A conference entitled "From Dream to Reality" focused on strategies for improving college student retention and success was held at Bristol Community College (BCC) on March 26, 2008. Bridgewater State College President Dana Mohler-Faria offered the keynote address. After describing his own personal history to illustrate the importance of others who invested in his education, Dr. Mohler-Faria went on to emphasize the importance of investing in students in urban areas where dropout rates are too high. Dr. Mohler-Faria has been working as Governor Patrick's special advisor to education and has provided leadership for the Governor's Readiness Project that seeks to reform education from early education to workforce. The event included almost two dozen break-out sessions on topics ranging from youth empowerment to mentoring, crime, substance abuse and community health. The conference concluded with a powerful performance by actress and education advocate Brooke Haycock. For more information about the conference, contact Dr. Ron Weisberger at 508-678-2811, Ext. 2444.
 

(Top row, left) BCC Nursing School faculty members Sharon Pero and Nancy Evans look over the program at the exhibits in the Commonwealth Center. (Top row, center and right) About 200 participants gathered in the Jackson Arts Center to hear keynote speaker and Bridgewater State College President Dana Mohler-Faria. (Middle row, left) Participants discuss peer mentoring with Lindsay Vick and Darcy Orellana of Middlesex Community College. (Middle row, center) BCC President John Sbrega, Ph.D., introduces the program and the keynote speaker. (Middle row, right) Conference co-chair and Acting Assistant Dean of the Lash Center for Teaching and Learning Elaine Previte address the audience during lunch in the Commonwealth Center. (Bottom row, left) Talbot Middle School math coach Fred Souza explains the teaching model that the Fall River Schools use to enhance critical thinking. (Bottom row, center) BCC psychology instructor Susan Kramer and Conference Co-chair, Dr. Ron Weisberger, Coordinator of Tutoring, pause during the break. (Bottom row, right) Dr. Cliff Stanley, President of Scholarship America, founded by Fall River native Dr. Irving Fradkin, speaks to participants during lunch.