2025 Power 100: Luis Pedraja

A man with grey hair and goatee wears thin-wired glasses, a black suit jacket, a white button down, and a blue striped tie.

Photo I Courtesy of Quinsigamond Community College Luis Pedraja, president of Quinsigamond Community College

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Luis Pedraja Title President Entity Quinsigamond Community College, in Worcester Employees 1,091 Residence Worcester Colleges Stetson University, University of Virginia Read all the 2025 Power 100 profiles here
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As the leader of Central Massachusetts’ largest community college and third largest higher educational institution, Pedraja plays a key role in making sure the region’s workforce of tomorrow is prepared for the future ahead.

He was a proponent of making enrollment at Massachusetts community colleges free for residents. Since that proposal became law in 2024, QCC saw its enrollment grow 14% in the fall and 18% in the spring. Initiatives taken by the school under his watch include the April announcement of the Auxilium Center for Entrepreneurship at QCC, a $300,000 effort in partnership with Beverly-based Rucker Investments to give students a taste of the startup world.

Pedraja has taken on responsibilities beyond the confines of the school’s campus, as he was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the New England Board of Higher Education and has become chair of the Massachusetts Association of Community College.

Despite the accomplishments, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. In April, a union representing QCC workers passed a vote of no confidence toward Pedraja, after he declined to reappoint three faculty and professional staff members. He defended the decision and received the full support of the QCC board, but the battle with the union remains ongoing.

Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.