QCC Eyes Crowded MetroWest Marketplace
If Worcester-based Quinsigamond Community College follows through with plans to open a MetroWest satellite location, the school will be entering the already crowded higher education landscape along the Interstate 495 belt.
But regional officials and those involved in Central Massachusetts higher education say Quinsigamond Community College does not have to compete for the same students who attend Framingham State College, Clark University and Dean College, all of which have MetroWest locations.
QCC announced plans to explore a MetroWest location last week.
According to Gail Carberry, president of QCC, an initial feasibility study into the expansion will take six to nine months.
"We're the most affordable higher education option in Central Massachusetts, so we think there's a competitive opportunity," Carberry said. "Affordability is key in this current economy."
Niche Player
There is no community college based in the heart of MetroWest. The closest one is Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley.
But instead of competing against other schools in the region, Carberry said she hopes to work with them.
In fact, Quinsigamond officials have already had conversations with Framingham State University officials about possible partnerships and to assess what services the school offers to avoid duplication. School officials have also been in contact with Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough about expanding the college's relationship with that school.
Mark Bilotta, CEO of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, said that QCC may be able to fill a specific niche for the region.
"Not everyone is looking for a four-year degree," he said. "They want to meet students' needs where the students' needs are."
Clark University, for example, is focused on attracting business professionals to the Southborough location of its Graduate School of Management. Meanwhile, Dean College in Franklin attracts undergrads looking to live on campus.
QCC, Bilotta added, "is going to do their due diligence with a feasibility study, which will dictate what makes the most sense for them."
QCC has already proven it can successfully open and operate a satellite campus with a successful expansion in Southbridge.
Last fall the school opened a 9,000-square-foot center on Optical Drive, at the former American Optical property, which is adjacent to the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center. The location opened with 774 students enrolled. This year that number has climbed to more than 1,100. The Southbridge location offers classes in business, criminal justice and general studies.
QCC officials held an event in Marlborough last week announcing the plans to expand to the MetroWest region. But Carberry said no final decisions have been made about which community QCC will open a satellite in.
Wherever Quinsigamond decides to expand in MetroWest, Paul Matthews, executive director of the 495/MetroWest Partnership Inc., said having another higher education institution can only benefit the regional economy. He said the skills of the workforce population is what fuels economies.
"Having Quinsigamond in the region brings a community college dimension, which thus far has been lacking," he said.
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