2020 - Page 3 of 17

NECC Selected to Partner with the US Navy

November 4, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

four sailors stand on a ship looking at a flag.

The US Navy has selected NECC as a potential partner to provide educational programs.

Northern Essex Community College (Haverhill and Lawrence, MA) has been selected as one of 119 community colleges throughout the country to partner with the United States Navy in establishing the United States Naval Community College (USNCC).

According to information released by the U.S. Naval Services, the USNCC was created as a result of a survey that found that the talent and intellectual potential of America’s enlisted sailors and marines was not being fully utilized.

A request for proposals was shared nationally and 250 colleges responded, including Northern Essex.

The Navy was looking for accredited colleges that offered programs providing in-demand skills such as computer science, cyber security, engineering, business, and organizational leadership. They also wanted flexible delivery options, ensuring courses were accessible to a global workforce.

“This is an endorsement of our cutting-edge programs and our strong online options,” said Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex. “As the son of a career Marine, I am excited that Northern Essex will be able to play a role in strengthening the skills of our military.”

Now that the colleges have been selected, the Navy is requesting more detailed information. The next step will be to begin procuring services for education and training.

Plans are to launch the USNCC in January, 2021 with a pilot group of approximately 500 sailors and Marines. The program is expected to grow each year reaching full-scale operations of up to 25,000 students in January 2023.

“While it remains to be seen how significant this partnership will be for the college, we are pleased that the US Navy recognized our high quality online courses and we welcome the opportunity to serve members of the Armed Forces,” said Bill Heineman, vice president of academic and student affairs.

Meeting the needs of veterans, service persons, and their family members has always been a priority at Northern Essex. More than 200 veterans or military-connected students are currently enrolled at the college, and the college has a Veterans Center, where student-veterans can learn about their benefits and access services such as advising.

Anyone with questions about the NECC Veterans Center, can visit the website or contact Kalyn Ryll, NECC’s veterans center director, kryll@necc.mass.edu.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.

NECC Hosts Screening of “No Small Matter”, Documentary on Early Childhood Education in the U.S.

October 30, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

Four babies are sitting on a cut out map of the United States.

NECC will host a free screening of a documentary on the state of early childhood education on Nov. 12.

Anyone interested in the state of early childhood education in our country, including educators, parents, and grandparents, is invited to join Northern Essex Community College for a free virtual screening of “No Small Matter”, the first feature documentary to explore this topic, on Thursday evening, Nov. 12, 2020 at 6 pm.

Following the 74-minute film, there will be a panel discussion featuring Samantha Aigner-Treworgy, commissioner, MA Department of Early Education and Care; Dr. Winifred Hagan, senior associate commissioner for strategic planning and public program approval, MA Department of Higher Education; Dr. Martha McNulty, director, child care services at Partners Healthcare; and Dr. Lane Glenn, president, Northern Essex Community College.

The event will also include recognition of Gail Feigenbaum, the longtime coordinator of Northern Essex’s Early Childhood Education Program, who recently retired.

Registration is required.

The film shares real stories from children, families and teachers, illustrating the impact of high-quality early childhood experiences.

It also gives a scientific perspective, including information from scientists, physicians, and early childhood education experts that will help viewers understand how a young child’s mind develops.

This event is sponsored by Northern Essex Community College’s Career Pathways in Early Childhood Education.

Northern Essex has academic programs that prepare students for careers as early childhood educators, elementary education teachers, and middle or high school teachers. To learn more, visit the website.

If you have questions about the event please contact Dr. Doris Buckley, Director of Early Childhood Career Pathways at Northern Essex Community College: dbuckley@necc.mass.edu.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.

Registration Opens for Spring Semester at NECC

October 29, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

Northern Essex Community College is currently registering new and returning students for the Spring 2021 semester, which begins Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.

Due to the pandemic, 90% of courses will be delivered online. Only those courses that require a face-to-face component—primarily Health and STEM courses—will be offered on campus.

In addition, Northern Essex is also currently registering for Winter Intersession courses, accelerated courses that are offered online Jan. 4 through 29.

Here’s where you can learn more about the college’s over 60 academic programs.

Here’s where you can search for courses.

Here’s where you can find out about the college’s many virtual admissions events.

For additional information on enrolling this spring, contact Enrollment Services, 978 556-3700 or admissions@necc.mass.edu

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.

NECC Expands Career Search Opportunities for Students and Alumni

October 28, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

Young woman with long brown hair sits in front of a computer.

Ashley Moore, director of career services, is excited to introduce Handshake, NECC’s new career network

In July, Northern Essex became the first community college in Massachusetts to adopt Handshake, a career network that is comprised of 500,000 employers, including all of the Fortune 500 companies.

Northern Essex students and alumni now have access to this expanding network of career opportunities, according to Ashley Moore, director of career services, who shared that four months after Handshake was launched, 882 employers had already connected with Northern Essex and there are 1,362 active job and internship postings available.

“Handshake is the top platform for recruiting at four-year colleges and universities,” said Moore. “They are expanding into the community college market and we are very excited about the benefits they can give our students and alumni as well as our local employers.”

Students and alumni are invited to activate or create a free profile, which will allow them to receive personalized recommendations for both jobs and internships, based on their major, interests and activity within the system. Employers will also be able to recruit students directly through the system. Since August, 618 NECC students and 30 alumni have activated their Handshake accounts and they are hoping to grow that to 2,000 by the end of the academic year.

When posting career opportunities, employers are asked to connect with the colleges they are targeting for approval to post jobs and events. “We are encouraging employers, especially those who are local to us to select NECC,” says Moore.

Other benefits of Handshake include the ability to schedule virtual career fairs. Last week, Northern Essex hosted a STEM Career Fair and four companies participated, including Pfizer. Coming up are a Business & Accounting Virtual Career Fair on Nov 4 from 10 am to noon and a Health Science Virtual Career Fair on November 10, 11 am to 1 pm.

While Northern Essex was the first Massachusetts community college to adopt Handshake, Cape Cod, Massasoit and Middlesex community colleges have since joined and others will soon be on board.

Northern Essex recently became the fiscal sponsor of a $44,693 grant from the Boston Foundation and SkillWorks, to lead the effort to implement Handshake at all Massachusetts community colleges.

“Up until now each community college has used a different career services management system or none at all,” said Moore, who is leading the grant project. “Once we are on the same system, we will be able to work more efficiently and collaboratively as a system, particularly with sharing events and career-related opportunities.”

Handshake was founded in 2013 by three students at Michigan State University, who discovered inequities in career opportunities for students and believed that software had the potential to bridge opportunity gaps for students across the country.

“This is all about equity,” said Moore. “Our community college students, many of whom are of color, low income, or nonnative English speakers, now have access to the same career opportunities that are presented to students at 4-year colleges and universities..”

To learn more about NECC Career Services or Handshake, contact Moore at amoore@necc.mass.edu.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu , call 978-556-3700, or email admissions@necc.mass.edu.

NECC’s New Student Trustee is a STEM major

October 27, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

portrait of young man wearing blue sport coat.

Tim Dodier, NECC’s new student trustee

Timothy Dodier, a physics and engineering major, who graduated from Salem (NH) High School in 2016, is the new student-elected representative on the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees.

Now living in Hampstead, NH, Dodier works full time at Resonetics in Nashua, NH to support himself while in college, but juggling work with his studies hasn’t stopped him from getting actively involved on campus. He was a member of the college’s basketball team last year; participates in the National Society of Leadership and Success, a student leadership program; is involved in the Student Government Association; and is a part of the PACE Program, a federal student support services program.

Dodier has excelled academically, maintaining a 3.6 GPA. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

In what may be an understatement, Dodier says he “likes to stay busy”. “Balance is not as hard when you enjoy what you are doing. I have also learned to budget and plan my time,” he explains.

He is planning to graduate in the spring of 2022 and will transfer to a four-year college or university.

As a member of the board of trustees, Dodier hopes “to help make sure student voices are heard.” He also wants to “help students and the college get through these strange times that COVID-19 has brought upon us.”

The NECC Board of Trustees includes nine members who are appointed by the governor of the state to a maximum of two five-year terms as well as an alumni-elected member, who also serves a maximum of ten years, and a student trustee who serves for two semesters. Dodier will serve as trustee through June 30, 2021.

In addition to Dodier’s election as student trustee, the following students were also elected to leadership positions in student government:

Lam Tien: President

Laboratory Science

Haverhill, MA

Erika Rivera: Vice President of the Lawrence Campus

Liberal Arts: Journalism/Communication

Lawrence, MA

Alyssa Piccolo: Secretary

Early Childhood Education

Tewksbury, MA

Zoey Lauria: Programming Chair of the Haverhill Campus

Biology

Danville, NH

Felipe Sencion: Programming Chair of the Lawrence Campus

Business Transfer

Lawrence, MA

Iseline Mendoza: Treasurer

Accounting

Lawrence, MA

Eli Abbott: Marketing & Communications Chair

Educational Studies

Newburyport, MA 01950

Sarah Rowell: Member at Large

General Studies: Health Specialization

North Billerica, MA 01862

Johanna Hernandez: Member at Large

Engineering Science

Lawrence, MA

The Student Government Association (or SGA) is an independent, student-run organization that represents student rights, interests, and concerns; it serves as the voice of NECC students. The SGA works to enhance communication and cooperation between students and the rest of the campus community. SGA strives to increase student awareness of the many organizations, activities, and opportunities available at NECC.

For more information, contact Stephanie Haskell, coordinator of student activities, shaskell@necc.mass.edu

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.

Board of Trustees Update: October, 2020

October 27, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

Sabbatical Update: Professor Diana Mele

Professor Diana Mele is a certified American Sign Language interpreter and a mental health counselor. During a sabbatical last year, she combined both disciplines, pursuing a project that she hopes will help improve access to mental health services for Deaf clients.

In her report to trustees, Mele said that many interpreters shy away from interpreting in a mental health setting, primarily because they don’t feel comfortable with the terminology. Also, many Deaf individuals are simply not aware of their right to mental health services, and don’t receive access when needed.

To address this, Mele spent her sabbatical developing visual training materials aimed at enhancing linguistic and clinical competency for sign language interpreters as well as making sure that Deaf individuals are aware of their patient rights.

Those materials have been shared with interpreter education programs, outpatient and inpatient programs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, residential schools for the Deaf, and on interpreter sites.

“We wanted to reach clients as well as interpreters,” Mele told trustees. “With the goal of better access to clinical care for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.”

Mele teaches in the American Sign Language Program and the Human Services Program.

Audit & Finance Report

Trustees would typically be approving the college’s supplemental budget in October, but not this year.

“Since the state hasn’t made its appropriation, we’re following the state’s lead and going month to month,” said Marianne Paley-Nadel, chair of the audit & finance committee.

Fall Enrollment Update

Northern Essex has 4715 students enrolled this fall, a 4.4% decline from last fall when 4,932 students were enrolled.

The good news is that Northern Essex’s decline was the lowest of any of the 28 public colleges in Massachusetts, according to NECC President Lane Glenn. “The average decline at community colleges was 15% and it was 10% at four-year state universities, so with a 4.4% decrease, we are doing better than most everyone.”

Jennifer Mezquita, assistant vice president of enrollment services, who shared a report with trustees, said the biggest gains were with high school students who increased 42.6% from 392 last year to 559 this year. “We are expecting those numbers to grow,” said Mezquita.

Other trends included:

· New students (who had never attended college in the past) dropped 4.8% from 872 to 830

· Continuing students dropped 4.5% from 2543 to 2429

· Stop-ins (students who had attended Northern Essex in the past but not the semester before) decreased 11.2% from 664 to 589

The category of students hit the hardest were transfer-ins, students that transferred to Northern Essex from another college. That group decreased by 33% this year from 461 to 308.

“Our concern is that nationwide, the students who are the most vulnerable are being the most impacted,” said Glenn. “If we don’t address this, we won’t have the skilled workers to fill jobs, and our economy will take a hit.”

Report of Administration

STEM Week

President Lane Glenn shared plans for STEM Week, Oct 19-23, including presentations, career panels, and a career fair.

Renovation of St. Ann’s Church

The college continues to partner with the city of Lawrence to explore the possibility of creating a community cultural center at the site of St. Anne’s Church and Parish Hall, a Catholic church on Haverhill St. in Lawrence, which has been empty for more than two decades.

Don Hirsch Design Studio, LLC, the firm hired to do a feasibility study for the project, is expected to release their report soon.

“This may be a good way to partner with the city and its art organizations, but we are waiting for the feasibility study before making any decisions,” said Glenn.

Paramount Properties, the current owners, wants to give the property to the city, and there are a few different ways Northern Essex could be involved, including operating the center.

New Peer Recovery Certificate is Approved

Trustees voted unanimously to approve a 16-credit Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate, which will prepare students to help people in recovery from mental health and/or addiction issues.

The program targets non-professionals who are themselves in sustained recovery and/or friends and family who have been impacted by these issues. As peer specialists, they will use self-disclosure to provide people with direct emotional support, aid in developing a recovery plan, and offer help in navigating the health system. A one-semester practicum experience is required.

The program is a collaboration between Northern Essex and the Northeast Independent Living Program, Inc. (NILP), which provides advocacy and services to people with disabilities who want to live independently in the community.

Now Available Fully Online, NECC’s Journalism/Communications Program has New Program Coordinator

October 21, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

Kimberley Lyng is the new coordinator for NECC’s Communications Journalism Program.

Our fast-moving, globally connected world needs clear communication and trusted journalism more than ever, and Northern Essex Community College is stepping up to meet that demand by dynamically growing and evolving its Journalism/Communication program.

Even the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t slowed down the program’s expansion, which includes three key components.

First, is the addition of Kimberley S. Lyng as program coordinator and adjunct instructor.

“I’ve been so impressed with her professionalism and enthusiasm…she has this multidimensional professional background in journalism,” says Amy Callahan, NECC’s dean of liberal arts. “She’s very compassionate, encouraging, and she knows how to translate her expertise into effective, engaging teaching.”

Lyng’s 15 years of journalism and communications experience spans print journalism, TV broadcasting and producing, and marketing and communications work. She’s built publications from the ground up as managing editor for Boston Metro newspapers and executive produced the morning and noon newscasts for WCVB in Boston, among other professional achievements

It’s that kind of vast, practical knowledge and hands-on experience that makes Lyng such a great addition at NECC, which emphasizes real-world, experiential learning and career training that ready graduates for their chosen fields.

“That connecting of the real-world experiences to what students are learning in their courses [and] applying them to these jobs? I’m a huge proponent of making that connection,” Lyng says.

In the future, she’d like the program to expand its internships and career panel discussions, and add courses in multimedia education, social media, and media literacy.

In addition, as of spring 2021, every Journalism/Communications class from NECC will be available both in person and online, allowing the college to offer the program 100% online.

While CARES Act funding made the online expansion possible, Callahan says the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the only reason students might prefer to learn online.

“It’s not only responding to the pandemic. We’re building for the future,” she says. “For some students it is the only option that makes sense for them, or it’s an option that would make this degree possible. There are a lot of people out there who cannot fit scheduled class times into their busy lives or careers.”

Students who want to take their education even further can do so thanks to Regis North, a Regis College extension campus located on the NECC Lawrence campus, where local students can get a marketing/communications bachelor’s degree from Regis without leaving the Merrimack Valley and with the bonus of a tuition break.

“The partnership with Regis offers an incredible deal that’s both affordable and close to home for NECC students,” Callahan says.

To learn more about NECC’s Journalism/Communications program visit the website or reach out to admissions@necc.mass.edu, 978 556-3700.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.

This story was written by Alex Pecci ’02.

Professor of English and ESL Receives NECC’s Social Justice Award

October 14, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

Man and woman holding award in academic regalia.

President Lane Glenn presented the college’s Social Justice Award to Paula Richards of Salisbury, professor of academic ESL and English, at the college’s virtual commencement ceremony for the class of 2020.

Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn presented the college’s Social Justice Award to Paula Richards of Salisbury, professor of academic ESL and English, at the college’s virtual commencement ceremony for the class of 2020.

Created last year, the award recognizes individuals, groups, departments, and initiatives that promote values such as a commitment to equity and diversity or the advancement of human rights and social justice. It comes with a cash prize of $1961—in honor of the year the college was founded—that the recipient can use to enhance social justice initiatives at the college.

Richards was nominated for the award by the college’s ESL faculty based on two initiatives she has led: the ESL Fusion Pathway for ESL learners and Service Learning.

The ESL Fusion Pathway, which Richards implemented at NECC based on a model created at the Community College of Baltimore County, gives English Language Learners the opportunity to progress in their education more quickly.

Up until the pathway was started in 2013, English Language Learners had to complete their Academic ESL courses before enrolling in English Composition I. With the new model, students can take their last ESL writing course concurrently with English Composition I, saving time and money.

Richards is also responsible for championing Service Learning at Northern Essex, which gives students the opportunity to participate in service projects that are connected to what they’re studying in the classroom.

In her ESL and linked ENG101 classrooms, students have collaboratively engaged in projects that address community needs, such as housing and food insecurity.

She says one of the most rewarding service learning projects was the biographical interviews her students conducted with seniors in assisted living facilities. “These interviews re-affirmed for them that this country is indeed a national of immigrants, and that they are not alone in this experience.”

After seeing how well these projects worked for her own students, Richards became a leading advocate for service-learning college-wide, developing a Blackboard training course for faculty.

In announcing the award, President Glenn said “Paula, because of your creativity in introducing new practices that promote equity and your commitment to engaging your students in service in their communities, it is my great pleasure to present you with the 2020 Northern Essex Community College Social Justice Award.”

Here’s a video of Richards accepting the award.

Richards joined the college as an adjunct faculty member in 2000 and has been a full-time faculty member since 2008.

NECC Welcomes New Director of Corporate & Community Education

October 13, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

Alex Rodriguez is NECC’s new director of corporate and community education.

Northern Essex Community College’s new Director of Corporate and Community Education, Alex Rodriguez of Melrose, Massachusetts, has experience as a business professor, economic development strategist, and marketer for software companies.

A Texas native, Rodriguez has been teaching strategy and marketing at local colleges, including Lesley University, UMass Boston, and Newbury College for the past seven years.

He previously worked for the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), a Boston economic development organization founded by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter that focuses on driving economic growth within distressed urban communities. At ICIC, Rodriguez ran the Inner City 100, the organization’s flagship program that recognizes the 100 fastest-growing inner city firms in the United States and provides them with the necessary management education resources to help their CEO’s continue to grow their firms. Under his leadership, Rodriguez consistently grew ICIC’s network of new firms and partner organizations to include Members of Congress, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, chambers of commerce, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

He also worked in various marketing and business development roles for software companies.

Rodriguez joined the college in September and will be responsible for leading and driving education and training programs for corporate and community audiences.

“Alex has the perfect combination of skills and experience,” says Allison Dolan-Wilson, Northern Essex’s vice president of institutional advancement. “He understands the academic environment and has worked very successfully with business and nonprofit partners to build workforce development training programs with results.”

Rodriguez says he is looking forward to bringing together his nonprofit, academic, and private sector experience in this new role. “I miss the hands-on experience of being a true practitioner and cannot wait to bring my background to augment the center’s profound strengths.”

His first step will be to work closely with employers and community leaders to assess the college’s current programs and make sure they’re meeting community needs.

“The goal is to leverage the college’s and local community’s natural assets to assist in creating truly equitable upward economic mobility for more local residents,” he says.

Rodriguez has a bachelor’s in political science and an MBA from Texas Christian University and is a candidate for a Doctorate in Business Administration specializing in higher education marketing and strategy at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. The son of an immigrant from Juarez, Mexico, Rodriguez says he “is a product of the Houston oil patch” as his grandfather worked in a Shell Oil refinery, and both his parents practiced law in the energy sector. Rodriguez moved to New England 12 years ago with his wife, Katie, a New Hampshire native. The couple has two children, Charlie, 5, and Sam, 2.

Learn more about NECC’s noncredit courses and programs

Contact Rodriguez at arodriguez@necc.mass.edu.

NECC’s Center for Corporate & Community Education offers noncredit business, professional, career, and personal development courses as well as professional certificates and computer training for individuals and companies looking for cutting-edge skills, by providing the training that is most needed in today’s workforce. For more information email noncredit@necc.mass.edu or call 978-659-1200 or visit us online

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website or call 978-556-3700.

NECC Celebrates STEM Week

October 8, 2020/in Archive/by Ernie Greenslade

NECC will celebrate STEM Week, Oct 19-23, with a series of events that celebrate STEM fields and careers.

Northern Essex Community College will join educators across the state to celebrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Week, October 19-23, 2020. The college is planning a series of events, most of which are free and open to the public.

Organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s nine Regional STEM Networks, STEM Week was created to get learners excited about STEM education and STEM careers. This year’s theme is “See Yourself in STEM”.

At Northern Essex, approximately 15 percent of students are enrolled in one of the college’s 15 STEM programs, which include biology, computer science, engineering, laboratory science, and chemistry, physics, and environmental science.

According to Carolyn Knoepfler, NECC’s dean of STEM, 17 percent of the total Massachusetts workforce or 600,000 people work in STEM occupations, and STEM jobs are expected to increase by 11.2 percent by 2026. “There are lots of opportunities in the STEM fields, especially for women who are now underrepresented,” said Knoepfler.

Northern Essex STEM Week events, all conducted virtually on Zoom, will include presentations on topics such as COVID-19, the science of bread making, biotechnology, and the field of marine biology and a STEM career panel discussion and career fair.

For more information or to receive Zoom links for any of these programs, please contact Knoepfler at cknoepfler@necc.mass.edu

Here’s a full list of events:

Presentation: The Latest on COVID-19

Tue, Oct. 20, 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Natural Science Professor Sarah Courchesne will share everything you need to know about the pandemic from her perspective as a scientist. Professor Courchesne has her doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tufts and she joined the faculty at Northern Essex in 2014, teaching chemistry and biology courses.

Career Panel: STEM Fields

Wed, Oct. 21, 12:30 to 1:30 pm

This panel of professionals with careers in STEM will showcase the many opportunities that are open to STEM graduates. The panel will include a doctor, the owner of a vineyard, an engineer, a business information security officer, the president of a networking company, and more. Panelists will also provide tips for students interested in getting a job in a STEM field.

Presentation: “This is What Happens When You Wait Too Long to Talk your Kid Out of Being a Marine Biologist”

Thur, Oct. 22, 1 to 2 pm

Dr. Alex Loureiro, director of Marine Environment and Biology at the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (AIGC), will talk about her career. In her role, she supports the IAGC’s mission to address critical scientific and policy issues related to noise in the marine environment and the impacts on marine life.

Presentation: A Window into Biotechnology

Thur., Oct. 22, 4:30 to 5:30 pm

Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, will share their research. Ultragenyx is committed to bringing products to the market for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare diseases, with a focus on genetic diseases. This presentation is sponsored by Middlesex Community College’s Biotech Learn and Earn Program.

Registration Link: Ultragenyx Virtual Visit

Career Fair: STEM Virtual Hiring Event

Thur., Oct. 22, 4 to 6 pm

This event is for NECC students and alumni only who are looking for full-time, part-time and internship opportunities in STEM fields.

Register here.

For more information, contact Noreen Fantasia, coordinator, Career Services, nfantasia@necc.mass.edu

Presentation: The Science of Bread

Fri, Oct. 23, 1 to 3 pm

Computer Science Professor Ethel Schuster will demonstrate how to make your own bread. The presentation will include a commentary on the science behind bread making, including yeast and gluten. A Colombian native, Professor Schuster has a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in computational linguistics and artificial intelligence.

To learn more about STEM Programs at Northern Essex Community College, visit the website or contact Dean Knoepfler, cknoepfler@necc.mass.edu.

Sabbatical Update: Professor Diana Mele

Audit & Finance Report

Fall Enrollment Update

Report of Administration

STEM Week

Renovation of St. Ann’s Church

New Peer Recovery Certificate is Approved

Presentation: The Latest on COVID-19

Career Panel: STEM Fields

Presentation: “This is What Happens When You Wait Too Long to Talk your Kid Out of Being a Marine Biologist”

Presentation: A Window into Biotechnology

Career Fair: STEM Virtual Hiring Event

Presentation: The Science of Bread

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