2022 - Page 4 of 11

Joint Admissions Agreement with Emmanuel College to Support Nursing Workforce Development

August 30, 2022/in Programs/by mbouse

Lawrence and Boston, MA, August 29, 2022 – Graduates of Northern Essex Community College’s Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) program will now be able to make a seamless transition into Emmanuel College’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN-to-BSN) through a new joint admissions agreement between the institutions.

Dr Glenn and Emmanuel Rep sign documents in front of NECC and Emmanuel College Banners

NECC President Dr. Lane Glenn and Emmanuel VP of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Josef Kurtz

NECC students who intend to complete the ASN degree will be conditionally accepted into Emmanuel College’s online RN-to-BSN and will be eligible for the joint admission program upon graduation from the ASN program. The first NECC and Emmanuel joint admissions cohort will begin in the fall of 2022.

“We want to better serve nursing students throughout the Commonwealth in establishing a clear pathway from the ASN to the BSN and support workforce development and address skilled worker shortages,” said Michelle Sunday, director of transfer, articulation, and academic center advising at Northern Essex. “This agreement shows that Emmanuel College honors our students’ time, dedication and commitment, not only in their education but also through providing additional career guidance.”

The partnership was developed after both institutions recognized a local need for a pathway for bachelor’s degree completion that is affordable, flexible, and approachable. This partnership can benefit a wide student population, from older students returning to the classroom to take advantage of tuition remission offered by their employer to rising high school seniors looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree. NECC graduates can capitalize on the total resources of Emmanuel College, benefiting from a world-class education.

“These kinds of agreements are vital for economic and quality of life improvements for cities like Lawrence,” said Northern Essex President Lane Glenn, as he noted that many students want to work in the communities where they live. “We are pleased to facilitate valuable learning relationships and partnerships with local colleges and universities to help our students realize their educational and professional futures.”

Emmanuel College offers students six different entry points to start the program throughout the year at a cost of less than $12,000 to complete the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing course requirements in 16 months.

NECC and Emmanuel College, as separate institutions, have developed curricula and programs working to fill the growing need for skilled and liberally educated health care professionals to support workforce development in Massachusetts.

“Our partnership with Northern Essex Community College facilitates a seamless academic progression for associate degree nurses pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree,” said Diane Shea, Ph.D., RN, Associate Dean for Nursing/Professor of Nursing in the Maureen Murphy Wilken School of Nursing & Clinical Sciences at Emmanuel College. “We offer students an opportunity to pursue their intellectual curiosity, building on academic excellence. The BSN degree opens numerous career and advancement opportunities. We are excited about our partnership with Northern Essex Community College and our role in assisting nursing students to achieve their educational goals.”

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.

From First Generation College Student to Newest Member of the NECC Board of Trustees

August 24, 2022/in Alumni/by mbouse

Jouel Gómez of Haverhill, a Northern Essex graduate, community volunteer, and current President of the NECC Alumni Board, has been confirmed as the new alumni-elected member of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees by Governor Charlie Baker.

Gómez is a senior manager at Massachusetts General Brigham: Newton-Wellesley Hospital. After graduating from Northern Essex in 2015 with a Business Transfer Degree, Gómez earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University in management and then an MBA from Bentley University. He became involved in alumni association efforts in NECC in 2016, becoming the vice-chairperson and then president and chairperson in 2021.

Jouel Gómez of Haverhill is the new alumni-elected member of the NECC Board of Trustees

“I am honored to be appointed to the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees to fill the alum seat,” says Gómez. “As a first-generation full-time college student, as well as an adult learner with a family and a full-time job, I know the challenges many of the current NECC students face on a day-to-day basis. I hope to make a difference for those students who may find themselves in a similar situation.”

Gómez also serves as president of the Boston Chapter of Prospanica, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the Hispanic community to achieve their full educational, economic, and social potential.

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

“I am also thrilled to work alongside many great leaders who are passionate about education and continue to support the mission and vision of NECC throughout their years of service,” says Gómez.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs and hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. More than 5,000 students are enrolled each year in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; another 2,600 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 necc.edu or call 978-556-3700.

Summer 2022 Dean’s List

August 24, 2022/in Students/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (August 23, 2022)- Congratulations to the Northern Essex Community College students on the Summer 2022 Dean’s List!

To be included, students must attain a grade point average of 3.3 or higher within the term, carry six or more credits within the term, and be matriculated in a degree program.

View the Dean’s List Report.

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 necc.edu or call 978-556-3700.

New Noncredit Classes Now Available for Fall

August 22, 2022/in Programs/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (August 22, 2022)— Whether students are looking to have fun and meet new people or enhance their professional skills, the Northern Essex Community College Center for Community Education is offering a robust slate of noncredit programs this fall. These courses are designed for personal and professional development. The schedule includes new classes, courses that are returning after a hiatus, and some perennial favorites.

“Non-credit classes are ideal for the student who is trying to choose a career and wants to quickly get into the workforce or wants to advance in their current profession,” says Program Manager, Community Education, Suzzette Turnbull, Ph.D. “The programs are short and equip them with skills they can use right away.”

woman stands in commercial kitchen adding mixture to white kitchenaid mixer

Fall noncredit offerings include a full slate of culinary classes.

New classes include Meeting and Event Planning Certificate Program, CPR/AED & First Aid, Group Guitar for Beginners, Microsoft Office Basics: Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and Reiki I & II. Turnbull explains that local employers are eager to hire students who complete popular certificate programs like Human Resources and Home Inspection. “Our job-ready certificate programs are designed to teach students a set of skills that will make them more attractive to employers and demonstrate that they have the knowledge to successfully do the job.”

This fall will also see the return of dozens of popular culinary classes including Food & Wine Pairing and Latin Street Fare and new classes like Bread Baking Basics and the Great Christmas cookie exchange. “NECC has numerous personal enrichment courses where students have fun with other people who have the same interests or simply learn something new,” says Turnbull.

Classes meet at a variety of times. Many are entirely online while others meet in person. These classes are open to the general public, participants do not need to enroll in Northern Essex to take part. Registration is open now. View a full list of offerings here.

For more details, please contact the Center for Corporate and Community Education by phone 978-556-3060 or email communityeducation@necc.mass.edu.

New Programs Teach English Skills Alongside Career Skills

August 17, 2022/in Programs/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (August 15, 2022)—Northern Essex Community College is offering five new English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Career Skills classes for the 2022/2023 academic year. These classes, offered through the NECC Center for Adult Education, are designed to help students expand their English language knowledge while gaining job skills in a specific career field.

three students gather around a table with open notebooks

Students in ESOL class

“Contextualized ESOL is a teaching and learning style that helps students learn and use the English language in real-world situations,” says Sandy Zappala, assistant director of the English Language Success Program. “Combining ESOL with career skills results in job seekers who are not only skilled in their chosen industry but who are also bilingual and are highly sought after in the labor market.”

Programs include ESOL for the Workplace with Digital Literacy, Advanced ESOL for Medical Professionals, and Fundamentals of Accounting: QuickBooks Online Certificate. Two additional courses, Medical Office Front Desk Staff Certificate and Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate, are free for SNAP recipients as part of the SNAP Path to Work Program. This is the first year that the program has been offered at NECC.

“Unlike traditional credit classes, students will find these classes have less pressure, less homework, and are more flexible for their needs. Instructors are experienced in teaching adult learners and create a warm and welcoming environment in which to learn,” says Zappala.

Financial assistance is available for all courses for individuals who qualify. All programs meet online, and day and evening classes are available. Zappala says most students can complete the programs in one or two semesters. These courses are designed for those with intermediate to advanced English skills.

The Center for Adult Education offers a variety of programs, such as ESOL Level 1-6, GED/HiSET, MassSTEP, ESOL Supported Career Skills, and Transition to College. Many individuals start at CAE and continue to Community Education, credit courses, or enter directly into the workplace. Students are encouraged to drop by, call or make an appointment to meet with an academic advisor to learn more.

Students interested in the new ESOL Career Skills programs can reach out to the English Language Success Program Coordinator Estefanie Bernard at elsp@necc.mass.edu or call or text 978-655-5844.

Weekend Fall Enrollment Event at Northern Essex

August 17, 2022/in Events/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (August 17, 2022) – Northern Essex Community College will host a fall enrollment event on the Haverhill Campus this Saturday, August 20. NECC Enrollment staff will be available to help students get started this fall. Students and their families will have the opportunity to learn about academic placement options, complete online orientation, connect with an advisor, and speak with a financial aid specialist.

Students learned about the enrollment process at a recent open house.

The enrollment event will take place in the Student Center at 100 Elliot Street from 9 am – 1 pm. To speak with an enrollment specialist and RSVP in advance, students should call 978-556-3700. They can also visit necc.edu to begin the application process.

Fall classes begin on Wednesday, September 7.

NECC is First Public School in Nation to Offer a Competency-Based Early Childhood Degree

August 9, 2022/in Programs/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (August 9, 2022) – This fall, Northern Essex Community College will offer a first-of-its-kind associate degree program. Students majoring in Early Childhood Education (ECE) will have the option to take all required degree and certificate courses in the competency-based education (CBE) model. This offering is the culmination of more than four years of work to give learners more flexibility in obtaining a degree. “To our knowledge, this is the first Early Childhood Education degree to be offered at a public college or university using CBE,” says Dean of Business and Professional Studies Jody Carson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-dipWeE7_U

What is CBE?

Competency-based education 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. Students have a required 330-hour in-classroom practicum; however, Carson says this can be done at a student’s workplace, and observations can be completed by the supervising college faculty member virtually.

“What I love about the CBE model is it allows a student to progress through the course at the pace that serves them best, which allows them to learn at their best,” Dean of Academic Innovations and Professional Development Marcy Yeager remarks. “The flexibility to have a really tough week in life and then jump back on track is invaluable.”

A History of CBE at NECC

In the fall of 2016, Northern Essex offered eight CBE courses, primarily in technology and engineering. The faculty in the ECE program began developing courses in the CBE model in the spring of 2017, adding a new certificate and later the development of the complete ECE Associate Degree program. “Each course has been reviewed to ensure that we develop and assess competencies that align with industry standards, providing employer assurance that our graduates have real-world experience,” says Carson. This work is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and its Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).

“The primary objective of HEIF is to seed and support innovations and proven practices in public higher education, which are intended to significantly increase successful outcomes for traditionally under-served student populations,” says Dr. Winifred Hagan, senior associate commissioner for strategic planning and public program approval at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. “Higher-level early educator qualifications are significantly correlated with higher quality early childhood education and care for children, including program structure, language development, and reasoning abilities. This very successful and promising innovation was created by and for Early Childhood Educators. The Department of Higher Education is proud to have funded it and is eager to watch it grow.”

The CBE courses required to complete the ECE degree were submitted to the New England Commission of Higher Education in January 2021 and approved in May 2021.

What’s next for CBE at NECC?

Eight CBE courses are offered at Northern Essex for the fall of 2022; six are general ed classes, such as English Composition I. Any student can enroll in those CBE general ed classes, regardless of major. Meanwhile, work has started to create an entirely CBE healthcare technician certificate.

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.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs and 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; 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 necc.edu or call 978-556-3700.

New Director of Corporate and Community Education is Paying It Forward

August 9, 2022/in Faculty and Staff/by mbouse

Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (August 5, 2022)— For nearly 30 years, Linda Schildkraut had a successful career in business-to-business solutions, sales, and team development in the New York City area. During that time, she saw firsthand how both employees and managers benefit when their employers invest in continued training.

Linda Schildkraut is the new director of the Center for Corporate and Community Education.

“I had a lot of good fortune, but not without help and training and other people investing in my future,” remembers Schildkraut.

When she and her husband decided to move back to her hometown of Lexington, MA, Schildkraut seized the opportunity to help others benefit from that same type of investment. She started at Northern Essex as the Program Manager for Corporate Education for the Center for Corporate and Community Education in March of 2021 and was recently promoted to director of the Center for Corporate and Community Education.

In addition to offering general personal and professional development courses, NECC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education staff connects with local businesses to provide specific and specialized training to provide the skills most in demand in their industries. That can range from basic computer literacy and English language skills courses to CPR certification and management training.

“If you can hire someone for aptitude, we can upskill them,” says Schildkraut. “Jobs have changed since the pandemic started, and there’s a disconnect between skills employers are looking to hire and the skills job seekers have. We can help bridge that gap.”

Schildkraut says they’re constantly working to evolve courses to make sure they’re relevant to the local community and focused on the changing needs of local employers. “We recently revamped our Supervisory Skills course, for example,” she says. “We added topics such as generational and cultural awareness and how to manage a remote workforce.”

NECC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education also offers a variety of personal development courses, like the popular noncredit cooking classes and Microsoft Office Basics. For more information, email communityeducation@necc.mass.edu, call 978 556-3060, or visit the webpage.

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs and hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students enroll in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; 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.

Student Ambassadors Prepare for Fall Semester

August 9, 2022/in Students/by mbouse

This article was adapted from an article that appeared in the spring edition of alumnecc magazine

Nearly every student has heard it at some point in their academic career: if you need help, just ask. But for some students, especially those who are the first in their families to go to college, it can be difficult to know where to start.

group of students stand and kneel in front of blank wall

Fall 2022 ambassadors during their first training session.

With that concern in mind, Audrey Ellis, NECC’s director of institutional effectiveness, created the Student Ambassador program in the fall of 2019. It identifies students who are struggling academically and connects them with peers (ambassadors) who have been trained to guide them to the right resources and get them back on track. And when COVID forced the college to transition to online learning in the spring of 2020, the ambassadors also became a vital link for students who felt isolated and disconnected.

Spring 2022 ambassadors MacKenzie Lio-MacDougall and Grisleidy Aragonés both know what it’s like to feel alone. “When I first started college, I had recently moved from the Dominican Republic away from my parents, other family members, and friends… I had to figure out everything by myself,” recalls Aragonés.

Lio-MacDougall also had a rocky start. “During the fall semester of 2020, my mental health declined to the point where I failed three classes,” she says. “I was disappointed in myself for falling so behind, but in Fall 2021, I retook all three classes, and I passed them all with A’s.”

They say it’s helpful that they, and other ambassadors, can relate to their fellow students on many levels. For example: the majority of the current ambassadors identify as Hispanic and Spanish-speaking. And many of the ambassadors are adult learners – students over the age of 25.

Chucha and Sean stand holding open two doors

Ambassadors Chucha Aquino and Sean Sullivan, Spring ’22

Now that life on campus is starting to resemble more closely what it was like pre-pandemic, the effect of the student ambassador program is evident. Ellis says surveys shows that students who connected with an ambassador were twice as likely to feel part of the college community.

Starting this month, the ambassadors will host drop-in help sessions. Students can visit with an ambassador from 9 am-3 pm on August 31, September 8, and September 13. The sessions will be held in room B-303 on the Haverhill Campus and in LC-135 on the Lawrence Campus.

Student ambassadors are paid and they’re eligible for tuition reimbursement. Seventeen new and returning ambassadors just started orientation for the fall 2022 program.

NECC Alumnus Launches 3D Printing Company

July 28, 2022/in Alumni/by scomiskey

NECC Alumnus Jonathan Aguilar ’18

For Jonathan Aguilar ’18, it was a single Northern Essex Community College dual enrollment course that set him on the path to his dream career.

The Lawrence High School graduate, curious about the concept of 3D modeling, had enrolled in a computer-aided drafting (CAD) course at the college while he was in high school and quickly discovered a love for the field. He enrolled in NECC’s CAD certificate program upon graduating.

“My first semester was the best,” he says of NECC, “because I was studying something I really enjoyed and I knew it was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Bent on continuing on this academic path, Aguilar enrolled in NECC’s engineering science program upon completing his certificate. His love of the field, and learning, only continued to grow from here.

In his first year of the program, Aguilar got a welcome career boost when he was recruited for a year-round paid internship at Advanced Research and Development (ARD) of North Andover, through which he had the opportunity to help manufacture devices for visually-impaired individuals. It was this direct and meaningful work experience, combined with his academic prowess, that would eventually push him toward higher entrepreneurial pursuits. He describes his early experiences in the field as being both challenging and fun.

“It was like playing a video game,” he says, of creating 3D designs.

Aguilar notes that while he was fortunate enough to gain this internship experience early on, his time at NECC did not come without its share of difficulties. With an obligation to balance full-time school work, a full-time internship, and campus activities, he often found himself overwhelmed. Luckily, he says, NECC had the resources to help him remain focused. A first-generation college student, Aguilar became highly involved with PACE and the NECC honors program, both of which helped him stay on track with his goals.

“NECC helped me figure out college life through consistent academic advising whenever I had a question about a class assignment,” he says, “and it helped me shape my educational and professional path.”

During his last year at NECC Aguilar pursued dual enrollment at UMass Lowell through the NECCUM university partnership program and landed a coveted undergraduate research position with the MIT Mechanical Engineering Sloan Laboratory, which sponsored him to work full-time for MIT professors, students, and campus-affiliated startups, including Filter Sensing Technologies, Inc. (FST). As a result of this work and the associated research and writing that came with it, Aguilar became a published author with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) before even receiving his bachelor’s degree.

Aguilar transferred to UMass Lowell in 2018 through the Mass Transfer program and, after earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, launched the search for his dream job in 3D modeling. When he couldn’t find one that matched his goals and interests, he decided to try a different route entirely: he would create the job himself.

Aguilar soon got to work building his own company with the help of the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, which offers startups and entrepreneurs the space and resources to develop, nurture, and grow their businesses. The result of this endeavor was CADSPARC, a computer-aided design company offering customized design services and 3D CAD modeling. In its several years of operation, it has produced various 3D CAD models for 3D printable parts, helping startups and individuals alike address their prototyping needs.

As he continues to build on his burgeoning business, Aguilar says he hopes to attract new talent and to share the excitement that a career in computer-aided drafting can generate.

“My goal is to attract individuals who also enjoy CAD work and want to learn how to design for manufacturing,” he says. “We also hope to create programs that will attract high school students to the field as well.”

In some ways, Aguilar has come full circle. Once a CAD intern himself, he now recruits and hires NECC CAD interns to assist in 3D printing work at the Innovation Hub, where they can gain hands-on experience at the prototyping lab and develop new skills along the way.

For those looking to pursue a similar path, Aguilar offers a quick word of advice:

“Follow your dreams, do right, and try your best at what you do!”