2013 - Page 9 of 23

NECC Redesigns Its Art Program

August 14, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

Arts Students celebrate at the end of the spring semester

Northern Essex’s art program, which is already first-rate, will become even better this fall after undergoing a major redesign.

Art students will now major in General Studies: Art with a choice of four focus areas including fine arts, visual communication (formerly graphic design), multimedia and, for the first time, photography. Students will be required to take 25 credits in a mix of any of the focus areas along with the foundational art courses.

In the past the college offered General Studies degrees in visual arts and multi-media and degrees in graphic design and illustration.

“We redesigned the program for our students,” said Shar Wolff, assistant dean of technology, arts and professional studies. “This new curriculum will make it easier for them to transfer. Another benefit is that they will graduate with fully developed portfolios which is the standard when looking for jobs.”

As a result of the redesign, the college has hired its first full-time multimedia faculty member, added new courses to the curriculum, and purchased new equipment and software.

Brian Knoth, NECC’s new full-time multimedia faculty member

New multimedia faculty member Brian Matthew Knoth has a master’s in Media Arts from Emerson College and a Master’s and Ph.D. from Brown University. In the past he has taught at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Bridgewater State University, and Emerson College. At Northern Essex, he will be teaching new multimedia courses such as video, motion graphics, and advanced image editing.

New courses that have been added to the curriculum and will be taught by members of the art faculty include video, typography, studio lighting, digital imaging II, 3D modeling and rendering, and motion graphics.

A third MAC lab was added on the Haverhill Campus and these labs will be equipped with industry standard software such as Maya, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Creative Suite as well as professional series inkjet printers. The college has also purchased new equipment including video and digital cameras.

“We’ve been working hard on these changes for the past couple years, and we’re very excited about the end results,” said Wolff. “We’ve strengthened our traditional art programs—such as fine arts, drawing and painting—and added exciting new options in new media.”

For more information, contact Wolff at swolff@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3863.

Local Residents Named Presidential Scholars at NECC

August 14, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

President Lane Glenn and this year’s Presidential Scholars

Fifteen local 2013 high school graduates have been accepted to the Presidential Scholars Program at Northern Essex Community College.

In its 14th year, the Presidential Scholars Program is designed to attract motivated high school students to Northern Essex. Students are selected based on their high school academic record and recommendations from high school guidance counselors and teachers.

“Our Presidential Scholars Program targets academically motivated high school graduates who have decided to start their college education at Northern Essex,” said Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex. “Most plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after getting an associate’s degree from Northern Essex.”

This year’s Presidential Scholars include:

Amesbury
Jessica McDermit, Amesbury High School, General Studies; Health

Andover
Solymar Velez, Greater Lawrence Technical High School

Georgetown
Paul D’eon, Georgetown High School, Criminal Justice

Groveland
Marguerite Fijux, Pentucket Regional High School, Liberal Arts

Haverhill
Shannon Corcoran, Haverhill High School, Lab Science
Stephanie Cordeiro, Haverhill High School, Criminal Justice
Nicholas Pham, Haverhill High School, Criminal Justice
Courtney McLaughlin, Whittier Regional Vocational Tech, Early Childhood Education
Kiana Rivera, Whittier Regional Vocational Tech, General Studies; Art

Lawrence
Edna Colon, Lawrence High School, General Studies: Health
Jonathan Hernandez, Lawrence High School, Liberal Arts
Eva Reynoso, Lawrence High School, General Studies: Health

Methuen
Kathryn Gagnon, Methuen High School, Liberal Arts
James Nicosia, Methuen High School, Business Transfer

Salisbury
Alaina Marino, Triton Regional High School, Liberal Arts: History

In addition to the honor of being named to this selective program, students receive a $1,000 scholarship from the college. Presidential Scholars are also paired with an administrator from the college who serves as a mentor, and are encouraged to participate in a variety of enrichment programs offered at Northern Essex, including the Student Leadership Development Program, the Student Ambassador Program, and the college’s Honors Experience.

To be eligible, students must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average in high school and be nominated by a high school guidance counselor, teacher, or principal. Each must plan to earn an associate’s degree at Northern Essex before transferring to a four-year Massachusetts state college or university.

For more information on the NECC Presidential Scholars Program, contact the Office of the Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management, 978 738-7497 or mespaillat@necc.mass.edu.

Collaboration Makes Student Workshops Accessible

August 13, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

All Northern Essex Community College students will now have easy access to improved and expanded college and career readiness workshops, thanks to a recent collaboration between several NECC departments.

A variety of workshops, from resume writing to a business etiquette dinner, will be hosted each semester by different NECC departments including Learning Accommodations, the Student Leadership Development Program, the Student Success Center, and the Career Planning and Advising Center.

“Our goal was to avoid duplicating efforts with workshop offerings,”” says Ashley Bragger, Staff Associate in Career Preparation, who has helped to facilitate the collaboration. “We wanted to ensure that all students had access to the necessary resources they would need to ensure their success in college and their careers. The group also wanted to make sure students knew where to go to find information about and to sign-up for college offered workshops.”

While departments will continue to offer their own workshops, the information available to students will now be centralized. Students will now be able to easily access the workshop information and registration through the Student Services and Career Services section of the NECC website.

“We are very excited about this collaboration and about being able to better serve our students. We specifically scheduled our workshops at more convenient times like noon to 1 and 3 to 5, in order to encourage students to remain on campus in between classes, creating a more enriching college experience,” says Bragger.

In addition to some of the excellent workshops already in place such as Stress and Time Management, Speaking Skills, and StrengthsQuest, we will be offering new workshops, such as Using Social Media in Your Job Search and Dress for Success.

“We are hoping this collaboration and new system will create momentum and we will build on that,” says Bragger.

Honors Program Grows at NECC

August 13, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

Zach Rice

At nearly 15 years old, the Honors Experience, which is the honors program at Northern Essex Community College, has hit its stride with more students enrolling in honors classes and graduating from the honors program than ever before.

This past spring a dozen NECC graduates completed the honors program, which according to English Professor Ginger Hurajt, coordinator of the honors program, is double the graduates from previous years.

“This is good news,” she says. “The program can never be too big.”

Zach Rice of Derry, NH is one of the students who graduated from the Honors Experience this past May. A 2000 graduate of Shrewsbury High School, he enrolled at Northern Essex for re-training after an injury forced him to make a career change. While he was admittedly a less than serious student in high school, he discovered that he “loved learning” at Northern Essex.

Rice is transferring to the University of New Hampshire this fall where he will study environmental science. Eventually he plans to work in water and soil management.

Some 85 students actively participated in honors program last academic year. NECC has stepped up its outreach to students through social media, personal letters, and encouraging honors students to present their honors projects so other students will be exposed to them.

In the coming semesters Northern Essex will be offering new honors courses such as Honors Humanities and honors sections of Abnormal Psychology and Introduction to Biology. Students must complete either two honors courses or complete an honors project in two regular courses. Students who opt for the honors project work with a faculty mentor. At the end of the semester, the student produces a 10-15-page paper; presents the project to the class, and participates in an Honors Poster Session. In addition, honors students must enroll in an honors colloquium course and earn at least a B. The spring 2014 colloquium will be “Blueprint for a Sustainable Life,” taught by Marcy Yeager.

Why should students consider taking honors courses or enrolling in the honors program?
“Without question, for scholarship,” says Hurajt. “Our honors students have historically received some terrific scholarships.”

These scholarships have come from both public and private schools, she notes.

The honors program is ideal for students who are independent learners, who have motivation and perseverance, as well as the passion to pursue an honors level project, says Hurajt. Some students, she says, do just one honors course or project without committing to the honors program. That course receives honors designation on the transcript.

Students in the Honors Program also participate in an Honors Community Service Learning Activity, and have volunteered for hospices, veterans centers and homeless shelters.

The Honors Experience is designed along the guidelines of the National Collegiate Honors Council and has full status as a Commonwealth Honors Program. This guarantees transfer to a Massachusetts four-year state college or university honors programs upon acceptance to that institution.

Students who complete all of the Honors Experience requirements receive special recognition at graduation and a Commonwealth Honors Scholar seal on their diploma.

Haverhill Campus Welcomes New Food Service

August 9, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

NexDine, a Massachusetts-based food service company, to provide all food services on the Haverhill Campus including catering

As of the start of the fall semester, Northern Essex Community College will have a new dining service on its Haverhill Campus.

The college has contracted with NexDine, a Massachusetts-based food service company, to provide all food services on the Haverhill Campus including catering, according to David Gingerella, vice president of administration and finance for the college.

“I’m excited about this new partnership,” said Gingerella. “NexDine is a local company with a proven track record. We’ve been talking to students and faculty and staff, and they’re looking for fresh, tasty food that’s affordable. We’re confident NexDine can deliver this.”

The fall semester will be a “transitional time”, according to Gingerella. The former cafeteria, located in the Behrakis One Stop Student Center, is being renovated to house the bookstore so the new food service will prepare food off campus and deliver it daily to start.

During this transitional period, breakfast and lunch foods will be available in Jitters which is located in Room 107 in the Spurk Building and open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

Jitters will close Thursday, August 8 through the start of the fall semester for renovations. When it opens, it may have a new name, along with a new look and menu. While the space is being renovated, food and drinks will be available from the vending machines located in all buildings on the Haverhill Campus, except for the library.

Later in the semester, when renovations to the bookstore are completed, food will also be available in the bookstore, which will be located on the top floor of the Behrakis One Stop Student Center.

NexDine is currently providing food service to corporations, private schools, and colleges and universities throughout New England and PA.
“We’re looking forward to partnering with Northern Essex,” said David Lanci, NexDine’s chief executive officer. “We have a reputation for fresh, well prepared food which should be well received by the campus community.”

Alan Rowe, the district manager will oversee Northern Essex’s account for NexDine and Mike Adams will cover the college’s catering needs. Adams can be reached at madams@nexdine.com.

For more information, contact David Gingerella at dgingerella@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3924.

NECC Professor will Share How to Travel Internationally on a Budget

August 9, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

Marcy Yeager, coordinator of NECC's International Studies Program

Northern Essex Community College Professor Marcy Yeager has traveled to far-flung locations around the globe and during August she will share her travel trips at two free presentations at local libraries.

Yeager, who is coordinator of Northern Essex’s International Studies Program, believes that everyone can afford to travel, and she will share tips on how to see the most while spending the least.

Titled “International Travel: Jet Setting 101: You can see the world on a budget!”, her presentation will be held on August 20 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wilmington Memorial Library, 175 Middlesex Avenue and on August 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main Street.

A professor of Natural Sciences at Northern Essex since 2003, Yeager was named department chairperson shortly after joining the college. She served in this role until 2010.

Yeager celebrates her interest in the South American Rainforest by teaching a course there every other year. She has also volunteered on a small farm/ecotourism center in Ecuador during the summer. This summer, she led a group of NECC students on a study abroad trip in Belize.

Recognizing the importance of international study and travel in today’s world, Northern Essex’s study abroad program allows students to experience another language and culture while taking courses that fit into their curricula. Past programs have included studies in England, France, Ecuador, Spain, and others. For students not able to dedicate an entire semester abroad, Northern Essex also offers a short-term travel study program with trips approximately 10 days in length.

This presentation is part of the college’s speakers’ bureau which provides speakers free of charge to area nonprofits.

For more information visit the website https://www.necc.mass.edu/community-engagement/speakers-bureau/ or contact Ernie Greenslade, Marketing Communications, 978 556-3862 or egreenslade@necc.mass.edu.
For more information on the presentation at the Haverhill Public Library, call Sarah at 978 373-1586 or smoser@mvlc.org; for the Wilmington Memorial Library, call 978 658-2967.

Free GED Prep Class Offered at NECC

August 7, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

Northern Essex Community College is offering a free GED prep class for students who are planning to take the GED in the spring of 2014. The accelerated program is funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The course will be offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6 to 9:15 p.m., running Sept. 5, 2013 until May of 2014.

In addition to focusing on the academic skills needed to successfully pass the GED, the course will include education and career advising for students who are interested in pursuing their education after completion of the GED certificate.

Those interested are invited to register on Monday, August 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at NECC Riverwalk, Building 9, Entry K, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence. RSVP’s are required.

For additional information or to rsvp for the registration, contact Lynn Ricketts at 978-659-1272 or mricketts@necc.mass.edu

NECC Offered Plaistow Man Everything He was Looking for in a College

August 5, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

David graduated in May 2013 with an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering Science with a focus on Environmental Engineering.

Price, curriculum, and transferability were all equally important to David Bowie when he was considering which college to attend. He found all three at Northern Essex.

The 2007 Timberlane High School graduate knew in high school that he wanted to study environmental engineering since he was strong in both math and science. While he was initially attracted by NECC’s affordability, he also wanted to maximize his time and earn credits that would transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.

“I liked the transfer agreements Northern Essex had in place,” says the Plaistow, New Hampshire resident. “I also really liked the curriculum. It gave me everything I needed to transfer and took care of a lot of the expense. Money was a top issue for me. For the price … the experience you get at NECC is great.”

The nurturing environment he found at Northern Essex was a bonus, he said.

“The professors and instructors are not just passionate about the subjects they teach,” he said. “They are also passionate about getting their students to understand what they teach.”

David graduated in May 2013 with an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering Science with a focus on Environmental Engineering.

While a student, he tutored in the NECC math center. He was dual enrolled at NECC and UMass Lowell before he enrolled full time in UMass Lowell’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences Degree program. He was pleased to learn he was able to transfer more than 60 NECC credits toward his bachelor’s degree. Eventually, he will pursue a master’s, but for now he is hoping for a career in environmental management.

First Class Graduates from CNC Machine Operator Program

August 5, 2013/in Archive/by Angela Tournas

Eight Local Residents are Ready for New Careers in Machining

Graduate Do Brach of Lawrence, MA with Bill Heineman, NECC vice president of academic affairs on the left and Mike Munday, CEO of Arwood Machine Corporation on the right. Munday was the guest speaker at the graduation and he has already hired Brach in his company’s engineering department. A mechanical engineer, Brach speaks three languages including English, Khmer, and French.

On Tuesday, July 30, eight local career changers graduated from Northern Essex Community College’s CNC machine operator certificate preparation program, ready for new careers in manufacturing.

The diverse group of graduates included a former member of the Russian navy who has been working as a cabinetmaker, a financier with a bachelor’s degree, and a mechanical engineer who speaks three languages.

This is the second class to graduate from the program which was launched in January of 2012 in partnership with Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School. The program was created to meet employer demand for individuals who are trained to operate computer numeric controlled (CNC) machines which are used to produce metal parts with high precision.

Michael J. Munday, CEO of Arwood Machine Corporation in Newburyport, a graduate of Northern Essex, was the guest graduation speaker. Munday shared the great need for skilled employees in these fields and outlined the many career opportunities that are available. “There are careers available in the machine shop, administration, accounting, purchasing, human resources, planning, and production,” he said. “Many positions are open. We need to find qualified candidates or we will miss the opportunity to recover the economy.”
Munday has already hired Do Brach of Lawrence, MA, one of the graduates, and he hopes to hire more in the future.

George Moriarty, Northern Essex’s executive director for workforce development and corporate relations, thanked the many local partners who helped make this program a success, including Whittier, the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board, ValleyWorks Career Center, and local employers; instructor Joe Barrett; and, most importantly, the graduates. He also recognized Greater Lawrence Technical School which partnered with the college on the first session of the program.

The eight graduates of the Computer Operator Certificate Program with Joe Barrett, instructor (far left), Bill Heineman, NECC vice president of academic affairs (third from right), and guest speaker Mike Munday, CEO of Arwood Machine Corporation (far right).

“After decades of decline, manufacturing is enjoying a significant rebound in Massachusetts and across the nation,” Moriarty said. “Low-paying factory jobs have been replaced by careers… careers with competitive wages in advanced manufacturing fields such as semi-conductors, aerospace, plastics production, and medical equipment.”

Students in the program took classes in foundation studies and in theory and applications at NECC Riverwalk, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, and received hands-on machining training at Whittier. They learned to program and operate machines, perform basic assembly, and inspect finished products.

A new CNC Machine Operator Program will begin in September. Those interested are invited to contact Renee Deyermond, rdeyermond@necc.mass.edu or 978 659-1223.

Graduates included:
Bradford
Jason Coppola

Georgetown
Victor Pankov

Groveland
Brian Parks

Lawrence
Do Brach

Lowell
Brian Austin
Pien Le

Methuen
Brian Pekarski

Milton, NH
Ben Macedo

New Dean of Professional Development Joins NECC

August 1, 2013/in Archive/by Ellen Small-Davis

NECC Dean of Professional Development

Don’t ask Linda Meccouri to recount a favorite quote, because as a self-professed quoteaholic she has many – all of which have a commonality – positivity.

Positivity is just one of the countless attributes Meccouri, who holds a PhD in Instructional Technology and Multicultural Teacher Education, carries into her new role as dean of professional development at Northern Essex. She officially took up residence in C206 August 1.

Meccouri comes to Northern Essex from Springfield Technical Community College where she served as professional development coordinator. Previously she was a professor and chair of the computer science and information systems department at Holyoke Community College.

“I come with fresh eyes, an optimistic spirit, and good work ethic,” says the Roxbury native. “…and I was gifted with energy.”

The first in her family to graduate from both high school and college, Linda does not shy away from her street-smart pedigree. Time spent in foster homes gave her friends she calls family as well as the desire to improve her situation through education.

After earning a Master’s degree from Antioch College, she drew on her roots and worked as a community organizer. A colleague recognized Meccouri’s quick, analytical mind and suggested she pursue advanced study in programming. She did and it changed her life. She briefly worked as a programmer analyst and trainer in a large corporation, and was lured to a one-year position teaching at the college level.

“I fell for teaching,” she says. “Teaching is sacred to me. I have enjoyed a rich teaching career.”

For 25 years she trained her energy on teaching, learning, and student development in the under graduate and graduate classroom. After years in front of the class, it felt fitting for Meccouri to segue into professional development and impart her “servant leader philosophy”. Once in, Meccouri fully embraced professional development and enjoyed years working with faculty and staff at STCC and HCC.

It was no coincidence, she says, that several years ago her path and Judith Kamber’s path bisected. Kamber, NECC’s past dean of professional development, was host of the Community College Leadership Academy (CCLA). Meccouri was charged with creating a professional development center. She spoke with Kamber on several occasions taking from those conversations a core idea.

“NECC’s program just made the most sense. I admired the way the college thinks about its faculty and its staff,” she said. “I used Northern Essex as a model to design the professional development center and programs at STCC.”

Meccouri says she felt guided, as she often does, to apply for the NECC position.

“I wasn’t looking to move, but when I read the job description, I could not resist. For me this was a dream job.”

The open forum with NECC staff and faculty reaffirmed this.

“I felt like these could be my people, just like the faculty and staff I have worked with,” she says.

A fan and facilitator of Appreciative Inquiry and Strengths Quest, Meccouri says connectedness is her top strength.

“My wish and my hope is that through connectedness and collaboration Northern Essex continues to serve as a model for others,” she says. “In professional development I never get bored seeing the strengths of others. I’m always enthused to hear other people’s ideas. I love to see the best in people.”

Her own professional best, she says, is her work with faculty and staff creating and facilitating programs that connect them to each other as well as their “own best selves”.

Her personal best, she says, without question has been raising three sons to become “exceptional, compassionate, good men”.

Meccouri looks for the good and finds it in programs and people. Her personal mantra is “presume goodwill”.

“I will work with the college’s goal of expanding the culture of learning across the campus,” she says. “I want to be aware of and sustain all the good work here, and add to that.”

A jazz singer in her younger days, Meccouri is a Latin dancer, especially Salsa (a holdover from her youth). She carries a Superman lunch bag, complete with miniature cape, and proudly describes herself as a “geek at heart”. “I love gadgets as long as they serve me,” she says.

Her favorite apps are Honk, Google Maps, and Evernote and she admits to “living in the cloud”. Meccouri is also a raconteur who can easily shift from tech talk to a tale of King Tiberius to illustrate a point.

But truly, it is helping to facilitate learning that makes her happy.

“When people learn…that is most exciting,” she says.