Mount Holyoke to hold Trailblazers of Color conference

SOOUTH HADLEY — Mount Holyoke College’s 11th annual Trailblazers of Color Leadership Conference will be held Saturday, April 5, with keynote speaker Susana Morris, ’02.

The conference theme is “Metamorphosis: Embracing Our Intersecting Identities.” The conference aims to promote the principle of embracing each other’s diverse intersecting identities and life experiences while excelling and growing in careers, education and journeys of self-growth.

The conference, which runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., will include workshops as well as a people of color networking business expo, where attendees will have the opportunity to connect with each other as well as with businesses owned by people of color or organizations that serve people of color.

Additionally, a Mount Holyoke College student of color who has exemplified leadership will be the recipient of the Quanita Hailey ’14 Leadership Fund award.

The conference is free for all Mount Holyoke and Five College Consortium students, faculty and staff. For all other attendees, the conference is $15 which includes breakfast and lunch. For more information and to register, visit events.mtholyoke.edu/event/trailblazers-of-color-leadership-conference-2025.

The keynote will be held at 4:30 p.m. in Chapin Auditorium.

Holyoke Library to host annual mini golf and games

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Public Library will host its annual fundraiser, “Mini Golf and Games,” on Saturday, April 12. Events will take place inside and outside of the library at 250 Chestnut St.

The mini golf, which is free for all players, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will feature 18 holes for people of all ages. A food truck will be in the parking lot during this event serving fresh and high-quality food.

Games outside in Library Park, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., will featuring human foosball with teams of six competing for bragging rights. There will also be other outdoor activities for all ages.

The library will be open for regular business while this fun community event is going on. The mini golf holes will be on every floor of the library and wind its way through the stacks and down the stairs.  

Proceeds will be used to augment library services, summer reading, year-round literacy programs, and more.

Westfield State launches paramedic program 

WESTFIELD — Westfield State University is launching a new Paramedic Program beginning in April. Developed in collaboration with key health care providers and emergency management organizations — including Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Holyoke Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center; fire departments from East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Southwick and Westfield; and EMS providers from Chapin Ambulance, Northern Berkshire EMS and Cataldo Ambulance — this program seeks to address the critical regional demand for highly skilled emergency medical professionals.

The program is designed to support workforce development by establishing a direct career pathway for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to advance to paramedics. Through strong partnerships with employers in the field, Westfield State ensures the curriculum reflects industry standards, equipping students with the skills and expertise needed for immediate employment in emergency medical services.

Students will benefit from a comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty, and state-of-the-art training facilities. The program includes one year of classroom instruction followed by clinical, field, and capstone internships, and can be completed in 12–18 months with an accelerated track. To meet the diverse needs of working students, the program offers an optional hybrid live lecture enabling remote participation with the in-person classes. Hands on skills labs are held in-person.

Applications are now open for the inaugural class starting April 15. Prospective students can visit www.westfield.ma.edu/paramedic for detailed admission requirements and program specifics.