There are many these days talking the talk about the American Dream. Few however, walk the walk like this Greenfield Community College. Make no mistake about it; there is a direct link between the GCC mission and that American Dream.

When Sharon Santana, a GCC Class of 2012 graduate, moved to this country as a teenager, she never imagined that she could go to college. But a visit to GCC started the journey that now finds her enrolled as Junior at Smith College.

As Sharon said in her remarks as a speaker at GCC’s recent 50th Anniversary celebration, “In my efforts to find funding, I learned about the GCC Foundation and I applied to several scholarships. The help I obtained from the Foundation made all of the difference as it allowed me to work fewer hours, which in turn, freed up my time to focus on what is most
important, my studies."

She went on to say, "The financial support from the GCC Foundation and other sources opened the doors to not only higher education, but also, to an incredible array of opportunities. I was able to meet and work with amazing individuals that taught with passion and excitement.

Instructors here have a genuine desire to see us succeed. I took advantage of that and discovered that their help extends far outside of the classroom. They also help with things like finding internships, enhancing resumes, among many others, and all we need to do is ask.”

This fall, GCC opened its doors to 2,500 new and returning students. We welcomed each into something much more significant than a series of classrooms and offices; we opened the doors to opportunity.

As GCC President Bob Pura said, "There might not be a replica of the Statue of Liberty welcoming all students who enter GCC, but there might as well be. With the pursuit of their dreams, they are achieving the dream that our nation holds out for each of them."