Valerie Kapilow

Valerie Kapilow joined MassBay Community College in the summer of 2014 as a Project Manager in the Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness & Grants Development. In this role she worked on a variety of initiatives to increase access and support success in higher education and middle skills employment for underserved populations and non-traditional students. She moved from this temporary role to coordinating a Massachusetts Department of Higher Education grant initiative, STEM Starter Academy, on MassBay’s Wellesley Hills campus. She is currently the Project Director of STEM Starter Academy and the Director of STEM Tech Career Academy. 

Valerie’s STEM Starter Academy work involves designing and implementing various outreach, recruitment, support, retention and programmatic initiatives for the STEM Division and the students it serves. To achieve its goals, STEM Starter Academy offers many different programs and resources to STEM students including a dedicated STEM Academic Advisor and Career Development Counselor, opportunities to participate in the STEM Starter Academy Summer Bridge Program, STEM 4-Year Transfer Academy, the STEM Mentor Program, STEM Coaching Program and a variety of STEM Forums that are held throughout the year. Students receive a bi-weekly STEM Student Newsletter and are enrolled in STEM News, a virtual STEM resource center. STEM Starter Academy also facilitates field trips to STEM companies and four-year transfer institutions and represents the STEM Division at STEM Fairs, Expos and other venues. 

Valerie also oversees the STEM Tech Career Academy, a Massachusetts Executive Office of Education initiative focused primarily on underrepresented students from Natick High School. The program provides free STEM college classes beginning in 9th grade, enrichment activities, enhanced student support, workplace learning and an opportunity for students to earn over 30 college credits while still in high school. 

Valerie is passionate about her work at MassBay and the abundance of opportunities the college offers to any student who has an interest in and is willing to put forth effort to achieve their educational and career goals. In her words…” It is tough to make your way in this world! Students need a lot of support and guidance as they seek a life that satisfies them professionally and personally. This demands that I have a well-equipped toolbox and am able to play many roles simultaneously. I am sometimes “teacher”, “task-master”, “coach” and “cheerleader”. I always provide a safe place where people can be free to bring their dreams, aspirations, passions and fears.” 

Valerie has lived in Natick, Massachusetts for over 30 years and has one daughter who is a 4th grade teacher in Wellesley. She loves to dance, do yoga, garden, cook, read and be outdoors as much as possible. 

Prior to her work at MassBay, Valerie was the Associate Director of Career Services and Co-Director of Public Interest Advising at Northeastern University School of Law for over twenty years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Anthropology and a Master’s Degree in Management.