2022 - Page 2 of 11

Northern Essex Event Honors Veterans

November 10, 2022/in Events/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (November 10, 2022) – Northern Essex Community College paid tribute to veterans Thursday with a special event on the Haverhill Campus. Students and staff along with local leaders, law enforcement, and military members came together for a flag-raising ceremony. The program featured Northern Essex Police Academy cadets, the National Anthem sung by NECC music major Ben DiTomaso, and “Taps” played by professional trumpeter Art Zavarella.

NECC Police Academy Cadets served as Honor Guard.

Following the ceremony, Air Force veteran and Methuen City Councilor Mike Simard spoke about his efforts to expand services for veterans and their families locally. He also shared that he enjoys talking to younger people about how they can best support veterans. “I tell them, do the right thing. Be a good American, obey the constitution, and hold doors open for the elderly.”

The event also featured a missing man table, also known as a white table: a memorial traditionally set up in military dining facilities to honor fallen, missing, or imprisoned service members. Northern Essex President Lane Glenn wrote about his family’s white table tradition in his Running the Campus blog.

Dr. Paul Beaudin, NECC provost, reflected on the event’s significance to the NECC community. “Some 60 years ago, Massachusetts sons John F. Kennedy and poet Robert Frost gathered at our capitol in Washington for Kennedy’s inauguration. Frost previously had spoken on the merits of taking the road less traveled, and Kennedy advised, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.’ At NECC, we are in the ‘dream business,’ encouraging students to pursue less traveled roads for themselves and their families. We know, too, that such dreaming is only possible because, like President Kennedy, Americans have asked, ‘What can I do for my country?’

NECC CFO Mike McCarthy, NECC Public Safety officer Thomas Murphy and Methuen City Councilor Mike Simard. Murphy was recently recognized for his service with an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

“Today, we honor those men and women whose response to that very question involved military service in support of the lives, beliefs and dreams of its citizens. Today, we honor veterans; tomorrow, we will dream with them, veterans who are our faculty, staff, and students.”

There are 60 active military or veteran students currently enrolled at NECC. The Military Times included Northern Essex on its “Best for Vets” college list and NECC is a designated “Military Friendly School” by Viqtory. This national organization that connects veterans with civilian education, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The college awards credit for military training and experience, and top areas of study for veterans at Northern Essex include Business, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Health, and Engineering. For more information, contact NECC Veteran and Military Services Coordinator Latashia White at lwhite@necc.mass.edu or (978) 556-3631.

President of Newburyport Bank Joins NECC Board of Trustees

November 10, 2022/in Community/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (November 10, 2022) – Lloyd Hamm Jr., CEO and President of Newburyport Bank, has been appointed to the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees by Governor Charlie Baker, effective immediately. In addition to a long career in banking and finance, Hamm has been involved with numerous non-profits and community organizations, held leadership roles on Boards of Directors and Trustees, chaired National Financial Services Committees, and held elected public positions.

lloyd poses for the camera wearing a black suit with red tie

Lloyd Hamm Jr., new NECC Trustee

Before joining Newburyport Bank, Hamm was the president and CEO of Homefield Credit Union in North Grafton. He spent the previous 25 years as the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Information Officer of Eastern Bank. He also served as chief operations officer and founding dean of the business school at his alma mater, Anna Maria College.

“I have a personal belief in higher education and how it opens career doors, particularly with first-generation college students,” says Hamm. “I believe community colleges, particularly NECC, are exceptionally well qualified and positioned to create this opportunity. As a result, we can change lives for the better.”

Lloyd and his wife of 40 years, Linda, reside on the New Hampshire seacoast.

The college’s Board of Trustees includes nine members appointed by the governor to a maximum of two five-year terms, as well as an alumni-elected member, who also serves a maximum of 10 years and a student trustee who serves for two semesters.

Northern Essex Community College, the first Federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution in New England, is an education leader for the Merrimack Valley. Through a supportive learning environment and cultural inclusion, NECC embraces all identities and inspires initiative and excellence through top-notch, affordable certificate and associate degree programs online and at campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence. In addition, NECC offers many bachelor’s degree transfer options, workforce development, and community education classes and is host to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and Gallaudet University’s Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing. Visit Northern Essex online at necc.edu.

I Stand with Immigrants Day of Action at NECC

November 1, 2022/in Community/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (November 2, 2022) – Northern Essex Community College is proud to participate in the 7th annual I Stand with Immigrants Day of Action on Wednesday, November 2.

Hundreds of colleges and universities across the country are joining together on this day to call on Congress to pass bipartisan Dream legislation this year. Time is of the essence – last month, the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit agreed with a lower court ruling that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was illegal but sent the case back to the district court. Though DACA remains in place, this policy, which protects certain noncitizens who entered the country before the age of 16, is in significant peril.

sarah stands smiling at the camera against an off-white wall

Sarah Pachano, NECC Student Trustee and Student Government Association member

NECC Student Trustee and Student Government member Sarah Pachano knows first-hand the importance of having permanent legislation to help recent immigrants. Her grandmother came to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1980. Though she overstayed her visa, she became a US citizen in 1987 and brought family members to the country individually.

Sarah arrived in 2016 at the age of 18.

“For me, it was difficult to get accustomed to the culture. I was never looked at as different in the Dominican Republic,” she remembers. “But I was also shocked by how many opportunities were here.”

Sarah taught herself English in just six months by watching tv and looking up unfamiliar words in the dictionary. She then enrolled in NECC and connected with other students with similar backgrounds–some of whom are DACA recipients.

“It’s crucial to have that help. I have friends and family who came here through DACA, and they’re still human. They shouldn’t be treated differently because they weren’t born someplace with privilege.”

Sarah points out that DACA allows young people to attend school and find jobs without some of the fear that comes with being an immigrant living here without legal permission. “DACA gives them protection, a job where you have rights and don’t have to worry about an employer reporting you or firing you for no reason.”

She is also familiar with what a future could look like without DACA. One of her family members was recently deported back to the Dominican Republic after illegally coming to the United States. That family member is now working five jobs to support her children. “She wanted to give her children a life she didn’t have, and now they are forced to stay there,” says Sarah. “It’s a risk that everyone knows. No one wants to come here illegally, but they are desperate enough to do it.”

Sarah is hopeful that Congress can pass legislation to protect DACA recipients and those who, like her grandmother, seek a better life.

“We know it’s not going to be overnight, but we know we’re taking steps to make a better future.”

Join NECC in calling on Congress to pass bipartisan Dream legislation this year by visiting the webpage and following #IStandWithImmigrants on social media.

To learn more about services available for DACA and undocumented students at Northern Essex, visit the webpage or email international@necc.mass.edu.

Artist Explores Relationship with Genetic Disorder in New Show

October 31, 2022/in Events/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (October 21, 2022) –The Linda Hummel-Shea ArtSpace at Northern Essex Community College hosts a new exhibit by Cleveland-based artist Max Denney. The show is called “Max Denney: The Challenge Drawings” and features works on paper using oil-based crayons. Denney says the pieces are “informed by a relationship with a Cosmic (Cognitive) Genetic Disorder. I call it, The Mystic Man. Through the creative process, I accept, cope, and manage my disorder successfully, with joy.”

Denney holds a Bachelor’s in Art from the former Bradford College in Haverhill and a master’s in fine arts from the prestigious School for American Craftsman at Rochester Institute of Technology. For 25 years, he enjoyed a career as an educator and a world-renowned ceramicist. But he recently felt the pull to return to a medium he had left behind nearly 20 years before. “In 2019, I just stopped working in clay and started drawing again. I hadn’t drawn at all since 1997. I was called back to drawings and felt a strong desire for creating in two dimensions, rather than three,” he states.

Many of the drawings in this show explore faces. NECC Art professor and gallery coordinator Marc Mannheimer says, “These are passionately charged pieces that speak to the work of Cy Twombly and Jean-Michel Basquiat. These works are much more than surface. Spending time in front of them reveals not only the obvious layers of color and marks but an elicitation of visceral emotion that art has the power to evoke. Denney’s works are a prime example of how visual art can reach us on multiple levels.”

The show opens on November 3 with a reception and artist talk from 3-6 pm. It runs through December 2.

The Linda Hummel-Shea ArtSpace is located in the Bentley Library on NECC’s Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliot Street. It is open Monday- Thursday from 8 am-8 pm and Friday 8 am-4 pm. This show is sponsored by the NECC Art Department and the Liberal Arts Division. For more information, contact mcarter@necc.mass.edu or mmannheimer@necc.mass.edu.

Two Northern Essex Students Receive State Educators’ Scholarship

October 31, 2022/in Students/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (October 28, 2022) –Two Northern Essex Community College students, Thelma Ortiz and Skylar Underwood, both of Lawrence, recently received $700 scholarships from the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association (MEOA).

Ortiz and Underwood are involved in NECC’s Pathways to Academic & Career Excellence Program (PACE), a TRiO Student Support Services program that assists first-generation, low-income, or disabled students to graduate and transfer to four-year colleges.

Thelma Ortiz is studying respiratory care.

MEOA awards the scholarships annually to just six students statewide. These students have demonstrated the ability to overcome significant obstacles and attain educational excellence.

Thelma Ortiz is on track to graduate in 2023 with a Respiratory Care Associate Degree. She says she is inspired in her educational journey by her mother, who came to the United States from Guatemala at 19 years old in search of a better future. Like her mother, Ortiz has a learning disability. She says her mother taught her how to overcome obstacles by remaining focused on her goal.

“I hope my story will make a difference in another student’s academic journey and inspire them through their challenges and obstacles,” says Ortiz.

She says the scholarship money will allow her to work less to focus on her studies and become “the best clinician I can be for my community.”

Skylar Underwood is an Educational Studies major

When they first enrolled in Northern Essex, Skylar Underwood was initially unsure of what they wanted to study. Now an Educational Studies major, Skylar is planning to transfer to a four-year school after graduation this spring.

“I was ecstatic and relieved [to receive this scholarship] because I am one step closer to my goal,” Skylar shares. “This award will be going into my savings account to help me pay for my hopeful transfer to UMASS Amherst in the coming fall. It will allow me to hold my spot in the upcoming fall. My ultimate goal is to become a high school English teacher in a diverse area so I can give the students the representation they deserve. I want to create a safe space and allow the students to see themselves in the curriculum.”

Skylar says they may eventually become a college English professor, as well.

To learn more about the PACE/TRIO Program at Northern Essex, visit the webpage or contact coordinator Kristin Arnold at karnold@necc.mass.edu.

MEOA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization made up of educators, policymakers, private sector professionals, and others committed to ensuring that secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities are appropriate and accessible to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

New Director Working to Fill Need for Continuing Education for Health Care Workers

October 28, 2022/in Faculty and Staff/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (October 27, 2022) – As the new Tomfohrde Executive Director of Health Care Pathways at Northern Essex Community College, Marjorie Campbell is already busy connecting students with local employers. And vice versa. Her one-year, grant-funded role is designed to map out a comprehensive health care pathway program. The program will provide health care employers with a talented and trained workforce pool while offering opportunities for those workers to continue their education and training.

“Look at it as a big circle,” says Campbell. “You have employers that need certain people to meet their needs, and you have a large community of people who want better jobs.”

Majorie Campbell, Tomfohrde Executive Director of Health Care Pathways at Northern Essex Community College

Campbell, of Salisbury, comes to this role from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where she oversaw the regulation of physicians and nurses and investigated complaints. She started her career as a registered nurse, working in various settings, from the E.R. to home health care. Her journey has inspired her to now help others. “I realized I have a passion for getting students trained in many health care professions and helping them to keep going with those pathways with employers.”

Campbell says she’s eager to build upon the work at Northern Essex to connect students and health care workers with continued career growth. “This pathway discussion needs to happen early. Students might not be thinking of this now, but we need to put the bug in their ear that they will keep growing, and their lives and needs will change.”

two nursing students look at IV bag next to hospital bed containing life-life training dummy

Northern Essex nursing students uses high-tech mannequins to simulate real-life scenarios.

An example of this, Campbell says, would be talking to Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students about pursuing an Associate of Science in Nursing degree eventually. “If you like that field, maybe you are interested in nursing, and we can see what skills and classes you may have taken; maybe there’s something you can skip.” The exact process can apply to local health care employers who want to offer employees opportunities to continue their education and advance their careers. Some may even offer incentives, like scholarships. Campbell will be instrumental in connecting those employers with programs at Northern Essex.

The health care sector is the largest employer in the Northeast, providing more than 90,000 jobs across the region. As data from the Northeast Regional Planning Blueprint projects, the sector will continue to grow by approximately 12 percent, adding over 10,000 jobs through 2022.

Creating fully mapped-out pathways that build upon prior certificates and experience and enable upward mobility for employees can reduce recruiting, hiring, and training costs for healthcare facilities, according to Campbell.

“It’s a commitment to try and make the pathways clear, not repetitive, for students and to make this process easier and to encourage them along their way.”

A third of the students at Northern Essex are enrolled in one of the college’s 22 associate degree and certificate programs in high-demand health care fields, ranging from nursing to respiratory care to sleep technology. Most programs are located at the El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center on Common St in Lawrence. The 44,000-square-foot facility features a Health Education Simulation Center, where health care students receive hands-on experience in simulated environments such as a hospital intensive care unit, a trauma room, an acute care hospital room, an apartment, an ambulance, and a doctor’s office.

Visit the website or contact interim Dean of Health Services Kathy Hudson to learn more.

About the Tomfohrde Foundation

The Tomfohrde Foundation provided the funding for this new role. The foundation awards grants to charitable institutions, organizations, and agencies in the Greater Boston area which are dedicated to the cultural, social, and civic betterment of the community and particularly foster the advancement of higher education, the classic arts, scientific research in biomedicine and the improvement of community health. Grants awarded by the Foundation in 2022 focus on strengthening programs and offerings at Massachusetts vocational and technical schools and community colleges and increasing and promoting access to community colleges. Learn more here.

US Dept. of Health and Human Services Webinar to Feature Northern Essex Dean

October 25, 2022/in Faculty and Staff/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (October 25, 2022) — Dean of Business and Professional Studies Jody Carson will be sharing an innovative new degree option at Northern Essex Community College with a national audience. She, along with a panel that includes several other leaders from Massachusetts in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field, will explore a range of strategies to build and support career pathways for the ECE workforce during a webinar hosted by the Office of the Administration for Children & Families, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Dean of Business and Professional Studies Jody Carson

Northern Essex is the first public school in the country to offer an ECE degree that can be completed using all competency-based education (CBE) courses. CBE addresses the needs of adults and other non-traditional learners, allowing them increased flexibility to start and complete courses online at their own pace. Many might already be working in the fields they are studying. CBE allows those students to demonstrate what they already know and accelerate through their coursework, then take more time when they are less familiar with the content or life gets busy. “Someone might be working at a childcare center and already know a lot about planning curriculum but might be less familiar with assessing and documenting development, for example,” says Carson. “CBE would allow them to progress quickly through those courses where they already have a good grasp on the subject matter.”

Because all the courses are available online, the CBE ECE degree program can be completed from anywhere. Even a required 330-hour in-classroom practicum can be completed by the supervising college faculty member virtually.

The webinar Building a Pipeline of Qualified Early Childhood Educators Through Innovative Career Pathway Efforts is Wednesday, October 26 from 2:30-4pm. Register here for the link.

Other panelists from Massachusetts include:

· Winnie Hagan, Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Public Program Approval, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education

· Jennifer Schein, Education Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

· Sarah Volkenant, Senior Professional Development Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

five college students gather around a table with counting manipulatives

Early Childhood Education students at Northern Essex

Learn more about the ECE CBE degree program at NECC by visiting the webpage. View general information about Early Childhood Education at Northern Essex here.

Photos: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage at Northern Essex

October 18, 2022/in Events/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (October 17, 2022) – For the first time since the pandemic Northern Essex Community College’s campuses were once again bustling with activities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM). Observed since 1968, HHM recognizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the U.S.

From September 15 to October 15 each year, NECC celebrates this and the independence days of several Caribbean and Central and South American nations.

Artwork by artist antonio broccoli depicting women salsa dancing

Artwork by Antonio Broccoli Porto

This year, NECC hosted speaker Dr. Lorgia García-Peña and artist Antonio Broccoli Porto alongside cultural events, music, film, and food on the Lawrence and Haverhill campuses. The festivities culminated with a party on the Lawrence Campus, including a salsa lesson, dinner, and performances by local dance troupes.

“As this year’s theme UNIDOS: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation implies, we are here to encourage all voices to be represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities and a stronger nation,” said Director of International Student Support and Special Populations Maria Hernandez. “It’s a celebration of inclusion and being seen and validated.”

young ladies wearing white dresses line up to perform

Dancers waiting to perform

In 2001, Northern Essex became New England’s first federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Of the current NECC student population, 40% identify as Hispanic, many with ties to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

“It is important that NECC celebrates and recognizes the contributions our Latino students, faculty, and staff have made to NECC and our surrounding communities,” remarked Hernandez.

More events are in the works to celebrate Hispanic heritage and Latin culture throughout the year at NECC, starting with a Chocolatada Navideña in December. The Hispanic Student interest group is hosting its take on this tradition which began in Peru. Community groups would serve Panettone and hot chocolate to families in need. Now, the tradition has spread to other South American countries as a way for communities to celebrate the holiday season together.

“We are excited and looking forward to hosting a Chocolatada on both campuses in early December,” said Hernandez. “We welcome everyone to stop by our table for some hot chocolate and donuts!”

Learn more about the Hispanic Student Interest Group and how to get involved with events on campus by contacting Maria Hernandez at mhernandez@necc.mass.edu.

Registration Open for Fall Session II Classes

October 12, 2022/in Events/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (October 12, 2022) – Registration is now open at Northern Essex Community College for accelerated, 8-week classes starting October 31. The 36 classes range from one to four credits each, and many meet entirely online.

“Fall Session II offers an exciting opportunity for students who want to continue with their educational goals while prioritizing their work, family, and academics,” said Donna Bertolino, dean of enrollment services. “Most courses are offered online, providing flexibility outside of a traditional in-person classroom setting.”

a tree with bright yellow leaves is in the center flanked by smaller trees with red leaves. the spurk building is in the background

Fall on the Haverhill Campus

Fall Session II courses run through December 20. Students can add classes until just before the start date. However, some are already filling up. Courses are offered in various disciplines, including business, science, public health, computer science, liberal arts, criminal justice, and engineering.

Northern Essex first expanded its accelerated offerings last spring in response to how learning changed during the pandemic. The college offers seven enrollment opportunities throughout the year, with two sessions of classes each in the fall, spring, and summer semesters and one session during winter intersession.

For more information, contact enrollment services at 978-556-3700 or enrollmentservices@necc.mass.edu.

Northern Essex Community College, the first Federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution in New England, is an education leader for the Merrimack Valley. Through a supportive learning environment and cultural inclusion, NECC embraces all identities and inspires initiative and excellence through top-notch, affordable certificate and associate degree programs online and at campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence. NECC offers many bachelor’s degree transfer options, workforce development, and community education classes and is host to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and Gallaudet University’s Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing. Visit Northern Essex online at www.necc.edu.

NECC Part of New Consortium to Train Next Generation of Intelligence Officers

September 30, 2022/in Community/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (September 27, 2022) – A new partnership between Northern Essex Community College and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is creating new pathways for NECC students who wish to pursue a career in intelligence or security. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) recently designated UNH as a national Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) and established the Northeast Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (NICCAE).

The consortium includes Northern Essex Community College, Howard University, College of Mount Saint Vincent, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

library on the havehill campus with full, green trees and freshly cut lawn

Northern Essex will create a new National Intelligence and Security Certificate program.

“Northern Essex is honored to have been selected by UNH to join them in the establishment of the Northeast Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence,” expressed Dr. Paul Beaudin, Provost. “As the only community college in this group of graduate-level institutions, our inclusion is peer recognition of the rigor and quality of our academic programs and our commitment to the diversification of our regional and national workforce.”

Over ten years, UNH will administer $2.5 million in funding to develop intelligence-related curricula, workshops, simulations, conferences, and seminars at partner institutions. At Northern Essex, this will include creating a new National Intelligence and Security Certificate program. It will also provide a wide range of transfer opportunities.

“We know that our professors will benefit from the breadth of this academic collaboration, and our graduating students will be given transfer opportunities in a critical field of study,” said Dr. Beaudin.

NICCAE aims to bring together culturally, ethnically, academically, and geographically diverse students to pursue national security and intelligence-related careers. Professor James Ramsay of the Security Studies Department at UNH says the initiative’s focus is to broaden students’ capacity for critical thinking, communication, and analysis of national security threats.

“Our consortium is designed to leverage the strengths of UNH and its partner institutions, which includes supporting a diverse and inclusive community that truly inspires lifelong learning,” Ramsay said. “Our students will be motivated to increase their understanding of the wicked security problems that confront all democracies and how best they may serve the nation and society as a whole as intelligence analysts.”

Northern Essex Community College offers an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a Law Enforcement Certificate program. Contact program coordinator Paul Cavan at pcavan@necc.mass.edu for more information.

About NECC

Northern Essex Community College, the first Federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution in New England, is an education leader for the Merrimack Valley. Through a supportive learning environment and cultural inclusion, NECC embraces all identities and inspires initiative and excellence through top-notch affordable certificate and associate degree programs online and at campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence. NECC offers many bachelor’s degree transfer options, workforce development, and community education classes and is host to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and Gallaudet University’s Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing. Visit Northern Essex online at necc.edu.

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