Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (OFFICIAL) – December 3, 2025
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room LC301 in the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center located at 414 Common Street, Lawrence, MA on December 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow
Mr. Cousins
Ms. Fernandez (arrived at 5:10 p.m.)
Ms. Gomez Ruiz
Mr. Hamm
Ms. Hatem-Roy (arrived at 5:09 p.m.)
Dr. Kelley
Mr. Silverio
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Mr. Gomez, Mr. Yepez, Ms. Horne
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn
CALL TO ORDER: With a quorum established, Chair Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Borislow asked for a motion to approve the November 5, 2025 minutes.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Silverio and seconded by Trustee Gomez Ruiz, the Board unanimously approved the November 5, 2025 minutes as presented.
CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees:
President Glenn introduced and welcomed NECC’s newest employees: Eric Benevides, Registrar; Jane Miranda, Recruitment Counselor; Melissa Thatcher, Senior Contract Specialist; and Elizabeth Bennett, Associate Vice President of Career & Technical Education. The Trustees also welcomed the newest employee. President Glenn provided a brief explanation of the Trustees’ role in Northern Essex Community College’s governance.
Trustee Hatem-Roy arrived at 5:09 p.m.
Trustee Fernandez arrived at 5:10 p.m.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEE:
a) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee:
1) Motion for FY25 Audited Financial Statements (AFC-26-04):
Agenda Item 7a was taken out of order to ensure Auditors were present for the report. Trustee Silverio, new A&F Committee Chair, presented an update on the 2025 enrollment figures and year‑end financial performance. Based on YE25 actual reported credits of 77,575 which is an increase of 9,760 credits or 14.39% over FY24. Financial results were favorable, with student financial aid exceeding expectations and tuition and fee revenues aligning closely with the approved budget. Operating expenses were generally consistent with budgeted estimates, with some areas coming in slightly lower, contributing to an overall positive increase in the College’s net position and the maintenance of strong reserves. Trustee Silverio acknowledge EVP McCarthy and AVP DeGregorio for their effective oversight and fiscal management. In addition, Autumn Audit Tax Advisory presented to the A&F Committee the fiscal year 2025 audited financial statements, reporting a clean audit opinion with no adjustments, no material weaknesses, no unusual transactions, and no errors identified.
Committee Chair Silverio asked for a motion to approve the FY2025 Audited Financial Statements.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Gomez Ruiz and seconded by Trustee Kelley, the Board unanimously approved the Audit & Finance Committee accepts the FY2025 audited financial statements and related materials as presented.
EDUCATIONAL REPORT:
a) Liberal Arts: Careers Come to Campus by Amy Callahan
President Glenn introduced Dean of Liberal Arts Amy Callahan.
Over the past six years, the Liberal Arts Division has expanded its commitment to career‑focused, experience‑based education through internships, student publications, performing and visual arts events, Digital Media Lab activities, and emerging undergraduate research opportunities. A major emphasis has been on hosting on‑campus speaker events and lunchtime talks that broaden students’ perspectives on potential career paths. The theater program continues to excel, with The Vagina Monologues recently becoming a regional finalist, supported by institutional investments such as an upcoming renovation to the theater entrance. Faculty and alumni regularly contribute to student development—for example, Broadway stage manager Jake Kerry, recent graduate Camila Aldivia Therese, and current student Ruby Camacho have all shared insights through guest sessions. Additional events in writing, music, and digital media, along with faculty‑led presentations, further enrich the learning experience. The Division also leads campus civic engagement initiatives, highlighted by Senator Milt Fisher’s recent visit, which deeply resonated with students exploring futures in public service.
Q: Chair Borislow asked how many students generally attend guest speaker events? A: It can vary significantly based on the event. For example, some events will fill the Conference Center, but a lunchtime event may only attract 5-6 students. A recent Merrimack Valley “mini” psychology fair attracted about 30 students.
Q: Chair Borislow asked if events are held on both campuses? A: Admittedly, there is room for improvement in bringing more liberal arts programming to the Lawrence Campus, but with the majority of the liberal arts courses being taught in Haverhill, more programming happens on the Haverhill Campus.
President Glenn added an aside to Dean Callahan’s report out on the importance of liberal arts. In national and local higher ed discussions centered on concerns and opportunities related to AI’s impact on the workforce, employers acknowledged that while some entry‑level roles (e.g., coding position) may diminish due to automation, the essential skills cultivated through a liberal arts education remain in high demand. Critical thinking, communication, interpersonal abilities, and sound judgment continue to be areas where human oversight is indispensable, even as AI advances. These conversations reaffirmed that the competencies our students develop are not becoming obsolete; rather, they are increasingly vital to guiding, interpreting, and moderating emerging technologies.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE:
Chair Borislow reminded the Trustees that there is no BOT meeting January; the next BOT meeting will be February 4, 2026. Next year, the Board will convene for half‑day retreat sessions in July 2026 and January 2027, with scheduling coordinated via a forthcoming poll. Chair Borislow also highlighted several notable accomplishments across the College, including the student literary magazine Párnassus receiving major recognition for the second consecutive year from the Associated Collegiate Press. The men’s soccer team earned its first national tournament win and finishing fifth overall. She further acknowledged Men’s Soccer Coach Eusebio Marote for earning Region 21 Coach of the Year for a second straight season. Chair Borislow and Trustee Gomez recently represented the College at the Massachusetts Governance Leadership Institute, where NECC was frequently recognized as a model institution. She emphasized that the College’s strong reputation and the leadership of President Lane Glenn were repeatedly acknowledged, making the event both productive and affirming.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
b) Alumni Advancement Committee: No report.
c) Nominating Committee: No report.
d) Presidential Evaluation Committee: No report.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
a) Budget and Legislative Updates: President Glenn reported that the Governor announced preliminary recommendations from the state task force charged with redefining high school graduation requirements in Massachusetts, following the move away from MCAS. Included in the proposals developed by the committee led by the Secretary of Education and the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education is a new requirement for students to either complete the FAFSA or MASFA or formally opt out. NECC has supported this initiative for several years to help close equity gaps in college access. While Massachusetts already performs relatively well in FAFSA completion, significant disparities persist between affluent communities and gateway cities such as Lawrence, Haverhill, and Methuen, where lower‑income, immigrant, and English‑learning families complete the FAFSA at lower rates despite expressing interest in attending college. Increased completion helps students understand affordability, often revealing eligibility for substantial aid, including full Pell Grants. The preliminary report will be finalized in the spring, though concerns remain regarding potential unfunded mandates for districts lacking adequate counseling resources.
President Glenn reported that the House version of the BRIGHT Act with a proposed $3 billion statewide higher education capital bond bill was released this week. While the initiative would fund new construction and major renovations across UMass, state universities, and community colleges, the preliminary allocation model continues the longstanding pattern of community colleges receiving a disproportionately smaller share (~1/4 funding) despite serving half of the state’s undergraduates. Notably, the House bill includes two earmarks for NECC, one for $2M and another for $20M, intended to support career and technical education initiatives. President Glenn emphasized that while securing language in a bond bill is relatively easy, accessing funds is often a lengthy and uncertain process, as the proposal must still move through the Senate, the Governor’s office, and subsequent state bonding decisions over several years.
The President provided a brief update on the Whittier Tech building project. Trustee Cousins is serving as Co‑Chair of the building committee and EVP McCarthy and Chief of Staff Ball will also represent the College. The committee has held its initial meeting and is beginning early planning work, including discussions on enrollment projections, potential involvement from the state’s School Building Authority, and site visits to comparable facilities across Massachusetts.
The Smith Family Foundation is expected to vote on a $750,000 grant on December 11 to support staffing for new degree‑based apprenticeship programs, including the College’s first such initiative in surgical technology. Federally registered apprenticeships require 2,000 hours of paid, on‑the‑job training combined with academic coursework, distinguishing them from traditional internships and offering significant benefits to students, particularly those from lower‑income backgrounds. The foundation’s support aligns with broader efforts to expand high‑skill, high‑wage apprenticeship pathways in fields beyond the trades, including healthcare and banking, and reflects the College’s commitment to meeting regional workforce needs while strengthening partnerships including Whittier Tech, Greater Lawrence Technical School, and other community partners.
President Glenn remarked on recent federal legislation expanding Pell Grant eligibility to certain short‑term training programs. Traditionally, Pell Grants have been reserved for students enrolled in degree‑granting programs, with limited exceptions. The new policy will allow select short‑term, non‑degree programs to qualify, though strict federal regulations are still pending. He emphasized that while the change presents opportunities, it also raises concerns: not all short‑term programs will qualify, and students risk prematurely depleting their lifetime Pell eligibility for trainings that may provide only modest wage gains. The College is closely monitoring the evolving rules to ensure these changes ultimately benefit students. We expect further briefings on this issue at the ACCT Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. in February.
b) Campus and Community Updates: President Glenn encouraged everyone to attend the college’s production of “A Christmas Carol,” December 12-14.
President Glenn noted that the College recently received a $15,000 award through the statewide Hunger Free Campus Initiative. While appreciative, he emphasized that the funding is part of a $500,000 allocation spread across 29 institutions and intended to serve 36,000 students and amounts to roughly $14 per student and is therefore not a systemic solution to student food insecurity. He reiterated the College’s three‑tiered approach to addressing basic needs: providing emergency assistance such as gift cards and the campus food pantry for urgent, short‑term needs; ensuring robust referrals to community resources, including SNAP benefits now available to many college students; and advocating for broader financial supports, such as MassReconnect and MassEducate, which place additional funds directly in students’ hands. While the new grant will be put to good use, he stressed the need to keep its limited impact in perspective.
c) Save-the-Date:
- Sheriff Graduation, Friday, December 5, 10:00-11:30 a.m., in the Gym
- NECHE Annual Meeting Wednesday-Friday, December 10-12, Sheraton Boston Hotel, Boston
- NECC Winter/Spring Convocation, Tuesday, January 20, 8:00-10:00, Room TC103AB
- ACCT National Legislative Summit, Sunday-Wednesday, February 8-11, Washington, DC
d) Communique: The Communique was distributed as part of the Board Packet prior to the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Associate Degree Surgical Technology Program
Dean Hudson and Program Coordinator Chouinard provided an overview of the new Associate Degree in Surgical Technology, including a hybrid course structure with in‑person labs, a maximum initial cohort of 20 students, and clinical placements. The College is pursuing an MOU with Merrimack Health to utilize three of their operating rooms, providing students with an unparalleled training environment equipped with authentic surgical equipment. The program has also received a $250,000 grant to support start‑up needs and has established clinical partnerships with multiple regional hospitals, including Beth Israel, Lawrence General, and Merrimack Health, all of which have expressed a critical workforce need for surgical technologists. Trustees were reminded that new academic programs undergo a rigorous approval process, including review by the College’s Academic Affairs Committee, the Board of Trustees, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, and ultimately the U.S. Department of Education for financial aid eligibility, followed by a separate accreditation site visit the year after program launch. The program is expected to begin enrolling students in September, pending all required approvals.
Chair Borislow asked for a motion to approve the Associate Degree in Surgical Technology.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Kelley and seconded by Trustee Silverio, the Board unanimously approved the new Associate Degree Surgical Technology Program within the Health Professional Studies Division at Northern Essex Community College.
b) Grants
Chair Borislow noted four grants for approval totaling $144,730.00 and asked for a motion to approve the grants collectively. They were:
- Massachusetts Broadband Institution: Connected & Online Laptop Lending Program Grant
*55 laptops and 2 charging carts | (Approx. $50,000.00) - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Adult Basic Education/Community Adult Learning Center Supplemental Funds | $18,577.00
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Community College Workforce Training Incentive Grant | $73,153.00
- Northeast Regional STEM Network Collaborative Project | $3,000.00
*Pending Sponsor Approval
On a Motion presented by Trustee Hamm and seconded by Trustee Gomez Ruiz, the Board unanimously approved the grants (ADM-3984-120325, ADM-3985-120325, ADM-3986-120325, ADM-3987-120325) totaling $144,730.00 as presented.
OTHER BUSINESS: President Glenn wished the Trustees “Happy Holidays” and directed them to collect small appreciation gifts on their way out. Chair Borislow reminded everyone of the Holiday Dinner hosted at her home immediately following this evening’s meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chair Borislow adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
