1980
David E. Pace has been elected to the Board of Directors at the Masonic Health Systems Continuing Care Retirement Community in Charlton, Mass. He worked for 37 years as a registered nurse at western Massachusetts hospitals, including 32 years at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, specializing in dialysis before retiring in 2017. Pace is currently an elected Town Meeting member in Ludlow. He has been active with the Masons in Massachusetts for many years, holding several leadership roles, including senior grand warden of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts in 2011.
1986
Jon Payson co-owns The Chocolate Room in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his wife Naomi Josepher. Inspired by their love of desserts, the couple created a cafe specializing in high-end chocolate, extraordinary desserts, handmade ice creams, gourmet coffee, dessert wines, and beer from all over the world. They spent 18 months developing the concept, writing a business plan, transforming the space, and creating recipes, culminating with a grand opening in January 2005. Three years later, they opened their second café, The Chocolate Room Cobble Hill, and in October 2014 they opened their new expanded café at 51 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope. The Chocolate Room has been featured in national publications including, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Oprah Magazine, Kitchen Daily, and The Huffington Post. They publish a blog called “The Chocboard.” Payson earned his associate degree in computer information systems from HCC.
1995
Monson Savings Bank announced the recent hire of Jason Berry as vice president and commercial loan officer. Berry graduated from Westfield State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science after earning his associate degree in liberal arts at HCC. He most recently held the role of vice president, Business Banking relationship manager, at People’s United Bank. Berry is active in the community, offering support to various local charitable organizations and engaging with local chambers to support the local business community. He enjoys volunteering and has given his time to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Susan G. Komen, United Way, and Junior Achievement. Additionally, he is a member of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce and West of the River Chamber of Commerce.
2001
Jennifer Wolowicz was appointed town administrator for Monson by the Board of Selectmen. Wolowicz was previously the deputy town administrator for South Hadley. She holds an associate degree in business management from HCC, a bachelor’s degree with a double major in business management and marketing from Elms College, and a master’s degree in public administration from Westfield State University.
2003
Sarah Monson has joined New England Public Media as a major gifts officer. Prior to working at NEPM, Monson was the assistant director of Annual Giving at American International College. In addition to her associate degree from HCC, Monson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and completed the Professional Fundraising Certificate Program at Boston University. Monson also served for six years on the board of Vet Air, a nonprofit organization that ensures veterans have reliable transportation to and from medical appointments.
2008
Anne Stengle, an HCC STEM faculty member and a veterinary technician at the Florence Animal Clinic, was accepted to the Tufts University Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. Stengle represented HCC at the World Congress of Herpetology held in Dunedin, New Zealand, in January 2020. She holds an associate degree from HCC in veterinary animal science/technician, and a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2009
Susie Howard, a designer, illustrator, and photographer from Westfield, Mass., is the owner and operator of Walton Read, a full-service graphic design shop. Howard has designed packaging for Skyline Beer Co. and Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co., and specializes in illustration, logos, and custom wedding branding. A self-taught designer, Howard earned her associate degree at HCC and continued her studies at Westfield State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
2011
Mydalis Vera self-published her first book, “Warrior, Guerrera: sayings and affirmations para Las Guerreras,” a short collection in Spanglish that is available on Amazon. Her essay, “Salting the Toronjas” is being published in Multiplicity Magazine, and another, “A Poor Puerto Rican Girl’s Bread,” is forthcoming in Nasiona Magazine. Vera earned her associate degree in psychology at HCC, a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College in 2014, and is currently in the Nonfiction Creative Writing MFA program at Bay Path University.
2012
Shawn Patric Ferguson earned his bachelor of arts degree in music theory and composition at City College of New York and also studied orchestral arranging and composition there at the graduate level. Ferguson founded and operates GotChops.com and graduated from HCC in 2012 with an associate degree in music.
2014
Stephanie Beauchemin is a registered nurse specializing in cardiac nursing and substance abuse treatment. She works at Holyoke Medical Center and the Behavioral Health Network. Beauchemin is a graduate HCC’s nursing program and is a member of the American Nurses Association and the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Her son Angelo is her motivation and inspiration to be the nurse she is.
Holyoke resident Alyssa M. Dansereau was elected assistant vice president and assistant controller at Greenfield Cooperative Bank. Dansereau joined the bank’s accounting department in 2016, having graduated from HCC and Western New England University with degrees in accounting.
2015
The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce has named Jordan Hart its new executive director. Hart has been with the Chamber since 2013 holding positions including executive assistant, programs and services coordinator, membership and marketing coordinator, and, most recently, program coordinator. She is a board member at Enchanted Circle Theater and was a leader of the “Have a Ball in Holyoke” public art effort through Leadership Holyoke. She holds an associate degree in liberal arts from HCC and is currently taking courses at Greenfield Community College.
2018
Stephanie Townsley married Adam Cialek of Hatfield. She graduated from HCC in 2018 with an associate of science degree in nursing degree and in 2019 earned a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing from American International College. She is a registered nurse at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
2019
Ann Matica is attending Emerson College, where she is studying for a bachelor of science degree in journalism and a minor in economics. She is a member of the Emerson Gold Key Honor Society and the Dean’s List. In addition, she was the deputy news editor for the Berkeley Beacon for the spring 2021 semester and worked as a summer intern for the L.A. Business Journal.
