PARTNERSHIPS THAT FUEL SUCCESS AND ACCESS Asnuntuck’s approach to education is strengthened by strategic partnerships that expand support services, deepen educational impact, and create new pathways for students. St. James explains how the college tackles barriers that can interfere with student success.“Food insecurity, mental health, and childcare are real challenges for our students,” he states. The on-campus food pantry, made possible through collaborations with Connecticut Foodshare, Enfield Food Shelf, and local donors like Stop & Shop, is one example of how the school addresses these needs directly. Furthermore, Asnuntuck now has a Wellness Counselor who can see students on campus for mental health concerns. Students can also access remote counseling and medical support through an online service called Timely Care. As part of their holistic approach to health, the college partners from Metallica’s charitable foundation, All Within My Hands, the program received site licenses for advanced robotic software, further enriching the curriculum. Regarding equipment,Asnuntuck’s partnerships with industry giants like Pratt & Whitney and United Steel have proven invaluable. Dr. Coach explains,“Pratt & Whitney supports our incumbent worker training and often donates equipment, while United Steel supplies metal scraps, which saves us thousands of dollars in material costs.” This year, the college received approval for a metal 3D printer, a state-ofthe-art addition that no other Northeast campus has. “We’re preparing a room for this new printer right now,” she adds.“It’s exciting to give our students direct experience with the technology they’ll encounter in the workforce.” 92 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12
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