It may have been quieter on campus over the holiday season with students, faculty, and staff on break, but things were busy for AIC in the media over the past few weeks.
Hot chocolate, Christmas music, officers in Santa hats, and donations of toys were the scene during the eighth annual AIC Stuff-A-Cruiser event on the quad on December 15. WWLP-22News sent a camera crew to capture the holiday spirit as Lt. Roberto Gonzalez turned his patrol vehicle into a toy collection space.
President Benitez continues to share the news about exciting things happening on campus, in a recent interview for a video podcast by Holyoke Media about the College’s new five-year strategic plan. Dr. Benitez was also featured in the December Who’s Who in the Greater Springfield Community article for the African American Point of View online magazine. And to begin the new year, he spoke about how AIC is meeting higher education’s challenges in the January 8 edition of Western Mass News: Getting Answers with Dave Madsen.
Staff and faculty have also been busy answering reporters’ questions and representing AIC in the media. Health Services Director Kaelly Ryan spoke to Western Mass News during finals week about the College’s masking policy. Athletics Director Jessica Chapin submitted a statement to Western Mass News for a story about former Governor Charlie Baker being named to lead the NCAA. And Economics Professor John Rogers was called upon a few times, talking to reporters about the new so-called Millionaire’s Tax in Massachusetts and why recent lottery jackpots have been so high.
Accolades for AIC Professor and Post-professional Occupational Therapy Department lead Allison Sullivan, who is receiving a Recognition of Achievement Award from the American Occupational Therapy Association also made the news, as did continued recognition for the AIC Division of Exercise Science graduate strength and conditioning program through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Two recent grants received by AIC to help establish an office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging was welcome news to alumnus Ray Berry ’92, who, along with Dr. Benitez, was interviewed for a story by 22News. A story about the grants was also published by the AIC student newspaper The Yellow Jacket.
AIC hockey players Reggie Millette and Blake Bennett were greeted as celebrities by about 700 students at an elementary school in Simsbury, CT about overcoming hardships in life through sports and education. You can see pictures and read about their visit in this story by WWLP-22News.
The AIC Marketing and Communications Department thanks those who answer the call to represent the College in the media and welcomes your news and story ideas at News@aic.edu.