ACT Center - Advising and Transfer Center (Campus Center 102)
An additional resource for assistance with academic advising and transferring to a four-year college. Your one-stop resource center for assistance with academic advising, and assistance transferring to a four-year college.
Athletics and Fitness
Holyoke Community College offers a robust athletic program. As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, HCC offers both men’s and women’s athletics. Esports was added in January of 2025. Please visit www.hcccougars.com for the latest scores and stories.
The David M. Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation is the focal point of a variety of programs and opportunities for students. This multi-use facility, which is the site for numerous campus-wide events, includes a fitness and wellness center that features cardiovascular and strength equipment, a group exercise room, a three-court gymnasium, a seminar/classroom, a training and assessment room, and steam/sauna areas.
Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS)
The Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS) at Holyoke Community College (HCC) provides a range of free academic support services to all students. CAPS includes three main centers: Tutoring, Writing/ESL, and Math. These centers address content-related needs in areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics. Additionally, learning coaches are available to assist students with study strategies, time management, note-taking, and stress reduction.
CAPS also offers Supplemental Instruction (SI), a collaborative group study program focusing on learning strategies, test preparation, and content tutoring. Learning coach (LC) services focus on non-content related matters such as time management, study skills, and test-taking strategies.
These are available both in-person and virtually:
• In-person hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
• Virtual hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Friday and some Saturdays.
Students can access schedules through Canvas or Navigate.
El Centro
El Centro aspires to provide a Hispanic-thriving learning community to meet the needs of Latinx students, where they can receive culturally responsive guidance and support essential to achieve academic success, advancement, and a sense of belonging.
At El Centro, we connect with prospective and enrolled Latinx students and develop empowering relationships in support of their academic persistence and graduation, while grounding students in a sense of belonging through cultural celebration, community connection, and achievement.
Through a holistic approach, students are encouraged to develop skills that promote self-authorship, self-advocacy, and leadership.
El Centro provides:
Bilingual services to students and their families
- Support throughout the HCC application process
- FAFSA application support and Financial Literacy
- One-on-one guidance and academic advising
- Pathways to graduation, transfer, or career
- Wraparound support services
- A drop-in space to gather, network, and learn
- Mentorship opportunities
- Cultural events and celebration
For more information about El Centro stop by Campus Center 248 or call 413.552.2052. You can also contact Julissa Colón at jcolon@hcc.edu.
Bilingual Professional Staff: English/Spanish
Internships-Academic
The Academic Internship Program is the perfect opportunity for students who want to dive into their chosen careers or want to explore. With academic internships, you can gain hands-on experience in your field of study and prepare for the real world or transfer. Don’t just learn about your dream job - live it with HCC’s Academic Internship Program. For more information, contact Andrea Picard, Coordinator ofAcademic Internship & Career Readiness, apicard@hcc.edu, 413.552.2342, DON 285 and www.hcc.edu/ainterns
Library
The Holyoke Community College Library provides students with the assistance and resources to fulfill their classroom assignments and expand their education beyond the classroom and into their daily lives. The research strategies acquired while learning to use the Library effectively will provide students with lifelong learning skills to assist them in finding appropriate information, evaluating it critically, and synthesizing it into knowledge.
The library’s knowledgeable staff is available to work with students one-on-one, in teams, and in the classroom. Library services can be accessed in person at our service desks or by phone, email, or text message. Virtual appointments can also be scheduled. Located in the center of the College complex, the Library offers computing, photocopiers with scan-to-email abilities, group study spaces, and a quiet study area. Students have access to print and electronic books, online periodicals, and streaming educational videos. HCC faculty may place course materials on reserve at the circulation desk for student use. The library also lends technology including Chromebooks, laptops, WiFi hot spots, and calculators. The online catalog and online databases are accessible from both in the Library and from off campus. Easy 24/7 remote access to the Library’s electronic collection means that the Library is always open when you need it.
Holyoke Community College is a founding member of HELM (Higher Education Libraries of Massachusetts) which augments the resources of the HCC Library by providing access to the collections of member libraries. Students at HCC may borrow from HELM libraries by requesting material to be delivered to the HCC Library.
Marieb Adult Learner Success Center
The Marieb Adult Learner Success Center supports students aged 24 and older, including parents and veterans. We value the diverse experiences adult learners bring to the classroom and campus, and understand the unique challenges along with exciting opportunities of balancing college, work, family, and/or military responsibilities.
Our services are completely free, with a focus on helping you achieve success at HCC. Whether you’re navigating your educational path, exploring career goals, or seeking transfer opportunities to a four-year institution, we’re here to help.
The MALSC lounge provides a comfortable space for students to study, relax between classes, access computers, and build community connections.
We’re also pleased to introduce the Parent Learning Center (PLC), located in Frost 269. This dedicated space is designed for student parents to study, relax, and engage with others in a supportive environment. Age-appropriate resources are available for children, ensuring that parents can focus on their studies while their kids are with them.
MALSC and PLC services include:
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Enrollment counseling
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Holistic advising
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Section 30/TOPS form completion
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Career services
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Referrals for internal and external support
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Programming that fosters academic success
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Family friendly events and parent support groups
Marieb Adult Learner Success Center, Frost 264|Parent Learning Center, Frost 269| 413.552.2413 |adultsuccesscenter@hcc.edu
https://www.hcc.edu/courses-and-programs/academic-support/marieb-adult-learner-success-center
Mental Health Counseling
HCC provides free counseling services for students through a partnership with the Center for Human Development (CHD). CHD provides services through a unique, multicultural approach using evidence-based practices designed for college students who are grappling with mental health distress. CHD provides their services in both English and Spanish. In addition to one-on-one counseling, CHD also provides facilitated support groups. CHD is located on campus in the Frost Building, Room 232. Their phone number is 413.552.2626.
Office for Students with Disabilities and Deaf Services
The Office for Students with Disabilities and Deaf Services (OSDDS) is dedicated to working with students with disabilities and Deaf/hard of hearing students to identify personalized strategies and reasonable accommodations that ensure equal access to the full HCC experience. To ensure effective access, we engage in a collaborative process that is responsive to the unique experience of each student.
Typical accommodations available to students include: arrangement of extended time or proctored testing services, ASL interpreters and C-Print Captionists, and introduction to the HCC assistive technology services. If you believe you may benefit from our services, we encourage you to contact OSDDS at osd@hcc.edu or 413.552.2417 once you are accepted to HCC.
Pathways Program
The Pathways Program wants you to DREAM BIG! We are a transfer support program that helps promising students succeed at HCC and explore transfer opportunities to selective liberal arts colleges such as Amherst, Hampshire, Cornell, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and beyond. The Pathways Program helps students every step of the way with academic and personal advising, workshops, college visits, and assistance with the transfer and financial aid process. For more information, contact Pathways Coordinator, Camille Close, DON 283, at 413.552.2277. For additional information visit www.hcc.edu/pathways. It is never too early to think about transfer!
Perkins Secondary to Post-Secondary Initiatives
The college has established numerous articulation agreements between HCC and local high schools in Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. These articulation agreements enable students to receive college credits at HCC for courses taken in high school through eligible Chapter 74 approved programs. Recent graduates from the following high schools may be eligible for college credit:
- Amherst High School
- Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School
- Chicopee Comprehensive High School
- Easthampton High School
- Gateway High School
- Franklin County Technical School
- Lower Pioneer Valley Career & Technical Education Center
- Ludlow High School
- Monson Innovative High School
- Pathfinder High School
- Putnam High School
- Smith Vocational High School
- South Hadley High School
- Tantasqua High School
- Westfield High School
- Westfield Technical High School
Please contact the office of Academic Affairs and Student Success at mblanchard1@hcc.edu or 413.552.2865 for more information.
Student Engagement
Student Engagement helps build community and foster college involvement through social and educational programming and leadership development. Opportunities for involvement include the Student Senate, the student member of the Board of Trustees, National Society of Leadership and Success, MassPIRG Students, and over 25 active clubs and organizations. To learn more, visit the Student Engagement website at https://www.hcc.edu/student-life/activities. Students, faculty, and staff participate in a wide variety of programs (multicultural events, music, dance, speakers, and campus celebrations) during the weekly Wednesday activity period (11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.). Anyone wishing to get involved at HCC is encouraged to contact Student Engagement at 413.552.2536 or clubs@hcc.edu.
The Thrive Center is a resource hub dedicated to supporting students’ basic needs and overall well-being. We offer a variety of services, including food pantry assistance, personal care items, school supplies, affordable housing resources, financial literacy education, and support for SNAP/HIP and MassHealth applications. Our mission is to empower students to thrive both academically and personally by addressing barriers to success. The Thrive Center is located in Room 201 of the Kittredge Center and can be reached at Thrive@hcc.edu or (413) 552-2783. Visit us to discover how we can support your journey at HCC!
TRIO Student Support Services
TRIO Programs are federally-funded programs designed to assist students in graduating from HCC and transferring to a four-year institution by providing academic support services that promote and encourage academic excellence and success.
TRIO Student Support Services program provides guidance and individualized support to assist students in course selections, improve financial and economic literacy, transfer to four-year institution and graduation. The goal is to increase college retention and graduation rates amongst our program participants.
TRIO/STEM-Health Sciences Student Support Services program provides guidance and individualized support specifically for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health science fields.
To be eligible for TRIO services:
- Students must qualify under at least one of the following three eligibility factors:
- First generation to college (neither parent(s)/guardian has received a Bachelors degree);
- Demonstrate financial need (low-income), or;
- Have a documented disability
- Students must be enrolled in three or more classes (9 credits or more) and need academic or financial support.
For more information about the TRIO Programs, please call 413.552.2505 or email trio@hcc.edu. A program overview and student application are available online at https://www.hcc.edu/trio or in the TRIO SSS Office (Donahue 240).
Veteran Services
Thank you for your service! The Veteran Services office is here to assist our Veterans, Active-Duty, Reservists, Guard members, and military-affiliated dependents navigating the transition to college life. The Veterans and Military Services Counselor is here to help you navigate the Veterans Administration (VA), Commonwealth, and National Guard education benefits. Eligible veterans, active-duty personnel, reservists, disabled veterans, and dependents of deceased or 100% total and permanently disabled veterans may qualify for monthly educational benefit payments from the Veterans Administration.
To ensure that our recently discharged veterans and their eligible family members will not have to bear the cost of out-of-state charges while using their Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Montgomery GI Bill® education benefits, HCC is fully compliant with Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice & Accountability Act of 2014. Any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33 that has provided a certificate of eligibility will not have any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrows additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet their financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of payment from the VA. Certain eligible veterans residing in Massachusetts are also entitled to a Categorical Tuition Waiver to cover the tuition cost for classes. Students with only tuition waivers are responsible for all fees other than tuition. Veterans may also be eligible for health benefits to satisfy HCC’s health insurance requirement. Massachusetts National Guard members in good standing are eligible for a tuition and fee waiver for classes.
Veteran Services consists of the Veterans Benefits Counselor office, The Bunker, and the Veterans Lounge. The Bunker, located in Donahue 105, is a designated “quiet study zone” that offers separate student access computers with webcams and headphones, a printer, and a student study lounge. The Veterans Lounge in Donahue 138 provides a kitchenette, pantry, and tables and chairs that create the perfect casual conversation or meeting atmosphere.
Contact the Veterans Certifying Official (DON 105) at 413.552.2189, veterans@hcc.edu, or visit the HCC Veterans Services webpage, https://www.hcc.edu/student-life/veteran-services, for more information.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about educational benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Pursuant to 38 USC § 3675 and 387 CFR 21.4253. Holyoke Community College operates the following sites under a VA-assigned facility code by the Massachusetts State Approving Agency.
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HCC Main Campus 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke MA 01040 - Owned by HCC - Commonwealth of MA.
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Picknelly Adult and Family Education Center - 206 Maple Street Holyoke, MA 01040 - Leased by HCC
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HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute - 164 Race Street, Holyoke MA 01040 - Leased by HCC
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Springfield Adult Learning Center - One Armory Square Springfield MA 01105 - Licensed to HCC by STCC
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Ludlow Area Adult Learning Center - operating remotely through HCC main campus 303 Homestead Avenue Holyoke MA 01040
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Education to Employment (E2E) - 23 W. Main Street, Ware MA 01082 - Licensed to HCC by the Quaboag Valley Community CDC
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