2017 - Page 22 of 24

Dental Assisting Students “Give Kids a Smile” at Free Event

February 14, 2017/in Archive/by review

Dental patient Gustavo Rocha sits in a chair, giving the thumbs-up sign, while Dr. Bridget Ko and NECC student Rosa Livingston stand off to the left.

Dr. Bridget Ko and patient Gustavo Rocha, of Haverhill, with NECC student Rosa Livingston (back).

On Friday, Feb. 3, Northern Essex Community College dental assisting students helped practitioners from the Merrimack Valley District Dental Society provide local children with free dental exams and fluoride treatments at the college’s Lawrence campus.

The event served as just one example of Northern Essex’s participation in the ADA Foundation‘s “Give Kids a Smile” volunteer initiative. It was organized on behalf of the MVDDS by Dr. Michael Chow, a pediatric dentist with practices in Methuen and Nashua, N.H.

Give Kids A Smile is an annual volunteer program that provides free educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families. Last year, they worked together to provide care to more than 300,000 kids. For more information, visit the official website.

From left to right: Dr. Bridget Ko, NECC dental assisting students Nichole Butzien, Nick Eugenio, Elda Salazar, Chantelle Garcia, Jorge Urena, Karina Peralta, Rosa Livingston, Payton Smith, Dr. Denise Chow and NECC student Devin Groark. Seated: NECC faculty: Donna Marquis, Kerin Hamidiani, Dental Assisting Program.

NECC offers a certificate in dental assisting that provides students with the knowledge and practical skills required to work as an entry-level dental assistant. Throughout the program, they participate in classroom study, laboratory practice and clinical experience that prepares them to take the Certification for Dental Assistants examination sponsored by the Dental Assisting National Board.

HHS Students Recognized for Early College Participation

February 14, 2017/in Archive/by Alexis Fontaine

Isabella Callahan, who leaves NECC’s Early College Program with 40 credits, gives her mom a hug following the recognition awards ceremony.

THIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON PRIVATE AT THE STUDENTS REQUEST:

When Haverhill High School (HHS) senior Isabella Callahan enrolls in UMass Lowell’s honors engineering program next fall she will take 40 Northern Essex Community College credits with her.

Callahan is one of 28 HHS seniors who enrolled in the Early College Program, a partnership between NECC and area high schools that provides students with the opportunity to complete general education college courses and receive both high school and college credit. A recognition ceremony honoring the students was held February, 8, in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill campus.

Collectively, the 28 students’ credits totaled 721 college credits, said Noemi Custodia-Lora, director of the Lawrence campus and community relations, which translates into more than $1 million in private school tuition. “That’s a lot of money to save,” she said.

HHS senior Owen Bourdon is congratulated by NECC President Lane Glenn.

HHS Principal Beth Kitsos praised the students saying they are a strong group of “high achieving” students. “I’m so incredibly proud of each and every one of these students for their commitment to the program.”

She credited NECC President Lane Glenn with being a driving force behind the Early College Program.

NECC President Lane Glenn said he asked several of the Early College students if they had a career direction. “The range of answers was fascinating,” he said. “From Brian who wants to study political science, to Jonathan and Ben who want to earn marketing degrees…to John who wants to study physics and has already picked out his dorm room at UMass Lowell… and what about Isabella Callahan who has 40 credits? Wow. Just wow.”

Haverhill superintendent James Scully congratulated the students on having the “courage” to enroll in college classes as high school students. “The extra classes will put you ahead of the game. Thank you for representing Haverhill High as well as you have.”

Dad Paul Smith with son Joshua Smith, the evening’s student speaker with mom Lisa Smith.,

“Busy and rigorous” that’s how NECC Professor Jon Mangion described the program as he recalled some of the lighter moments in the classroom.

Student speaker Joshua Smith said his experience with Early College influenced him in numerous ways and that he walks away with many memories. He reminded his fellow students, “As a class we are the face of Early College.”

This was the first time the recognition celebration was held on the NECC campus.

Light refreshments were served.

While previous Early College participants took classes at HHS, in the future students will attend classes

Isabella Callahan and fellow Early College student Michael Schroeder take a selfie.

on Northern Essex’s Haverhill campus. This will allow the students the opportunity to experience the campus and participate in the college’s clubs, and use the gym and library, according to Custodia-Lora.

“I wish you all great success,” she told them.

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.

Accounting Alumna Returns to NECC as Financial Officer

February 14, 2017/in Archive/by Ellen Small-Davis

Michelle Tremblay

What do The Boston Ballet, the Trustees of Reservations, and Northern Essex Community College have in common?

Well, the question is really who do they have in common and that would be Michelle Tremblay, NECC’s new controller/director of budgets, a 1987 graduate of the college.

The Groveland resident, spent the last decade as the chief finance officer/director of finance for the two powerhouse nonprofits before settling in to her new role at Northern Essex.

A 1984 graduate of Pentucket High School, Tremblay is not new to the campus. She earned her associate degree in business transfer with a focus on accounting before going to work for New England Telephone. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in accounting as an evening student at Franklin Pierce College. That led to a 14-year career with the Verizon Yellow Pages. Later, she worked at Hasbro Interactive and Lawrence General Hospital before heading to Boston as the controller for the Boston Ballet.

While working to make the Boston Ballet financially sound was personally fulfilling, Tremblay eventually found the long commute and even longer hours took away valuable time from being a wife and mom to four and step-mom to three. So, after six years she headed to Beverly to work for the Trustees of Reservations. After just three years, the Trustees pulled up stakes and relocated to Boston and Tremblay decided to leave rather than take on that commute again.

“By then I had decided I would like to get into the field of education,” she says. “I was working as a contractor when I saw the posting for the job here.”

She didn’t hesitate to apply.

“This is such a great institution. It has such an important mission and I’m privileged to help support that mission. The school has always meant so much to me and my family.”

Her connections to the school run deep. Tremblay’s sister, mother, and daughter all earned their associate degrees from Northern Essex and she has two more daughters interested in attending.

In addition to reporting where an organization has been fiscally, Tremblay says, she enjoys the challenge of “redirecting expenses” to “generate money” for the college.

“I look for ideas to support the organization as a whole to make it financially strong,” she says. “We work with all of the departments to accomplish this…we don’t exist in a silo. We are here to support each other in order to grow this amazing college.”

Respiratory Care Students “Fight for Air” to Raise Money for American Lung Association

February 7, 2017/in Archive/by review

Five NECC respiratory care students participated in the Fight for Air Climb. From left to right: Ryan Wiggins, Zachary Quigley, Andrew Milton, Scott McCully and Courtney Webb.

Five students from Northern Essex Community College’s respiratory care program recently participated in the Fight for Air Climb, helping to raise awareness and critical funding for the American Lung Association. Their challenge: to race up the 789 stairs at One Boston Place in downtown Boston as fast as possible.

The students were split into teams by class. The “NECC Respiratory Freshmen” team consisted of Courtney Webb of Woburn, Mass.; Scott McCully of Sandown, N.H.; and Ryan Wiggins of Bedford, N.H.; while the “NECC Respiratory Seniors” team was made up of Andrew Milton of Salisbury, Mass. and Zachary Quigley of Kingston, N.H.

Quigley’s time was the second-fastest out of all 1,326 participants; the 27-year-old man climbed the hundreds of stairs in just 5 minutes and 17 seconds. Overall, the two Northern Essex teams raised a total of $1,307.

Donations are still being accepted on the teams’ individual pages, linked above. Donors can gift any amount from $5 upward, and all proceeds benefit the mission of the American Lung Association.

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.

For more information, visit the website or contact Program Director Jennifer Jackson-Stevens at (978) 655-5893 or jjacksonstevens@necc.mass.edu.

Early Registration Proves Profitable for Two NECC Students

February 2, 2017/in Archive/by review

Caitlin Miracle holds the $250 gift card she won for registering for classes early.

Two Northern Essex Community College students took advantage of early registration in November and were rewarded for their efforts.

Caitlin Miracle, a graphic design major, registered for her spring classes early (before November 21, 2016) and in doing so became the happy recipient of a $250 gift card to the NECC Bookstore.

Stephanie Santiago, who is pursuing a career in nursing, also registered early and won a free four-credit class from Enrollment Services.

Miracle, a 20-year-old Merrimac resident was prompted to enroll early hoping she could enroll in the classes that would work around her work schedule at Newton Greenhouse in Newton, NH.

Alexis Fishbone, NECC director of financial aid, and early registration winner Stephanie Santiago.

“I knew that the sooner I registered the better,” she said. “I would be able to register for better classes and create a better schedule. I will definitely be spending the bookstore gift card on items I will need for my classes.”

For Santiago, she was encouraged by her English professor to register early for similar reasons. “

The 19-year-old North Chelmsford needed to arrange her classes around her work schedule at Mary Immaculate Nursing Home.

This initiative was introduced by enrollment services to encourage NECC students to register early. Students who registered prior to November 21, 2016, were entered in a drawing to win a free course or $250 gift card to the NECC bookstore.

New Director Selected for Gallaudet University Regional Center at NECC

February 2, 2017/in Archive/by review

Todd Higgins is the new director of the Gallaudet University Regional Center at NECC.

Northern Essex Community College is pleased to announce that Todd Higgins has been named director of the Gallaudet University Regional Center (GURC)-East Region, which is located at Northern Essex.

Established in 1980, the GURC at NECC addresses the educational, transition, and professional development needs of deaf and hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

The Gallaudet University Regional Centers share Gallaudet University’s undergraduate and graduate programs and Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center’s primary and secondary education resources and expertise through training programs, workshops and conferences, youth programs, technical assistance, and consultation.

Higgins most recently served as a deaf community advisor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and has extensive experience working with individuals with a wide spectrum of disabilities. He also spent a decade working as a deaf and hard of hearing specialist and outreach coordinator at San Francisco State University, and prior to that was a deaf and hard of hearing consultant for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability. He has been an advocate for accessibility and championed the rights of people with disabilities for 20 years.

Higgins’s appointment was jointly announced on February 2, 2017 by Dr. William Heineman, NECC vice president of academic and student affairs, and Lisa Jacobs, director of the Office of National Outreach at Gallaudet University. The Office of National Outreach oversees the regional centers. Higgins will begin his work at NECC on February 21.

“Todd Higgins is a passionate advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing community and his many years of experience in advocacy and outreach will greatly help us in our mission of sharing resources with thousands of people across the country’s eastern region,” said Jacobs. “Gallaudet University is thrilled to welcome him and we look forward to his leadership of the regional center.”

“I am truly honored and excited about joining one of the longest-serving Gallaudet University Regional Centers in the nation and continuing the extraordinary work for which the Center is known,” said Higgins. “I look forward to building on many of the existing partnerships that the Center has developed over the years, as well as creating new ones, as we all work together to meet the educational, transition, and professional needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, their families, and the professionals who work with them.”

“Northern Essex Community College values its partnership with Gallaudet University and is proud to host the East Regional Center. We are extremely excited to welcome Todd Higgins to his new role as Director of the Center and begin work with him as he starts to write a new chapter in its history,” said Dr. Heineman.

Higgins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from Miami University in Ohio and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from San Francisco State University, where he also worked and received awards for academic excellence and achievement.

Gallaudet University opened its Regional Center on the campus of Northern Essex Community College in June 1980. One of four regional centers across the United States, its primary mission is to provide and foster educational opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children, youth, and adults in the eastern and mid-Atlantic regions – Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares its graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world.

For more information, visit the website or contact Phone: 978-556-3701; Fax: 978-556-3703, Video Phone: 978-241-7417, email, gurc.necc@gallaudet.edu

NECC Employees Honored for Work

February 1, 2017/in Archive/by review

NECC President Lane Glenn recently congratulated NECC’s 2017 first quarter employee recognition winners Deb LaValley, Cheryl Tine, and Tim Godzik.

Three Northern Essex Community College employees, Timothy Godzik of Danvers, Cheryl Tine of Groveland, and Deb LaValley of Amesbury, recently received the Employee Recognition Award for the first quarter of 2017.

The Employee Recognition Award recognizes the many and varied contributions of the college’s nearly 700 employees. Employees are selected each quarter based on recommendations from supervisors and co-workers. Recipients receive a $150 certificate to the restaurant or mall of his or her choice.

Godzik, who has worked at Northern Essex for two years, most recently as a store keeper in the campus operations and procurement department, was nominated by Deb LaValley, an administrative assistant in the Office of Student Success & Support Services. The nomination was supported by Sharon McManus, staff assistant in the center for professional development; and Opportunity Works employees Jamie Nadeau, Project SEARCH manager; and Megan Stone, Project SEARCH campus coordinator. NECC is a host site for Project SEARCH, an internship program for adults with cognitive disabilities.

LaValley wrote, “Tim always goes above and beyond to aid and assist not only employees, but our students. Tim sets the bar high when it comes to work standards. He always goes about his day with a friendly, cooperative courteous manner. Tim’s way of working with Project Search Students is so amazing. He always makes the student feel as a big part of the campus… In a world that can be so complex, it is so refreshing to see the kindness that exudes from Tim to others in a consistent way, every day.”

McManus concurred writing, “Tim works with our developmentally challenged workers through Project SEARCH with a patient and kind demeanor. He is encouraging and thoughtful.”

Godzik earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Westfield State University in 2002.

For more than nine years Tine has worked at Northern Essex in a variety of roles most recently as associate director of enrollment services.

Tine was nominated by several co-workers including Alexis Fishbone, NECC director of financial aid, who wrote in her nomination, “Cheryl is someone who neither seeks out nor boasts about the amazing work she does ensuring that all of our students feel welcomed at the college. She oversees one of the busiest areas of the college, our Welcome Express and Processing Centers…She is the unsung hero who when she gets another responsibility or process to oversee just makes it work. Most staff and faculty never see what goes into making someone a student here at the college, but she deftly handles all of the processes and ensures the smoothest possible course for our students and alumni.”

Her nomination was supported by Deb Naudzunas, statistician III in the Registrar’s Office, and Jill Palermo, administrative assistant in Enrollment Services.

Tine holds an associate degree from Mount Ida College.

Dr. Dawna M. Perez, dean of student success, nominated LaValley praising her work ethic. “… She is steadfast, reliable, and creative in her work. She will offer to help with any task whether within her department, on a committee on which she sits, or to help put together a college-wide event. And when she offers to help, you know you’re getting 100* from her—not just as a pair of hands, but someone who really thinks through the process, offers ideas and delivers on every promise. Deb is also quick with a smile, an ear for understanding, and supports our staff and students as if they were her own family… Without Deb, I couldn’t manage the juggling of so many projects, appointments, events and meetings—she is one step ahead…Deb is a consummate professional …She “presumes good will” in others, and projects good will on a daily basis.”

LaValley received a total of five nominations for the award. Noreen Fantasia, administrative assistant in the Career Connections & Internship Program; Ashley Moore, director of career and experiential education; Janel D’Agata-Lynch, civic engagement/service learning coordinator; and McManus all supported her nomination.

LaValley attended Burdett Business School. She completed NECC’s Leadership Academy in 2015.

For the last 18 years she has served on the Amesbury School Committee.

Chemistry Professor Shares Benefits of Chocolate this Valentine’s Season at Local Libraries

February 1, 2017/in Archive/by review

Dr. Mike Cross, chemistry professor

There’s little doubt that chocolate is a delicious treat and typically seen as a guilty pleasure but did you know that chocolate can also be healthy?

According to Professor of Chemistry Mike Cross at the Northern Essex Community College (NECC) in Haverhill and Lawrence, MA chocolate might just be the “perfect indulgence.”

With high quality versions of chocolate carrying over 500+ natural chemicals and more antioxidants then a bowl of blueberries … chocolate can increase feelings of well-being, reduce high blood pressure, relax blood vessels and more, says Cross.

In a presentation called “Chocolate, The Perfect Indulgence,” Professor Cross will share his knowledge as both a chemist and a passionate lover of chocolate with audiences throughout the area this Valentine’s Day season. Presentations are scheduled at libraries in Auburn, NH and Littleton, MA.

Cross holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Utah where he specialized in oxidative lesions in DNA and RNA. His presentation is part of NECC’s Speakers’ Bureau. For more information on the college’s Speakers’ Bureau visit, www.necc.mass.edu/speakers-bureau, call 978 556-3862 or email speakersbureau@necc.mass.edu.

NECC Professor Mike Cross will present Chocolate: The Secret Indulgence on the following dates:

Wed, Feb. 1, 7 pm

Griffin Free Public Library, 22 Hooksett Rd, Auburn, NH

Chocolate: The Secret Indulgence

Learn more.

Free and open to the public.

603 483-5374

Thur., Feb. 9, 7 pm.

Reuben Hoar Library, 41 Shattuck St, Littleton, MA

Chocolate: The Secret Indulgence

Learn more.

Free and open to the public.

978 540-2600

NH Meteorologist to Speak at NECC’s STEM Speakers Series

January 31, 2017/in Archive/by review

New Hampshire meteorologist Ryan Breton will speak at the next NECC STEM Speakers Series lecture.

Weather is so much more than just the forecast.

Atkinson native and New Hampshire meteorologist Ryan Breton will discuss why he was attracted to the field and how it relates to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields during Northern Essex Community College’s February 17th STEM Speakers Series lecture titled “Beyond the Forecast: Using STEM in the Real World” .

This event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at noon on Friday, February 17, in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill campus.

NECC’s STEM Speaker’s Series, designed to introduce a wide range of STEM topics to the general public, is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education’s STEM Starter Academy, which is an initiative of the 15 Massachusetts community colleges to inform, engage, recruit, retain, and graduate more students in science, technology, engineering, and math, through STEM Pathway programs leading to job placement or transfer to university STEM programs.

Breton is currently employed as a meteorologist at NH1 News. He has had a fascination with New England weather for as long as he can remember. In 2006, Breton developed a local weather website to hone his forecasting skills and gained a loyal following in the Merrimack Valley.

Breton graduated with a meteorology degree from Pennsylvania State University, where he was president of the Campus Weather Service and part of WPSU-TV’s Emmy award-winning Centre County Report. He earned several awards at Penn State, including the award for outstanding achievement in broadcast meteorology and the prestigious GEMS Diamond Award for leadership and service. He interned for two summers with the weather team at WCVB-TV in Boston. In addition to his on-air duties, Ryan develops weather content for NH1.com and shares his passion for weather with local groups and schools.

With more than 300,000 STEM jobs expected in Massachusetts by 2018, Northern Essex is preparing tomorrow’s STEM workers with more than 40 STEM programs including biology, computer aided drafting, computer & information sciences, electronic equipment technology, engineering, health, lab science, medical laboratory technology, and physical sciences.

Lawrence Students are Off to College, While Still in High School

January 30, 2017/in Archive/by review

LHS Juniors Jennifer Lantigua and Stevenson Theosmy are taking college level STEM courses at NECC.

After their high school day is over, a group of ambitious Lawrence students will now be going to college, taking one or two STEM (science, technology, engineering and math courses) on the Lawrence campus of Northern Essex Community College in the late afternoon.

This new partnership between Lawrence Public Schools and Northern Essex was made possible by grants from the Commonwealth Dual Enrollment and the STEM Starter Academy programs. The grants will cover tuition and fees, books, transportation, snacks, and the use of graphing calculators for the 35 students, most of whom are juniors.

Jennifer Lantigua, a junior, is taking Human Nutrition and Quantitative Reasoning this semester, and when asked if she’s looking forward to the opportunity, she says “Of course!”

Lantigua, who aspires to be a pediatrician, hopes success in her college coursework will increase her high school GPA and also help her get ahead. Planning for the future, she says her “career will last a lot of years” so she wants to be sure she works hard and makes the right choices.

Stevenson Theosmy, also a junior, is taking precalculus. He’s interested in studying mechanical engineering in college and says the college credit “will help me when I’m applying to colleges.”

Loris Toribio, Lawrence High School’s early college coordinator, agrees there are many benefits for high school students who earn college credits, especially students who visit a college campus to take courses. “Research shows that students who go to a college campus do better, meaning they’re more successful in their college class and more likely to attend college after high school,” she says. “That’s why we decided to offer these courses at Northern Essex where student can experience all the perks from the café to tutoring.”

Students can also save money, she adds, since these courses will transfer to two and four-year colleges.

NECC Professor Habib Maagoul (center) with students Stevenson Theosmy, Lesley Garcia, David Vinas, and Jaritza Paulino. All are enrolled in Professor Maagoul’s PreCalculus course.

While this program was available to all Lawrence High School students, those accepted were required to take an assessment test.

“The students have different academic backgrounds and not all are necessarily at the top of their class,” says Toribio. “One thing that they have in common is that they want to challenge themselves and save money and time as they prepare to go to college.”

Since this is a pilot program, students will be carefully tracked to determine how well they are doing as compared to how they have done in the past.

In addition to the courses on the Lawrence Campus, Northern Essex is offering two college courses on site at Lawrence High School: English 101 and Medical Terminology. In total, 66 Lawrence students are 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.