Assumption College and Wachusett Regional High School Partner in Criminal Justice

Worcester, MA-The Center for Continuing and Professional Education at Assumption College recently entered into partnership with Wachusett Regional High School for students pursuing careers in the field of Criminal Justice. Students who complete the Criminal Justice Career Major at Wachusett Regional High School and who meet the requirements for acceptance in the Center will be able to continue their studies at Assumption College in the Criminal Justice programs through the Center for Continuing and Professional Education. These students will also have the opportunity to earn college credit by successfully completing a Credit for Prior Learning Portfolio based primarily on their experience and learning in the Wachusett Criminal Justice program. Assumption College will also offer access to all WRHS criminal justice faculty and students for all non-academic educational programs and symposia sponsored by the Criminal Justice programs in the Center. This partnership grows out of a "Community Policing" movement initiated by Holden Chief of Police George Sherrill. The partnership between the Holden Police Department and Wachusett Regional High School is a proactive program designed to help young men and women work together with law enforcement officials and others to create a better community. The crime rate in Holden has shown a dramatic drop since the inception of this program, and extending the partnership to other institutions and communities like Assumption College will have a positive impact. Joining Dr. Thomas R. Plough, President of Assumption College, in the signing of the agreement were Dr. Alfred Tutela, Superintendent of Schools for the Wachusett Regional School District; Dr. Tom Pandiscio, Principal of Wachusett Regional High School; Jim Connolly, CJ Program Coordinator at Wachusett; Brian Bercier, Assistant Dean of Continuing Education at Assumption College; and Holden Police Chief George Sherrill. Sergeant David Armstrong, the HPD full time liaison at Wachusett, was also involved in the occasion.