Five Northern Essex Community College Promise Program students attended Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s State of the Commonwealth address Tuesday night at the Massachusetts State House.

The group broke into smiles when the Governor introduced them during his remarks.  Talking about education reform, Baker highlighted successful initiatives such as “gifted and talented programs, acceleration academies, parental outreach, applied learning opportunities, longer school days, and early college programs” that have “helped students find their footing.”

Speaking of Lawrence’s Early College partnerships, Baker said “Dozens earned full scholarships at area colleges.  Joining us today are 11 of them, 6 from Merrimack College and 5 from Northern Essex Community College.”

The students attended the annual event, which was televised, and were seated in the visitors’ gallery with Massachusetts State Education Commissioner Jeff Riley, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, and Lawrence Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Paris.

The Lawrence High School (LHS) alumni participated in NECC’s Early College Program while attending LHS. They are all now enrolled at NECC under the Promise Program, which supports Early College students who attend NECC after graduating from high school to pursue a degree or certificate.

The NECC students were Kirmy Ramos – Computer Information Sciences:Transfer Option, Tayraingely Santiago – criminal justice, Alex Suarez – medical assisting, Estebanya Gonzalez – general studies art & design, and Tehanny Lemma – general studies individualized option.

Baker encouraged them to stand and be recognized. He congratulated them on their achievements and wished them the best on continuing their education. They received a strong ovation from legislators.

Three Northern Essex Community College employees, Sharon McManus of Danvers, Martha Bixby of Merrimac, and Patricia Portanova of Newburyport, recently received the Employee Recognition Award for the final quarter of 2019.

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.

Bixby, an academic advisor was nominated by Stephanie Wares, NECC’s director of the Student Success Hub who praised her saying “She is humble and is always willing to come in early and stay late.” Her nomination was supported by colleague Mike Rideout, transfer advisor,  who wrote, “ Martha is always friendly, cooperative, supportive, thoughtful, and professional…she is an unsung hero.” Vanessa Desani, academic advisor and community referral counselor, and Jayne Ducharme, academic advising coordinator, also supported the nomination.

An alumna of NECC, Bixby has worked at the college, in different positions, for 11 years. She earned two Associate of Science degrees from NECC in Computer Information Sciences: Computer Operations and Accounting. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Business Administration, and a graduate certificate in human resource management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Portanova, holds several positions including associate professor of English, coordinator of liberal arts, coordinator of liberal arts: writing option, and faculty lead for the Center for Liberal Arts. She has taught at NECC for more than five years.

She was nominated by Janel D’Agata-Lynch, coordinator civic engagement, service-learning & community resources, who wrote,  “She has been a constant support and encouragement to the Office of Civic Engagement and Service Learning, working in and out of the classroom to expand civic inquiry and engagement opportunities for students.” The nomination was supported by Paula Richards, coordinator of the service-learning faculty fellows program, and Janice Rogers, associate dean liberal arts and student success hub.

Portanova earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Art in English Literature: Concentration in Creative Writing from  Bridgewater State College and a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of New Hampshire.

McManus, who has worked at NECC for five years, was nominated by Ashley Moore, director of academic, career, and civic engagement, who praised her for, among other things, “her consistently high on-the-job performance…she is also an excellent team player and she is committed to going the extra mile to make sure the work gets done.”

Her nomination was supported by Kim Burns, dean of academic innovations and professional development, Kathleen Bartolini, adjunct faculty, human services, Kelly Saretsky, dean of institutional research and planning.

McManus earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish from the University of New Hampshire, a Master of Higher Education in Leadership from Merrimack College, and is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach.

 

He may have only been in the 4th grade when a teacher noticed and encouraged his artistic talent, but right then Kelvin Sabando decided what he wanted to be when he grew up – an artist.

He didn’t know it then, but Northern Essex would help him get there.

Now, at 19 years-old Sabando is an artist and come May, he will graduate with his associate degree in General Studies: Art & Design.

Sabando remembers his teacher telling him, “Project your art to as many people as you can. You have a gift that I would love to see blossom.” Those were words for Sabando to live by.

Years later as a sophomore at Lawrence High School an Accuplacer Test identified him as a candidate for Northern Essex’s Early College Program, which allows high school students, as early as sophomore year, to enroll in college classes. After completing Early College, Sabando was eligible to continue at NECC through the Promise Program, which funds Early College students to complete the degrees they started.

When Sabando told his mom that his NECC degree would be funded through the Promise Program, she “burst into tears” and told him what he already knew – that he would be saving thousands of dollars while earning an associate degree.

By the fall of 2020, the South Lawrence resident, whose current medium of choice is water colors, hopes to be enrolled in a bachelor’s program. While he initially thought he would apply to Wentworth Institute or Massachusetts College of Art, he now says he has developed the confidence to dream bigger and apply to schools in New York City.

An unexpected yet positive consequence of participating in the Early College and Promise Programs is that he is now exploring participating in NECC’s International Study Abroad short-course program to Italy this spring. During the three-week program, he will attend NECC classes in the morning and take classes at the Florence University of the Arts in the afternoon.

What has he learned as a result of his experiences?

“You definitely have to stay on your game when you take classes through Early College. Don’t over stress if you are feeling overwhelmed. Take a break, but then get right back at it.”

When Kelvin isn’t in class or studying, he can be found at Salvatore’s Restaurant where he works 20 hours a week. In addition, he was just hired at Marshall’s working no less than 18 hours a week.

In his free time he hopes the train to Boston and explores the city’s museums.

One day Sabando hopes to channel his creativity working as an interior designer.

Northern Essex Department of Art & Design offers many courses in fine art and design leading to an Associate Degree in General Studies: Art & Design.

Northern Essex Community College’s athletic department has announced the 2020 induction class for the Athletics Hall of Fame. This is the second class since the creation of the Hall of Fame last year.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill campus. The event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30 and are available until March 20.

The 2020 induction class again includes one team and one individual. The 2000-01 Women’s Basketball team, which captured the Region 21 Championship and National Semi-Finalist, will be honored along with former men’s basketball coach the late Mike Rowinski who will be inducted posthumously.

This NECC women’s team was one of the most accomplished women’s teams in the college’s history, the 2000-01 women’s basketball team captured the Region 21 championship and advanced to the national semi-finals with an overall record of 24-10, including a national quarterfinal victory over top seeded Fulton-Montgomery. Coached by Andrew Pittington the team was led by Glenda Cancel, Jessica Hamilton and the Hamblet sisters Lyndsey and Tricia who all averaged double figures in points per game throughout the season. Cancel was named the Region 21 Tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Hamilton and Tricia Hamblet following the team’s 76-47 victory over Springfield Tech in the regional final. Members of the team included Jamie (Potter) Pierce, Jalbert Parker, Lyndsey Hamblet, Tricia (Hamblet) Markey, Jessica Hamilton, Glenda Cancel, Bonnie Ciampa, Carolyn Dunn, Tenia Caldwell, and Lisa Lariviere.

A Haverhill High School alumnus and 1981 graduate of NECC with a degree in criminal justice, Rowinski was a men’s basketball student-athlete. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose University in Iowa.

He is fondly remembered as “Coach” he amassed a record of 227-70 in 13 seasons serving as the men’s basketball coach, while also doubling as the college’s baseball coach in the spring season.

His reach extended far beyond the campus as he contributed to various youth and high school programs in the region. Following his time at NECC, Rowinski moved to Michigan where he captured a state baseball championship at Harper Woods High School. He would return to the region and coach the Georgetown High boys basketball program for eight seasons prior to his passing where he recorded a 95-79 record. Today, four area high schools (Georgetown, Newburyport, Amesbury and Triton) remember Rowinski’s legacy each December with the Rowinski Boys’ Basketball Tournament.

For more information on the Hall of Fame and induction ceremony, please contact NECC Director of Athletics Dan Blair at dblair@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3820. Registration and tickets are available online .

Northern Essex Community College competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sponsors 12 varsity intercollegiate sports including baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s soccer, Esports and men’s and women’s track and field. For more information on Northern Essex Community College Athletics please visit the official website of Northern Essex Athletics.