to the day-long event and spoke about the importance of small business development in the state. “I’m very proud to be here at the Entrepreneurial Summit where I’ve met some really very impressive startups and small businesses,” he said. “[These businesses] will be very successful, I’m sure, over the next few years and I’m looking forward to coming back.”
Small Business Seminars:
Throughout the year, The Entrepreneurial Center offers business owners free informative seminars on a variety of topics like marketing, accounting for small businesses, and other valuable subjects to business owners. Information on these resources can be found at nwcc.edu/entrepreneurial-center.
Business Startup Events:
The first business startup event was held in 2019 and they continue to be successful and well-attended, providing new startup business owners with valuable mentoring advice and support. Each event allows for several business owners to present their pitch and explain where they may need help, whether it is with marketing, finance, or overall business acumen. Through break-out sessions after the presentations, mentors from all business levels and expertise provide owners with suggestions and networking opportunities.
“I’m very proud of the work the Entrepreneurial Center has done over the last year, working with so many startups from across Connecticut,” said Fiorello. “These passionate entrepreneurs are making a tangible impact in their communities and I’m looking forward to seeing them develop and grow over the next year. As we work with so many partners in the startup and small business space, it’s important to continue to invest in, and celebrate, the work that’s already being done. I fully expect the impact of the CT State entrepreneurial system to increase in the next year and I’m excited to celebrate with the mentors and stakeholders that make this work possible.”
For more information on The Entrepreneurial Center or any of the programs offered, contact Entrepreneurial Center Director, John Fiorello at jfiorello@nwcc.edu.
“Northwestern has always valued its relationship to our community partners,” said Dr. Rooke. “It’s a two-way street – Northwestern’s community partners are vital to the success and future of our students, and our students add to the local economy and labor market in many sectors – keeping our communities vital.”