2017 - Page 14 of 24

Kingston, N.H. Resident Receives NECC Outstanding Student Award

June 5, 2017/in Archive/by andrea

NECC President Lane Glenn applauds Margaret Kostiew, who received the college’s Outstanding Student Award.

Margaret Kostiew, of Kingston, N.H., was named this year’s recipient of Northern Essex Community College’s Outstanding Student Award at the college’s Annual Awards Convocation ceremony on May 16. Selected by the NECC Alumni Association, the Outstanding Student Award recognizes the accomplishments of a graduating student who has achieved outstanding achievement, both scholastically and in service to the college or community.

In three years as a first-generation, non-traditional student at NECC, Kostiew earned five certificates along with her associate degree in computer and information sciences — all with a near-perfect cumulative GPA of 3.9. In addition, she’s been accepted to her top pick of transfer school, UMass Lowell, which has selected her to receive the highly-selective, $20,000-a-year Provost’s Scholarship.

Kostiew has also dedicated much of her time to her fellow learners, becoming a much-sought-after algebra tutor for CAEPP (Center for Adult Education Programs and Preparation) students.

“These adults are from different countries, and sometimes English isn’t their strong point,” she says. “I bring a level of patience to guiding their understanding with math … and it truly sets my soul alive when I see the ‘aha’ moment of comprehension in their faces.”

Northern Essex offers associate degrees in computer and information sciences, with concentrations in applications, computer science transfer and information technology. Students can also pursue certificates in computer networking, computer security, help desk and web design.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.

These AHS Seniors will Jump Start College

June 5, 2017/in Archive/by review

Nineteen Amesbury High School seniors who are graduating with at least 24 college credits from Northern Essex Community College were honored at an NECC/AHS Early College Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 25.

These students have been taking college courses since their sophomore year in high school, earning high school and college credits. Since the credits can be transferred to Northern Essex and other colleges and universities, most of the Early College students will be starting college in the fall as sophomores, including student speaker Andrea Stanley, who will enroll at Mt Ida College.

Stanley, who will study forensic science, compared the group to a family saying “We all faced challenges and struggled together.” She felt the program helped her academically. “I’m fairly certain that early college made all of us better students.”

Student Speaker Andrea Stanley (second from right) and her family.

Early College Programs are designed to raise college readiness skills and college completion rates, according to NECC President Lane Glenn. “We want to raise the bar for students who might not have college on their radar. The hope is that students who participate in the program will graduate from high school better prepared for college and will be more likely to attend college and graduate on time.”

AHS Principal Elizabeth McAndrews, provided history on the partnership, which was started in 2008 with the goal of untapping student potential. “We wanted students to believe they could succeed in a college environment,” she said. Early College graduates will attend a wide variety of colleges in the fall, according to McAndrews, ranging from small private colleges such as Merrimack to large public universities such as UMass Lowell.

In order to be accepted to the program, students must pass an assessment test that measures their aptitude for college work. They express interest in their freshman year and begin Early College classes as sophomores. Courses are taken as a group at the high school during their sophomore and junior years and then during their senior year they can choose courses offered online or on the college campus.

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony were: April Rivers, faculty speaker; Gary Reese, superintendent, Amesbury Public Schools; Euthemia Gilman, coordinator, K-12 partnerships, NECC; and Noemi Custodia Lora, vice president of the Lawrence Campus and community relations, NECC.

Amesbury High School students honored included Ray Arsenault, Lauren Byron, Andrew-Jason Carter, Aaron Cross. Hannah Fortier, Matthey Gaffey, David Grandmaison, Kayleigh Hooper, Sydney Knowlton, Kayla Mullins, Sydney Perkins, Zach Prentiss, Cameron Sanborn, Mariana Sanborn, Alexa Schlicher, Andrea Stanley, Benjamin Townsend, Ethan Vient, and Daniel Sylvester.

Northern Essex partners with many local high schools, offering programs which are designed to prepare students to succeed in college. In addition to Amesbury High School, Northern Essex has partnered with Amesbury High School, Haverhill High School, Lawrence High School, Methuen High School, Newburyport High School, Pentucket Regional High School; Triton Regional High School; Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School; Phoenix Academy, Lawrence; High School Learning Center, Lawrence; Notre Dame Cristo Rey, Lawrence; Sanborn Regional High School, and Timberlane Regional High School.

For more information on high school partnerships available through Northern Essex Community College, contact Adam Cutler, assistant director, secondary-postsecondary linkages, acutler@necc.mass.edu or 978 738-7546.

Community Leader in Respiratory Care Wins NECC Outstanding Alumni Award

June 5, 2017/in Archive/by review

NECC President Lane Glenn (left) and NECC Alumni Association Chairperson Bill Klueber (center) present Jason Moury with the college’s Outstanding Alumni Award.

Jason Moury, of Winchendon, Mass., was named this year’s recipient of Northern Essex Community College’s Outstanding Alumni Award at the college’s 55th annual Commencement Exercises on May 20. Selected by the NECC Alumni Association, the Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes an NECC graduate who has achieved career-related success, is active in the community and/or has exemplified active support for the college’s efforts.

Moury graduated from the respiratory care program in 2006, and he quickly began making waves in the field after taking his first job as a respiratory therapist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Within five years of his graduation, he became the lead respiratory therapist at HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster and was recruited to serve as an adjunct lab instructor at NECC. Since then, he’s become vice president of both the COPD Foundation in Miami, Fla., and of the Massachusetts Society for Respiratory Care.

The treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a central part of Moury’s career, and a crucial reason he was selected for the award. As one of the leading causes of death in the United States, largely due to its links with smoking, there is a large need for research and work related to its treatment in the country. Among other things, Moury has coordinated a nationwide public health campaign called “DRIVE4COPD,” written in several peer-related journals and was even appointed to the Massachusetts Special Commission for COPD by Governor Charlie Baker in 2015.

“Moury is the type of person who inspires us every day through his selfless devotion to helping others,” said Bill Klueber, chairperson of the NECC Alumni Association, who presented Moury with the award at the ceremony. “As a prominent leader in the field of respiratory care, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of those around him.”

NECC offers an associate degree in respiratory care which prepares students for practice at the therapist level, where they will work closely with physicians and nurses to diagnose lung and breathing disorders, and evaluate and treat patients to help them recover lung function. Graduates are prepared for the National Board of Respiratory Care credentialing exams, CRT and RRT, and for state licensure as a respiratory therapist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.

First Lawrence High School Early College Graduation is Held at NECC

May 30, 2017/in Archive/by review

Shown left to right in photo: State Representative Juana Matias , Noemi Custodia-Lora, VP of Lawrence Campus and Community Relations, NECC; Marielis Almanzar, Mary Njenga, Emely Gonzalez-Acosta, Madeline Morales, and Loris Toribio, Early College Coordinator, LHS.

Seven Lawrence High School seniors who are graduating from high school with college credits from Northern Essex Community College were recognized at the first Lawrence High School Early College Graduation Program on May 11.

The students are Madeline Morales, Mary Njenga, Jery Gonzalez, Emely Gonzalez-Acosta, Marielis Almanzar, Brittanie Ramirez,and Ivelise Bernabe.

Almanzar, the student speaker, came to Lawrence from the Dominican Republic three and a half years ago, speaking no English. She spent two years in the International Academy at Lawrence High School and then transferred to the Math, Science, and Technology Academy, and will graduate having successfully complete two college courses, First-year Seminar and Human Nutrition.

“If someone had told me three years ago on my first day of class at Lawrence High School that I was going to be here today giving a speech in English, I would have laughed at them,” she said. “Looking back I remember the moment I decided I was going to learn English and work hard so I could go to college, and be able to have the future that so many people don’t get the opportunity to have.”

Almanzar will attend Northern Essex Community College in the fall majoring in Liberal Arts: Psychology option with plans to transfer to UMass Boston or UMass Amherst after earning her associate degree.

“Taking college courses in high school, better prepared me to succeed in college,” she says. “This program has helped me understand responsibilities and how to be a college student.”

Student Speaker Marielis Almanzar and her parents Jose and Edilburga Almanzar and her nephew Dyland Alvarez.

Also speaking during the ceremony were Noemi Custodia-Lora, NECC’s vice president of the Lawrence campus and community relations, and Mike Fiato, headmaster of Lawrence High School.

Lawrence High School students were shuttled to NECC’s Haverhill Campus this spring for four college courses: Human Nutrition, Human Biology, PreCalculus, and Quantitative Reasoning. In addition to the courses taught on the Lawrence Campus, Northern Essex offered two college courses on site at Lawrence High School: English 101 and Medical Terminology. In total, 66 Lawrence students were dual enrolled this year, taking Northern Essex courses that offer high school and college credit.

Northern Essex partners with many local high schools, offering programs which are designed to prepare students to succeed in college. In addition to Lawrence High School, Northern Essex has partnered with Amesbury High School, Haverhill High School, Methuen High School, Newburyport High School, Pentucket Regional High School; Triton Regional High School; Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School; Phoenix Academy, Lawrence; High School Learning Center, Lawrence; Notre Dame Cristo Rey, Lawrence; Sanborn Regional High School, and Timberlane Regional High School.

For more information on high school partnerships available through Northern Essex Community College, contact Adam Cutler, assistant director, secondary-postsecondary linkages, acutler@necc.mass.edu or 978 738-7546.

NECC Awards Over 1,100 Certificates and Associate Degrees

May 22, 2017/in Archive/by andrea

After Matt Noyes (left in photo) delivered his commencement speech, NECC President Lane Glenn (right in photo) said “meteorologists and community college students need to be prepared for everything” which was the cue for those sitting on the platform stage to raise umbrellas and don sunglasses.

NBC Boston Chief Meteorologist Matt Noyes was the Northern Essex Community College Commencement Speaker on May 20, and many of the close to 1,000 graduates and their guests gave him credit for the perfect weather.

It was in the 60’s, sunny, and breezy all day Saturday, ideal for the commencement, which was held under a massive 3,000 person tent set up in the quadrangle on the college’s Haverhill Campus.

Noyes, a lifelong resident of Haverhill, spoke about authenticity and shared some of the challenges he’s faced in his life.

“My post-college story included gaining 60 pounds, a failed marriage by 32, moving back in with my Mom, getting 3 hours of sleep a night to be the parent I needed to be, and falling tens of thousands of dollars in to debt.”

“Now what if I told you about the other side of that? Hey folks, I lost 60 pounds then ran the Boston Marathon and raised $14,000 for kids with liver disease, I had an amazing son, met the woman of my dreams, I own a house in my lifelong hometown of Haverhill and I cherish every day?”

Noyes advised the graduates not to “bury the junk—and pretend it never happened.” “Your baggage, my baggage, all of our baggage—it’s an unavoidable tell-tale sign of a well-traveled life.”

Here is Noyes’ Speech.

Student Commencement Speaker Daniela Chavez-Hernandez and her two-year old daughter Brianna

Daniela Chavez-Hernandez of Dracut, who graduated with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education was the student commencement speaker. Chavez-Hernandez has an almost perfect 3.9 GPA and she has been accepted to Salem State and Tufts universities. The full-time preschool teacher in Lawrence and mother of a two-year daughter is currently weighing her options.

A Mexican immigrant, Chavez-Hernandez hoped to dispel some myths about immigrants with her speech by sharing her story of hard work and a commitment to higher education.

“In my opinion, what makes NECC a great institution, and is truly its biggest strength, is its diversity among students, professors, advisors, and administrative staff….I’m thankful to be part of a community working towards acceptance and understanding of differences, one that embraces what makes us unique.”

Here is Chavez-Hernandez’s Speech.

The commencement proceedings opened with the national anthem sung by NECC alumna Carli Hamilton of Plaistow, N.H., who is currently attending Berklee School of Music.

Alumnus Bill Klueber, who is chairperson of the NECC Alumni Association, presented the Outstanding Alumni Award to Jason Moury of Winchendon, a 2006 graduate of the college’s Respiratory Therapy Program who went on to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in public health.

Moury is now the vice president of operations management for the COPD Foundation, an organization with a mission of preventing and curing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and improving the lives of all people affected by COPD.

Jason Moury, right, received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Bill Klueber, center, president of the Alumni Association. NECC President Lane Glenn is on the left.

The Outstanding Alumni Award is presented annually to an NECC alumnus who has achieved success in his or her profession, is active in the community, or has continuously supported the college’s efforts.

For the first time this year, the college awarded an Honorary Associate Degree in Business to Terry Stubbs, CEO of ActivMed Practices & Research, Inc, a clinical research trial company, which has four locations in Methuen, Lawrence, Beverly, and Portsmouth, NH.

ActiveMed is in the top two percent of women owned companies in the United States. Stubbs, who has a certificate in medical transcription from Northern Essex, is partnering with the college on a clinical research coordinator advanced certificate program which is now accepting students for the fall semester. This program is designed to prepare students for high demand jobs in clinical research trials.

Emeritus status, which recognizes sustained excellence in performance, character, and meritorious service to the college, was presented by William Heineman, NECC vice president of academic and student affairs, to four recent retirees including Betsy Pardo of Boxford, Coordinator Emeritus of English as a Second Language; Nita Lamborghini of Winchester, Dean Emerita of Student Life; Tom Fallon of Newburyport, Dean Emeritus of Institutional Research & Planning; and Gail Stuart of Kittery, Maine, Coordinator Emerita of Library Services.

Floral arrangements were provided by Holland Flowers.

Musical selections were provided by members of the Stuart Highland pipe band.

HC Media live streamed the entire commencement ceremony so those not able to attend could watch.

Here is the 2017 Graduates List

NECC Computer Science Major Gets Internship Through Hack.Diversity Program

May 18, 2017/in Archive/by andrea

NECC computer science major Anthony Mirely received an internship at Boston company Vertex Pharmaceuticals through the selective Hack.Diversity program.

Northern Essex Community College computer science major Anthony Mirely was recently accepted into an internship through The New England Venture Capital Association’s Hack.Diversity program. The program aims to address the underrepresentation of blacks and Latinos in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields at Boston’s fastest-growing, most innovative companies. For his internship, the 30-year-old Lawrence resident will be working alongside the lead scientific analyst at a company called Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Though Hack.Diversity’s overall goal is to create a increase in minorities working for these companies, the process is very selective. Mirely is one of just 18 students selected for the organization’s 2017 cohort, which requires students to demonstrate both academic proficiency and boundless enthusiasm for their chosen field. That’s no problem for him, though: he’s been in love with the world of computers since long before he decided to pursue a career in it.

“I’ve always been very passionate about computers in general,” he says. “I knew this field was something I loved, but I actually decided to go to medical school back in the Dominican Republic. Once I came to the U.S., I decided to finally follow my passion.”

The very concept of the internship often languishes under old cliches about getting coffee for one’s superiors, but Hack.Diversity is committed to placing students in a setting where they can really make a difference. For his part, Mirely says he will be working with Vertex Pharmaceuticals on the analysis and release of medication used to treat cystic fibrosis — an interesting combination of his current career interest in computers and his past as a med student.

Mirely credits his professor and mentor, Ethel Schuster, for getting him started with the program — and says both her instruction, as well as his experience at NECC as a whole, was invaluable for learning how to solve the sort of problems required at a company like Vertex.

“The computer science program at NECC has been very on-point in teaching me real-world problem solving abilities,” he says. “It’s prepared me very well for just about any job in this field.”

Interested parties can check out Mirely’s profile as part of Hack.Diversity’s 2017 cohort on the program’s website at hackdiversity.com/anthony-mirely/.

Northern Essex offers associate degrees in computer and information sciences, with concentrations in applications, computer science transfer and information technology. Students can also pursue certificates in computer networking, computer security, help desk and web design.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.

First Group of Students Graduate from Regis Satellite Campus in Lawrence

May 17, 2017/in Archive/by review

NECC graduate Yanina Vasquez received her bachelor’s in public health from Regis earlier this month, having taken all of her bachelor’s courses on NECC’s Lawrence Campus. Yanina is shown with Antoinette Hays, president of Regis, and Noemi Custodia Lora, vice president of the Lawrence campus and community relations, NECC.

Regis, a leading Catholic university in Greater Boston, announced the first group of students have earned bachelor’s degrees from its satellite campus at Northern Essex Community College (NECC) in Lawrence. The students participated in commencement at the university’s main campus in Weston.

“These students represent our efforts to provide an educational ladder to reach better opportunities for them and their families,” said President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. “We’re thrilled with their achievements and look forward to seeing where their future endeavors take them.”

“The partnership between Northern Essex Community College and Regis has opened a new gateway for college success. Regis North offers residents of Lawrence a chance to obtain a four-year degree right here at home,” said Mayor Daniel Rivera. “I am excited for the first graduating class of Regis North and I congratulate the students on their academic success. I look forward to many more Regis North graduations and partnerships in the future.”

“Regis North has expanded higher educational options available in Lawrence and it’s also benefited our students and graduates, allowing them to continue their education close to home while working in their fields. We’re looking forward to working together with Regis to grow this program,” said NECC President Lane Glenn.

Yanina Vasquez of Lowell with the bachelor’s in public health she received from Regis while taking courses in Lawrence.

Yanina Vasquez earned an associate’s in radiologic technology from NECC and will graduate with a bachelor’s in public health from Regis. She plans to enter graduate school at Regis in the fall to earn her master’s in Health Administration. Originally from the Dominican Republic, her goal is to help the Spanish-speaking community through health care.

“Regis and NECC continue to provide crucial services to students who may not have access to higher education. I’m humbled and honored to receive a bachelor’s in public health from Regis and look forward to earning a master’s as well. As a mother, I understand the importance of health care to everyone, both young and old. With these two degrees, I’ll be able to achieve a lifelong dream of helping those in need in the Spanish-speaking community.”

In 2015, Regis opened its campus in Lawrence to bring new educational and professional opportunities in the high-demand health care industry to Lawrence and area residents. Students are required to earn an associate’s degree from NECC before admission to Regis.

Once enrolled at Regis, students are able to complete all of their required coursework at the satellite campus that is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Additionally, all students who receive their bachelor’s in nursing also receive a minor in public health, reflecting the university’s strong commitment to education in health care, not just for the individual but the entire community as well.

The university’s nursing program is one of only 19 in the country recognized as a Center for Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. In June 2016, the Nursing Schools Almanac named Regis one of the country’s top nursing schools.

To learn more about Regis North, visit the website.

ABOUT REGIS:

Regis is a leading Catholic university in greater Boston with over 1,900 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in the arts, sciences and health professions devoted to engage, serve and advance in a global community. With a strategic graduate focus on health care, Regis was recently named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League of Nursing for the third time. The intergenerational and multifaceted Weston campus includes a pre-school and a Life Long Learning program (LLARC) for senior adults with a passion for learning. Regis North, a satellite campus in Lawrence, Massachusetts, is an initiative of the Regis Institute of Advancing Studies (IAS) in partnership with Northern Essex Community College (NECC) and dedicated to bachelor’s degree completion in nursing, public health and other health sciences. Regis is also an Apple Distinguished School for 2016-2018. Visit Regis at www.regiscollege.edu.

ABOUT NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley.

The college offers 10 associate degrees and 13 certificates in high-demand health care fields, ranging from an associate degree in nursing to a certificate in sleep technology. For a full list of health care programs, visit the website: www.necc.mass.edu/healthprofessions.

NECC Art Professor Wins Two Awards at New England Book Show

May 15, 2017/in Archive/by review

Northern Essex Community College Professor and Accessible Media Specialist Lance Hidy, of Merrimac, received two awards for graphic design at the 2017 New England Book Show.

Northern Essex Community College Professor and Accessible Media Specialist Lance Hidy, of Merrimac, was recently recognized at the 2017 New England Book Show awards gala, which took place on May 9 at Symphony Hall in Boston. He won awards for his graphic design work on two books, taking home fourth place for “Heart of the Brush: The Splendor of East Asian Calligraphy” and second place for “A Plea for the Animals,” both published by Shambala Publications.

Both of Hidy’s awards, as well as excerpts from his winning works, were published in the New England Book Show’s catalog. Now in its 60th year, the New England Book Show recognizes outstanding work done by New England publishers, graphic designers and developers.

Hidy’s work also recently appeared in an article for quarterly magazine Letter Arts Review entitled “Letter Culture: The Enduring Influence of Lloyd Reynolds.” Reynolds, a former professor at Reed College, is notable for his contributions to academia on the subjects of calligraphy, graphic design and typography. As a former student of Reynolds — and one with the most complete surviving record of his lectures, to boot — Hidy was uniquely positioned to provide many illustrations for the article, which appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of the magazine.

Lance Hidy is a native of Portland, Ore. who got his start in design and illustration after graduating from Yale University and studying privately with the sculptor and printmaker Leonard Baskin. In 1969, he co-founded the company David R. Godine, Publisher and four years later established a design firm of his own. By the 1980s, Hidy had gained a strong reputation for his expertise in poster art and illustration, eventually serving as the art director of the Harvard Business Review and designing three U.S. postage stamps. Hidy currently teaches graphic design and is an accessible media specialist at Northern Essex Community College.

Northern Essex offers an associate degree in general studies: art that allows students the flexibility to explore and experience the breadth of the arts. Graduates of this program are able pursue many career paths, including photography, visual arts, graphic design and multimedia. Many students also transfer to four-year colleges and universities for the above fields.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.

Presidents Place in NECC Campus Classic

May 11, 2017/in Archive/by Kiley Broadhurst

James Mabry, president of Middlesex Community College, Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College, Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex Community College, and Nolan Atkins, interim president of Lyndon State College in Vermont, all ran in the NECC Campus Classic 5K on May 6.

There was friendly college rivalry at the Fifth Annual Northern Essex Community College Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, held on Saturday, May 6 on the college’s Haverhill Campus.

Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex, won third place in his age group; Nolan Atkins, interim president of Lyndon State College in Vermont, took home second place in his age group; and James Mabry, president of Middlesex Community College was second in his age group.

All presidents brought teams from their colleges to the race and they were joined by Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College, who drove a van of Berkshire falcons all the way from western Massachusetts.

Close to 300 runners, representing a wide variety of organizations and communities, registered for this year’s race.

Finishing first overall was Austin Thiele of Andover, MA, with a time of 17:39, followed closely by Samuel Flint of Methuen, 17:44, and NECC student Ruben Santa-Waldron of Haverhill, 17:45.

Men’s Winners (left to right) Austin Thiele of Andover, lst; Samuel Flint of Methuen, 2nd; and Ruben Santa-Waldron of Haverhill, 3rd with NECC President Lane Glenn.

Kate Gage of Danvers, MA, was the top female finisher with a time of 22:25. NECC staff member Lauren Lynch of Manchester, NH, 23:15, and Lisa Doucett of Lowell, 24:13, finished second and third respectively.

NECC President Lane Glenn said he was pleased to see so many teams participating. In addition to the runners from Berkshire and Middlesex community colleges and Lyndon State College in Vermont, other groups included the NECC Police Academy, the Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, the Merrimack Valley Striders, and the North Shore Striders.

The official teams weren’t the only ones sporting college apparel. Many of the individual runners showed their college pride by wearing running shirts and sweatshirts branded with the name of their alma mater.

Women’s winners (left to right) Kate Gage of Danvers, 1st; Lauren Lynch of Manchester, NH, 2nd, Lisa Doucett of Lowell, 3rd, and NECC President Lane Glenn.

The Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run is an annual college fundraising event held each spring along the Haverhill Campus USATF certified course. People of all ages and competitive levels, including novices and walkers, are encouraged to take part in this growing campus tradition. Proceeds benefit the NECC Annual Fund for student scholarships and academic programs.

Covanta, one of the world’s largest owners and operators of infrastructure for the conversion of waste to energy as well as other waste disposal and renewable energy production businesses, is the Gold Sponsor for this event.

Lindsay Graham, director scholarship, alumni & community relations, said she was pleased to see so many Northern Essex students running this year, and she credits the involvement of Amy Callahan’s Public Relations class. The class helped promote the race on campus and, as a result, the number of students running this year doubled.

She was also pleased with the new touch-a-truck addition this year. Children enjoyed exploring vehicles and equipment provided by Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Lawrence Police Department, Haverhill Fire Department, United States Air Force, Motion Media, and Mass State 911.

Here are photos and here is a full list of results.

For more information on the Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, contact Lindsay Graham, lgraham@necc.mass.edu.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.

NECC President Lane Glenn is Appointed to Statewide STEM Council

May 10, 2017/in Archive/by review

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito have appointed Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn, a resident of Amesbury, to the STEM Advisory Council, a statewide group that is expanding access to education in science, technology, engineering, and math for students across the Commonwealth.

The 29-member council includes leaders from business and industry, education, and government, and is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy III and Lt. Governor Polito. Glenn is the only community college representative on the council.

The council will focus on four areas: expanding work-based learning opportunities in STEM fields, developing and implementing Early College Career Pathways; broadening access to high-quality computer science and engineering education; and strengthening and aligning regional STEM networks.

Northern Essex’s engineering science and computer information science programs are among the college’s most popular programs, according to Glenn. “At a time when community colleges are experiencing declining enrollments, these programs are growing at Northern Essex.”

Enrollments in the college’s engineering science associate degree program grew close to 40 percent in the past five years, and the computer information systems transfer associate degree, which was offered for the first time in the fall of 2012, grew close to 25 percent in just one year from the fall of 2015 to the fall of 2016.

“It’s exciting because the number of students interested in our STEM programs is growing at the same time as demand for graduates with these skills,” said Glenn. “Still, there’s more that can be done.”

During the next decade, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology estimates that U.S. industries will need one million more STEM graduates than the system is expected to produce. Despite the need, the U.S. Department of Education estimates that just 1 in 6 high school seniors is proficient in math and interested in pursuing STEM higher education or careers.

“The STEM Advisory Council works to ensure all students are prepared to pursue post-secondary degrees or careers in STEM fields,” Secretary James Peyser, Executive Office of Education, said. “The members of the Council play a critical role in determining and advancing key initiatives focused on strengthening STEM education and helping to fill the skills gap in high-demand STEM careers.”

Dr. Lane A. Glenn has been president of Northern Essex Community College (NECC) since 2011.

He is focused on student success and passionate about finding ways to help students achieve their educational goals, especially students who are underprepared for college. In addition, he is a strong advocate for colleges and universities as engines of economic and workforce development—particularly in Massachusetts Gateway Cities.

Dr. Glenn has been responsible for significant expansion of NECC’s Lawrence campus, including the opening of the college’s new $27 million El Hefni Allied Health and Technology Center, NECC Riverwalk, iHealth@NECC, “The Hub,” and expansion of partnerships with area high schools, vocational schools, and four-year colleges and universities, such as Regis College, Lyndon State College, and UMass-Lowell, to expand educational opportunities in downtown Lawrence and Haverhill.

Dr. Glenn earned a Ph.D. from Michigan State University, a Master of Arts from Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern State University.

He is proud to say he got his start at a community college: Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.