Fitchburg State University Associate Professor of English Studies Katharine Covino was recently awarded the Edward B. Fry Book Award for “The Intersections of Critical Pedagogy, Critical Literacy, and Social Justice: Toward Empowerment, Equity, and Education for Liberation” at the Literacy Research Association's annual conference in Las Vegas. “It feels very significant to win the award, and it’s also very humbling,” said Covino, who co-edited and co-authored the book with Dr. Cara Mulcahy from Central Connecticut State University. “When you look at the list of past finalists and winners of the award, you can see some of the heaviest hitters in the field of literacy research. Rebecca Rogers, P. David Pearson, Elizabeth Birr Moje, Randy Bomer, and Peter Smagorinsky – these are people who I encountered in graduate school and whose writing I continue to use in my courses to this day. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, a more recent winner, is a prolific and important writer and speaker. These people are literally giants. To be nominated in the same category, and then to have our book win, is just so exciting. I think it speaks to the necessity of the work– the critical importance of social justice, empowerment, and equity – especially amidst this charged sociopolitical moment.” The award is named after Edward B. Fry, a pioneer focused on readability formulas and foundational literacy. The award aims to recognize Literacy Research Association members who author a book on literacy research and practice. The first award was presented in 1995. Published by Lexington Books in January 2024, The Intersections of Critical Pedagogy, Critical Literacy, and Social Justice: Toward Empowerment, Equity, and Education for Liberation, offers a rich collection of voices, viewpoints, and perspectives that sheds light on the differing and prismatic experiences of literacy educators and researchers engaged with critical literacy and critical pedagogy in multi-linguistic and multicultural environments. “As co-editors, we sought to curate distinct yet complementary chapters that advance the study, inquiry, and practice of critical literacy and critical pedagogy through a rigorous unpacking of curricula, courses, programs, and professional learning spaces in which educators operate,” said Covino. “This book offers clear yet adaptable pathways forward, and models empowering practices for teacher educators, classroom teachers, and students at all levels.” Covino said that the book is the work of years of collaboration. “We share this award with all educators who fight tirelessly for what is right, even when it is hard, who resist limiting mandates and curricula, and who continue to strive for equity and social justice in the face of broken systems,” said Covino. “We thank you for the risks you take every day in service to our children.”

As an online student, Linda Alvarez ‘22 anticipated visiting the Fitchburg State University campus for the first time when she was supposed to receive her master’s in business administration with a concentration in marketing and communications during Winter Commencement in 2022. But due to a significant snow and ice storm in Southern Vermont, Alvarez’s plans to attend graduation, walk the stage and receive her diploma were dashed. She was forced to halt her commute to North Central Massachusetts, missed the graduation ceremony, and eventually had her diploma mailed to her home in Brattleboro, Vt. Three years later, Alvarez experienced a full-circle moment as she finally set foot on campus and received her diploma directly from President Donna Hodge. “Just to be able to come and meet the president of the university was surprising and unexpected,” said Alvarez, who was recently named the Vermont Teacher of the Year. “She’s just so nice and welcoming. It was really good to talk to her about some ideas and some of the things that are happening around our states with the students. When she brought the diploma out, that was really cool. I did miss that part of graduation, so it was really, really thoughtful.” Hodge said that hosting Alvarez was an amazing day for the entire university. "It was a truly moving and special moment to finally welcome Linda Alvarez, a wonderful alumna and the Vermont Teacher of the Year, to our campus,” said Hodge. “To see her set foot here for the first time, after completing her degree online, underscores the dedication and spirit of our entire Fitchburg State community. We are incredibly proud of her, and we enjoyed sharing the warmth of our beautiful and welcoming campus with her." Alvarez has been a business and entrepreneurship teacher at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro for the last four years. She is the first Career and Technical Education (CTE) educator to receive the Teacher of the Year award in Vermont. Alvarez, who has been teaching for over 20 years, said that CTE connects academics with hands-on, real-world learning. It helps students see why what they’re learning matters, and CTE prepares students not just for work, but for life, by teaching problem solving, teamwork, and leadership. Alvarez completed her bachelor’s in history with a minor in education from the University of Florida, and is completing a Harvard Certificate in School Management and Leadership. She holds certifications in CTE business, history (6-12), and reading and language Arts (K–12). She also serves as a dual enrollment professor through Vermont State University’s Community College of Vermont. After finally visiting campus, Alvarez said that she truly feels like a Fitchburg State Falcon. “Sometimes when you do online school, you don’t feel that same sense of allegiance to the school,” said Alvarez. “I was always a (Florida) Gator, but now I’m a Gator and a Falcon. It’s part of being here.” The campus tour, led by student tour guide Viv Warren, was a dazzling march through a pristine, utterly beautiful winter wonderland. “It was amazingly welcoming,” said Alvarez. “The campus is warm and the students were all saying ‘hello.’ I’m really impressed with how nice everybody is. Just walking around the buildings you see how pretty the campus is; it’s very modern in parts and very old in parts, which is cool with the historic side.” Hammond Hall also caught Alvarez’s attention. “I thought it was really nice with the way the library opened up into some areas where the students can have some places to study or chill with each other,” said Alvarez, while also commenting on the beauty of Thompson Hall. “It was new and very welcoming.” Alvarez said she definitely recommends that prospective students check out what the university has to offer. “I have a couple of students who are still indecisive about their school, so I’m going to get them to put their applications in because I think (going to Fitchburg State) could be a really good fit,” said Alvarez. “I think more people need to be thinking about how this is a state school that’s really close to us. It’s not quite commuter close, but it’s very close. They say three hours or less is the best for a lot of students going to college. This checks a lot of those boxes for our Southern Vermont kids, but also the business program here is super challenging. I would definitely recommend that students look into Fitchburg State University. “I would enjoy bringing students down here and let them see what a day is like here,” she said. “I think the overall importance for all of us in education is that our students get to a school that they feel comfortable at.” Alvarez said she’d also like for her son, who is in high school, to come visit campus. “It really seems like the campus has a good vibe,” Alvarez said. Alvarez admitted that she probably should have visited sooner, but was thrilled that she finally got to see the campus up close, and is proud to have received her master’s from Fitchburg State. “I always had really good professors when taking my master’s program. My expectations were high because I had already had a really great experience, but I certainly feel like the university has met whatever expectations I had,” said Alvarez. “It’s a very beautiful campus, and it is much larger than I thought because I think I’m used to some of our Vermont schools that are smaller. There’s a whole lot of opportunity here. The diversity of students and even the diversity of buildings and there’s a diversity of things to do.” Alvarez said she is already discussing ways she can stay more connected to her alma mater. “They asked me if I wanted to sit on some of the alumni boards, so maybe I’ll be able to come to a football game or two?” said Alvarez. “That would be really exciting.”

The Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library at Fitchburg State University will host an open house to show off its diversified furniture options from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8. This event is open to the public and entire campus community. Light refreshments will be available. The library received Massachusetts SUCCESS grant funds to purchase new furniture, which diversifies the types of seating found in the library. The library completed a space refresh exploration project with an emphasis on the purchase of furniture and lighting that support all learners, including the needs of neurodiverse students. In selecting furniture, the library prioritized furniture that offers privacy and reduced line of sight and noise, allows movement – standing up, rocking, swiveling – and is made of fabrics with calming colors and symmetrical/small scale patterns. Nook Pods were installed that offer private and semi-private workspaces designed to provide a calming, enclosed environment that reduces sensory overload and encourages focus by minimizing distractions and providing a sense of security. New alternative and adjustable lighting options were also purchased. The new furniture works for many body types, such as tall bar height tables to sit and stand at, and chairs and tables that are movable and height adjustable.

The Fitchburg State University choirs will be joined by voices from local high school groups when the campus presents its “Choral Kaleidoscope” concert in December. The performance will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. "The annual Choral Kaleidoscope concert is always such a warm, fun, and beautiful event, bringing together over a hundred students from across the region to make music together, in community with one another,” said Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey of the university’s Humanities Department, who conducts the Fitchburg State choral program. The Fitchburg State choirs will be joined by singers from Gardner High School and Wachusett Regional High School. Learn about Fitchburg State's musical offerings at fitchburgstate.edu/music.

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration released a first-of-its kind state report on post-college earnings for students who attended Massachusetts’ 29 public colleges and universities. The report shows that, five years after graduation, graduates of Massachusetts public colleges or universities make $20,000 to $30,000 more per year than their peers who did not pursue higher education. Those who pursue fields of study like health sciences, STEM and the trades saw the biggest earnings boost. “The data is clear – Massachusetts degrees deliver,” said Governor Maura Healey. “When students graduate from our community colleges and public colleges, they get paid more, they have more opportunities for upward mobility, and they provide a skilled workforce for our employers. This is why, working with the Legislature, we have prioritized making college more affordable in Massachusetts. When we lower barriers to pursuing higher education, our students succeed and our economy succeeds.” “As a proud public college graduate, this report shows what I have long known – public higher education in Massachusetts is key to lifelong career success,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Importantly, our public higher education graduates are more likely to stay in Massachusetts where they will continue their contributions to our economy and our communities. We’re proud to have made record investments in financial aid and will keep working to make college more affordable for everyone.” These findings speak to the positive impacts of Governor Healey’s efforts to make public higher education more affordable in Massachusetts. Working with the Legislature, she has doubled state funding for financial aid – including offering free tuition and fees to Pell Grant eligible students at all public two- and four-year colleges and making community college free for everyone. In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, state financial aid programs saved Massachusetts students about $130 million on the cost of college. When students can afford to pursue higher education, they are more likely to make higher earnings throughout the course of their career and fill the needs of employers in in-demand fields. This report follows the administration’s recent launch of “Go Higher,” a new brand and awareness campaign designed to increase exposure to higher education, improve the information pipeline, and build awareness of financial and institutional supports that help students see themselves in college. This also builds on  efforts to spread awareness on financial aid and inspire students to see higher education as an option, such as the  administration’s Financial Aid Road Show, and investments in My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) and MEFA Pathway that help middle and high school students with ongoing opportunities to plan for their academic, personal and career success in high school and beyond. “Higher education brings students life-long skills, agency over their lives, and as this data shows, substantial personal financial rewards,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “This report highlights that education supports each student’s individual economic mobility goals, as well as those of their family, local communities and economy. In Massachusetts, we remain committed to making higher education more affordable and accessible for all students – and lifting barriers so all students persist to graduation.” “At Fitchburg State, we see every day what this report confirms: when you invest in public higher education, you change the trajectory of individual lives and entire communities," said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. "Our students come to us with talent and determination. We meet them with access, high expectations, and a pathway to real economic mobility. These findings reinforce what matters most for our region and our Commonwealth: when students can afford to complete a high-quality degree, they graduate ready to earn more, contribute more, and build a stronger future for all of us.” The release of the report, The Earnings Outcomes of Public Postsecondary Education in Massachusetts, kicks off the launch of new post-college earnings metrics that will be updated annually in the Department of Higher Education’s (DHE) Performance Measurement Reporting System (PMRS). PMRS is a public dashboard that tracks student success and other key performance indicators for each community college and state university in Massachusetts. The report shows that median earnings five years after completing college are over $61,000 a year for those with associate degrees and $72,000 a year for bachelor’s degree completers. By comparison, students with a high school diploma who did not attend college earn about just over $42,000 annually. The earnings data does not include certain professions, such as self-employed individuals and military personnel, and detailed information about population measured and metrics used are available in the report. The report includes earnings data by demographics and field of study, and it shows that while those with some college and no credential may see a slight earnings boost, earnings are far greater for those who complete a degree. This was a driving factor behind Governor Healey’s efforts to make community college free for anyone aged 25 and older in her first year in office – to make it easier for older students to return to school and complete their degree. “At a time when many people are questioning the value of a college degree, I’m proud to share data that serves as a valuable public resource and highlights the personal finance growth that college can bring in just five years,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “Earnings isn’t the only data point or goal that matters when it comes to choosing a college or major, but for many students and families, it’s a primary driver of their future plans, and the Board’s role includes making this information available,” said Board of Higher Education Chair Chris Gabrieli. "It is now up to us and the leadership of each campus to determine how to help more students gain even more economic mobility through our colleges." “This report confirms that investing in higher education improves lives and bolsters our economy,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “When we set out to transform higher education access in Massachusetts, this was our goal — and this data shows we’re achieving it. I applaud Governor Healey and her administration for implementing this program so effectively, the Senators who fought to make it a reality, and the students, faculty, staff, and campus leaders who are seeing these results in real time.” “The House has been working with the Governor to make college more affordable, and now we're seeing real results,” said Representative Dave Roger (D-Cambridge). “Massachusetts students are saving money upfront and earning more after graduation. That's a win for students, families, and our economy.” This initial earnings report is the beginning of DHE’s increased focus on measuring earnings outcomes, and the Department seeks to further examine a broader set of credentials, like certificates and master’s degrees, along with the impact of work-based learning and co-op experiences on post-college earnings. Governor Healey has also prioritized career and technical education and workforce training. Earlier this year, the administration added eight new career technical education (CTE) programs in 16 high schools to support 900 more students. Governor Healey has also expanded career pathways for young people across the state – including increasing the number of Early College and Innovation Career Pathways programs in schools and helping more than 10,000 registered apprentices get hired since taking office.