Mark Bilotta of the Worcester Colleges Consortium talks about the importance of area institutions
While the higher education industry in Central Massachusetts is currently thriving, the forecast isn’t all rosy. By 2016, Massachusetts will experience an eight percent decrease in the number of graduating high school seniors; New England, a nine percent decrease. Massachusetts students currently represent 65% of enrolled undergraduate students at our local colleges and universities; New England, 76%.
When looking for a college, many students and their families look to Boston and then select a college that meets their students’ needs and criteria. Locally, most of our students choose the college first and the city or town just happens to be where it’s located.
We may not have control over demographics and the somewhat gloomy forecast, but we could have more control over changing the culture here and making Worcester and the region more of a destination for our college students.
Part of the solution is enhancing intercollegiate social opportunities. All too often we hear that our colleges and universities operate in silos, with students remaining on their own campuses for most of their social needs or heading to Solomon Pond Mall or the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, or even perhaps Providence or Boston.
But the momentum that’s been building in our community is having an effect on the college scene right here in Worcester. For example, a few weeks ago almost 2,000 college students ventured to the DCU Center for the second annual Pulsefest. Intercollegiate student groups are forming to schedule even more events. And the colleges are prepared to support more intercollegiate programming with transportation when needed. Over time, new traditions will be established that will help to promote Worcester and the region.
It’s not going to happen in one semester, but the signs are there: change is in the air.
About the Author
Mark P. Bilotta is the new CEO of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. With a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and M.B.A. from Clark University, Mark has been in higher education for more than eighteen years, holding various administrative positions at Holy Cross and Worcester State College. Most recently, he served as Executive Assistant to the President at Assumption College where he oversaw the college’s marketing efforts, public affairs, government and community relations and served as secretary to the Board of Trustees. Mark is a member of the Board of Directors at the United Way of Central Massachusetts and active with a number of committees with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
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