Massasoit Board of Trustees Approve 2025 Tenure

Massasoit Community College Board of Trustees approved 2025 tenure for faculty members Jose Monteiro, Assistant Professor, and Darlene Mendoza, Coordinator of Television Production, and staff members Jennifer Pike, Access and Disability Resources Coordinator, Dan Vang, Academic Counselor, and Brian Schilling, Veteran Services Coordinator, as presented and recommended by Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Rita Jones-Hyde and Interim Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Joseph Harris at the April 23 meeting.

Jose Monteiro

Jose Monteiro was hired as a faculty member for the Mathematics department in the Division of Mathematics & Science (now STEM) in 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Higher Institute of Education in Praia, Cape Verde and a Bachelor of Science in Curriculum Development from Leiria Polytechnic Institute in Leira, Portugal, as well as a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Bridgewater State University.

Jose began his journey at Massasoit as an adjunct math faculty member in 2011. During this time, he also worked as an adjunct instructor at Bristol Community College and Quincy College, expanding his teaching repertoire and his exposure to a diverse population of learners. In 2017, Jose became a part-time academic counselor in Massasoit’s TRIO program, advising and assisting with career and transfer counseling for cohorts of first-generation and at-risk students, as well as coordinating bi-weekly math study groups. He also worked as a professional math tutor at the Academic Resource Center at Massasoit’s Canton campus.

Jose has served on numerous college committees and engages in regular professional development related to teaching and learning, advising, and technology. Jose was also a facilitator of MAST Workshop (Massasoit Academic Syllabi Transformation Project), AI- Adapting and Innovating Teaching Practices to Meet the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence workshop, the Syllabus as an Instrument for Racial Equity and Creating an Equity- minded Teaching Action Plan Workshop, and a member of the MRISJ Faculty Institute, “Decoloniality in Teaching, Scholarship, and Service,”. In the fall of 2023, Jose was promoted to Assistant Professor of Mathematics.

Darlene Mendoza

Darlene Mendoza has worked as the Coordinator of Television Programming for the Digital Media Arts Center (DMAC) since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications/Media from Fitchburg State University.

Darlene first came to Massasoit as a TV / Radio Technician in 2017, where she assisted and trained students, faculty, and staff in the use of studio labs/facilities and equipment for the purpose of learning and creating content for courses, cable TV, streaming, community service, and college promotion. As Coordinator of Television Programming she is responsible for coordinating the daily operations of the DMAC as well as producing original programming and media coverage of major college events such as Commencement and awards ceremonies. Additionally during her time at Massasoit she assisted with the coordination of a major renovation and revamping of the TV facilities.

She consistently works to advance the College’s strategic goals and always puts students learning, support, and safety first, while participating in college committees and as an advisor to the Media Axis Student Club. Darlene was also recognized as Massasoit’s Employee of the Month this past December.

Jennifer Pike

Jennifer Pike was hired at Massasoit in 2018 as the Coordinator Access and Disability Resources (ADR). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Science degree in Human Services from UMass Boston.

As ADR Coordinator, Jennifer considers individual student accommodation requests, reviews documentation, and contemplates the essential requirements of the identified
courses to determine appropriate course accommodations. She also negotiates several ADR and college processes and communications to ensure that students receive efficient, effective service, and obtain equal access to all components of their Massasoit experience.

Jennifer has realized numerous accomplishments during her time at Massasoit. As a member of the ADA Access Committee, she helped develop the form and process for anyone to submit a college accessibility concern. She changed the name of the former Disability Services department to its current, more inclusive ADR designation. In addition, she has created and revised ADR policies and practices, arranged for training on accessible college communications, and procured and implemented ADR’s new accessibility services office software, Accommodate. She also serves on Hiring Committees, is a member of the college’s CARE Team, attends Divisional and college meetings, and represents ARC/ADR at college meetings and events.

Brian Schilling

Brian was hired full-time as an Academic Counselor in Massasoit’s Veteran Services program in 2018 and later successfully reclassified to an Academic Coordinator. Brian earned his Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree from Bridgewater State University in 2009 and his Master in Mental Health with a Concentration in Trauma degree from Cambridge College in 2017.

Brian served as a Non-commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps from 2009 to 2014, where he earned the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Marine Corps Certificate of Achievement, and two Meritorious Masts. As Academic Coordinator of Massasoit’s Veterans Center, Brian proudly serves as an advisor to and advocate for active duty service members, veterans, and their families. Brian coordinates the daily operations of Massasoit’s Veterans Center, including the supervision, training, and evaluation of part-time staff, including the college’s veterans benefit certifying official and a team of veteran work-study students.

Brian also advises Massasoit’s Veteran & Service member Club, which volunteers in the community and fundraises for veteran causes, including Run to Home Base, which over the last 16 years has provided world-class clinical care to over 40,000 veterans and families at no out-of-pocket cost to them. Brian’s training as a mental health counselor and his service in the US military help to make him an effective and valued resource to Massasoit’s veteran community.

Dan Vang

Dan Vang has been an Academic Counselor in the Advising, Career, and Transfer (ACT) Center since 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Science in Counseling from University of Bridgeport.

As an Academic Counselor, Dan works to advise students in registering, adding, or withdrawing from courses while also monitoring their academic progress and conducts appropriate outreach. He participates in Student Advising & Registration Sessions (STARS) and serves as the liaison to the STEM department.

Dan’s caseload includes working very closely with all Massasoit athletes. In this role, he is constantly monitoring their progress using our EAB Navigate tool. He continually outreaches to his students to make sure they are on track and have access to resources. He has become one, if not, the most requested academic advisor in our center for students. He is also a highly valued staff member across the College, and has been asked and has served on many search committees.