American International College (AIC) President Hubert Benitez, DDS, PhD, delivered an inspiring speech at the Rise and Shine Business Breakfast, a recent event sponsored by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. President Benitez, who has begun his first term as a member of the chamber‘s board of directors as of July 1, 2023, was among other Western Mass higher education leaders invited to address members of the local business community in attendance.
In his remarks, Dr. Benitez emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “This area is blessed with having so many institutions of higher learning. But it’s not about competition; it’s about working together for the common good.”
President Benitez drew attention to the fact that, even in 2023, there are families who do not fully grasp the value of higher education. He expressed pride in AIC’s commitment to raising the level of education not just for students but also for their families, aiming to transform their social constructs.
To illustrate what distinguishes AIC, Dr. Benitez underscored the College’s commitment to serving a unique demographic of students who may not otherwise be served. “These are first-generation college students, Black and brown students, and students who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds,” he said.
AIC, located in the heart of Springfield’s Mason Square, has been steadfast in its mission to elevate the city and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one student and one family at a time. With over fifty percent of its students coming from households at or below the poverty line, AIC has gained recognition for its success in promoting social mobility by enrolling, educating, and graduating students who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to pursue higher education.
During a recent college president summit in Florida, Dr. Benitez was invited to serve on a panel discussing access and opportunity considering the upcoming ruling on using race as an admissions factor in higher education. Several university leaders approached him and commended AIC for its bravery in prioritizing access, opportunity, and diversity as core values. These values, he emphasized, form the institution’s value proposition.
In a time when the value of education is being questioned and societal divisions are growing, President Benitez also underscored the significance of fostering a sense of belonging on campus. In addition to the core values of access, opportunity, and diversity, AIC has introduced two new core values – community and belonging. “You may feel welcome, but that is not the same as feeling like you belong. That is the focus of AIC: making sure that every student, faculty, and staff member on our campus feels like they belong.”
Recognizing the importance of addressing regional workforce needs, President Benitez highlighted that AIC graduates, coming from diverse backgrounds and primarily from the local area, make significant contributions to the economic development of the region. By retaining talent within the community, he said, AIC aims to enrich the social fabric of Springfield and the surrounding region.
President Benitez called upon all the institutions present at the event to unite and collaborate for the public interest. He said, “Let’s explore how we can come together and join forces to serve the best interests of Springfield and Western Mass. That is the focus of our work at AIC.”
Dr. Benitez shared that in his first year of tenure, AIC has actively engaged with 133 individuals and community leaders, offering open doors, and seeking opportunities for collaboration. “We want to be invitational to the community, not asking for anything, but to ask them, how can we work together.” In conclusion, he expressed confidence in finding natural synergies and fostering meaningful partnerships to benefit the Springfield community.
After his speech, Dr. Benitez was invited to appear as a guest on the BusinessWest BusinessTalk podcast to expand on AIC’s workforce development initiatives. Hear the podcast by clicking here, and read the follow-up BusinessWest article on AIC initiatives focused on workforce development by clicking here.
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