Latest news with #Cestero
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration policies creating ‘chilling effect' on smaller colleges
SPRINGFIELD — The new president of American International College wants to increase enrollment by touting the school's benefits, but she is watching what she says, careful not to anger President Donald Trump. That's because AIC is in no position to antagonize or resist Trump, said AIC's new president, Nicolle Cestero, in an interview with The Republican. 'We are a small, private institution without a large endowment. If the (Trump) administration said, 'You can no longer have a program focused on (DEI), or you can no longer have international students, we aren't in a position to fight the federal government. We don't have the resources that a school like Harvard does,' she said. 'That means we want to stay under the radar and not be a target.' The college's board recently — and unanimously — selected Cestero as the 13th president of the 140-year-old institution. Her appointment is historic, as she is the first woman to lead the college. Cestero is taking the helm at a time of declining student enrollment at AIC, which is mirrored at colleges and universities across the country. She said a diminishing number of students are attending high school and going on to college, because families are having fewer children. There is also a trend toward the trades, as those who do graduate from high school wave off higher education for jobs that don't require an advanced degree. Cestero is tackling the problem by directing faculty and staff to create modern courses relevant to younger students and adult learners. 'We are so relevant to students and the Springfield area. We need to ensure we're here long term,' said Cestero. Along with traditional means of marketing to potential students, Cestero is leveraging modern online platforms like Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram — but she is cautiously avoiding Trump's hot button topics like diversity, equity and inclusion. 'The (Trump) administration doesn't necessarily like the term DEI,' said Cestero. Trump is an admitted DEI foe, wiping out any mention of it from federal websites. He is also attacking many colleges and universities with a DEI focus, freezing their federal funding. Cestero said AIC is committed to DEI values but is not going public with its approach. She admits Trump's threats to colleges and universities are having a chilling effect on higher ed. 'We are going out there and saying, 'Come to AIC,' and we are selling the institution and our programs and athletics, but we are not going out there and saying, 'Come to AIC, because we have this awesome center for diversity, equity and inclusion,' because something like that could easily become a target,' she said. Cestero said more than half of AIC's students are at or below the federal poverty level and need financial assistance. In 2022 school year, 96% of undergraduates received some form of financial aid, with none of AIC's students paying full tuition, because they are unable to cover the full amount, according to Cestero. Without a large endowment and wealthy donors, AIC relies on federal funding to run the school and help students. Kevin Saremi chairs the college's board of trustees. He told The Republican he supports Cestero's low-key approach to controversial matters. 'It is frustrating where the federal government wants to impose their belief system on higher ed. It's not just us. It's across the board,' said Saremi. 'Over the next three years, there's going to be a lot of challenges as we look for more funding. We rely on grants.' The Republican obtained a copy of a letter that the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges just sent to members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation. The presidents of all 15 colleges signed the correspondence, which outlines the group's 'significant concerns' with the budget from the House's Committee on Education and the Workforce, which is being discussed in Washington. In a number of ways, the bill makes it difficult for students to be eligible for and receive the popular Pell Grants that help pay tuition, according to the letter, which was signed by the presidents of Springfield Technical Community College along with Greenfield, Holyoke and Berkshire Community colleges. The letter states, 'These policies disproportionately target community college students. In light of the devastating consequences, we ask you to fight for the continued Pell eligibility.' The letter urges Bay State representatives to oppose measures that make it harder for students to get loans and for colleges to accept students on assistance. 'Community colleges have not faced as big a potential threat to our very existence and that of our students as we are right now,' said Nate Mackinnon, executive director of the association. 'This is as big a threat as it comes. This is a nine-alarm fire. We would be devastated if the changes to the Pell Grant go forward. They will cripple community colleges and our students,' he said. According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, 'While the administration wrote that (another program) is 'less targeted' than the federal Pell Grant program, this budget proposal did not include prospective funding levels for the Pell Grant program.' While each of the community college presidents is not individually and directly taking on Trump policies, they are using the collective strength. The safety-in-numbers approach allows them to amplify their collective voices. 'If we sit here and be silent on removing federal financial aid, I don't think we'd be doing our job. Every president takes an oath to serve the commonwealth and the best interests of their constituencies. It would be reckless to say nothing. We have to stand up and call attention to what these cuts mean,' said Mackinnon. HCC President George Timmons was one of the signers of the letter, 'because (cuts) would have a severe negative impact on the students we serve,' he said. 'We're concerned about our students being able to continue their education, and the impact these actions will have on their ability to access higher education,' Timmons said. When asked about the threat of federal cuts, STCC issued a statement: 'While federal funding remains uncertain, STCC leadership has joined with all of (the) other Massachusetts community colleges in raising concerns with the legislative delegation.' While President Trump has gone on the offensive against those who oppose his agenda — including schools and law firms — Timmons said he was not concerned about signing the letter. 'I'm committed to doing the work and the mission of community colleges, regardless of who's in office,' he said. Trump has largely focused his ire on Ivy League schools, freezing or threatening to withhold billions of dollars earmarked for Harvard, Cornell, Columbia and Princeton universities, along with the University of Pennsylvania. Some college presidents have agreed to Trump's demands — others, like Harvard, are fighting him. As Trump cracks down on immigration, his administration also is focusing on international students by revoking hundreds of student visas. The Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges is so concerned about the president's posture toward immigrants and students from other nations, its executive director is issuing a clarifying statement. 'U.S. citizens — that's who gets Pell Grants. I want to be clear. These are legal. These are not undocumented individuals getting Pell Grants. These are people who live here and are from here and have legal status here,' said Mackinnon. As colleges and universities fight for a decreasing number of students, officials are under no illusion they will get much help from the president, unless they toe the line. 'We have to continue on our mission,' said Cestero. 'Keep our heads down and move forward.' Wastewater overflow in Connecticut River falls to 543 million gallons in 2024 PVPC working on two-decade plan for bikers and pedestrians Big Y recalls made-to-order sandwiches for salmonella concerns Police, Fire Dept. contend with explosive munition at Memorial Hall in Northampton Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American International College appoints Nicolle Cestero as first woman president
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The American International College (AIC) Board of Trustees announced the appointment of the school's 13th president on Monday. Nicolle Cestero, who has served as AIC's Interim President since March 2024, was unanimously selected as the first female president in the institution's 140-year history. Cestero joined AIC in 2011, serving as Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President prior to her current role. American International College students graduate in 140th Commencement ceremony As Chief Operating Officer, Cestero worked as a senior advisor to the previous president, Hubert Benitez, and managed the school's legal affairs and day-to-day operations. She was a member of the President's Cabinet and all school board committees. 'Nicolle Cestero has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment, and strategic vision throughout her time at AIC,' said Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Saremi. 'The Board is confident that her knowledge of the College, along with her deep understanding of higher education and operational excellence, will continue to move AIC forward. Her appointment is a historic and well-earned milestone for the institution.' Following Benitez's resignation, Cestero was appointed interim president, expanding many of AIC's operations into a new era of growth. In November 2024, she led the launch of 'Pathway to Progress,' a business plan outlining updates to the college in the coming years. This included a revised academic portfolio, expanded degree offerings, and streamlined athletic programming. While Cestero is the first woman to be appointed president of AIC, she is the second woman to serve as interim president, with the first being Edith Scott Magna in 1946. Her new position will officially begin on July 1, 2025. 'It's truly an honor to serve as president of American International College, an institution that has had such a transformative impact on my life and the lives of so many others,' Cestero said. 'I'm grateful to the Board of Trustees for their confidence and support. I'm excited to work alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, and community partners to continue advancing AIC's mission of access, opportunity, and preparing students to achieve their goals.' 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
