The NCEF Celebrates the Culmination of Two Successful Programs at CT State Quinebaug Valley

WILLIMANTIC, CT – As the fall semester begins, the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) is proud to share news of two NCEF-supported programs that successfully concluded in August of 2026. This includes the end of the fourth annual ESOL Summer Bridge program, as well as the pinning ceremony for the first cohort of Licensed Practical Nursing students in mid-August. Both programs were hosted at CT State Quinebaug Valley’s Willimantic campus.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts (SFFEA), the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Summer Bridge Program has been offered for four consecutive summers as a free 10-week program for high school graduates and adult learners enrolled at CT State Quinebaug Valley. The program enables students to bridge academic transitions from spring to fall and minimizes the summer regression in English acquisition and proficiency, through a combination of coursework as well as academic and cultural field trips. The students, along with Quinebaug Valley faculty and staff gathered at the Willimantic Center on August 6th to mark the end of the 2026 program, celebrating with a shared meal. CT State Quinebaug Valley Director of Institutional Advancement Monique Wolanin noted the impact this program has on students, “Over the four years of this program, we have seen so much growth with our students. In addition to building confidence and communication skills, many ESOL students have continued to pursue additional programs and career paths at the college. We are proud of their achievements and dedication to learning.”

In summer 2025, CT State Quinebaug Valley launched the state’s first public Practical Nursing program. The certificate program, hosted at the Quinebaug Valley campus in Willimantic, includes courses in fundamentals, medical-surgical, maternal-child, well-child and mental health nursing and is designed as a four-semester-aligned nursing curriculum (summer, fall, spring, summer). Thanks to support from Steven ‘23 and Marjolaine ’87, ‘88 Townsend, the first cohort of students was given $25,500 in scholarship funds, which covered tuition for the summer 2025 session and provided funds for additional educational expenses. On Friday, August 14th, this first group of Licensed Practical Nursing students received their pins in a ceremony with QV administration, staff, and loved ones in attendance. “This is a truly exciting moment for our students, our college, and the communities we serve,” said Anne Lamondy, CT State Interim Academic Division Director of Nursing and Allied Health. “As we celebrate the first class of Practical Nursing students to reach this important milestone, we are also celebrating the beginning of their careers and the meaningful contributions they will make to the local health care workforce. Our region continues to need dedicated, compassionate nurses, and we are incredibly proud that these graduates are prepared to step forward and meet that need. Their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to caring for others are an inspiration, and we look forward to seeing the difference they will make in the lives of their patients, families, and communities.”

The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education. To learn more about the NCEF, visit www.necteducationfoundation.org. For more information on how to support local students at CT State Quinebaug Valley, please contact Director of Institutional Advancement Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or monique.wolanin@ctstate.edu.

Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Announces Kelly Bellavance as New Executive Director

NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT — The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Kelly Bellavance has been selected as the organization’s next Executive Director. Bellavance brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, leadership, relationship building, small business ownership, and community involvement to the role.

Bellavance was selected following a comprehensive search and interview process led by the Chamber’s hiring committee and Board of Directors. A Brooklyn resident, local small business owner, and active member of the region’s business community, Bellavance brings both an impressive professional background and a strong connection to Northeastern CT. Her experience in leadership, relationship building, event management, and community engagement will help guide the Chamber as it continues its work supporting businesses across the 23 towns it serves.

Bellavance spent more than two decades working in college admissions, including nearly 16 years as Associate Director of Admission at Boston College. Throughout her career, she led recruitment initiatives, managed teams, built relationships with schools and community partners, and coordinated large scale events and programs with thousands of attendees.

Bellavance is also no stranger to organizational leadership. She served as President of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) and held numerous other leadership roles within the organization during her career in higher education.

Her experience also extends directly into Northeastern Connecticut’s small business community. In 2022, Bellavance and her husband opened Stoneledge Inn in Brooklyn, transforming an 1870s farmhouse into a bed and breakfast that they owned and operated. She has served as Secretary of the Brooklyn Business Association since 2023, sits on the Board of Directors for the Brooklyn Cares Community Center, and has been involved with the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce since 2022.

“Kelly brings a wonderful combination of leadership experience, business knowledge, and genuine commitment to Northeastern Connecticut,” said Amy Brunet, President of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear that she understands the importance of relationships and community in the work of the Chamber. We are excited to welcome Kelly and confident she will continue building on the Chamber’s momentum while bringing her own ideas and leadership to the organization.”

The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce serves 23 towns across the region, connecting businesses, communities, and resources to support a strong and thriving Northeastern Connecticut economy. Through monthly networking events, educational programs, legislative and advocacy events, marketing opportunities, and community partnerships, the Chamber works to support, promote, and strengthen the businesses and nonprofit organizations that make up our region.

“I am so excited to welcome Kelly into this role,” said Elle Sherman, outgoing Executive Director. “From the beginning of this process, Kelly’s genuine commitment to our community really stood out. She understands small business because she has lived it, and she has spent her career building relationships, leading teams, and bringing people together. I am excited to work alongside her during this transition and know the Chamber will be in great hands as Kelly leads it into its next chapter.”

“Northeastern Connecticut has truly become home for me and my family, which makes the opportunity to serve this community in a new way incredibly meaningful,” said Kelly Bellavance. “I’ve experienced this region as a resident, a small business owner, and an active member of our local business community, and I’ve seen how much pride people have in this place. I’m excited to listen, learn, get to know our members across all 23 towns, and build on the great work already happening here. It feels a little bit like coming home to a role that brings together so many parts of my professional and personal experience.”

Bellavance will train alongside Sherman throughout September, allowing for a month-long transition before Sherman’s final day as Executive Director on September 30.

To learn more about the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, its mission, events, and members, visit nectchamber.com or follow the Chamber on Facebook and Instagram.