Advising, Career and Transfer Center (ACT Center)
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. To connect with the ACT Center please stop by Campus Center, Room 102, advisingcenter@hcc.edu, 413.552.2722 or Zoom.
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 were added in January of 2025. Please visit the HCC Cougars Athletic webpage at 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) offers a wide range of free academic support services to all students. CAPS consists of three core centers: Tutoring, Writing/ESL, and Math. These centers address content-related needs across the curriculum in areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics. In addition, learning coaches (LCs) in the Tutoring Center help students develop effective study strategies, manage their time, take better notes, and reduce stress. Math Center LCs also provide support with course content. CAPS further offers Supplemental Instruction (SI), a collaborative group study program emphasizing learning strategies, test preparation, content review, and readiness for the college placement test in math. The METS Mentoring Program supports students pursuing mathematics, engineering, technology, and science (METS) fields, offering both academic and personal guidance.
Each center has its own schedule, and hours vary. All services are available both in-person and virtually, typically:
- 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 live schedules on their Canvas dashboard or the CAPS webpage at www.hcc.edu/caps.
El Centro
El Centro welcomes all students and aspires to provide a Hispanic-thriving learning community to meet the needs of Latinx and Spanish speaking students, where they can receive culturally responsive guidance and support essential to achieve academic success, advancement, and a sense of belonging.
El Centro provides bilingual services (English/Spanish) to students and their families including:
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Support throughout the HCC application process
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FAFSA application support and financial literacy
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One-on-one guidance and academic advising
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Pathways to graduation, transfer, or career
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Wraparound support services
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A drop-in space to gather, network, and learn
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Mentorship opportunities
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Cultural events and celebrations
For more information about El Centro stop by Campus Center, Room 248, call 413.552.2052., or email elcentro@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 of Academic Internship & Career Readiness at apicard@hcc.edu, 413.552.2342, Donahue Building, Room 285 and visit the Academic Internship page at www.hcc.edu/ainterns.
Library
The Holyoke Community College Library is a welcoming, student-centered space designed to support your learning and help you build skills that last beyond the classroom. Our goal is to support you with strong research habits - finding reliable information, evaluating it confidently, and turning it into knowledge that supports your academic, professional, and personal goals.
Librarians and staff are available to work with you individually, in small groups, or through course-integrated instruction. You can visit us in person or reach out by phone, email, or text, and virtual appointments are available for students who prefer online support. The Library, located in Donahue, offers computers, multifunction printers with scan-to-email capabilities, group study rooms, and quiet spaces for focused work, giving you flexible options for how and where you study.
Students have access to a broad collection of print and electronic books, online journals, articles, and streaming educational videos. Faculty may place required course materials on reserve at the circulation desk for shared use. The Library’s online catalog and databases are available on campus and remotely, offering 24/7 access so you can study whenever it fits your schedule.
To help reduce barriers to technology, the Library lends Chromebooks, laptops, WiFi hotspots, and calculators. These can be borrowed at the circulation desk and support students who need reliable tools for completing coursework.
Holyoke Community College is also a founding member of HELM, the Higher Education Libraries of Massachusetts. Through this partnership, students can request materials from other HELM libraries and have them delivered to HCC, expanding access to resources across multiple institutions.
Marieb Adult Learner Success Center
The Marieb Adult Learner Success Center (MALSC) supports students aged 24 and older, including parenting students 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 Building, Room 269. This dedicated space is designed for 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 Building, Room 264 | Parent Learning Center, Frost Building, Room 269 | 413.552.2413 | adultsuccesscenter@hcc.edu or visit the Marieb Adult Learning Success Center at www.hcc.edu/MALSC.
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 to 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, Donahur Building, Room 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
- Dean Technical 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
- Quaboag Regional High School
- Smith Vocational High School
- South Hadley High School
- Springfield High School of Science and Technology.
- Ware 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 Government, the student member of the Board of Trustees, the National Society of Leadership and Success, MassPIRG Students, and over 30 active clubs and organizations. To learn more, visit Student Engagement. 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 413.552.2418 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 located in the Kittredge Center, Room 201 and can be reached at Thrive@hcc.edu or 413.552.2783. Visit THRIVE 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 selection, improve financial and economic literacy, transfer preparation to four-year institutions and graduation. The goal is to increase college retention and graduation rates among 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.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for TRIO services, students must qualify under at least one of the following criteria:
In addition, students must:
Contact Information
For more information about TRIO Programs, please call 413.552.2505 or email trio@hcc.edu. A program overview and student application are available online at www.hcc.edu/trio or in the TRIO Office located in the Donahue Building, Room 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 tuition and fee waivers 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 at 413.552.2189, veterans@hcc.edu, Donahue Building, Room 105 or visit the HCC Veterans Services webpage, www.hcc.edu/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 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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