Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (OFFICIAL) – September 9, 2026
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room TC103AB in the David Hartleb Technology Center located at 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, Mass. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow
Mr. Cousins
Mr. Gomez
Mr. Hamm
Ms. Hatem-Roy
Ms. Horne (arrived 5:19 p.m.)
Dr. Kelley
Mr. Silverio
Mr. Yepez
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Ms. Fernandez, Ms. Gomez Ruiz
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn (via Zoom)
CALL TO ORDER: With a quorum established, Chair Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Borislow asked for a motion to approve the June 17, 2026 minutes.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Gomez and seconded by Trustee Yepez, the Board unanimously approved the June 17, 2026 minutes as presented.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Board received a copy of Secretary McMahom’s letter, A National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards dated August 3, 2026 in the meeting packets.
President Glenn summarized the letter sent to higher education leaders regarding concerns such as public trust, affordability, and student outcomes. He noted that many of the issues raised apply more to large research universities than community colleges. The administration will consider its response by the end of the year, and Glenn recommended that the Board take no formal action at this time, consistent with guidance from legal counsel and higher education organizations. Trustees were encouraged to share any feedback as the College develops its response.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees:
President Glenn introduced and welcomed NECC’s newest employees: Maura O’Shaughnessy, Recruitment Counselor; Heidi Getchell-Bastien, Dean of Business & Professional Studies; Laura Sevigny, Assistant Director of Teaching & Learning; My See Lee, Associate Director Student Financial Services & Financial Aid; Laura Hastings, Dean of Workforce Development; Dan Briand, Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach; Neftaly Lopez, Campus Police Officer II; Yeimi Hernandez-Ovalle, Lawrence Campus & Community Relations Operations Manager; Jennifer Jackowski, Dean of STEM; and Benjamin Kaufman, Assistant Professor of Mathematics. The Trustees also welcomed the newest employees. President Glenn provided a brief explanation of the Trustees’ role in Northern Essex Community College’s governance.
EDUCATIONAL REPORT:
a) NECC’s Profile in the Higher Education Landscape by Kymber Taylor
President Glenn introduced Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Workforce & Academic Innovation Allison Dolan-Wilson, who introduced Kymber Taylor, Executive Director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness.
Executive Director Taylor provided an overview of enrollment trends and changing student demographics at the College. Community colleges in Massachusetts are experiencing enrollment growth. Age demographics suggests the increase could be driven by the expansion of Early College and dual-enrollment programs. Students under the age of 18 now make up a significantly larger share of enrollment than they did a decade ago, while the overall percentage of students under age 25 has remained relatively stable. Ms. Taylor noted that although the student body is not necessarily younger overall, the composition of younger students has shifted, creating new considerations for student services, onboarding, and institutional planning.
Ms. Taylor also highlighted the growing importance of workforce-focused certificate programs and the role community colleges play in serving adult learners. Most short-term and longer-term certificate recipients are age 25 or older, demonstrating continued demand for career-focused education and training. Additionally, four-year institutions are increasingly offering certificate and workforce credential programs, reflecting broader changes in higher education. The presenter concluded that the College must continue adapting to evolving student needs by serving both Early College students and adult learners while remaining responsive to workforce and industry demands.
Chair Borislow asked about the long-term outlook for the state’s free community college program and how the College is planning for the possibility that the program could be reduced or discontinued in the future. President Glenn noted that while free college and Early College initiatives have contributed significantly to recent enrollment growth, similar programs in other states have historically faced sustainability challenges. He explained that changing demographics, labor market conditions, and economic factors continue to shape enrollment trends and that the College must proactively plan for various scenarios. To mitigate potential future enrollment declines, the College is focusing on expanding career and technical education (CTE) programs, strengthening partnerships with area high schools, and growing workforce training and short-term credential opportunities. He noted that other states have often reached funding or policy inflection points after several years of implementing free college programs, sometimes resulting in changes to eligibility requirements. He added that future economic conditions and state budget constraints could affect the program’s long-term viability, underscoring the importance of diversifying enrollment pathways and maintaining strong workforce-aligned programming.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE:
Chair Borislow congratulated Trustee Joan Hatem-Roy on becoming a new grandparent. She also recognized Vice President Allison Dolan-Wilson’s appointment to the Enterprise Bank Advisory Board, noting her attendance at her first meeting. Chair Borislow recapped the July 24 BOT Retreat, during which Trustees reviewed national higher education trends, career and technical education initiatives. Given the success of the session, a similar planning meeting is being considered for late January, and Trustees will be asked to provide scheduling preferences through a forthcoming Doodle poll.
Chair Borislow commended the College’s Fall Convocation program on September 1, describing it as an energetic and successful start to the academic year. Additionally, Trustees were informed that the October and December Board meetings will be held on the Lawrence campus, with the annual holiday gathering to follow the December meeting. Finally, the Chair announced that Student Trustee Melissa Horne has been invited to serve on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Student Trustee Advisory Committee and expressed the Board’s full support for her participation, noting that Trustees’ support would be reflected in the meeting minutes.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit & Finance Committee: No report.
b) Alumni Advancement Committee: No report.
c) Nominating Committee: No report.
d) Presidential Evaluation Committee: It was reported that President Glenn’s evaluation has been submitted and accepted by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
a) Secretary McMahon’s Call to Action: President Glenn spoke on the Call to Action at the top of the meetings.
b) Fall Convocation: Surviving, Striving & Thriving: President Glenn highlighted the College’s Convocation program, which featured author Michaela Leslie-Rule, editors of How We See Us. The book shares the experiences and perspectives of Black, Hispanic, and low-income students from colleges across the country, focusing on how they view themselves and their educational journeys beyond common stereotypes. President Glenn described the presentation as uplifting and noted that the author agreed to participate in a book club hosted by the College’s Center for Professional Development.
c) NECC Student Housing: Executive Vice President McCarthy reported that Northern Essex Community College has successfully launched its student housing partnership with Merrimack College. The program currently houses nine students, with capacity for up to 20 students in the initial phase. Students live on Merrimack’s campus and have access to housing, meal plan options, transportation to and from NECC, and campus amenities such as the library, fitness facilities, and athletic events. The program was made possible through the collaborative efforts of multiple departments, including enrollment, financial aid, student affairs, and marketing. Mr. McCarthy shared special acknowledgements for Sam White, Executive Director of Enrollment Management; Jessica Eckstrom, Executive Director of Student Engagement; Katrina Bennett, Director of Student Financial Services; and Jenn Ball, Chief of Staff for their hard work and diligence.
He noted that the initiative provides students with a residential college experience while attending NECC tuition-free through the state’s free college program. Students are responsible for housing and meal costs, which can be covered through personal funds, financial aid, or loans. Housing costs are approximately $9,750 for the academic year, while meal plan costs vary based on the option selected. President Glenn noted that by including housing and meal costs in students’ official cost of attendance, Pell Grants and other financial aid can be applied to those expenses, reducing potential tax implications and helping students better afford living costs while attending college. This makes the housing program a significant financial benefit for students. President Glenn praised the team’s efforts, highlighting the program as a creative solution to student housing challenges and an opportunity to expand access for local, out-of-state, and international students. The partnership is being launched on a small scale initially, with the potential to grow significantly in the future based on student demand and program success.
d) Salem State University: Potential Lawrence Collaboration: President Glenn updated the Board on ongoing discussions with Salem State University aimed at increasing access to bachelor’s degree opportunities for Lawrence residents. Supporting educational attainment in Lawrence has long been a key goal for the College, and these conversations are part of broader work being led through the Lawrence Partnership’s education-focused initiatives. President Glenn, along with Vice Presidents Gilliland and González-De Jesús recently met with Salem State officials to explore establishing a physical presence in Lawrence. He noted that Lawrence currently lacks an on-site bachelor’s degree provider, creating barriers for many residents seeking to continue their education. Salem State has expressed strong interest in the partnership, viewing it as aligned with its mission and efforts to serve a growing Hispanic student population. While no Board action is required at this time, President Glenn emphasized that the goal is to create a consistent, physical bachelor’s degree presence in Lawrence and that additional updates will be provided as discussions progress.
e) Facilities Update: B&E Building, Haffner Lobby: Executive Vice President McCarthy provided an update on major facilities improvements underway at the College. He reported that the B&E Building renovation project, valued at approximately $23 million, is expected to be substantially completed and returned to college use by the end of December. The project includes new roofs, elevators, windows, HVAC systems, flooring, and redesigned interior spaces, significantly modernizing the building. He also highlighted recent improvements to the Louise Haffner Fournier Education Center (Amesbury Street) lobby in Lawrence, which have transformed the space into a more vibrant and heavily utilized area for students. Renovations included redesigned common areas and the creation of a quiet study space. He credited the collaborative efforts of staff across the College for helping create a more welcoming and functional environment that supports student engagement and success.
f) Career & Technical Education (CTE) Expansion: President Glenn provided an update on efforts to expand and support the College’s career and technical education initiatives. Building on discussions from the Board retreat, he highlighted progress in securing funding for workforce-focused programs, including pursuing a $2.5 million state appropriation for the Clean Lab project and seeking support from several private foundations. The College is also working with Senator Payano’s office and industry partners to explore additional funding opportunities related to workforce development and artificial intelligence. In addition, Vice President Dolan-Wilson and her staff are identifying employers throughout the region who could benefit from the College’s CTE programs and may be interested in providing financial support, equipment, or other resources. President Glenn noted that employer partnerships are common in regions with strong career and technical education systems and emphasized the importance of aligning programs with workforce needs while building sustainable support for future growth.
g) Campus Updates: President Glenn reported that the College has reached approximately 5,600 students enrolled for the fall semester, representing an increase of several hundred students compared to last fall. He thanked faculty, advisors, and staff across the College for their collective efforts in supporting student recruitment, enrollment, and retention. He noted that the College is making steady progress toward its enrollment goal of 6,000 students and expressed optimism that continued momentum from the Free Community College program and other enrollment initiatives could help the College reach that target as early as next fall. He described the enrollment growth as a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work of the entire college community.
h) Save-the-Dates:
- AACC/ACCT Advocates in Action, Sept. 15-16, Washington, DC
- 17th Annual MA Jobs & Workforce Summit, Thurs., Oct. 1, 9:00-3:00 pm, TC103AB, Haverhill
- Superintendents/Principals Breakfast Fri., Oct. 2, 8:00-10:00 am, TC103AB, Haverhill Campus
- Police Academy Graduation, Fri., Oct. 2, 10:00-12:00 p.m., Haverhill Campus
- ACCT Leadership Congress, Oct. 21-24 Chicago, IL New England Council Washington Leaders’ Conference
Chair Borislow directed the Trustees to the new addition of the Events Calendar in the Board Packet that will provide important dates and events for the College through the end of the semester.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Grants
Chair Borislow noted six grants for approval totaling $598,773.00 and asked for a motion to approve the grants. They were:
- Gallaudet University Regional Center – East | *$287,519
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development: Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in the Workforce (GROW) Planning Grant | *$20,000
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care: Career Pathways Supplemental Funding | *$81,000
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care: Higher Education Pathways Supplemental Funding | *$46,000
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) Grant | *$149,877
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Hunger Free Campus Grant Allocation | *$14,337
*Pending Sponsor Approval
On a Motion presented by Trustee Hamm and seconded by Trustee Gomez, the Board unanimously approved the grants totaling $598,733.00 as presented.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chair Borislow adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m.
