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New VP of Academic Affairs Joins NECC’s Leadership Team

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After a nationwide search, Northern Essex Community College has hired a new vice president of academic affairs.

The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its June 1 meeting to appoint Dr. William A. Heineman of Chelmsford, MA, the college’s current dean of foundational studies and liberal arts & sciences, as the new vice president.  Heineman will replace Dr. Lane Glenn who will become president of the college when President David Hartleb retires on June 30.

Heineman holds a bachelor’s in history from the University of Rochester, a master’s in public policy from Harvard University, and a doctorate in higher education administration from UMass Boston.

He started teaching part time in the college’s History & Government Department in 1996 and joined the faculty full time in 1998.  In addition to teaching, he has served as chairperson, history, government, philosophy, and economics; coordinator, Liberal Arts Program; and assistant dean, business, math, science & technology and humanities & social sciences, before being named  dean in 2008.

At Northern Essex, Heineman has been a champion of innovative curriculum, with a focus on ensuring student success and meeting the needs of area employers.  He has been behind many successful academic initiatives including creating new programs in response to community need, such as the associate degree in applied science for lab technicians; the accelerated business management associate degree for working students; and the electronic technology certificate program offered on site at Raytheon.   He also helped successfully secured over a half million dollars in federal and state grants for the college.

“I am humbled by the opportunity this position represents,” said Heineman.  “I am even more humbled and awed every day at Northern Essex by the grit and determination of our students who overcome difficult odds in pursuit of their education, by the energy and commitment of our staff and faculty to meet student needs, and by the support of our community.”

The vice president of academic affairs is the chief academic officer of the college and is responsible for the quality and administration of all instructional programs, both credit and noncredit, at all college locations. This position reports to the president, and is a member of the president’s cabinet.

Life Long Learning to Travel to Rhode Island

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Northern Essex Community College’s Life Long Learning Program will travel to Newport, Rhode Island, for a chowder cook-off at the Breakers Mansion, the grandest of Newport’s summer cottages, on Saturday, June 4th.  Endless samples of chowder prepared by creative chefs from around the globe will be served and there will be live entertainment.

The price for this event is $80 per person including transportation, admission to the Breakers Mansion, and admission to the Chowder Festival. Ensure your reservation by contacting Life Long Learning program coordinator, Charlene Boucher at 978-556-3825, or cboucher@necc.mass.edu.

Life Long Learning is a program of lectures, study groups, and trips for adults. All programs are open to the public.

For more information or to receive a free calendar of upcoming Life Long Learning events, contact Charlene Boucher, Life Long Learning coordinator, at 978-556-3825, or cboucher@necc.mass.edu.

Bank Donates to NECC Building

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People’s United Bank has committed to donate $10,000 toward Northern Essex Community College’s new $25 million Allied Health & Technology Center scheduled for construction on Common Street in Lawrence.   The donation was announced by the bank’s chief executive officer, Timothy Crimmons, during a recent visit to the college’s Lawrence Campus.  People’s United Bank recently purchased Riverbank in North Andover, which was previously Lawrence Savings Bank.

The Allied Health & Technology building will allow the college to expand the six associate degree and 12 certificate programs in health care that it currently offers, growing enrollments in high demand programs and creating new programs in emerging fields such as medical laboratory technology.    The building will feature a One-Stop Student Services/ Welcome Center, learning centers and labs, and an extension of the NECC Barnes & Noble bookstore with a coffeehouse.  Built around this space will be state-of-the-art educational classrooms and labs that are modeled after real-life work environments such as a hospital, a physician’s office, a dentist office, and an ambulance.  The building will be approximately 40,000 square feet and will have more than one floor.

For additional information contact Jean Poth, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the NECC foundation, at jpoth@necc.mass.edu

Over 1,000 NECC Graduate

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Massachusetts Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, Jr., told the more than 1,000 NECC graduates who received associate degrees and certificates on Saturday, May 21, “This is an exceptional group. Remember how smart you are and approach everything with an intelligent mind.”

Cousins, who attended NECC in the early 1990s before transferring to Springfield College where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, told the graduates and their families, “We are the sum of what we choose. Go forth to pursue great things.” He encouraged the graduates to find success on their own terms.

Cousins’ speech followed Northern Essex student commencement speaker Shannon Sheltra of West Newbury, who returned to school at the age of 38 as a single mother of three with few skills and even fewer savings. She had lost her partner as well as her home. She needed an education and career quickly. She found both at NECC.

After recounting her own personal story Sheltra, getting emotional at times, told her fellow graduates, “We all face challenges in life. I have classmates who have lost their jobs, lost their homes, lost their loved ones, had babies while in school, been diagnosed with cancer…but they are all here today. Some people choose to turn challenges into excuses; others turn them into opportunities… All of you have inspired me…You have transformed my life. You have transformed the lives of my children…I am forever indebted to you. Graduates, I charge you with a mission: Go out into the world and continue to inspire people. Do what you love, love what you do.”

NECC President David Hartleb presided over the ceremony, which was his last as he is retiring at the end of June.

A highlight of the commencement ceremony was the awarding of emeritus status to six retired college employees based on recommendations made by the college’s emeritus committee and approved by President Hartleb. These retires included Elaine Glennon of Peabody, professor emerita of deaf and hard of hearing cluster; Angela Guarino of Tewksbury, assistant dean emerita, academic support center (awarded posthumously)  Jane Nunes of Hampton, NH, director emerita deaf and hard of hearing services; Joseph Rizzo of Windham, NH, professor emeritus of behavioral sciences; Carol Wallace of Chelmsford, professor emerita of radiologic technology; and Dr. Elizabeth Wilcoxson of Newburyport, assistant dean emerita, humanities and social sciences.

Nancy Clover, RN, of Methuen, a Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist, and president and founder of Occupational Health Connection, was the recipient of the NECC 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award.  The award is given annually to recognize an NECC graduate who has achieved success in his or her career, is active in the community, and has given back to the college in some way. An active community volunteer she is most proud that she acquired donations of medical equipment and supplies to set up a medical clinic at the Bread & Roses Soup Kitchen in Lawrence to serve the needs of the area’s underserved population.

Clover, who received her associate degree in liberal arts from NECC in 1998, was already a graduate of the Massachusetts General School of Nursing.

Occupational Health Connections is a staffing and recruitment firm exclusively for occupational and employee health. It is celebrating 11 years.

Stephanie Souers of North Andover, who graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies with Honors and is a member of the NECC chorus, sang the national anthem.

The Stuart Highland Pipe band also performed at commencement.

For additional information contact Ernie Greenslade, NECC Director of Public Relations at 978-556-3862 or egreenslade@necc.mass.edu

Click here to view all graduates

High School Students Interested in Nursing are Invited to an Information Session

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High School students interested in becoming nurses are invited to an information session hosted by Northern Essex Community College on Wednesday, June 1, 2011.  Free and open to the public, the session will be held on the Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St, in the Spurk Building, Lecture Hall A.  The program starts at 4 p.m. but those attending are asked to arrive 10 minutes before 4 p.m.

Pat Demers, assistant dean of health professions at NECC, designed this event to give students a glimpse into the daily life of a nursing student.  This presentation is geared toward the specific issues facing students entering NECC’s program directly out of high school. Issues such as admissions standards and the rigorous pace of the program will be discussed. This is a perfect opportunity for students and their parents to hear what is required for a high school student to be successful in the nursing program and to ask any questions they may have.

Northern Essex offers a Certificate in Practical Nursing and an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing.  Both programs are offered on the college’s Lawrence campus.  For additional information about the programs, visit the website https://www.necc.mass.edu/programs/health/index.php

For additional information on this event, contact Alicia Grande at 978-556-3726 or Brandi Thomforde at 978-556-3716 or email admissions@necc.mass.edu.

Finalist selected for VP Position at NECC

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Three finalists, Dr. William Heineman, Northern Essex Community College dean of foundation and liberal arts and sciences, Dr. Cheryl Reagan, vice president of academic affairs at Clinton Community College in New York and Dr. Arlene Rodriguez, dean of the school of arts, humanities, and social sciences, at Springfield Technical Community College, have been selected to interview for the position of vice president of academic affairs at Northern Essex Community College.

The position is currently held by Dr. Lane Glenn who will become president of the college on July 1, when Dr. David Hartleb retires.

The vice president of academic affairs is the chief academic officer of the college and is responsible for the quality and administration of all instructional programs, both credit and noncredit, at all college locations. This position reports to the president, and is a member of the president’s cabinet.

The three finalists will be on campus next week, May 23-25, for interviews with college faculty, staff, and students.  Trustees plan to appoint a new vice president of academic affairs at the June 1 meeting.

NECC Will Welcome New VP of Finance

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At its May meeting, the board of trustees voted unanimously to appoint David Gingerella of Westerly, RI as the college’s vice president of finance.

Gingerella has 19 years of experience in higher education, most recently as senior director of business operations at Yale University. He will relocate to the area and begin at the college on May 18.

A member of the president’s cabinet, the vice president of finance is responsible for providing leadership and collaborative service in finance, budgeting, purchasing, accounting and report systems, and other areas.

Prior to spending eight years at Yale, Gingerella worked for close to a decade at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI, serving in a variety of roles including university bursar, director of student services, university registrar, dean of student finance and records, and dean of continuing education. He also taught at Roger Williams’ Gabelli School of Business.

President Hartleb described Gingerella’s “strong student affairs background”, his “technical expertise in finance”, and his excellent communication skills.

Also hired at the June meeting were Justine Caron, staff assistant/human resources & benefits manager; Peter Goss, senior financial aid counselor, and Alan Hitchcock, building maintenance supervisor II.

Bradford Woman Elected to Trustees

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Lori Guernelli of Bradford, a paralegal studies major, was recently chosen as the student-elected representative to the college’s Board of Trustees.

Guernelli will graduate from the paralegal transfer option program May 2012. She currently holds a 4.0 GPA. She hopes to transfer to the American College of History and Legal Studies in Salem, N.H. and eventually attend Massachusetts School of Law in Andover where she will earn her juris doctorate.

A native of Ipswich, she earned her GED in 1990 and worked for a number of large companies and endured several layoffs before deciding to return to school.

“I was tired of getting laid off and I wanted a position that was fulfilling, interesting, and challenging,” she says. She found that, she says, in the paralegal program and has already secured a part-time job in a New Hampshire law office.

“I’m excited about sitting on the Board of Trustees. It allows me to be involved in the future of the school.”

Guernelli has also served in the NECC student senate and paralegal club.

Future Doctor is Student Commencement Speaker

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Is there such a thing as too much good news? With the accolades and scholarships she’s received lately, Shannon Sheltra could certainly be the judge of that and I think she’d tell you the answer is no.

Describing herself as “on cloud 9,” Sheltra was selected to represent the class of 2011 as this year’s student commencement speaker; received the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship, a national scholarship worth up to $60,000; was accepted to Tufts University’s biology-premed program; and was honored at the State House as one of the top graduates in the state, all in the past two weeks.

Sheltra will graduate with an associate degree in respiratory therapy on Saturday, May 21, and her ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatric pulmonologist.

A single parent of three, she came to Northern Essex looking for a way to support herself and her family. “I didn’t come to Northern Essex seeking self enrichment,” she says “I came here because I needed to pay the bills.”

Sheltra lived a life that many would call charmed until her partner and the father of her children died unexpectedly six years ago. Left alone with three young children to support, she struggled to hold onto the family horse farm, eventually losing it to foreclosure.

Lacking a college education and with few marketable skills, she came to NECC to find a new career. She selected respiratory care because of its promising job market and because she has struggled with asthma her entire life.

Sheltra excelled academically at Northern Essex—participating in the Honors Experience and Phi Theta Kappa—and immersed herself fully in the college experience. She is the founding president of the NECC Respiratory Care Club, a member of the Student Senate, and an NECC Presidential Student Ambassador.

After a year at the college, she began supporting her family by working as a respiratory therapist with a student license at Spaulding North Shore Hospital in Salem, a job which she plans to continue after sitting for her national board of respiratory care credentialing exams this summer.

Sheltra is deeply appreciative of all the opportunities she received at Northern Essex, where she discovered what she calls “a vehicle to a brand new life.” Her story is inspiring and is sure to be a highlight of this year’s commencement, which will be held beginning at 11 a.m. on the quadrangle on the Haverhill Campus.

Virtual System Helps Students Draw Blood

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Imagine learning and practicing drawing blood without touching a human. The students in Northern Essex Community College’s allied health programs are doing just that with the use of a Laerdal Virtual Phlebotomy System purchased with a grant from the Webster Family Fund through the Essex County Community Foundation.

Virtual Phlebotomy is a comprehensive, self-directed learning system for training phlebotomy from the novice to the expert level.

Bonnie Puosper of Newton, N.H., Danielle Salie of Amesbury, and Monica Hernandez of Lawrence watch fellow student Ercilia Abreu of Lawrence work the virtual phlebotomy machine.

Students practice drawing blood by inserting needles into a device that simulates what the patients would feel and what the students would experience when collecting blood specimens. The students can immediately review the results on the computer screen. The virtual patient’s actual response is dictated by the way the student handles the device. Responses can include bruising, bleeding, or vein collapse, providing students with a 3-D graphic virtual reality. The system offers different scenarios for patients of different ages. In addition, the virtual phlebotomy system tracks the learner’s progress and focuses on learning objectives.

This provides students with a virtual experience before progressing to practice on lab partners and real patients.

“From our previous work with experiential learning using simulators in our other labs, we know how much our students benefit from being able to use this type of technology while in a safe learning environment,” says Jackie Long-Goding, dean of health professions at NECC. “Their self-confidence soars and this carries over into their ability to function as competent, entry-level phlebotomists when they go to clinical. Patient care is enhanced. This is a goal not only for the college, but also our clinical agency educational partner as well.”

Northern Essex is committed to the success of every student. Allied Health programs at the college provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe, effective entry level practice in the medical field of their choice. In order to succeed, students need access to the best educational tools possible.

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Haverhill, MA 01830
978-556-3000

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Lawrence, MA 01840
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Melissa Bouse (She/Her)
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978-556-3869
mbouse@necc.mass.edu

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