2020 Power 50: Dr. Luis G. Pedraja

Dr. Luis G. Pedraja, president of Quinsigamond Community College

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Dr. Luis G. Pedraja

Title: President
Organization: Quinsigamond Community College
Located: Worcester
Residence: Worcester
Colleges: Stetson University & University of Virginia

Enrollment at QCC and others throughout the state spiked during the Great Recession as people out of work turned to new job training to get their careers back in motion. The same vital role for QCC appears headed into a period in some ways could be far worse.

Pedraja, the QCC president since 2017, had no connections to Worcester or Mass. before he came from the West Coast to take over for Gail Carberry. But Pedraja has gotten involved seemingly everywhere, serving on boards for the United Way of Central Massachusetts, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, the Latino Education Institute, and the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Education and Advancement. He also served on the Massachusetts Economic Development Planning Council. Though QCC hasn’t seen the expected recession’s impact in the classroom yet, the college is leading by donating protective equipment and offering 20 free business classes for business owners and their workforces.

What makes Central Mass. unique? Its people. They truly and fiercely care about the community.

President Tornado: I was a disaster volunteer who responded to many disasters and was a tornado spotter (yes, I kind of chased tornados, but not like on TV).

Power 50: View the entire Power 50 Class of 2020