Email List Signup
NECC News NECC.edu

NECC Welcomes New Director of Corporate & Community Education

/in /by

 

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 twelve years ago with his wife, Katie, a New Hampshire native. The couple has two children, Charlie, 5, and Sam, 2.

Salem Life: Company Run by NECC Alum is one of Fastest Growing in US, According to Inc. Magazine

/in /by
Young man wearing plaid shirt is smiling and looking at the camera.

Pedro Nunez, ’03, head of IT Management Solutions

By Alison Colby-Campbell
Salem Life Writer

A quiet business on Stiles Road recently made Inc. Magazine’s list of privately held U.S. businesses demonstrating exceptional growth since 2016.

IT Management Solutions (ITMS) was one of only 20 companies in New Hampshire to earn recognition on Inc. Magazine’s “Inc 5000 2020,” a list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America. ITMS, the only Salem-based company honored, grew 72% when comparing the company’s 2016 and 2019 percentage-revenue growth.

Pedro Nuñez, founder and CEO, said the company provides high-tech and cyber-security services for businesses.

“Tech is often ignored by companies, at least until there is a crisis. Business owners think of it as a burden rather than an asset. We make life simpler by simplifying tech, learning about our clients’ companies, and partnering with them long term so they know what they need,” he said.

Merrimack Valley customers include businesses such as ProfitKey International and O’Neill Dentistry, both in Salem, as well as Silverio Insurance, SDE Engineering and Pelham Building Supply, among others.

More recently, COVID-19 made technology impossible to ignore for many companies as they reconfigured business practices to allow employees to work from home, requiring better connectivity and heightened cyber security. ITMS stepped up to offer empathy and answers, and turned the calamity into an opportunity.

Recognizing the opportunities provided by obstacles is a way of life for Nuñez: “My mother said, ‘The world does not belong to cowards’ meaning there will always be challenges and I should meet them head-on.”

The mindset began when his mother moved the family from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey seeking a better life. Upon graduating from high school, Nuñez realized that the debt of college would be too great.

“I come from humble beginnings. I couldn’t put that burden on my mother, so I went to see an Army Reserve recruiter. He told me about their different occupational specialties, and I picked one that would have the best job potential when I left the military. I became a medic because I could work as an EMT or in a hospital when I left the Army and pursued more education,” he recalls.

Challenged by finances, he chose Northern Essex Community College because “between the GI Bill funding and a $5-an-hour job, I basically covered my costs. It’s a great school, and it’s all about the student body. They’re serious about teaching things students can use in their careers,” he said. “By chance, I took one of NECC’s elective courses called Networking 101 that got me into IT.”

“Like many of our students, Pedro arrived at Northern Essex unsure of what direction he would take with his education. It was here he discovered his knack for computers, which led to a degree in computer science. Pedro is now CEO of his own technology company, and we could not be prouder that he got his start at Northern Essex,” said NECC President Lane Glenn.

After earning his Cisco CCNA certification, an information technology certification from Cisco Systems, in 2004 Nuñez started his first IT business in the “break/fix mode.” Customers sought him out when something went awry with their computers. For four years, the company grew until the 2008 recession depleted 90% of his business. His health was deteriorating due to stress and 12-hour days. The business closed.

Nuñez regrouped and began a service company. He worked with companies to develop adaptable systems and protections for networks.

“I chose to locate my business in Salem because it is strategically positioned to help my business grow. It’s two minutes to Route 93 and seven minutes from Route 495. I can be in Boston, Worcester or Manchester, N.H., in minutes. Salem has easy access to all of New England. And the low taxes in New Hampshire are good for business.”

“The town is thrilled to have IT Management Solutions in Salem. They are a high-tech company providing important services to other business. We wish them continued growth and success,” said Town Planner Ross Moldoff.

While trying to build ITMS, Nuñez was faced with another challenge. He was having triplets. “I was the provider, I had $20 in the bank and triplets on the way. I was scared, but my mother told me not to worry, that my children are gifts from God and each will bring a blessing.”

With the birth of his children 10 years ago, his purpose in life became clear: “My purpose is to leave a legacy for my children and their children to live on so they will not experience the financial concerns that I had. I want to make sure there is no reason they can’t have an education. I am not spoiling my kids, just providing a sustainable lifestyle, and securing their future education. Most people don’t think about the future. They want everything right now, but to be successful you need to have clear long-term goals. I am also providing opportunities for my team. I enjoy making a positive impact on people’s lives.”

“Once I understood my purpose, the business took off and we had continued growth. Then the pandemic came. We initially lost $400,000 of business, but we looked for the opportunities to present themselves. We leveraged, bounced and pivoted. We doubled our marketing efforts, changed our messaging to address new pain points, and while up to 50% of our competitors chose not to advertise, we became more visible in a less cluttered market. In every crisis, there is an opportunity and we grabbed it by the horns. My mother took risks and struggled to make a better life for us. I owe it to her to achieve my goals that she made possible.”

Nuñez has more balance in his life due to his dedication to routine, he said. He designates time for work, self-improvement and business visioning. He shares his hobbies with his children and friends including cooking, fishing, mountain biking and racing cars. In the future, he would like to find ways to fill basic needs for people in the Dominican Republic and hopes to speak to high school students about making financial decisions that will bring them attainable business success.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from Oct. 23 to 27.

 

NECC’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program is One of the Top in the State

/in /by
LPN Student practices on training mannequin.

This LPN student is practicing in NECC’s clinical lab on the Lawrence campus.

Northern Essex Community College’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program has been ranked one of the top LPN programs in Massachusetts by PracticalNursing.org, a national nursing advocacy organization.

The rankings were based on graduate passing rates on the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) exam, which is used by state boards of nursing nationwide for testing proficiency and granting licensure.  Sixteen programs in Massachusetts were ranked, and Northern Essex received an overall score of 97.62 out of 100, ranking second and missing first place to Mass Bay Community College by just .22 points.

“This is such great news again for our students and the community which counts on Northern Essex for its LPN’s,” said Lisa Bass, coordinator of Northern Essex’s Practical Nursing Program.

LPN’s are in high demand in Massachusetts, due in part to the nationwide nursing shortage.  According to the PracticalNursing.org website, LPN’s earn an average hourly wage of $28.36 or an annual salary of approximately $58,990.

Northern Essex’s LPN Program is a 47-credit certificate program.  Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN and can also apply credits earned to NECC’s associate degree in nursing, which offers an advanced placement option for licensed practical nurses.  The program includes classroom study, lab practice, and a clinical experience.  LPN’s work for long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, home health care, rehabilitation centers, and more.

Bass attributes the college’s top ranking to high passing scores—the class of 2019 had a 100 percent passing rate on the national licensure exam—and the program’s well-equipped labs located in the El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center in Lawrence.

“I’m proud of our faculty and our students,” says Bass.  “They work very hard to succeed.”

To learn more, contact Lisa Bass, NECC’s Practical Nursing Program coordinator, at lbass@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.

With a Headstart on College, These Students Graduate Early and Debt-free

/in /by
Two young woman wearing NECC t-shirts in front of a colorful mural on the Lawrence Campus.

Nicole Affannato and Gladdys Jiminian will graduate with associate degrees for free, thanks to the Promise Program.

Eighteen recent Haverhill and Lawrence High School graduates, who are enrolled at Northern Essex Community College this fall, will earn their associate degrees for free, thanks to the Promise Program.

The program is open to Haverhill and Lawrence students who take Northern Essex Early College courses while in high school and decide to pursue an associate degree at Northern Essex after their high school graduation. All costs are covered including books and a laptop.

Haverhill High School’s Nicole Affannato, a Promise student, didn’t start Early College until she was a senior but she still earned 19 college credits while in high school, which will allow her to graduate a semester early with her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.

Since she took most of her gen ed classes in high school, Affannato says she was able to “jump right in” this fall, taking courses that will help her explore possible majors, like American Sign Language.

Affannato claims that she “stressed” about paying for college when she was a high school student. “It’s hard to believe this is really free college,” she said.

Gladdys Jiminian, a 2020 Lawrence High School grad, began taking Early College courses her junior year of high school. She started at Northern Essex this fall with a full year of college credits, which will help her fast track her Associate Degree in Biology.

Based on her experiences while in the Early College Program, she says she feels well-prepared for college. “I liked getting the real college experience. Now I feel like I know how to manage college.”

Jiminian plans to transfer for a bachelor’s in the biomedical field after graduating from Northern Essex. Her ultimate goal is to be a pediatrician; a dream she has had since she was a child.

This is the second year of the Promise Program, according to Marcy Yeager, executive director PK12 Partnerships and International Programs.

It was started to help more students access college and graduate, especially lower income students and students of color.

“The goal is to have students graduating with their associate degree a year early and debt-free,” said Yeager. “That way they can continue to build on the momentum of their Early College coursework and complete their degree.”

NECC’s Early College Program allows high school students to enroll in NECC classes as early as their sophomore year of high school. By the time they graduate from high school, they could earn up to 36 college credits, which is more than a full year of college credits.

The college is able to offer the Promise Program in part due to support from the Stevens Foundation and the Cummings Foundation, and is in the process of soliciting funds to provide funding for more students.

“We are working on building an endowment that will enable us to support students like Nicole and Gladdys for years to come,” said Allison Dolan-Wilson, vice president of institutional advancement.

Those interested in learning more about how they can support the program and make a meaningful impact on students, can contact Dolan-Wilson at adolanwilson@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3624.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Early College or Promise Programs, can contact 978 556-3332 or pk12@necc.mass.edu

Here is a full list of 2020 Haverhill and Lawrence high school graduates who are now  NECC Promise students.

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.

International Students at NECC Hail from 13 Countries

/in /by
portrait of a Knights basketball player

Ali Sarp Bulut is an international student at NECC who studies business and plays basketball.

Despite the challenges of new federal restrictions and a pandemic, Northern Essex is still attracting international students.

Last year, there were 19 international students enrolled at Northern Essex, and this year there are 16.

“A few of our students have deferred to the spring, and a couple weren’t able to enroll this fall,” said Maria Hernandez, Northern Essex’s international student advisor.

This year, Northern Essex has international students from 13 different countries including the Dominican Republic, Turkey, Italy, Saint Lucia, the Philippines, China, India, Brazil, Kenya, Lebanon, Mauritius, Honduras, and Morocco.

“A lot of them have family in the area,” said Hernandez. “They appreciate our affordability and our support services.”

While most international students are located in the United States this semester, Ali Sarp Bulut, a second-year business management major from Turkey, who plays on the NECC basketball team, can’t leave his home country due to travel restrictions related to the pandemic. Because of the 7-hour time difference, he will be taking courses at 1 and 2 in the morning. “I can handle it,” he says with a smile. Bulut had been living in Haverhill before traveling home for a visit.

Smiling young man with glasses wearing yellow hoodie

New to NECC this fall, Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui is an international student from Mauritius.

 

Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui is from Mauritius, which he explains is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. New to Northern Essex this fall, he has an interest in film and is signed up for exploratory courses. A self-proclaimed extrovert, Sui is finding online learning “tough” and is eager to connect with other students remotely.

International students must be enrolled full-time and demonstrate the ability to pay out-of-state tuition. Hernandez is available to help them navigate the VISA process and apply to Northern Essex. She also offers students counseling and support throughout their time at the college.

To learn more about opportunities for International Students at Northern Essex, visit the website or contact Hernandez at mhernandez@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.

 

Governor Baker Appoints Methuen Business Leader Chair of NECC Board of Trustees

/in /by
portrait of woman with short blonde hair wearing royal blue jacket.

Jennifer Borislow, the new chair of the NECC Board of Trustees

Jennifer A. Borislow, founding principal of Borislow Insurance of Methuen, was recently named chairwoman to the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

“As a trustee, Jennifer has proven to be thoughtful and a creative thinker. Her connections to our community and her business acumen will serve us well,” said Lane Glenn, NECC President.

A member of the trustees since 2017, she replaces Jeff Linehan, who was appointed to the board in 2010 and has served as chair since 2015.

“Jeff is dedicated to this college and our students and he has been an excellent trustee chair. We will miss his leadership,” said Glenn.

Borislow, a lifelong resident of Methuen, is a nationally recognized expert, author, speaker, and thought leader on employee benefits, insurance, and related business strategies. She is the chief executive officer and strategic coach of the organization. For more than 38 years she has helped business owners, executives, and professionals develop a clear, strategic vision for their organizations that leverages employee benefits, risk management, and more. Her specialty is working with educational organizations.

As chair, Borislow’s priorities will include strategic planning for 2021-2024; a review of the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accreditation process, board self-assessment, and meeting with each trustee and cabinet member to learn more about their role and commitment to the college.

“My focus will be on bringing strong listening and communication skills,” said Borislow.

Although her mother attended Northern Essex, Borislow admits that before joining the board she was a “casual observer/supporter of the community college experience.”

“Not having attended a community college myself, I was unaware of the numerous advantages of the amazing education it offers, both in learning and value. Over the past three years, I have gained so much appreciation and knowledge for every aspect of Northern Essex life- from the tremendous leadership of President Lane Glenn and his very talented cabinet, to the faculty, staff and students. NECC is a very special place.”

Borislow has been involved in a number of industry organizations and been active on several local boards including the Merrimack Valley YMCA Board of Trustees and Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH. She has co-authored several books including “Bend the Healthcare Trend”, which clarifies consumer-driven health and wellness plans that help employers empower employees to control health care costs; and written “Inspire to Act” and “Inspire to Act for Kids”, collections of stories that help others to embrace the power of kindness, and “If I Had Only Known”, a guidebook that offers guidance and help prepare to make informed choices related to the death of a loved one.

A graduate of Dickinson College she earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science in 1982. She lives in Methuen with her husband Michael. They have two daughters Jessica and Lauren and a son-in-law Joshua Dollinger.

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 Announces Plans for Spring Semester 2021

/in /by

Many online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses are offered for the spring semester.

Northern Essex Community College’s Spring Semester, which begins Jan 20, 2021, will be almost fully online, according to a recent announcement by college leadership.

It’s likely that 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.

The decision was made based on a careful review of the best information about conditions likely to exist next spring with the COVID-19 pandemic. “We will continue to monitor those conditions carefully, and, if it is possible to offer additional courses on campus, we will do that,” said Bill Heineman, vice president of academic and student affairs.

The college transitioned to remote learning when the pandemic hit last spring. In late May, Northern Essex made the decision to offer a fall semester that was primarily online.

The goal, according to Heineman, was to keep students and faculty safe, and prepare for minimal potential disruption.

To facilitate the transition to online learning, the college invested $500,000 to help faculty transition 200 courses to online delivery over the summer; created a laptop requirement with funding available for students who needed it; and hired a team of peer ambassadors to help students who are new to online learning.

Registration for the spring begins Nov 2.

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

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

Virtual Presentation will Explore Arrival of Irish Immigrants in Lawrence 175 Years Ago

/in /by

 

man with mustache in front of photo and text posterboard display.

Rich Padova presents on the Irish immigrants, who arrived in Lawrence 175 years ago, on Sept 27.

In 1845, the Irish were the first of a long line of immigrants to settle in the city of Lawrence. Like many who came after them, they were fleeing strife in their home country—in their case the Irish Potato Famine—eager to start a new life.

On Sunday, Sept. 27 at 3 pm, the White Fund Lecture Series, brought in partnership with Northern Essex Community College, will present a free program, via zoom webinar, titled “Building the City of Lawrence: The 175th Anniversary of the Arrival of the First of the Irish Immigrants.”

The presenter, Richard Padova, M.Ed, M.A., teaches at Northern Essex and is also a historical tour interpreter at Lawrence Heritage State Park, where he provides museum tours of the visitors’ center, walking tours of the historic mill district, and narrated boat tours of the Merrimack River.

According to Padova, when they arrived, the Irish found employment in construction and built much of the infrastructure of Lawrence, including the Great Stone Dam and the mills. They also hand-dug the canals that were vital to developing the city of Lawrence into a great textile manufacturing center.

In his presentation, Padova will examine the role of the Irish in the early development of Lawrence and their progression from there.

B&W photo of dilapidated building.

Irish immigrants in Lawrence lived in shanties like this one.

In addition to his teaching and work as an historic interpreter, Padova has written three books: “First In The Nation: One Insider’s View of the New Hampshire Presidential Primary”; “Who Are They? A Look at Vice-Presidential Spouses From Abigail Adams to Karen Pence”; and due out this fall, “Concession Speech: Portraits of America’s Unsuccessful Presidential Candidates”. Padova is also a member of the Alumni Advisory Board at Northern Essex, Andover Center for History and Culture, Lawrence History Center, Friends of Lawrence Heritage State Park, Parish Pastoral Council of St. Augustine’s Church in Andover and the St. Alfio Society in Lawrence.

To register for the presentation, fill out this form or contact Analuz Garcia at agarcia@necc.mass.edu

The White Fund’s purpose is to have a free series of interactive presentations for Lawrence area adults, youth, and children. The audience is encouraged to seek wisdom, cultural enrichment, and intellectual enhancement by attending and participating.

Funded by a generous financial gift from the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, the White Fund Lecture Series has provided cultural conversation featuring well-known lecturers in fields such as history, literature, travel, the arts, and politics. The White Fund is collaborating with Northern Essex on this series.

This presentation is also part of the Essex Heritage Area’s Trails and Sails Series.

The views expressed in the White Fund Enlightenment Series presentations are the views of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Northern Essex.

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 Trustee Update: Sept, 2020

/in /by

NECC Prepares for Fall

Bill Heineman, vice president of academic and student affairs, shared the “herculean efforts” on the part of faculty and staff this summer to prepare for “what’s likely to be the most unique fall semester in the history of the college,”

The college decided in the spring to have a “max online strategy this fall”, meaning that any class that can be effectively offered online will be online.

The goal, according to Heineman, was to keep students and faculty safe, and prepare for minimal potential for disruption. “We wanted to start online and stay that way.”

This fall 90% of courses are online, with just over 50 courses taught on campus, primarily STEM and Health courses with a few human service and music courses. Over the summer 200 courses were converted from face-to-face delivery to online.

Courses taught on campus are either reduced in size or offered in a room large enough to accommodate a socially distanced class.

Several initiatives were started to make sure students are successful:

·         The college has a new laptop requirement and a fund to help support students who need help purchasing a computer. At the time of the trustee meeting, 550 students had reached out for financial help and more than half had been approved.

·         The college has a new team of peer ambassadors, who have been successful with online learning, and will be “triaging” NECC students who are struggling and directing them toward the appropriate support services.

·         Wi-fi hotspots have been created in parking lots on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses, providing places where students can study.

When asked how faculty are feeling, Heineman said “It’s all over the map. We have faculty who believe in online and are energized. Most have worked all summer and are tired. People are stressed; there’s no doubt about it. I’m feeling confident, given the circumstances.”

“Please tell faculty and staff that we are rooting for them and supporting them,” said Trustee Anita Worden.

Return to Campus Plan

President Glenn reported that most faculty and staff will remain off campus until at least the end of the year.

Fall Enrollment

While the final figures won’t be in until next month, enrollments are down 11% in full-time equivalency for the fall and 7% in headcount. “We’re not unhappy with this,” said President Glenn. “It’s close to the 10% decrease that we budgeted for, and many colleges are experiencing decreases far worse than ours…20%, 25%, 30%.”

Annual Giving Update

Since joining the college as vice president of institutional advancement just over a year ago, Allison Dolan-Wilson has focused on increasing the number of donors to the college; building the donor pipeline and identifying major gift prospects; and increasing unrestricted support of Northern Essex.

“Six and seven figure gifts don’t fall out of the sky,” Dolan-Wilson told trustees. “That’s why we have been focusing on building our donor pool.”

This past year, $39,106 was raised from 288 donors for The NECC Fund, the college’s annual giving fund, through direct mail, email, and social media.

More than half of donors (57%) are alumni, and most are from the Baby Boomer generation, 56 to 74 years old.

Attracting younger donors, 25 to 35 years, is a priority for Dolan-Wilson and her team.

They will also be looking to increase the average donation, which went up from a median of $15 last year to $50 this year.

Dolan-Wilson believes there’s “untapped potential” in alumni giving and she wants to focus on broadening the definition of alumni to include all who have attended the college, not just those who earned a certificate or associate degree. Just over one half of one percent of the college’s alumni currently give and she wants to increase that percentage to 1 percent by 2023. For comparison, she shared that UMass Lowell has a 7% alumni giving rate and MIT, 24%.

This year the Institutional Advancement Office also solicited funds from March through May to support students impacted by COVID-19.  The NECC Emergency Fund raised $59,999 from 99 donors.

New Appointments

The following state-appropriated positions that were approved by the president of the college during the summer session were affirmed by trustees: Pamela Medina, HR Generalist; Gabriel Garcia, multi specialist/mental health clinician***; Shakira Moreta, academic counselor; Ariel Chicklis, admissions counselor****; Cheryl Tine, director of enrollment operations***; Audrey Ellis, director of student success management***; Scott Lancaster, interim dean of health professions**; Amy Callahan, dean of liberal arts*; Dermot Luddy, staff assistant; David McAskill, chief technology officer***; Anthony DeGregorio, director, fiscal services/comptroller; Patricia Gauron, executive director of human resources; Nancy Jordan, accountant III; Kelly Fisher, interim dean of nursing**; Ruben Quesada, deputy chief.

Linda Walsh-Romano** was appointed to the non-state appropriated position of interim director of education, corrections.

*Appointment is interim position to permanent

**Appointment is interim position

***Title change/salary increase

****Reclassification

Trustees Delegate Authority for Hiring to President

Trustees voted unanimously to approve a motion giving the president of the college authority to hire without the need for trustee approval.

“Many colleges already do this,” said President Glenn.

After the motion was approved, Trustee Marianne Paley Nadel requested that trustees receive a report annually on the make-up of faculty and staff with a goal of ensuring diversity.

 

NECC Creates Free Wi-Fi Hotspots in Parking Lots

/in /by

Dean of Students Jonathan Miller tries out the new wi-fi in the parking lot of the Dimitry Building in Lawrence.

Northern Essex Community College surveyed students last spring after the pandemic hit to find out what challenges they were having with remote learning. What they learned is that some students were struggling with spotty Internet access from home and/or finding a quiet place to study.

To address that, the college has created Wi-Fi hotspots in parking lots on the Haverhill and Lawrence Campuses, where students—as well as community members—can come and access free internet.

Students, faculty, and staff can log-in with their college credentials and anyone not attending Northern Essex can choose the “visitor” wireless network.

Wi-Fi coverage is provided at the Technology Center, Student Center, and Library parking lots in Haverhill and the Dimitry Building , El-Hefni Allied Health Technology Center, and Haffner Education Center parking lots in Lawrence.

“We want to make sure that our students have access to the technology that will help them be successful,” said Danny Rivera, assistant director of client technology & media services.

Northern Essex decided early that 90% of the fall semester would be online with a very limited number of courses, primarily health and science labs, offered face-to-face.

This summer the college invested a half million dollars to prepare faculty who have previously taught face-to-face for online teaching; $100,000 for a new peer ambassador program that will help students succeed in online courses; and $200,000 to help students purchase laptops. In addition, the computer labs in Haverhill and Lawrence are open to students by appointment.

For more information on Wi-Fi parking lot access, contact IT Services, servicedesk@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3111.

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.

Haverhill Campus

100 Elliott Street
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-556-3000

Lawrence Campus

45 Franklin Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
978-556-3000

Quick Links

Contact

Melissa Bouse (She/Her)
Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations
978-556-3869
mbouse@necc.mass.edu

Callers who are deaf/hard of hearing may access any campus extension via preferred relay service  | Web Accessibility
© 2025 Northern Essex Community College  • NECC.edu | Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Privacy Policy