The transition from local student to Fitchburg State Falcon began on Tuesday. For 75 seniors from neighboring high schools, the Accepted Student Visit Day offered more than just a campus tour at Fitchburg State University—it was a chance to dive into the sights, sounds, and academic opportunities waiting for them right in their own backyard. “Your hard work, persistence, and potential have brought you to this moment,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge, who addressed students from Fitchburg High, Goodrich Academy, Sizer School and St. Bernard’s in Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge. “You are here today because you have already proven that you possess the talent and drive to succeed at the collegiate level. It is my distinct honor to invite you to join a community that doesn't just recognize your potential—we are investing in it, and we are investing in you.” The Fitchburg Promise is a new direct admissions initiative for Fitchburg residents. Launched by President Hodge in September during her State of the University address, the program aims to broaden opportunities for students across the city. The agreement complements the university’s new direct admissions initiative, designed to remove barriers, simplify access, and guarantee admission to students in good standing at their high schools. Starting in the fall, any Fitchburg resident enrolled at one of the city’s high schools who maintains a 2.25 GPA will be guaranteed admission to Fitchburg State and may attend tuition and fee-free, so long as they remain in good standing. “It’s a great opportunity for people in Fitchburg and around to use this and utilize this,” said Fitchburg High senior Lillyan Marquez. “I think it’s a good idea.” Fitchburg State established these new agreements with Fitchburg High School -- including Goodrich Academy -- Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, St. Bernard’s High School and the Sizer School. “We are so pleased to partner with these students in their journey,” said Fitchburg State Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success Pam McCafferty. “A bachelor's degree opens the door to a brighter future by providing the skills that employers are seeking, as well as increased earning potential over a lifetime.” The Direct Admissions program, which extends to non-city residents at these schools, eliminates application fees and stress from the start. This pathway allows future students to begin exploring college life early by participating in Direct Admissions Discovery Days, where they can be part of fun on-campus events, meet professors, and actively discover their future educational path. The process is streamlined and simple, as students simply fill out an online opt-in form as early as their freshman year of high school. The program also delivers significant financial benefits, including $0 in-state tuition and fees for participants who reside in Fitchburg, and an annual $1,500 housing scholarship for those who decide to live on campus. “I’ve always been low income, so I’m going to take advantage of this because I would have never been able to go to college without that,” said Goodrich Academy senior Luka Paskell. Ben Lor and Molly Demeo, high school seniors at Fitchburg High School and Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, were officially the first two direct admission students who placed deposits and committed to becoming Falcons in the fall of 2026. Luis Laboy, a senior at Fitchburg High, said that the staff at Fitchburg State are extremely helpful. “They are really nice,” said Laboy, who is undecided on living on campus or commuting as a freshman and hopes to play collegiate baseball. “You ask them a question and they give you all the information you need. I feel like you don’t have to ask too many questions because they lay it all out for you and make it easy.” Fitchburg High senior Nilianys Santos Torres is committed to Fitchburg State and will enter the prestigious nursing program in the fall as a commuter student. “I’ve always wanted to work with something in medicine since I was little, and nursing is what really intrigues me,” said Santos Torres. “I want to help people.” Marquez will also commute, and wants to pursue a career in exercise science or physical therapy. “I thought Fitchburg State would be a good combination to achieve that,” said Marquez. Paskell will also live at home and major in criminal justice. “I always wanted to be a police officer, and I want to give back to the community,” said Paskell. “I feel like it’s a good opportunity with the Fitchburg Promise.” Fitchburg High senior Bianelis Pena is contemplating working after graduation, attending community college or enrolling at Fitchburg State. The low cost of Fitchburg State is appealing, however. “You don’t want to be in debt,” said Pena. “You don’t want to graduate and have to pay money for the rest of your life.” Learn more about Fitchburg State at fitchburgstate.edu.

Fitchburg dignitaries celebrated the launch of the Fitchburg Public Schools Welcome Center, designed to connect Fitchburg families with the information and support they need to be quickly and warmly embraced by the community. The Welcome Center is a one-stop hub for Fitchburg Public School enrollment, transportation, family engagement, and local resources for Fitchburg Public School families. Fitchburg Public Schools, Fitchburg State University, and Workers Credit Union (WCU) collaborated to bring the project to fruition. “Today's ribbon-cutting marks more than an opening of a building. It represents our collective commitment to ensuring every family feels seen, valued and supported from the moment they walk through our doors,” said Jonathan Thompson, Superintendent of Fitchburg Public Schools. “Fitchburg has been a place that accepts everybody,” said State Representative Michael Kushmerek, as he presented a signed certificate on behalf of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “We accept you for who you are. We meet you in your moment, and we tell you that you have a future here in this city.” The Welcome Center houses Fitchburg Public Schools’ existing Enrollment Team, Transportation Team, and Family and Community Engagement staff, and serves as a centralized space for professional collaboration and support for school-based family liaisons. The Welcome Center aligns with the district’s strategic plan, which prioritizes engaging with and valuing all families and partners to build strong partnerships that foster trust and a shared desire for student success. The Center physically solidified the partnership between Fitchburg Public Schools and Fitchburg State University, which last fall announced a “direct admissions” program, The Fitchburg Promise. “We want every family who walks through the doors of the Welcome Center to feel that their child's journey doesn't end at high school graduation. We want them to see the world of opportunity that awaits right up the street at the university,” said Fitchburg State University President Dr. Donna Hodge. Starting this fall, the program guarantees any Fitchburg high school student who maintains a 2.25 GPA and resides in Fitchburg will be guaranteed admission to Fitchburg State and may attend tuition and fee-free, so long as they remain in good standing. Workers Credit Union’s repurposing of the Main Street building, previously the WCU headquarters located next to its current Fitchburg branch, honors its commitment to Fitchburg, where it was founded more than 110 years ago. “We've always been here and we will always be here to help people lift themselves up and empower them to a brighter future,” said Jay Champion, Chief Executive Officer and President of Workers Credit Union. WCU’s strong relationships with its community partners, Fitchburg Public Schools and Fitchburg State University, reflect the credit union’s core purpose of enabling strong finances, with education serving as a powerful pathway to make that possible. Beth Walsh — the Director of Constituent Services for Senator John Cronin — presented a State Senate citation on behalf of Senator Cronin, who was unable to attend the ceremony. “This is an amazing space that not only welcomes people to the Fitchburg public schools, but to the entire community,” Walsh noted. The event also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the newly-reimagined facility.

The Community Read Committee will host a free public screening of the film, “Food Inc. 2” at 3:30 p.m.Wednesday, March 25 at Hammond Hall’s Ellis White Lecture Hall, 160 Pearl Street. Following the screening, there will be a discussion with Professor Chris Picone of the Biology and Chemistry Department. The film centers around innovative farmers, future-thinking food producers, workers’ rights, activists and prominent legislators, such as U.S Senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are facing these companies head-on to inspire change and build a healthier, more sustainable future. The Community Read is a collaboration between Fitchburg State University, local libraries, and the surrounding communities. The mission is to promote thought-provoking discussions of literature to all audiences. This program is the product of the community, for the community. The goal is to facilitate a place for insightful discussion, giving members of the community a chance to share their opinions and be heard. Community Read Committee members include: Martha Crawford (ALFA), Ann Finch (Leominster Public Library), Marcia Ladd (Fitchburg Public Library), Ashley Kenney (Fitchburg Public Library), Laura Robinson (Dean, Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library), Kevin McCarthy (Fitchburg State, Communications Media), Paula Stefanakos (Alumni Board), Aly White (Leominster Public Library), Emma Downs (Fitchburg State, Biology and Chemistry), Meghan Kelly (Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library), and Wafa Unus (Fitchburg State, English Studies).

Fitchburg State University and Applewild School have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing a long-standing relationship between the two historic Fitchburg educational institutions. The agreement aims to expand educational access, support local workforce development, and enhance community engagement throughout North Central Massachusetts. As anchor institutions in a designated Gateway City, both Fitchburg State and Applewild recognize that collaboration is key to fostering a vibrant regional economy and a thriving educational landscape. “Today isn’t just about putting pen to paper; it is about formalizing a spirit of cooperation that has been taking form for some time,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “Since my arrival to this region in 2024, I have been grateful to be part of robust dialogues between Fitchburg State and Applewild, which have been incredibly productive and, frankly, inspiring. We have spent hours discussing how two ‘anchor institutions’ in a Gateway City can move beyond simply existing side-by-side to truly working in tandem.” “In today's educational landscape, we all face resource constraints and evolving challenges,” said Hodge. “However, our conversations have reinforced a simple truth: we are stronger together. By aligning our missions, we create a more robust educational ecosystem for North Central Massachusetts.” “Our MOU really amplifies the work of both institutions,” said Applewild Head of School Amy Jolly, who earned a master’s in Educational Leadership and Management at Fitchburg State. “That’s what I’m most excited about. We all move forward together when we support each other. All ships rise with the tide, as they say.” Key Highlights of the Agreement: Applewild School will offer a 50% tuition reduction for the children of Fitchburg State employees enrolled in its kindergarten through Grade 9 day programs (subject to availability and admissions standards). Fitchburg State employees will receive priority consideration for enrollment in Applewild’s infant through Pre-Kindergarten programs at the Fitchburg campus. The partnership reinforces the pipeline for Fitchburg State students to gain real-world experience through internships, practicums, and part-time employment at Applewild. Applewild will continue to actively recruit and hire qualified Fitchburg State graduates for teaching, summer camp, and professional staff positions. Applewild will encourage its own staff members pursuing advanced degrees to utilize Fitchburg State’s graduate programs. Both institutions commit to including one another in cultural, athletic, and educational events, creating a more integrated campus experience for families and students alike. “The Applewild mission is to nurture curious learners and empower them to lead with confidence, courage and humanity,” said Jolly. “We educate students from across the world and across the country, while remaining deeply committed to our local impact here in North Central Massachusetts.” Hodge said she is particularly excited about the tangible benefits this partnership brings to the local workforce. “The tuition reduction for Fitchburg State employees, and priority enrollment for early childhood programs, are more than just perks; they are investments in the people who make this university run,” said Hodge. “In turn, we are proud to welcome Applewild’s educators into our graduate programs and host their families at our athletic and cultural events.” Learn more about Applewild School and Fitchburg State University.

The inaugural Center for Italian Culture Conference on Italian Studies, sponsored by the Center for Italian Culture (CIC), will take place at Fitchburg State University on Saturday, March 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge, 160 Pearl Street. The conference is open to the public. Fitchburg State students are encouraged to attend and to register online. The conference will feature 21 scholars from across Massachusetts, as well as Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and even from Italy, representing both public and private universities, who will be on campus to present their research and discuss their scholarship. Participants from Fitchburg State University include: Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricelli, Professor Rala Diakite Cocco (Humanities), Associate Professor Yasser Derwiche Djazaerly (Humanities), Professor Daniel Sarefield (Economics, History and Political Science), Professor Donald Tarallo (Communications Media), Professor Teresa Fava Thomas (Economics, History and Political Science), and history graduate student Richard Whitehead. "The inaugural CIC Conference on Italian Studies is more than just an academic gathering; it is a profound celebration of the Italian spirit through the lens of our university motto, Perseverantia,” said Sarefield. “By bringing together 21 distinguished scholars from across the Northeast and Italy, we are creating a premier forum to explore how steadfastness has shaped Italian history, from the ancient world to the modern Italian-American experience. We are particularly proud to offer our students and the Fitchburg community a front-row seat to this high-level scholarly exchange, fostering a deeper, interdisciplinary appreciation for a cultural legacy that continues to endure and evolve." This conference aims to advance the CIC’s core mission: encouraging the understanding and appreciation of all aspects of Italian language, history and culture. The scope of presentations spans the full spectrum of Italian and Italian-American scholarship, including ancient, contemporary and the Italian experience in the New World. The wide-ranging concept of Perseverantia, meaning perseverance or steadfastness, serves as the central theme for the inaugural event. Attendees are invited to explore persistence, constancy and related concepts across all disciplines within Italian Studies. The conference promises to be a premier forum for scholarly exchange, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives on Italian history, art, literature, and cinema. This interdisciplinary gathering will showcase a broad spectrum of research, fostering a deeper understanding of Italy’s rich cultural legacy.