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Celebrating NECC Entrepreneurs for National Women’s Small Business Month

October 18, 2023/in Events/by mbouse

Each October, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) honors the progress women have made with National Women’s Small Business Month. According to the SBA, in 1972, there were just over 400,000 women-owned businesses in the United States. Until 1988, women needed a male relative to co-sign if they wanted to apply for a business loan. But that same year, the Women’s Business Ownership Act passed, which allowed the SBA to provide financial assistance to organizations geared toward women-owned small businesses. Today, there are over 13 million women-owned businesses, accounting for 42% of all business ownership in the U.S. and generating $1.9 trillion worth of revenue.

With a robust business transfer program and an environment that fosters creativity, it’s no surprise that many NECC students and alumni are among those successful women-identifying business owners. Several have recently been featured in the NECC Newsroom and local media:

Rosa stands inside her food stall with her arms open wide

Rosita’s Cocina at the Newburyport Farmer’s Market

Current Business Transfer student Rosa Garza of Newburyport is the owner and operator of the popular food stand Rosita’s Cocina. You can often find her at farmer’s markets and special events in the Merrimack Valley and the Seacoast region, serving up her signature empanadas and other authentic Mexican dishes. Read more here!

Renee Terry

Renee Terry ’13 of Amesbury became a household name with a win on the Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge, season 5. Her bakery, Sweet Cheeks, specializes in custom-designed cookies and often books orders months in advance. Luckily, her creations are now easier to get with the opening of a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Amesbury. Terry has partnered with the owner of another previously home-based business, For the Party Co. to open the spot called- appropriately- Sweet Cheeks and For the Party Co. Read more about Terry’s time at NECC here and about her new venture here.

Liseth Valez wearing hard hard and reflective vest stands with sky scrapers in the background

Liseth Velez ’15 on site of one of her projects in Roxbury, MA

Liseth Velez ’15 is a US Veteran of the Air National Guard to the founder of the construction firm LJV. She credits her time at NECC as helping her find the balance and concentration she needed to continue her educational journey, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in business management from Webster University. She began investing in real estate early in her career and launched her Everett-based construction firm, LJV Development, in 2018. Find her recent feature in our alumni magazine, alumnecc, here.

Are you a NECC alumna and a small business owner? Please let us know! Email mbouse@necc.mass.edu to share your story!

President Glenn Shares Keys to SUCCESS in National Webinar

October 18, 2023/in Events/by mbouse

Tuesday, October 17– A Massachusetts program, spearheaded by Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn is serving as a national model for improving student persistence, retention, and completion.

Results for America is a non-profit focused on shifting government spending to open opportunities and advance economic mobility. In a recent case study, they looked at postsecondary programs, including the Massachusetts SUCCESS program, to serve as examples for states and institutions seeking to do similar work and to encourage increased federal and state support for evidence-based interventions. Tuesday, they presented the results of the case study in a nationally broadcast webinar, featuring President Glenn and SUCCESS Senior Project Director, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC) Lutful Khan.

Glenn began work on the creation of the statewide SUCCESS program in 2019 based on observations of student success rates in the TRIO program. TRIO is a federal grant program that funds support services for eligible low-income students. Through this program, colleges and universities provide tutoring, academic advising, financial aid counseling, career guidance, and other support services. TRIO students, on average, had rates of persistence and completion that were 20 to 30 percentage points higher than their peers.

Participants in NECC’s SOAR Program

Glenn’s vision was to create a similar program for a broader group of students. “The observation that when colleges have money for supporting additional wrap-around services, we know what to do, and it works,” Glenn shared during the webinar.

Together with MACC, and other community college presidents, he successfully lobbied for the creation of the SUCCESS Fund in Massachusetts for fiscal year 2021. SUCCESS stands for Supporting Urgent Community College Equity Through Student Services. SUCCESS enables the 15 Massachusetts community colleges to scale up proven wrap-around support services, with the aim of improving persistence and degree completion. Now in its fourth year, funding has doubled since its inception to $14 million for FY ’24.

Each college tailored the program to its student population. At Northern Essex, it funded the creation of the SOAR program. Like other SUCCESS programs, SOAR provides wrap-around services to students who are historically under-represented and under-served in higher education, including students experiencing poverty, students from minoritized communities, first-generation students, students with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ students.

Early data shows the SUCCESS Program is producing similar results to that of TRIO. In examining success rates for students across seven of the state’s community colleges in 2021, 67% of SUCCESS participants persisted to the following fall, compared with 51% of their peers who did not engage with SUCCESS.

Tuesday’s webinar also featured the results of a case study of a similar program in Colorado. Results for America will use these case studies in its work to impact how federal dollars flow to state and local governments.

To learn more about the SUCCESS fund and SOAR at NECC, visit the webpage. The complete case study can be found here.

Transfer Week 2023: October 16-20

October 16, 2023/in Students/by mbouse

The third week of October is National Transfer Student Week. Here at Northern Essex, two transfer fairs will help students learn more about transfer opportunities. Representatives from more than 30 local colleges and universities will be on hand to answer students’ questions and provide information on program offerings, transfer requirements, financial aid, scholarships, and more.

“We bring colleges and universities to students so they can plan and connect with a person from their desired transfer college university,” says Michelle Sunday, NECC director of transfer, articulation, and academic center advising. “We suggest students bring an unofficial copy of their transcript so they can get specific and accurate information and, in some cases, on-the-spot admissions.”

The first transfer fair will take place on the Haverhill Campus, Wednesday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the 1st and 2nd floor lobby of the C (Spurk) Building.

The second fair will take place Tuesday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Lawrence Campus, in the 1st floor atrium of the L (Dimitry) Building.

Students who attend the fairs will be able to enter a raffle for a gift card giveaway. More information can be found here.

Transferring from NECC

Each year, hundreds of students transfer NECC credits to four-year colleges and universities. UMass Lowell (UML) is the most popular transfer destination. As such, NECC recently entered into a new joint admissions agreement with UML. 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 associate degree and a bachelor’s degree affordable, we’re opening the doors wider for the communities we serve,” remarked NECC President Lane Glenn at the agreement signing event this past spring. “We’re better preparing a workforce for the Commonwealth. And it’s a workforce that the Commonwealth desperately needs.”

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.

NECC has a similar agreement with Salem State University (SSU), another popular choice for students transferring from NECC. This summer, NECC, North Shore Community College (NSCC), and SSU formed the Transfer Connections Partnership, which builds on years of collaboration among the institutions to increase access to quality, affordable higher education. Salem State University will grant $3,000 scholarships to students transferring to the university within a year of receiving their associate degree from NSCC or NECC. Students enrolling at one of the community colleges can also apply for joint admission to Salem State, guaranteeing their admission to the university upon completing an associate degree.

In addition to specific joint admissions agreements, the state offers three MassTransfer pathways between community colleges and any of the University of Massachusetts schools. Learn more about MassTransfer here.

Massachusetts STEM Week at NECC: October 16-20

October 11, 2023/in Students/by mbouse

Northern Essex Community College’s Center for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is gearing up for a series of exciting events as part of Massachusetts STEM Week, starting on October 16.

The Hartleb Technology Center on NECC’s Haverhill Campus

Massachusetts STEM Week is an annual statewide event that takes place during the third week of October, organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s Nine Regional STEM Networks. STEM Week is an effort to boost the interest, awareness and ability of all students to see themselves in STEM opportunities.

Here at Northern Essex, Dean of STEM Carolyn Knoepfler says she and faculty are building off the success of last year’s STEM Week with a series of special events:

Monday, October 16th at 11:30 am in TC 103, Haverhill Representatives from Amazon Robotics will share how robots are built that serve the Amazon facilities as well as career ideas in Amazon.

Tuesday, October 17th at 12 pm in TC 103, Haverhill Three people from Root and Bloom will talk about the cannabis industry, namely Cultivation, Manufacturing and Operations.

Wednesday, October 18th TC 211, Haverhill Local Fermentation Educator & Recipe Consultant Emily Makrez will give a talk called “Fermentation and You!” She will share how fermented products are good for your health and well-being.

Thursday, October 19th, 6-8 pm, Dimitry Building, Lawrence NECC CIS (Computer and Information Science) professors will host an open house.

Friday, October 20th at 10:20 am Forty students from Haverhill High School will tour NECC and learn about Forensic Science and STEM Programs and take a tour.

The statewide theme for STEM Week is “See Yourself in STEM,” and this year, the state is highlighting the importance of STEM education in the fight against the global climate crisis. The Healey-Driscoll Administration wants to remind students that “Your STEM future is our STEM future—we all depend on future STEM leaders and innovators to deliver the progress and sustainable solutions that will make Massachusetts a world leader in combating the climate crisis.”

Learn more about STEM Week activities here at Northern Essex by visiting the webpage or by contacting Knoepfler at cknoepfler@necc.mass.edu.

Northern Essex Baseball Team Visits the Dominican Republic

October 8, 2023/in Students/by mbouse

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (October 10, 2023) – The Northern Essex Community College Baseball Team spent the long weekend learning firsthand about the culture of the Dominican Republic, volunteering to bring aid to some of the country’s most vulnerable residents, and connecting with fellow college athletes.

Thirty-five players and five NECC staff members arrived in the Dominican Republic on Friday, October 6, for the cultural immersion trip. Just last fall, six members of the Northern Essex leadership team, along with several community partners, took a similar trip. With 40% of Northern Essex students having ties to the Dominican Republic, cultural immersion trips like these are a chance to learn more about their experiences.

The team played three scrimmages while there: two against Universidad Central del Este (UCE) and one against Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo UASD. They also volunteered for a project run by the Universidad Central del Este to help bring safe drinking water to bateyes (shanty towns inhabited by sugarcane cutters).

The trip was partially sponsored by Chancellor José Hazim of UCE and UASD with additional support and promotion from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in the Dominican Republic as part of their commitment to globalization and internationalization of their education system.

Day 1
Friday, October 6

After an early morning flight, the team hit the ground running, making the most of the long weekend trip. They checked into their hotel and then headed for Universidad Central del Este (UCE). There, they attended the school’s baseball academy, learning about the educational system in the DR and about different regulations for the game. They got to put their new knowledge to use with practice afterward.

The Knights and the NECC staff then returned to the hotel to rest up for their first full day of activities.

Day 2
Saturday, October 7

Today was dedicated to learning about the local culture, visiting significant sights, including the Cuevas de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders), and volunteering with UCE.

The UCE Medical Center has been at the forefront of eradicating dengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness found mostly in tropical and subtropical climates. Densely populated areas without access to clean tap water are at elevated risk for the disease due to greater use of water-storing containers, which could help breed dengue-virus-spreading mosquitoes.

Access to clean water is especially challenging in the Dominican Republic’s bateyes. Bateyes are small communities of mostly Haitian immigrants working in the sugarcane fields of the Dominican Republic. The NECC Knights went door to door in a batey today, offering to test the drinking water in the homes. Then, if needed, they used kits to treat their water storage systems. In all, the players treated 30 tanks of water, which service more than 50 of the batey’s residents.

Day 3
Sunday, October 8

The Knights put the lessons they learned at the Baseball Academy to use as they faced off in a doubleheader against UCE. NECC won the first game 12-3 but dropped the second 6-5. Despite splitting the series, the Knights took home the trophy based on the run differential.

The game was a homecoming of sorts for NECC players with ties to the Dominican Republic. The families of several players were able to attend today’s games. One mom even offered to wash all of the players’ uniforms ahead of tomorrow’s game with Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.

Day 4
Monday, October 9

The last full day of the trip began with tours of Santo Domingo and Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. The players enjoyed learning more about the culture and education system before hitting the field for their final scrimmage against UASD.

More friends, family, and fans of NECC players attended the game and even some abuelas. Following the friendly match-up, the team and their loved ones enjoyed dinner together at UASD.

Day 5
Tuesday, October 10

Knights return home!

The visit generated articles in the Dominican Republic media, including La Provincia, El Orientador, and Turismo RD. José Altagracia Hazim Torres, a top academic officer at the Universidad Central del Este noted, “For us, it has been a great pleasure to be able to share in this small sporting event, motivated by students, both from the Central University of the East and Northern Essex. It has been a day of great celebration.” (translated from Spanish)

To learn more about athletics at Northern Essex, contact Athletics Director Dan Blair. For more information on cultural immersion trips, contact Vice President of Lawrence Campus & Community Relations Noemi Custodia-Lora.

NECC Theater Presents: “Almost, Maine”

October 5, 2023/in Students/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (October 5, 2023) – The stage is nearly set for the first Northern Essex Community College Theater performance of the academic year. “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani tells the story of people experiencing the life-altering power of the human heart. In a series of playful and surreal vignettes, relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. And it’s all set to the backdrop of the aurora borealis in the fictional town of Almost, Maine.

Mirrorajah Metcalfe and Adrianna Neefus rehearsing “Almost, Maine”

“It’s so magical. There’s a surprise at the end of every vignette. By the second vignette, the audience is excitedly waiting for the twist,” says NECC Theater Professor and “Almost, Maine” Director Brianne Beatrice.

Beatrice knows the play well. “I love this show and really wanted to bring the magic to NECC,” she says as she recalls first staging it in 2010 with friends for community theater in Marblehead, MA, and then reprieving it at Salem State University.

The show stars seasoned NECC Theater actors Liberal Arts: Writing major Mirrorajah Metcalfe of Haverhill and Liberal Arts major Olivia Barberian of Candia, NH, alongside local actress Adrianna Neefus and NECC alum and professional actor Michael Zuccola ’07 of Haverhill.

Beatrice says the actors have enjoyed exploring the play, which presents some challenges with dialogue that is meant to overlap and characters that change with each vignette. “We’re finding the rhythm. I think they thought coming in, ‘This is a cute little piece,’ and when they started looking at the script analysis, they said, ‘Whoa, this is deeper than I thought!’ It’s a romance and a dramedy. You’re laughing and then you’re choking back the tears.”

“Almost, Maine” will be performed in the Chester W. Hawrylciw Theater, located on the top floor of the Spurk Classroom Building on the Haverhill Campus. Showtimes are October 26 at 4 pm, October 27 and 28 at 7 pm, and October 29 at 2 pm.  Tickets can be purchased here. General admission tickets are $20, students and seniors are $10.

The NECC Theater season will include a spring production of the play “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker. Beatrice is also planning several guest actor and artist visits. To learn more about theater at NECC, contact Beatrice at bbeatrice@necc.mass.edu.

Veterans Services Coordinator Provides a Vital Link for Students

October 4, 2023/in Students/by mbouse

Each semester, dozens of local veterans enroll at Northern Essex Community College, ready to begin a new phase of life. And Veterans Services Coordinator Angela McCrillis is there to greet them. As a veteran herself, McCrillis has a deep understanding of what the transition to college life can be like and the kind of support those students need.

Veterans Services Coordinator Angela McCrillis

McCrillis enlisted in the Air Force when she was just 19 years old, living in Georgia. She met her husband while in the service. Together, they moved around the country and overseas to London before her husband’s latest orders brought them to Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, MA. Along the way, McCrillis used her own VA educational benefits to attain her bachelor’s degree. She then worked as a Veteran Certifying Official at Eastern New Mexico University. She says being a veteran and an active-duty spouse allows her to understand all sides of the veteran population.

“I take my job so seriously – I understand that balance,” McCrillis says. “I have a heart for people in general, I really stay on it to make sure [veteran students] are getting the assistance they need.”

McCrillis says she’s grateful for the collaborative spirit she’s encountered since she arrived at the college in February. In addition to her critical work connecting students with their veterans’ benefits, she sees many opportunities to educate others about the unique challenges veteran students face. For example, she is planning workshops for faculty on recognizing the signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“Veterans live a different life. You grow up quickly. These students went to basic training, carried a weapon around daily, and had various experiences while deployed. A 22-year-old veteran has seen more in a year than the average person ever sees.”

McCrillis is also planning several campus-wide events and programs to honor veterans and veteran students, including collaborating with the NECC Knights Men’s Basketball Team. They will wear special camouflage jerseys during a home game around Veterans Day. The jerseys will later be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to a local non-profit.

“It’s a great way to connect students with each other, who may not otherwise realize each other’s backgrounds.”

In 2021, Northern Essex was designated as a Military Friendly® School by Viqtory, a national organization that connects veterans with civilian education, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities. About 75 veterans are enrolled this semester and McCrillis expects that number will rise in the spring. She says COVID-19 delayed college plans for many veteran students because they need to take the majority of their classes in person to get the maximum VA benefits.

The Veteran’s Office is located in SC214 on the Haverhill campus. McCrillis says students are welcome to stop by anytime. “I have an open-door policy. Come by and chat. I have snacks and coffee! I want students to connect with me not only professionally but as a mentor.” If students wish to make an appointment, they can contact Angela at amcrillis@necc.mass.edu.

Who is a High School Completer? New Guidelines for Eligibility Under the Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law

September 29, 2023/in Community, Spotlight, Students/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (September 29, 2023) – A month after Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey celebrated the Tuition Equity Law on the Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Campus, the state Department of Higher Education (DHE) has released new guidelines to determine which students qualify for the program.

The law allows anyone who meets the criteria listed below to access in-state tuition and financial aid at the Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities. Collectively, this group of students are referred to as “High School Completers.” And while all students can benefit from this expanded access to affordable higher education, the Tuition Equity Law notably carves a pathway for certain non-US citizen students, including undocumented students.

High School Completers have:

Attended high school in the Commonwealth for at least three years
Earned a diploma or the equivalent (a GED/ HiSet) in the Commonwealth
Met other documentation requirements

The law is retroactive to July 1. Northern Essex President Lane Glenn shared that this means some students who are currently enrolled or took classes over the summer could be entitled to a refund.

“If you are an enrolled student and previously were not eligible for in-state tuition or state financial aid, but, after applying and being assessed, you are now determined to be eligible under the new Tuition Equity Law, you may be eligible to have your account credited,” Glenn noted.

Students should contact their institution’s financial aid office and complete the application process to determine eligibility. Information specific to Northern Essex students can be found on the webpage.

Tuition Equity at NECC
President Lane Glenn has been at the forefront of advocating for tuition equity in Massachusetts. Nearly 20 years after initial proposals, the Tuition Equity Bill was championed in the MA Senate’s FY24 Budget, and Governor Maura Healey signed the provision into law on August 9, 2023.

“Northern Essex Community College has a campus in the Gateway City of Lawrence, also known as the ‘Immigrant City,’ and I know firsthand that this important policy will immediately benefit students in Lawrence and across the Commonwealth, make Massachusetts more economically competitive with other states, and better prepare the workforce we need in the years ahead,” said Glenn of the bill’s passage.

The Tuition Equity Law was celebrated with a special event and press conference on the Lawrence Campus of Northern Essex featuring Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and Senate President Karen Spilka.

Joan S. at the Tuition Equity Law Celebration

Several students also attended, including Joan S., a General Studies: Health Professions major at Northern Essex. She moved to the United States from Tanzania when she was just ten years old. At age 16, she found out she was undocumented, which made her goal of one day becoming a nurse practitioner seem even further out of reach.

“In order to apply for the nursing program, I had to take prerequisite classes, which would typically take a person a semester or two to complete; however, it took me years because I had to take one or two classes at a time. Because of my status, these classes cost three times the amount an in-state student pays for tuition,” Joan shared with the audience in a moving speech. “With the passing of this new bill, I now feel as though I have an opportunity to pursue my education further.”

A recording of the event, including Joan’s remarks, can be found here. To learn more about Tuition Equity at Northern Essex and eligibility requirements, visit the webpage.

The Stories of Us: Creating Community Through Student Leadership

September 26, 2023/in Featured, Students/by mbouse

This article is part of a regular series called “The Stories of Us,” highlighting the justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work of Northern Essex Community College students, faculty, and staff.

Northern Essex Community College student Elijah Antunes is the kind of person who sets a goal and sees it through. In the months leading up to graduation from Methuen High School, his goal was to go to Salem State University and graduate with a degree in economics. That was until the tuition bill arrived.

Elijah Antunes, SGA President 2023-2024

“It was almost $20,000. That was just impossible for me to pay, and I didn’t want to take out loans,” he remembers. “I was devastated. I had to backtrack and tell everyone I wasn’t going.”

Antunes soon realized that he could still reach his goal of attending a four-year college, but he would need to take a different path to get there. At the suggestion of his mother, an NECC Nursing alumna, he enrolled at Northern Essex Community College for the fall 2022 semester as a Business Transfer major.

“I saved up from working over the summer and paid my bill in full and that was such a relief,” he says, reflecting on how, when he was a toddler, his family struggled financially, even experiencing homelessness for a time. “It’s hard to raise yourself out of poverty, and it was almost surreal to think I wouldn’t have [student loan] debt tearing me down.”

Antunes was all in on NECC and immediately got to work to get the most out of his student experience. In his first semester, he campaigned and won a seat as the Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA). This year, he is serving as the group’s president. He says his main objective is to help other students find their place at NECC.

“We did a lot of tabling events to speak to students. It’s one thing to plan behind closed doors; it’s another to get their voices. I also worked with President Lane Glenn and Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Francellis Quinones to learn how to get students involved and feeling at home.”

One way to boost inclusion, says Atunes, is planning more events for students. In addition to weekly events and clubs, the SGA is hoping to host a cultural festival this spring. Atunes envisions students bringing food, music, and traditions from their cultures to share with the whole NECC community. The SGA is exploring fundraising opportunities to support the festival and has started outreach to grow its membership.

“Student government is an organization where you can get your voice heard. Students should be motivated and inspired. If they are interested in making a change, I encourage them to get involved and be disciplined. That’s what’s going to make the world a better place.”

The SGA meets twice a month on both the Haverhill and Lawrence Campuses and via Zoom. To learn more about the SGA and how to get involved, visit the webpage.

Art Brings Awareness of Natural Habitats to Campuses

September 26, 2023/in Community, Featured/by mbouse

The start of the fall semester is often seen as a time of change for many Northern Essex Community College students and faculty. This year, they were reminded of the transformation that can take place through education by several art installations on the Haverhill and Lawrence Campuses.

This painted butterfly marks an area of native plants near the library on the Haverhill Campus

Giant butterflies – the ultimate symbol of change– mark areas of native plantings. They are part of the “Butterfly Mural Migration” project, created by NECC adjunct art and design professor Jenn Houle.

This past January and February, Houle held Plant and Paint events, including one at NECC, where she invited members of nearby communities to help adorn 15 aluminum butterflies and moths, representing five different species native to Massachusetts. Houle created five additional butterflies, and this past May, she began installing them throughout Amesbury, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Newbury, and West Newbury on public conservation land, at public libraries, and around local schools. The butterflies migrated through different sites and landed on NECC campuses this month. Their visit is meant to raise awareness about native plants, eco-friendly gardening practices, and resources available to the host communities.

Butterfly on display on the Lawrence Campus

“It is a privilege to teach in the Art & Design program at NECC and I wanted to bring our vibrant, diverse community into the project for dual enrichment,” says Houle. “I wanted NECC students, faculty and staff to contribute their creative talent to the public artwork to enrich the project and to share a really exciting and easy means of conservation with our community. I also hoped to bring local community members to our campuses and share more of what NECC has to offer with a broader audience.”

The “Butterfly Mural Migration” project runs through the end of October. Next up for Houle is a mural project in collaboration with the nonprofit Pentucket Arts Foundation. She’s creating an educational mural of colorful pollinators on an exterior wall at Dr. Frederick N. Sweetsir Elementary School in Merrimac, similar to one she painted at BareWolf Brewing in Amesbury. She hopes that projects like these continue to inspire others to take more action to protect local habitats.

Butterfly on display near the entrance of the NECC Haverhill Campus

“I hope students and others at NECC will see the Butterfly Mural Migration signs and be inspired to learn more about native plants. The signs seek to promote the unique beauty of our native flowers and lead people to educational material that inspires them to take action and plant native. It is a cheap and easy way to care for our planet and create habitat. Hopefully, people will get inspired to dig in – literally!

For more information, visit Jenn Houle’s website or contact her at jhoule@necc.mass.edu