The AIC theater arts program will present August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning production of Fences, on Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 at 2:30 p.m., in the Esther B. Griswold Theatre. Fences, considered THE August Wilson play, is about African Americans in the 1950s. The themes of the play include race relations in a pre-civil-rights-movement and pre-Vietnam-war-era mentality.

AIC is proud to be able to produce this level of work with culturally and racially diverse actors, including senior theater arts major Dante Hayes who plays Troy Maxon. "I am honored to be playing a part in such a rich and historical play. I see glimpses of these characters in my family. I see them in myself. I've met them. I know them and I feel for them. They are both beautiful and tragic."

According to Director of Theater Arts Frank Borrelli, MFA, “While there have been smaller, limited-seating productions, Fences is the first major production at AIC since March 2020. As a diverse campus community, it is important for our students to be able to see themselves in the productions we select for production each semester.”

Fences is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome and appreciated.

With the recognition of its role as a fundamental pillar in the Springfield Community and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, American International College is setting a course for the future of the College and its mission.  ​Representatives from all campus constituents have worked together to create a new guiding document; AIC Reimagined—the College’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.

This five-year roadmap for the College includes six fundamental pillars, through which AIC will continue to fulfill its mission of providing access to a holistic education in an inclusive environment that propels a diverse community of learners to personal growth and professional success:

• Revitalize: Academics – Enhancing and expanding the breadth and depth of the academic portfolio
• Empower: Student Life, Engagement, and Support – Creating robust student experiences and strong support systems that empower learners to achieve their goals.
• Flourish: Fiscal Growth – Ensuring AIC’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Engage: Internal and External Community Engagement and Development - Developing, growing, and sustaining mutually beneficial relationships with College stakeholders to enhance AIC.
• Belong: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging – Creating a transformational community that embraces diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.
• Champion: Athletics - Creating an environment that promotes academic success, development, and competitive excellence that inspires pride in the College.

“Through AIC Reimagined, the College will be dedicated to being a valuable resource to the community and continue to be an engine of workforce development.  To achieve this, AIC plans to establish and expand partnerships with local and regional community stakeholders to ensure its academic programming meets the needs of the region’s labor force with an expanded academic portfolio”, says AIC President Hubert Benitez, DDS, PhD.

In addition to a renewed focus on community engagement, AIC, and true to its name and heritage, the College is also focusing on the internationalization of its college campus.  New agreements have been reached with the Catholic University of El Salvador, and St. Paul University in the Philippines, and Benitez says there are more to come.  “These collaborations are in response to AIC’s goals of becoming a vibrant, year-round campus community for living and learning opportunities, of expanding the scope of its academic programs, and of reengaging with institutions from different countries.”  Benitez concludes, “The College is prepared for a new challenge, and it has the talent to continue making this a one-of-its-kind institution.”

Details of AIC Reimagined can be viewed by visiting aicreimagined.org, a new, public-facing website that contains this newly affirmed mission and vision statement, core values, and strategic initiatives.