Holyoke Community College honors and celebrates President Christina Royal in retirement ceremony.

On Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023, Holyoke Community College students, faculty and staff members, alumni, trustees, educators, elected officials, community members, and friends gathered to celebrate Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal in a retirement celebration.

State Sen. John Velis, state Rep. Pat Duffy, Aaron Vega, in the representation of Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, and Noe Ortega, commissioner of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, made remarks and presented President Royal with citations in recognition of her service and accomplishments during her tenure at HCC as its fourth president.

Royal, the first female, biracial president of HCC, began her tenure in January 2017 and immediately set the college on a course to create its first Strategic Plan. In August, she announced that she would retire after the 2022-2023 academic year.

Her last three weeks will overlap with the first three of HCC’s next president, George Timmons, the first African-American president of HCC, who was named her successor last week by the HCC Board of Trustees. Christina Royal’s last day at the college will be Friday, July 14.

Recorded at Holyoke Community College, on May 3, 2023.