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Bracing for “Hurricane Diane,” NECC Theater’s Spring Production

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Haverhill, MA (March 27, 2023)– Northern Essex Community College Theater has all the elements for success its upcoming spring production: climate change, Greek mythology, and sexual identity, with a dash of Real Housewives of New Jersey. They combine hilariously to create the perfect storm that is Hurricane Diane. NECC Theater will stage the production, penned by Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George, April 27-30.

Mirrorajah Metcalfe stars as Diane in “Hurricane Diane”

“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be zippy, modern, and funny,” promises director and NECC Theater Professor Brianne Beatrice. “I’m working on the music and sound design right now. It’s going to be very intriguing to the audience.”

The title role Diane is played by Liberal Arts: Writing major Mirrorajah Metcalfe of Haverhill. AmericanTheater.org describes the character as “a permaculture gardener dripping with butch charm.” In reality, Diane is the Greek god Dionysus. She’s returned to the modern world to gather mortal followers and restore the Earth to its natural state. Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? The comedy serves as a commentary on the blind eye we all turn to climate change and “the bacchanalian catharsis that awaits us, even in our own backyards.”

Four more Northern Essex students round out the cast: Olivia Barberian, Madison Monahan, Jessica Newy, and Ana Barrera.

Beatrice first saw a production of Hurricane Diane at the Huntington Theater starring her good friend, Salem State Theater professor Esme Allen, about a year and a half ago. “I loved it. I loved the pace, the relationship to the environment, the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community,” remembers Beatrice. Esme later encouraged her to stage her own production at NECC. Beatrice was mulling it over when she saw Metcalfe and Monahan in this fall’s staged reading of Stop Kiss. “I thought, ‘That’s it. There’s Hurricane Diane.’ I realized this could really work here.”

The show will return to the outdoor setting used to stage Tiny, Beautiful Things in the fall of 2021, near the Bentley Library on the NECC Haverhill Campus. Shows are scheduled for April 27 and 28 at 4pm and April 29 and 30 at 2pm. The show runs an hour and a half, and due to some strong language and mild adult themes, it is recommended for audience members who are 18+. Tickets can be purchased here.

If you would like to learn more about theater at Northern Essex, you can contact Professor Brianne Beatrice.

 

 

NECC to Hold Inaugural Impact Awards

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Haverhill, MA (March 27, 2023) – Northern Essex Community College is proud to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to the college and its students with the inaugural NECC Impact Awards. The following five outstanding community members will be honored at a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, May 3, at 8:30 am on the Haverhill Campus. Purchase tickets and learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.

View of Bentley Library on the Haverhill Campus

Award Recipients

 

Covanta, Community Partner Award
This award honors an individual, group, or organization who, through their support, has made a lasting impact at Northern Essex. Covanta has long been a partner for Northern Essex, supporting numerous causes, initiatives, and projects. In 2011, the local sustainability company established an endowed scholarship for students pursuing an associate degree in natural, laboratory, or engineering science. Most recently, Covanta matched a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth for the Haverhill Promise Program. The program allows Haverhill High School students who have participated in early college at NECC to complete their associate degrees tuition-free following graduation. Covanta’s Business Manager, Mark Van Weelden, serves on the NECC Foundation Board.

Jouel Gómez, Outstanding Alumni Award
This award recognizes an alumnus/a who has achieved career-related success, is active in the community, and/or has exemplified active support for the college’s efforts. Jouel 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 an MBA from Bentley University. He became involved in alumni association efforts in NECC in 2016, becoming the vice-chairperson and president and chairperson in 2021. Gómez also serves on the NECC Board of Trustees as the alumni representative.

Jeffrey Linehan, Philanthropy & Volunteerism Award
This award is given to a member of the Northern Essex community who has demonstrated commitment to NECC through financial support, volunteering, and leadership. Entrepreneur Jeffrey Linehan graduated from Northern Essex in 1977. After earning his bachelor’s and MBA, Linehan returned to his roots, serving as a long-standing member of several local and college boards, including time as the chair of the NECC Board of Trustees. Currently, Linehan serves as the secretary for the NECC Foundation Board.

Diana DiZoglio, Public Service & Advocacy Award
The Public Service and Advocacy award honors an individual who has made a tremendous impact on the lives of our students through public service or advocacy. Diana DiZoglio was recently elected as State Auditor. As the former State Senator from the First Essex District and the Representative for the 14th Essex District, DiZoglio has been an advocate for Northern Essex, its students, and its efforts in Lawrence, Haverhill, and surrounding communities.

Vilma Martinez Dominguez, Equity and Social Justice Award
This award recognizes individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have impacted the NECC community through values such as a commitment to equity, diversity, and the advancement of human rights and social justice. Vilma Martinez Dominguez is the COO of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) and the former Community Development Director for the City of Lawrence. GLCAC partners with hundreds of local organizations to provide wraparound services for area residents living in poverty, including numerous collaborations with NECC. This year, GLCAC partnered with NECC to expand the availability of high-quality ESOL instruction in the Greater Lawrence region, addressing the expansive waitlist of more than 2,000 people.

 

Kiss 108 Co-Host Will Be Featured Commencement Speaker

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Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (March 23, 2023)– Planning is underway for the 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony at Northern Essex Community College. The event will be held Saturday, May 13 at 11 am, on the Haverhill Campus. More than 400 students and their families will gather under the tent for the occasion.

Justin Aguirre ’09 is this year’s Featured Commencement Speaker

This year’s Featured Commencement Speaker is keenly aware of the day’s significance. Justin Aguirre is now the executive producer and co-host of the Kiss 108 “Billy and Lisa in the Morning Show.” But back in 2006, he was a young man from Malden who had overcome issues with addiction. He wasn’t sure where life was going, but he knew he needed a change.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected to be the commencement speaker,” he said. “My journey began at NECC as a young student unsure of where I was headed – to be asked to return in this capacity is really special.”

Aguirre enrolled as a journalism/communications student in 2006 at the urging of a mentor who knew he was interested in media. He graduated in 2009 and transferred to Salem State. Aguirre eventually landed a coveted internship on the “Ramiro and Pebbles Morning Show” on JAM’N 94.5.

Aguirre was hired by JAM’N 94.5 as a part-time producer and, from there, moved on to Kiss 108, working first as a producer for Ryan Seacrest and, later, for Matt Siegel of “Matty in the Morning.”  Following the announcement of Siegel’s retirement in May, Aguirre was promoted to his current role as co-host and executive producer of the “Billy and Lisa in the Morning Show,” a position that has him waking up at 3 a.m., hosting live shows from 5 to 10 a.m., and a podcast, “The After Show,” until noon.

“I look forward to sharing with students that ANY dream you have is possible. I’m living proof of that.”

Aguirre recently shared the news with his co-hosts on air. You can listen here. He spoke about how he felt when asked to be the speaker at the 12:52 mark and shared more about his personal journey at 21:00.

The 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony will also feature a student speaker selected by faculty and staff and the presentation of awards, including the Outstanding Alumni Award, Social Justice Award, and Emeritus.

The 61st Annual Commencement Ceremony is May 13, 2023

To learn more about Northern Essex’s 61st  Annual Commencement Ceremony, visit the website.

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.

 

Second Annual Giving Day Set for April 6

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Haverhill, MA (March 28, 2023) ­– Organizers of Northern Essex Community College’s second annual Giving Day are hoping history repeats itself. The day-long fundraiser and community pride event will occur on April 6, 2023.

All the funds raised will go to the NECC Fund, which provides critical support to the college’s areas of greatest need. Gifts to the NECC Fund are unrestricted, meaning they can be spent immediately and benefit a range of resources and programs that are crucial to the success of students, faculty, and staff. Historically, the NECC Fund has offered substantial support to some of the following areas: student scholarship, innovation, academic programming, career programming, and classroom resources.

Last year, 206 individual donors from the NECC community came together to raise $34,604. The effort smashed previous annual giving campaign records and made April 7, 2022, the largest single-day community fundraising effort in NECC Fund history. This year, organizers are hoping to reach 250 individual donors.

Donors who contribute $50 or more will be eligible to receive a special prize. And those on campus can stop by tables set up in the Dimitry Building on the Lawrence Campus and the Student Center and Spurk buildings on the Haverhill Campus for giveaways.

Giving Day is an annual event held on or around April 7. The date is significant: more than 60 years ago, April 7th was the date students could first register for classes at the newly formed Northern Essex Community College. You can learn more by visiting the Giving Day webpage. You can donate to the NECC Fund anytime by using this link, calling 978-556-3806 or emailing giving@necc.mass.edu for other arrangements.

Northern Essex Welcomes New MassHire Executive Director

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Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (March 17, 2023)– After an extensive search, Northern Essex Community College is proud to welcome James Henderson as the new Executive Director of the MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center.

james, wearing blue button down shirt and plaid vest, smiles at the camera

James Henderson is the new Executive Director for the MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center.

The center, with locations in Haverhill and Lawrence, provides employment and training services for youth, unemployed and under-employed adults, and laid-off workers, as well as recruitment and incumbent worker training for local companies. There are more than two dozen MassHire centers throughout the state. Northern Essex began managing the MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center in 2017.

Henderson comes to MassHire from North Shore Community Action Programs in Peabody, MA, where he was the Director of Adult Education and Workforce Development. Born and raised in Northern Ohio, Henderson attended the University of Oregon as an undergraduate. He then spent the next ten years living and working overseas in Japan, Portugal, Finland, and the United Kingdom as a teacher and school director. In his most recent position, he and his team expanded an ESOL program that currently serves 145 adult immigrant students and added two career training programs partnering with Essex Tech in Danvers.

Henderson replaces Linda Rohrer, who is retiring after 40 years of workforce development, including her six years with Northern Essex and MassHire.

MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Centers serve 15 cities and towns across the region:  Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill, Georgetown, Merrimack, Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, West Newbury, Rowley, Boxford, and Groveland. Offices are located on NECC’s Lawrence Campus at 420 C0mmon Street and in Haverhill in The Heights building at 160 Merrimack St.

The U.S. Department of Labor funds the center through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which provides resources to states and local workforce investment boards. To learn more about the center and its services, visit the webpage.

NECC Student Stars in New Movie “Champions”

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James Day Keith might be a familiar face if you’ve spent much time on the Haverhill Campus of Northern Essex Community College. In addition to taking classes, he works in the cafe in the Spurk Building. Now, Keith is getting recognized for a new reason: he has a role in the new sports comedy “Champions,” starring Woody Harrelson and directed by Bobby Farrelly.

James poses in front of backdrop with the movie title "Champions" written on it

James Day Keith poses at the premiere of “Champions.”

The movie follows Harrelson’s character, Marcus Marokovich, an assistant basketball who lets his temper get the best of him during a game and shoves the head coach. After leaving the stadium, he gets drunk at a local bar, and while driving home, he hits a police car, ending up in jail. The judge gives Marokovich a choice: 18 months in prison or 90 days of community service with a local community center’s intellectually challenged basketball team, The Friends. Marokovich chooses The Friends.

Keith plays a member of The Friends, Benny. He told the Eagle Tribune that he heard about the role through his mother, Kathleen. She organizes the North Andover Special Olympics basketball team, on which Keith has played since he was young. The national Special Olympics organization sent the casting call, and Keith decided, “why not!?” His mother filmed his audition and sent it in. The rest, as they say, is history.

View James Day Keith’s interview with WCVB here.

“Champions” is in theaters now.

 

Stratton named NJCAA East District Coach of the Year

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By Dan Blair, NECC Director of Athletics

Utica, NY (March 14, 2023) – Northern Essex Community College head men’s basketball Darren Stratton was named the NJCAA East District Coach of the Year on Tuesday evening at the National Championships award in advance of the tournament beginning on Wednesday.

coach kneels in front of seated players, talking to them about plays

Darren Stratton is the NJCAA East District Coach of the Year

Stratton, who has led the Knights to a 31-1 record and a first-round tournament bye, will take the court on Thursday afternoon at 4:00 pm in the national quarterfinal against the winner of Wednesday’s first-round matchup between 5th-seeded Northampton and 12th-seeded Dutchess.

The Knights’ lone loss of the season came back on November 12th to Suffolk County Community College and since have reeled off 27 straight wins and led the nation in all rebounding categories.

In his 20th season over two stints with the program, Stratton sits with a career record of 288-202 and led NECC to its first-ever national championship tournament berth as the Knights rolled through the Region 21/East District Tournament defeating Roxbury Community College by a 91-76 final on March 5th to secure their trip to the national tournament.

Watch tournament action live here and learn more about Stratton and the Knights by visiting neccknights.com.

NECC Police Academy Doubles State Average for Female Student Officers

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Each student officer who completes training at the Northern Essex Police Academy has plenty of reasons to be proud. They survived cadence runs in all kinds of weather, endured pepper spray, memorized codes, and passed dozens of tests in their six months together- to name a few. But the student officers of ROC-03 who graduated on March 10 have another unique point of pride. More than a third of their class was comprised of women. At 34%, that is double the state average of women in police academies.

Student officers of ROC-03 share their experiences.

“There’s 11 of us, and that’s a huge number, but it’s not even half the class. So, we walked in and wanted to prove ourselves right off the bat. And we did that,” said Rachael Mini.

“Everyone is held to the same standard, regardless of your abilities or gender,” echoed Olivia Durgin. “We’re all held to the same standard coming in, and all of the instructors do a great job of upholding that standard.”

The women said they could tell how everyone in the academy benefited from having a diverse group with different perspectives. “Going through different scenarios, the guys are seeing how we might handle things and thinking, ‘let me try that.’ And we do the same. So, we feel like we’re helping drive the way policing is going,” said Corrine Woods.

The student officers are first hired by local municipalities, who then send them to the academy. Now that they’ve graduated, they’ll return to those departments and start putting their training into practice.

Officers Rhiannon Ormsby and Rachael Mini prepare for a test scenario

“I came in not knowing what to expect,” remembers Giana Berkowitz. And I could see, coming in here with these male student officers, they already respected us. And we tell them like it is. I can already tell from my experience here that it will go well at the department.”

“We were never looked at differently. We were jumping all the same fences the guys were,” said Brigitte Hamel.

“We’re excited, but it’s also a bit sad,” reflected Rhiannon Ormsby. “There are more women here than in the department I’m going to. So, I’ll miss this. We’re like a family.”

To learn more about the NECC Police Academy, contact Director Josh Stokel.

NECC Creates New Center for MassReconnect Students

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Lawrence and Haverhill, MA (March 9, 2023)– More than 1.8 million adults in Massachusetts could be eligible for free community college under Governor Healey’s MassReconnect Program. The Governor, surrounded by the Workforce Skills Cabinet and community college presidents, officially unveiled her $20 million plan last Wednesday on what Northern Essex President Lane Glenn called “A momentous day for higher education in Massachusetts.”

MassReconnect will support state residents who are 25 years old and older and have not yet earned a college degree or industry credential. It would offer students last-dollar financial support to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies.

The plan is included in the governor’s $55.5 billion state budget proposal. While final budget approval isn’t expected until the summer, While final budget approval isn’t expected until the summer, and will need the support of both the House of Representatives and Senate, Northern Essex is poised to accept MassReconnect students by developing the Center for Adult Academic Pathways, or CAAP. The Center will have office space on both the Haverhill and Lawrence Campuses. The center will guide adult learners to assess their goals and determine the proper pathways to achieve them while also helping learners navigate the college process using wraparound support services.

The CAAP will help MassReconnect students connect with advisors and services.

“Our college is a leader in innovative practices that honor the prior experiences of our learners and the care and concern of our faculty,” said Dr. Paul Beaudin, Provost.  “Our new centers will be built upon a foundation that listens to the voices of our ‘more adult’ learners and reconnects them with their dreams for the future.”

The CAAP will additionally offer testing and technical support and serve as a hub for students to connect with others returning to school after a hiatus.

Provost Beaudin says these students will also benefit from an increase in 7-week courses offered in various formats, giving students more flexibility in how and when they complete their degrees.  These plans will be enfleshed with the input and expertise of our faculty and student affairs staff.

“The MassReconnect program is just what hundreds of thousands of adults in Massachusetts who started college and have not yet been able to complete their degrees need to help them cross that finish line, and it’s just what the state’s employers need to help them fill in-demand jobs in our workforce,” said President Glenn. “NECC looks forward to welcoming these students back to campus.”

Those interested in MassReconnect can fill out this interest form to start connecting with advisors today. Learn more about the program, CAAP, and current resources for adult learners by visiting necc.edu/MassReconnect.

The governor’s budget funding includes several other investments in education and workforce development programs, such as Early College and Innovation Pathways, the Community College SUCCESS fund, the Healthcare Worker Training and AFL-CIO Workforce Development programs, Career Technical Institutes and Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

“Workforce shortages have impacted nearly all sectors of our economy, but we have an incredible opportunity before us to train the next generation of workers and increase opportunities for all,” said Governor Healey in a press release. “The MassReconnect program, as well as the other investments in education and workforce development that we call for in our budget, will be transformative for hundreds of thousands of our residents. More students than ever before will be able to advance or complete their educations and set themselves up for a successful career in in-demand industries like health care, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and tech.”

Northern Essex and UMass Lowell Sign Innovative Joint Admissions Agreement

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Haverhill, MA (February 27, 2023)– A new joint admissions agreement between Northern Essex Community College and UMass Lowell will enhance the transfer process between the two institutions. Upon acceptance to NECC, students who opted into joint admissions on their application will also be conditionally accepted to UML.

“By making this process of applying to college and earning an associates degree and a bachelor’s degree affordable, we’re opening the doors wider for the communities we serve,” remarked NECC President Lane Glenn. “We’re better preparing a workforce for the Commonwealth. And it’s a workforce that the Commonwealth desperately needs.”

NECC President Lane Glenn and UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen

Upon completion of their associate degree, joint admissions students will have priority registration at UML, they will get priority for Merit Scholarships, and they will be exempt from UMass’s Core Curriculum. UML will also waive the application fee.

UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen and Provost Joe Hartman joined President Lane Glenn and Northern Essex Provost Paul Beaudin on the NECC campus to formally sign the agreement on Monday, February 27. “The world is changing. And we’re recognizing that the pathways to education are also changing,” said Chen. “We know that Northern Essex is a key piece of this ecosystem and a partner for us because NECC provides that critical, early support.”

“Nearly half the adults in Massachusetts have a bachelor’s degree. Geography is destiny: 28% of adults in Haverhill have a bachelor’s degree, and 14% of adults in Lawrence 25 years or older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. So, efforts like this are a cause for social justice, they’re a cause for addressing the workforce’s needs, and they’re a cause for changing many lives of families in the future,” stated Glenn.

UML Provost Joe Hartman said approximately 900 students have transferred from NECC to UML in the last six years. “They’ve retained at a higher rate than our average students, so we know they come in well-prepared and ready to succeed, work hard, and move forward. We’re excited to see more NECC students.” UML has secured funding for programs designed to support transfer students, and as part of the joint admissions agreement, a UML admissions counselor will be assigned specifically to NECC students.

The joint admissions agreement is effective immediately. NECC graduates will be admitted to UML with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0. Although NECC students covered by this agreement will be admitted to the university, some programs may have additional requirements for incoming transfer students, which must be met before admission to that program. This agreement does not apply to students wishing to transfer into the UML Nursing Program.

“Sometimes, I think that we forget that the war on poverty is truly won by educators,” said Provost Beaudin in his closing remarks Monday. “Thank you, UMass Lowell, for helping us map change in our corner of the Commonwealth.”

For more information on transfer agreements, contact NECC’s Director of Transfer, Articulation, and Academic Center Advising Michelle Sunday.

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