HCC honors faculty and staff at annual awards ceremony
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Holyoke Community College recognized six faculty and staff members during its annual end-of-year awards ceremony.
The annual ceremony, held on Wednesday, May 21, highlights exceptional service, dedication, and teaching across the campus community.
English professor Elizabeth Trobaugh of Amherst received the college's highest faculty honor–the 2025 Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence Award. As part of the recognition, she will lead the academic procession and deliver the faculty keynote address during HCC's 78th Commencement on May 31 at the MassMutual Center.
'I'd like to thank everyone at the college for creating the ecosystem that allows me to do what I love so much, which is to be in the classroom with students,' Trobaugh said from the stage of the Leslie Phillips Theater. 'I know the work that you do is what enables me to do the work I do, which gives me so much pleasure and the opportunity to see students succeed, and that is the biggest gift. I am grateful to my students, who, over these 20-plus years, continuously, perpetually inspire me to do my best for them, because they are working hard and pursuing something so valuable and noble.'
Trobaugh joined the HCC faculty in 2003 and has more than two decades of experience inspiring students in the classroom. She holds a bachelor's degree from Tufts University and both a master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts. Her connection to the college is also personal–her three children and son-in-law are all HCC alumni.
'I know how wonderful it is to be a proud parent of an HCC alum,' she added. 'I've seen how HCC changes lives.'
The Elaine Marieb Award, named in honor of the late professor emeritus and HCC alum Elaine Marieb, recognizes a full-time faculty member for excellence in classroom teaching. The award includes a stipend for professional development and a one-year appointment to the honorary chair.
In addition to the Marieb Award, five other employees were honored for their contributions:
Christina Royal Equity in Action Award: Adina Gianelli of Conway, assistant professor of criminal justice
Idelia Smith Adjunct Faculty Award: Erin Jackson of Glastonbury, Conn., instructor in the veterinary technician program
Outstanding Professional Staff Award: Allison Wrobel of Holyoke, HCC registrar
Outstanding Classified Staff Award: Lindsy Providenti of Granby, administrative assistant in the BSTEM division
Outstanding Part-Time Staff Award: Lucien Dalton of South Hadley, math tutor and engineering pathways coordinator
The ceremony celebrated the commitment of faculty and staff to student success and institutional excellence, reinforcing HCC's mission to transform lives through education.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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