{"id":2343,"date":"2026-10-28T09:35:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/?p=2343"},"modified":"2026-10-20T11:42:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T15:42:54","slug":"mcc-proud-meet-heidi-quinlivan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/28\/mcc-proud-meet-heidi-quinlivan\/","title":{"rendered":"MCC Proud: Meet Heidi Quinlivan"},"content":{"rendered":"

In recognition of National Manufacturing Month, we are proud to feature Heidi Quinlivan of the FWD Center.<\/em><\/p>\n

Heidi Quinlivan is the Program Development\/Curriculum Manager for Monroe Community College\u2019s Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center.\u00a0In this role, she collaborates with industry partners to develop non-credit curriculum, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials for advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, and IT. She also supports the STEP UP initiative by identifying semiconductor and skilled trades curriculum.<\/p>\n

Quinlivan has been a member of the MCC team for 4 years. During that time, she earned a Project Management Certificate, appeared on the FWD Center\u2019s \u201cGood Day Rochester\u201d segment, and collaborated with Willis Major to secure the FWD Center\u2019s SACA Gold Certification.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Quinlivan’s career has come full circle. She began her professional journey with an educational consulting firm focused on assessment before spending more than 25 years in administration, finance, sales, and marketing within the advanced manufacturing sector, including industries such as digitization, semiconductors, micromotors, and robotic grippers. Her desire to return to education and leverage her workforce development expertise ultimately led her to MCC, where she is passionate about helping students gain new career opportunities, develop in-demand skills, and advance into higher-paying jobs. As a proud member of a “SUNY family,” with her husband, son, niece, and nephew all SUNY graduates, she is also committed to contributing to New York State’s public higher education system.<\/p>\n

Although she joined MCC only a few years ago, Quinlivan has found tremendous fulfillment in helping others unlock new opportunities. \u201c<\/strong>\u2026I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that industry-recognized credentials can have on students’ lives,\u201d she said. \u201cIt opens doors for them that have remained closed for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added that many individuals have used these industry-recognized credentials to secure well-paying jobs, while others have used them to upskill and advance their careers, increasing their earning potential and professional growth.<\/p>\n

When asked what advice she would give prospective students, Quinlivan emphasized the importance of finding the right fit.\u00a0\u201c\u2026<\/strong>if I am speaking to people that are considering taking programs at the FWD Center, I usually ask a series of questions to help them identify the best path for them,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u201cIf they simply don\u2019t know, I suggest a foundational program like \u2018Intro to Skilled Trades\u2019 or \u2018SACA C-101 Advanced Manufacturing\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside of MCC, Quinlivan enjoys staying connected to her community through her church, spending time with fellow car enthusiasts, and supporting the Humane Society of Livingston County.<\/p>\n

Quinlivan attended Chenango Forks High School in Binghamton, NY, before spending her freshman year at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She later earned her bachelor\u2019s degree from SUNY Geneseo.\u00a0 A self-described \u201cforever leaner,\u201d Quinlivan has continued to expand her knowledge through coursework at MCC and Empire State University, as well as sales and marketing workshops offered by organizations such as SME.<\/p>\n

Fun Facts About Heidi<\/strong><\/p>\n