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ILI

The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) promotes intercultural understanding and diverse communities by providing high-quality language instruction and teacher training.

You are here: Home / News / Retired GCC president Bob Pura, joins ILI’s board

November 1, 2018

Retired GCC president Bob Pura, joins ILI’s board

Retired GCC president Bob Pura, joins ILI’s board

Bob Pura, president of Greenfield Community College (GCC) for more than 17 years and now retired, has joined the all-volunteer board of directors of the International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) in Northampton.

“We are excited to welcome Bob Pura to ILI,” stated board president Eric Wirth. “Bob’s extensive background, enthusiasm, and great sense of humor will go far to benefit the work ILI accomplishes day in and day out to ensure our students a great education and cultural experience.”

When asked about his reasons for joining the board, Pura said, “I have had the great privilege to work where my values and passion match mission. Since my retirement, I have more time to follow those ideals. Serving on the ILI board is such a match. I cannot overstate how much I respect ILI’s executive director Caroline Gear and the good work of ILI. What this school does matters in the every day lives of students—especially immigrants and refugees—and our communities in ways that speeches can only talk about.”

During his tenure at GCC, Pura oversaw creation of the college’s testing, wellness, advising, and veteran’s centers as well as the GCC Food Pantry and Senior Symposia. He worked with former Congressman John Olver and community leaders to develop the Sustainable Energy, Creative Economy, Health Care, and Manufacturing initiatives at GCC and oversaw extensive building renovations to the campus. He also worked with the leadership of the Opioid Task Force and the Franklin County Jail and Courthouse to elevate the role that education plays in the lives of those in recovery.

Under Pura’s leadership, the GCC Foundation raised $14 million and has awarded hundreds of scholarships over several years. The college’s endowment also rose to more than $5 million.

Pura has chaired the MA President’s Council and served on its executive committee. He sits on the Baystate Health board of trustees and was a commissioner on the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Higher Education Commission.

As the son of an immigrant and the first in his family to attend college, Pura earned his A.A. at Miami Dade Community College, B.A. at the University of South Florida, M.S. from St. Thomas University (Miami), and Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas in Austin.

Article by ILI Staff / News

ILI News

  • ILI is a finalist for the PIEoneer “Language Educator of the Year” 2022 award! June 15, 2022
  • ILI’s Caroline Gear featured in Rotary magazine! June 13, 2022
  • Top 7 Reasons to do an Intensive English Program (IEP) in the Summer June 8, 2022
  • An Interview with MJ Adams: An International Host and Global Citizen June 2, 2022
  • How to Improve your Academic English and Business English Writing Skills May 25, 2022
  • ILI board member Reynolds Whalen earns “40 under Forty” recognition! May 11, 2022

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A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for award A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for awarding ILI the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award! We are grateful to be among all the amazing winners of this prestigious award! Receiving  the award is Sonya, a member of ILI’s Board of Directors. Caroline, ILI’s Executive Director and Beth, ILI’s Career and College Advisor.
ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleyc ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleycoop 's Austin Miller Award alongside Riquezas del Campo and The Nolumbeka Project! 

The nonprofit award winners receive $500 each and split the proceeds from food sales at River Valley Co-op's annual Strawberry Ice Cream Social and June Change for Change contributions.

➡️Read more here: https://rivervalley.coop/event-details/strawberry-ice-cream-social-austin-miller-awards?fbclid=IwAR3Uh8pZ0v5jO4jbYLG50xFVNcq5OEKPXj6HOmmU6F8e0toyzhFp6Dokt1A
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of vict “Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.” — Barack Obama

Resources to learn more about Juneteenth:
• https://naacp.org/campaigns/juneteenth
• https://www.history.com/.amp/news/what-is-juneteenth
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/17/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2022/
After months–or years—of studying online at ho After months–or years—of studying online at home or taking English classes in their home countries, millions of students want a breath of fresh air. 💨

Sunny days, warm weather, cool winds–summertime is a wonderful time to enroll in an Intensive English program. 📚

➡️Check out our recent NEWS Item titled, "Top 7 Reasons to do an Intensive English Program (IEP) in the Summer" here: https://ili.edu/2022/06/08/top-7-reasons-to-do-an-intensive-english-program-iep-in-the-summer/

➡️Interested in learning more about ILI's Intensive English Program? Email macey@ili.edu.

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For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City Arts Festival that happened a few weeks ago! 🎨

Thank you @paradise_city_arts_festivals for designating ILI as the silent auction beneficiary this year. Thank you to the 75+ generous artist for donating their art and thank you to the 20+ volunteers for staffing the table and booth sitting for artists. ✨ What a generous community we live in!

#ili #paradisecityartsfestival #2022 #silentauction #community #festival #nonprofit #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #northampton #ialc
We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that are the Change for Change recipients at @rivervalleycoop along with #NolumbekaProject and @riquezasdelcampocoop ✨The three of us will not only receive all Change for Change donations made in June but also the proceeds from this year's Strawberry Ice Cream Social, which returns on June 23rd.

The Nolumbeka Project envisions a Connecticut River Valley where the histories, cultures and persistence of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples are recognized and celebrated, and where all beings coexist in balance and reciprocity.

Riquezas Del Campo is an immigrant-led, worker-owned cooperative farm in Hatfield, MA that began leasing land on the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm in 2021. 

✨Pictured here is Megan, a cashier at RV. Next time you’re shopping, please consider rounding up in support of these nonprofits.

#changeforchange #roundup #rivervalleymarket #rivervalleycoop #nonprofit #local #community #ili #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #northampton
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