Worcester State Launches $30M Campaign With $1M Gift For Future Teachers

The local university has launched the largest fundraising campaign in school history.

By Jessie Castellano, Patch Staff

Oct 8, 2026 10:13 AM EDT

Worcester State University's three-year, $30 million “Believe in Beyond” campaign will support scholarships, student services, academic facilities and faculty programs, the school announced Monday (Google Maps)

WORCESTER, MA — A local university has launched the largest fundraising campaign in school history, with a major gift to help more public school employees become teachers.

Worcester State University's three-year, $30 million "Believe in Beyond" campaign will support scholarships, student services, academic facilities and faculty programs, the school announced Monday. The campaign begins with a $1 million gift from alumna Mary Cotter-Lemoine and her husband, David Lemoine, to help adult learners working in public schools earn bachelor's degrees and teaching licenses.

The gift will establish the Mary Cotter-Lemoine Teacher Education Support Fund for Adult Learners. The fund will expand support for working professionals pursuing degrees in elementary education or early childhood education.

The Lemoines previously supported 26 students in Worcester State's Paraeducator Program, according to the university. Mary Cotter-Lemoine graduated from Worcester State in 1996 after attending college as an adult learner and career changer.

The large campaign has three priorities, including reducing financial barriers for students, investing in health sciences and STEM education and preparing graduates for workplaces increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Scholarships, paid internships, study-away programs, updated labs and undergraduate research opportunities are just some of the planned investments. The campaign will also support library improvements, endowed professorships, first-generation student services and the university's Latino Education Institute.

"Our public school systems need well-qualified teachers more than ever," Worcester State President Barry Maloney said in the announcement.

Worcester State said nine out of 10 graduates remain in the region to build their careers. The university also reported that 98 percent of graduates are employed or attending graduate school within three months of graduation.