April 2022 – CONNECT hosted a legislative gathering and awards dinner at the Bristol Community College Fall River Campus celebrating the accomplishments of Massachusetts Representatives Patricia Haddad and Elizabeth Poirier.
More than 100 guests were in attendance at the event. Both Representatives Haddad and Poirier have been dedicated advocates of higher education and regional collaboration throughout their distinguished careers.
Representative Patricia A. Haddad received CONNECT’s 2022 Distinguished Legislator Award for her support of higher education throughout the region and commonwealth as well as her commitment to creating higher education opportunities for students with autism, intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities.
Representative Elizabeth A. Poirier also received CONNECT’s 2022 Distinguished Legislator Award for her support of higher education and her dedication to the development of a joint Bristol Community College and Bridgewater State University Campus in Attleboro, Mass.
Following the awards ceremony, students from CONNECT’s institutions of higher education discussed their experiences completing internship opportunities during a panel discussion. Each student highlighted how their higher education experiences, complemented by their internship opportunities, have prepared them for successful careers in in-demand fields.
Students featured during the panel were Nelissa Louis- Charles, Bridgewater State University, David Castles, Bristol Community College, Sarah Morse, Cape Cod Community College, Abigail Hammond, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Jordan Palmer, Massasoit Community College, and Saheedat Bello, UMass Dartmouth.
Learn about the students’ and legislators’ accomplishments here.
