Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

You are invited to join us for two special events taking place on campus on Monday, April 29.

YOUNG@HEART CHORUS OPEN REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Dining Commons Atrium

In celebration of the end of the semester, AIC’s Artist-in-Residence, the Young@Heart Chorus, will present a special open rehearsal and performance for the entire campus community. Normally rehearsing on Thursday mornings in the Griswold Theatre, they will bring their music directly to you. This is an event not to be missed!

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FUNDING OF NEW FINANCIAL LITERACY CENTER AT AIC

1:00 PM | Grassy Area Beside 935 State St./Parking Lot G

AIC is honored to welcome Congressman Richard Neal, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and Board of Trustees Chair Frank Colaccino to campus for a joint announcement regarding federal funding for the establishment of the Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Prosperity at American International College. The objective of this initiative is to address financial illiteracy and empower economically disadvantaged individuals and families in Springfield through comprehensive financial education, research, and outreach programs.

We sincerely hope you can join us for one or both events!

Food and Society Art Show Opening Celebration on Wednesday, April 24

As a part of the College’s ongoing commitment to providing access to education and removing barriers, AIC is proud to announce a 50% tuition cost reduction* for undergraduate (courses numbered under 5000) summer courses!

Beginning summer 2024, undergraduate students may enroll for summer I and II sessions for only $445 per credit, down from the base rate of $890 per credit.

Need to catch up on coursework? Summer sessions are a great way to graduate on time and AIC’s new reduced tuition rate saves you time and money as you pursue your degree.

Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid, as you may have grant dollars available to put towards summer coursework!

Questions? Email financial.aid@aic.edu or call 413-205-3259.

Want to Register?  Reach out to your advisor or Student Success Advising at advising.center@aic.edu 

*Special credit rate only available for courses with numeric codes under 5000 during Summer Sessions 1 and 2 in the undergraduate catalog.

AIC student and athlete Carissa Michel is being praised for her compassion and quick thinking during the Springfield Thunderbirds annual ‘Pink in the Rink’ hockey game on March 9, to raise money for breast cancer research.

During the game, a guest at the Mass Mutual Center concourse was knocked down and lost consciousness.  Carissa, who was working at a concession stand at the time, sprang into action. She assisted MGM staff and EMTS, comforting the woman, continuously checking her pulse and vitals, and trying to engage her in conversation. Those on the scene recount how Carissa cradled the woman in her arms, providing support and helping to lift and transport her quickly to the EMT station.  

Witnesses say Carissa did not hesitate to take charge of the situation, and her swift and decisive actions are receiving recognition.

“Carissa is one of our athletes as a member of the College’s Women’s Volleyball team. This is what being AIC is about.” - Michael Lavato, Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations

“Please extend a very heartfelt thank you to her [Carissa] for her actions last weekend. This is a true partnership and an unselfish reaction on her part.” -  Chris Hayes, General Manager, OVG Hospitality

“Carissa Michel deserves to be recognized in some capacity for her selfless service to our guest.” - Matthew H. Ferri, Compliance Project Manager (ARPA), Springfield City Hall

Baystate Health Physician and Colleagues Appearing Remotely from Israel and the West Bank will Address Public Health Initiatives in the Embattled Region    

American International College (AIC) is pleased to present the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Lecture in Public Health, featuring Dr. Norbert Goldfield, MD, a physician at Baystate Health and Founder and Executive Director of Healing Across the Divides (HATD). The lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will be held in AIC’s Schwartz Campus Center Auditorium, with remote presentations from speakers in Israel and the West Bank.

Dr. Goldfield will discuss the work of HATD, an organization based in Northampton, Massachusetts, which he established twenty years ago. HATD works to enhance healthcare for Israelis and Palestinians by providing grant funding and technical support to community groups in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The lecture will focus on HATD’s approach to fostering peacebuilding through initiatives designed to improve health. 

HATD supports organizations employing evidence-based approaches to address health challenges, including diabetes, lifestyles, youth mental health, heart disease, stroke prevention, and reproductive health. However, due to the ongoing conflict in the region, the group's priority is delivering essential emergency services.

Dr. Goldfield is a practicing internist at Baystate Brightwood Health Center, a community healthcare facility in Springfield. With over thirty years of experience, he has led restructuring efforts in healthcare systems at national and community levels. Additionally, he has extensive experience collaborating with those in the Israeli and Palestinian communities.

The lecture will also include virtual appearances from Veronica Vigdorchik in Israel and Nehad Fatah in the West Bank, both program specialists with Healing Across the Divides. They will discuss the health programs funded by HATD in those areas and address the impact of the current conflict on residents.

Vigdorchik, originally from Russia, immigrated to Israel at six with her parents. In addition to her role as an HATD representative, she serves as a facilitator for Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. Fatah, a Palestinian American living in Ramallah, West Bank, has been affiliated with HATD since 2016.

This lecture provides an opportunity for the campus and local communities to hear compelling stories about people on opposite sides of a conflict working together to advance community health, even amidst stressful and challenging conditions.

“The mission of Healing Across the Divides to advance peace through health is powerful,” said Karen Rousseau, PhD, RN, Dean of AIC’s School of Health Sciences. “Their work promoting health among Israeli and Palestinian people with a focus on community-based interventions is critical, especially at this time.”

AIC established the Desmond Tutu Public Health Lecture Series in 2010 to bring awareness to the issue of public health. Its namesake, Archbishop Tutu, served as the event’s inaugural speaker. The lecture, presented with generous sponsorship support from Baystate Health, is free and open to the public.