Welcome from Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson, 18th President of Roxbury Community College

It is an honor to serve as the 18th President of Roxbury Community College (RCC). First: thank you for your continued support of the College. During my campus visit as a finalist, I immediately recognized the value of RCC and the critical role that RCC’s internal and external communities have in making RCC a unique and special institution. Your continued support of the College and our students is vital, and I look forward to working with you.

Over the next few months, my immediate priority is to learn more about RCC by meeting with internal and external constituents. I’ll ask all constituents three questions: 1) What should we stop? 2) What should we start? 3) What should we continue? Your answers will help shape my year-one priorities and jumpstart RCC’s formal strategic planning process. I look forward to meeting with you and hearing your answers to these questions. As I conduct these meetings, I am concurrently building on the excellent foundation established by Interim President Jenkins-Scott, which includes an exceptional portfolio of summer educational opportunities at RCC. 

This summer, the campus is busy as we engage with over 800 students who have selected RCC as their summer learning environment. We are excited to once again offer RCC’s STEM camp, where students are introduced to biotechnology, 3D printing, drones, smart building technology, chemistry, robotics, environmental science, and emergency room simulation. We are thankful to our partners, including Digital Ready and the City of Boston, who partnered with RCC to provide area youth with the opportunity to enroll in credit-based courses free of charge. The RCC community is thrilled to educate, inspire, and support so many students during the summer. 

Simultaneously, community groups are using the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center (RLTAC) to offer programming across generations, from sensational seniors to elementary school students. The RLTAC’s newly launched Ascend Program, funded by the Boston Athletic Association, provides health and fitness opportunities to the community at no cost. In partnership with First Tee and Boston Public Schools, the Center is introducing a new generation to the game of golf! We are excited by these new opportunities, which promise to further engage our community by providing important recreational and educational services. 

RCC’s Center for Workforce Development, enriched by a $1.3M grant, is launching training for energy auditors. The Center for Smart Building Technology continues to provide training for in-demand, high-paying jobs in a growing industry to Boston residents. RCC hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for exterior renovations to the Center for Economic and Social Justice with Senator Ed Markey in June; construction begins soon, and we are actively developing programming focused on equity, civic engagement, and training innovation. The future is bright at RCC, and I invite you to join me and the RCC community on this next chapter of growth and excellence.

I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your vision for RCC! Please keep an eye out for invitations to community meetings and planning sessions at the College. You are also welcome to share input and ideas with me by emailing presoffice@rcc.mass.edu. Thank you again, and have a wonderful summer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson 
President, Roxbury Community College