Gilmarie Antoniette Vongphakdy, 31
Coordinator of the Future Focus Program and adjunct faculty
Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester
Residence: Southbridge
Birthplace: Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Colleges: Boston College & Assumption College
Vongphakdy has grown QCC’s partnerships with community organizations and agencies in the Greater Worcester through its Future Focus Program, such as reconnecting with the Worcester County House of Corrections, reaching out to people looking for educational opportunities where they might not normally find any. Vongphakdy, who grew up going to Worcester Public Schools, started advancing at a young age, attending the Bruce Wells Scholars Upward Bound program at Clark University and interning at the Latino Education Institute while in high school. She got her MBA in nonprofit leadership from Assumption College, while in between starting her career as program coordinator at ASPIRA of Massachusetts, a Southbridge agency advocating for the underserved, including Latino students. She then joined QCC in 2016, providing support services for adult students joining QCC from adult basic English programs. Vongphakdy has a passion for running and has raised money through nonprofit races like 5K’s for HMEA’s Autism Resource Central in Worcester and the Center for Hope, a Southbridge nonprofit helping those with developmental disabilities. In June, she ran a race in Ontario to raise money for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. – Profile written by Grant Welker
What one meal could you eat for the rest of your life? Pastelón (Puerto Rican plantain lasagna) with white rice and white beans
Why do you live in Central Mass.? Central Mass is home. It is affordable and provides opportunities for young professionals.
What is the highest compliment anyone could give you? If you want something done right, then you want Gilmarie by your side.
