January 2024 - NECC News

New Exhibit at NECC ArtSpace Explores Spirits

January 26, 2024/in Community, Events, Headlines/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (January 26) – Installation is complete on the newest exhibition in the Linda Hummel-Shea ArtSpace on the Haverhill Campus of Northern Essex Community College. Passing Spirits showcases works by artist Maria L. Denjongpa. The Beverley-based artist explores the spirits through her papier mache sculptures.

#9: Golden anniversary, 2024, papier mache, acrylic paint

“I am interested in spirits–meaning the terrors, joys, grief, pride, and surprises– that reside in the human heart. I am curious about their essence: their gestures, colors, and shapes,” says Denjongpa. “My art is not cerebral. It arrives from turning off thinking so that whatever is hidden in the branches of trees or the corners of a room can find its natural form.”

Denjongpa began making masks, puppets and sculptures when she was thirteen. After graduating from college with a degree in Anthropology, she married a man from the Eastern Himalayas and went there to live and teach. Her work is inspired by Sikkimese spirit houses, monastic murals, bodhisattva masks and being in the classroom with children.

#2:Forest dancer, 2023, bark, papier mache, acrylic paint

“There is something magical about papier mache: the fact that old newspaper—flat, two-dimensional, and full of words—can be transformed into three–dimensional forms that embody living spirits,” she shares.

Passing Spirits is open now and runs through February 29.

The show is presented by the NECC Liberal Arts Division and the Art Department. The Linda Hummel-Shea ArtSpace is located on the first floor of the Bentley Library. Gallery events are free and open to the public. For more information on this exhibition, contact Michelle Carter or Marc Mannheimer.

Gallery Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 AM – 8 PM
Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Saturday and Sunday: closed

New Initiative Will Increase Job Access for Northern Essex Students

January 25, 2024/in Headlines, Programs/by mbouse

Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Directing State Agencies to Institute Skills-Based Hiring

Newton, MA (January 25, 2024) – Governor Maura Healey unveiled a new initiative today that will dramatically increase access to state jobs. The Governor signed an Executive Order creating the “Lead by Example” Employer Talent Initiative, instituting skills-based hiring practices for the state’s workforce. Through this Executive Order, for the vast majority of state job postings, the administration will focus primarily on applicants’ skills, knowledge, and abilities. Job postings will only be allowed to include degree conditions when absolutely necessary. Further, the administration will work with the Commonwealth’s business community to encourage the evaluation and elimination of unnecessary education requirements for open positions.

The initiative will remove education requirements from most state jobs, increasing access for NECC students earning certificates and associate degrees.

“As the state’s largest employer, we rely on a strong, diverse workforce to deliver crucial services and programs for Massachusetts residents, businesses and communities every day. But too many job applicants are being held back by unnecessary degree requirements,” said Governor Healey. “We are leading by example here in the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and we encourage the business community to join us by adopting similar skills-based hiring practices.”

Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn has been advocating for an initiative like this for more than a decade. Northern Essex has been at the forefront of addressing a skilled workforce shortage through programs and partnerships, and this new initiative presents opportunities for state and employer partners to invest more time, money, and expertise in right-sizing and re-aligning the credentials needed for today’s workforce.

“There are many ways to demonstrate knowledge and skills beyond college degrees, including prior learning assessment, microcredentials, apprenticeships, internships, and on-the-job experience. The state’s community colleges are ready to help workers and employers alike through the Healey administration’s bold new “Lead by Example” talent initiative,” said Glenn.

Northern Essex continues to add more courses and programs to address the workforce needs of the local business community. Recently, a new certificate program in Lab Science was launched, and three more certificate programs are expected to receive approval in the coming months. Certificate programs allow students to earn valuable job skills in a matter of weeks or months.

Supervisory skills training at NECC

Northern Essex also offers more tailored programs to local employers who seek to train or upskill current workers through the Center for Corporate and Community Education (CCCE). Additionally, the CCCE can help secure workforce training grants that often cover the entire cost for employers.

The Executive Order for the “Lead by Example” Initiative directs all executive departments and agencies to utilize skills-based employment practices to attract, recruit, hire, retain, and develop workers. The Executive Order also requires the completion of a skills-based hiring training course for all agency managers and support teams and ensure job postings and interview questions promote a candidate’s set of skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Additionally, as part of the Administration’s “Lead by Example” Employer Talent Initiative, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will collaborate with private, non-profit, and government employers to develop and publish best practices resources for the broader business community to also adopt skills-based hiring strategies.

The Executive Order also calls for new job postings not to specify a minimum level of education as an entrance requirement unless it is determined that a particular level of education is necessary to perform the job. While only seven percent of current positions require an education requirement, the state’s Human Resources Division (HRD) will routinely review positions to determine if education requirements are necessary to perform the job.

As part of its guidance to departments and agencies, HRD will develop tools for skills-based recruiting such as identifying and reducing bias, writing a job description, and creating a recruitment plan. HRD will also provide best practices when screening and interviewing candidates. As part of a skills-based hiring strategy, the Healey-Driscoll Administration aims to reduce unconscious bias in the workplace by focusing on eliminating biases during the hiring process.

Residents interested in a career in state government, including roles in health, human services, transportation, IT, finance, housing, economic and workforce development, veterans’ services, energy, climate, environmental affairs, public safety, and education, can visit the MassCareers website for job opportunities.

Those interested in learning more about degree and certificate programs, as well as workforce training at Northern Essex can visit the college’s website.

NECC Providing Stipends for Internships

January 23, 2024/in Press Releases, Students, Headlines/by mbouse

If multitasking were an Olympic sport, Karen VanderMass, like many Northern Essex Community College students, would be in medal contention. The Haverhill resident was already busy caring for her two young children while her husband worked two full-time jobs when, in the fall of 2023, she decided to add going to college full-time into the mix. She enrolled at NECC as a nursing student, fully aware of the rigorous schedule, but determined to achieve her goal of one day caring for patients.

Karen poses in bright blue scrubs and white lab coat in hospital hallway

Karen VanderMass at her clinical at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen

“I was a special education teacher before becoming a stay-at-home mom about four years ago. After COVID, I started thinking about what else I could do, and I thought there are so many possibilities with nursing,” says VanderMass.

A key part of the nursing program is participating in a clinical class. Like internships, clinicals give students the opportunity to learn in real-life settings. VanderMass was excited to start hers at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. She was even more excited to find out she could get paid for her time through a new stipend program.

“At the time, I was really wanting to go to work and to contribute to the family. I was looking for part-time jobs at $15/hour, and it would have cost more for me to get a babysitter than I would have made,” remembers VanderMass. “This stipend really lifted the burden and literally put food on our table. I know there are others in my classes who can benefit in that way, too.”

VanderMass was one of the first recipients of the stipends, funded by a $25,000 donation from the NECC Fund. The stipends are designed to assist students in completing a for-credit, unpaid, or underpaid internship or other experiential learning. Eligible students receive either $2500 (for unpaid positions) or $1500 (for underpaid positions) stipends for roles that require at least 120 hours per semester. This semester, $1500 stipends will also be extended to students whose internships are less than 120 hours.

“Experiential learning provides great opportunities for students to apply their education, explore career possibilities, and build their network, connections, skills, and confidence,” says NECC’s Director of Career Services, Sandy Rochon. “While these are valuable experiences, we know that some students are challenged by expenses incurred to participate.”

“This stipend helps lessen the burden for students who may not otherwise take an unpaid internship because of additional costs for transportation, parking, childcare, or reduced paid working hours,” adds Katie Yeaton-Hromada, Coordinator for Career Services & Internship Programs.

The funding is open to students in any degree program, including all health programs with clinical, Criminal Justice students who have an internship requirement, and more.

Ten students received internship stipends during the fall semester. Students who plan to participate in an internship this spring can apply for a stipend until February 4. Please visit the application form for more information.

As for VanderMass, she’s on track to graduate in May of 2025 and hopes to go into either post-anesthesia care or mother-baby care. She’s encouraging others to take advantage of programs like the internship stipends at NECC to help them reach their goals.

“I’m investing all my time and money into my education; it’s great to know that Northern Essex is just as invested in me.”

About Career Services
NECC Career Services helps students and recent alumni with every stage in career development: from career exploration and internships to landing that first job or navigating career changes. To schedule an appointment, download the Navigate app or log into Navigate through the Portal. Visit the webpage for more information.

About the NECC Fund
NECC Fund 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.

Chris Sicuranza Joins NECC President’s Office

January 23, 2024/in Faculty and Staff, Press Releases/by mbouse

A familiar face in local government is now a key part of the President’s Office at Northern Essex Community College. Chris Sicuranza joined NECC in December as the new Chief of Staff. Former Chief of Staff Cheryl Goodwin is now the college’s Director of Operations. Goodwin plans to retire in January of 2025 after 15 years with the college and will spend the next year working closely with Sicuranza.

Chris Sicuranza is the new Chief of Staff for the NECC President’s Office

“I’m honored to join the NECC team while helping support a fantastic leader in President Lane Glenn,” said Sicuranza. “Across my professional and personal career, I have developed terrific connections, relationships and memories across the Merrimack Valley, allowing me to hit the ground running to support the innovative and exciting work happening across our campuses.”

Most recently, Sicuranza worked as the Chief of Staff for the Acting Salem Mayor Bob McCarthy, and prior to that, as Chief of Staff for Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini and Chief Administrative Officer to former Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. He also worked within the Massachusetts Comptroller Office working on a business transformation program (BEST). Prior to his work within public administration, he helped co-found Go Out Loud, an organization that focuses on LGBT support through targeted events celebrating modern equality.

“Northern Essex is thrilled to welcome Chris to our team,” said President Lane Glenn. “Thanks to his strong government affairs and public administration background, Chris has already been a wonderful and friendly asset to the President’s team.”

Here at NECC, Sicuranza will play a pivotal role in providing leadership and operational oversight to the Office of the President, contributing to the achievement of NECC’s mission and goals. Additionally, Sicuranza will help with internal and external relations, communications strategies, and community outreach and oversee activities related to the President’s Office.

Sicuranza holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations/Communications from Salem State University and a Master Equivalent Certificate in Public Administration from Suffolk University. Chris lives in Gloucester with his husband and is currently renovating a historic home.

“Hurricane Diane” Named Finalist for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

January 23, 2024/in Faculty and Staff, Students, Events/by mbouse

student with short cropped hair sits on a zebra print chair grinning at the audience

Mirrorajah Metcalfe as Diane

Haverhill, MA (January 23, 2024) – The spring semester started with a bang for Northern Essex Community College theater students and professor Brianne Beatrice. They went right back into the theater to start re-rehearsing last spring’s production, Hurricane Diane. Beatrice learned just before the holiday break that representatives from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) selected the production as a finalist for the Region 1 Festival, taking place from January 30 to February 3.

“We have to remount the entire production to perform at festival,” says Beatrice. “All the students, everyone got right back into it. By next Monday, we’ll be good to go. We get there on a Tuesday, load in Wednesday, and perform Thursday.”

“Festival,” as it’s called, brings together hundreds of college theater students, professors, and professionals from New England and New York to showcase their work and share their expertise. Hurricane Diane was one of just six finalists chosen out of 60 productions, including shows from many prestigious, four-year schools.

“It’s crazy our work is being honored like this. They’re looking for good art, and our art is being recognized,” Beatrice remarks. This is the second show Beatrice has produced at NECC to be chosen for festival. The first was Stupid F*cking Bird in 2019.

The title role in Hurricane 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.”

student in striped shirt goes over script with student in a beanie cap

Mirrorajah Metcalfe and Gwynnethe Glickman during rehearsal

Four more Northern Essex students round out the cast: Olivia Barberian, Gwynnethe Glickman, Jessica Newey, and Ana Barrera. Metcalfe and Barberian were also selected to compete for Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships. Each will perform two monologues and a scene. Newey, meanwhile, is nominated for The LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award.

Winners in each award category, including the production, will move on to the national festival later this spring in Washington, D.C. Regardless of the outcome, it won’t be the final curtain call for Diane. NECC Theater is restaging the production on the Haverhill Campus from February 23 to 25. Ticket sales for the revival will start soon.

Northern Essex offers a variety of theater and acting courses. Additionally, they stage several full productions and readings throughout the year. Anyone interested in learning more about NECC Theater or the audition process should email Professor Beatrice at bbeatrice@necc.mass.edu.

The KCACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide, which has served as a catalyst for improving the quality of college theater in the United States. More than 600 academic institutions participate in state, regional, and national Kennedy Center American College Theater Festivals. The National Festival will be held in April in Washington, D.C.

NECC Faculty Nationally Recognized with NISOD Awards

January 22, 2024/in Faculty and Staff, Headlines/by mbouse

Two members of the Northern Essex Community College faculty were recently named recipients of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Awards for Excellence. This national honor recognizes outstanding faculty and staff at the country’s community colleges.

Dean of STEM Carolyn Knoepfler, Liberal Arts Dean Amy Callahan, President Lane Glenn, Professor Kristi Arford, Professor Doug Leaffer, Provost Paul Beaudin

Kristi Arford, Professor of Anthropology, is the longtime chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department. She designed and taught a study abroad course, Archaeological Site Explorations, which included traveling with students to Turkey. In 2019, Professor Arford published an anthropology textbook, Coming Full Circle: Rediscovering Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World through Cultural Anthropology. The textbook covers gender, spirituality, and belief systems through a theme of sustainability, and 100 percent of the proceeds are donated to NECC’s Study Abroad Program. In the words of one faculty peer: “Kristi shows passion and knowledge in her field and teaching and is committed to student success and learning.”

Engineering Professor Doug Leaffer came to the college seven years ago from Framingham State University. Since his arrival, he has been involved in running a summer STEM academy, a robotics project with CIS, many grant opportunities, is active in Engineering Week, and most importantly, has been creating a relationship between Northern Essex Community College Department of Engineering and the University of Massachusetts Lowell Department of Engineering. STEM Dean Carolyn Knoepfler wrote in his nomination, “This relationship is vital for our aspiring engineers to learn about what UML has to offer in terms of their programs as well as meeting and getting to know their faculty and students. UML benefits by learning about our program, our students and Northern Essex as a whole. Doug has led this initiative and is instrumental in its success.”

Since 1978, NISOD has been dedicated to the professional development of faculty, administrators, and staff, and to the continued improvement of teaching and learning, with the ultimate goal of student success. NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize college employees each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to students and colleagues. Excellence Award recipients are recognized during NISOD’s annual international conference, which will be held in Austin, Texas, May 25-28.

Convocation Marks the Start of the Spring 2024 Semester

January 19, 2024/in Featured, Headlines, Students/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (January 18, 2024) – Despite the freezing temperatures outside, inside the Tech Center at Northern Essex Community College, spring was on everyone’s mind. The Convocation ceremony marked the official start of the spring 2024 semester.

Spring Convocation marks the start of the new semester.

This Convocation’s theme centered around Northern Essex’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). NECC became the first federally designated HSI in New England in 2001.

While enrollment determines that federal classification, being an HSI is much more than the numbers. Various members of NECC faculty and staff shared how they’re facilitating access to higher education and ensuring the success of all students.

Tuition Equity
The year 2023 was historic for higher education- in particular community colleges- in Massachusetts, thanks to a variety of initiatives from the Healey-Driscoll administration. “They see our students, they see you and they see how valuable community colleges are to the Commonwealth,” said NECC President Lane Glenn.

The Tuition Equity Law was one of those historic initiatives. It allows many undocumented students to access in-state tuition and financial aid to attend public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. Director of International Student Support and Special Populations Maria Hernandez shared at Convocation how she serves not only as a resource to undocumented students at NECC, but also to local high schools.

“I am a resource for families, and I will go where they’re most comfortable. I’m there to navigate them through a process that can be scary and confusing,” she said.

MassReconnect
Interim Director of Student Recruitment Loreen Tirrell is NECC’s go-to resource for local students interested in the MassReconnect Program. This program rolled out in the summer of 2023. It provides free community college for adults over the age of 25 who have not already obtained a degree. Tirrell shared statistics showing the program is already having a big impact on the communities NECC serves, including the local Hispanic community, which accounts for 57% of students receiving MassReconnect awards at Northern Essex.

“I visit with rooms full of families, and I meet many adults who never thought college was for them,” Tirrell remarked.

The college has distributed nearly $800,000 in MassReconnect awards.

Community Outreach
While serving students is at the heart of being an HSI, connecting the work done at NECC with the surrounding communities is essential for success. Vice President of the Lawrence Campus and Community Relations Noemi Custodia-Lora works with local businesses, community organizations, and international communities to understand how the college can help them, and vice versa, especially in Lawrence. With a Hispanic population of 80%, many of whom come from the Dominican Republic, she said that raising cultural competency is critical.

One piece of that work is a bi-annual cultural immersion trip to the Dominican Republic. Custodia-Lora said those who attend come back with a new understanding of the students the college serves.

“When you return, there can be a change in how you perceive our students,” said Custodia-Lora. “And the students also feel a different type of connection because they feel you can relate to them.”

The next trip is planned for mid-March. Past visits have garnered the attention of the Dominican press, and Custodia-Lora said, as a result, Dominican students from across New England and New York seek out Northern Essex in their college searches.

English Language Learners
Changes are in the works to the Academic English as a Second Language (ESL) program at NECC, with the goal of giving those students credit for their time spent in those classes and expediting their journeys to courses in their desired major or certificate programs.

“Language is learned best in context,” said Amy Cameron, chair of Academic ESL, who presented alongside Professor Paula Richards. “The language development will happen more quickly in courses.”

Associate Professor of Spanish Arnaldo Robles-Reyes provided a deep dive into how language is learned and processed to show that providing students access to academic content sooner is correlated with higher success rates. The new ESL curriculum will be in place for the fall 2024 semester.

About HSI Designation
The U.S. Department of Education defines an institution of higher education as eligible for HSI designation if its enrollment of undergraduate, full-time equivalent students is at least 25% Hispanic at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application.

In 2023, the NECC student population reached 46% Hispanic – most of whom are from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Since 2001, Hispanic student enrollment at NECC has nearly doubled; the success “gap” between Hispanic students and majority students has closed considerably. The proportion of Hispanic graduates at the college tripled from 10% of the graduating class in 2001 to more than 34% in 2020.

To learn more about HSI and services at NECC by visiting the webpage.

State Financial Aid Form Advances Tuition Equity in MA

January 9, 2024/in Headlines/by mbouse

Boston, MA (January 9, 2024) — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration took a significant step forward in expanding access to higher education for all Massachusetts residents by launching the new Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). The Department of Higher Education released the form on its website today, which will allow currently enrolled undocumented college students in Massachusetts to apply for state need-based financial aid for the first time. Students can access the application at mass.edu/MASFA.

The MASFA is an alternative form that provides students who cannot complete the Free Application for State Financial Aid (FAFSA) due to their immigration status a way to apply for state need-based financial aid. The application launch follows the August 2023 passage of Massachusetts’ Tuition Equity Law, which allows students who have completed at least three years of high school in Massachusetts and received a high school diploma or its equivalent in the Commonwealth to access in-state tuition and be eligible for financial aid, regardless of immigration status.

Celebration for the Tuition Equity Law on the NECC Lawrence Campus

Governor Healey and state and local leaders celebrated the passage of the law with an event on the Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Campus. NECC President Lane Glenn was a key advocate for the law’s passage, an effort that was 20 years in the making. The event featured a moving speech from NECC General Studies: Health Professions major Joan S. She came to the United States when she was ten years old and didn’t find out she was undocumented until she was 16. “It took me years [to take prerequisite classes] 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.

Eligible students like Joan began receiving the in-state tuition rate in Fall 2023. The MASFA released today is for additional need-based financial aid opportunities. It is based on the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 academic year and should be completed by students who are beginning college in Spring 2024 or were enrolled in the Fall 2023 semester and may qualify for financial aid. To receive financial aid for the 2023-2024 school year, students are encouraged to apply by May 1, and no later than June 30, 2024.

Students who apply for need-based state financial aid under the new “High School Completer” pathway created by the Tuition Equity Law must meet the existing eligibility criteria for each financial aid program for which they are seeking access.

“Quality higher education should be accessible to all Massachusetts high school graduates,” said Governor Healey. “Students who have long been part of our communities in Massachusetts should be eligible for the historic financial aid programs we have launched this year, and they should have every opportunity to grow their careers and be part of building our state’s workforce. We’re grateful to the Legislature for their partnership in passing this historic policy, and we’re proud to be launching this application so that students can start accessing financial aid.”

“This has been a banner year for educational access in Massachusetts, following the passage of MassReconnect, MASSGrant Plus Expansion, and Tuition Equity,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “The MASFA will open doors to need-based financial aid for students looking to attend any public or private Massachusetts college or university.”

Who is Eligible
Filling out the MASFA does not commit any student to enrolling in a college or university, but it is the essential first step to applying for the financial assistance for which they may qualify to make college a reality.

To be eligible, Massachusetts residents must meet the following criteria:

Was admitted to a public or private institution of higher education within the Massachusetts system of public higher education.
Have attended at least three academic years at a high school in Massachusetts. Have graduated from high school in
Massachusetts or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma (for example, a GED) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Have applied for military selective service, if eligible.
If the individual is not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, that person must provide a completed the DHE Affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a citizen or legal permanent resident within 120 days after the individual becomes eligible to do so.
An updated MASFA for the 2024-2025 academic year will be available in late winter/early spring and will be based on the 2024-2025 FAFSA, which is due to be released by the federal government on December 31, 2023.

The MASFA ensures that all students who qualify can access the significant investments made into higher education by the Healey-Driscoll administration this year, including MassReconnect, which made community college free for Commonwealth residents ages 25 and older regardless of income, and MASSGrant Plus Expansion, which covers the cost of tuition and fees for low-income students and reduces out-of-pocket costs for middle-income students.

Watch Live: NECC Knights Look to Remain Unbeaten

January 8, 2024/in Events, Programs, Students/by mbouse

The Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team is preparing to pick up where they left off before the break. The Knights have a perfect 13-0 record and are ranked number two in the country in the first NJCAA Basketball weekly poll of the new year.

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

Darren Stratton picked up 300th win as Head Coach

Also, in the first part of the season, HoopDirt.com named head coach Darren Stratton the Week 4 JUCO National Coach of the Week, which makes him eligible for consideration at the end of the season for JUCO National Coach of the Year honors. He also picked up his 300th win as head coach– spanning 21 seasons.

On the court, Lawrence’s Luis Reynoso leads the team, averaging a double-double per game with 17.8 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, which currently ranks fourth in the NJCAA. Freshman center Karl Wolfgang (Douala, Cameroon) was named the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week ending November 26th.

Karl Wolfgang was named the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

The Knights are hoping to build on their success last season, in which they placed 5th in the NJCAA National Tournament.

Though the spring semester starts on January 22, the Knights will resume play this Friday, January 12, at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY.

The Knights will play their first home game of the year on Tuesday, January 16, versus the University of Connecticut at Avery Point. All home games are live-streamed on the NECC YouTube Channel.

Learn more about athletics at NECC by visiting the webpage or by contacting the Director of Athletics, Dan Blair.

The Legacy of Dr. John Santos: One Million Students Impacted

January 8, 2024/in Alumni, Faculty and Staff, Featured, Stories/by mbouse

Dr. John Santos’ passion for experiential learning, sparked at NECC, led to the creation of a unique wilderness education program.

This article originally appeared in the fall 2023 edition of alumnecc, NECC’s bi-annual magazine for alumni and friends.

Each year, thousands of grade school children throughout New England pack their bags, board big yellow buses, and head off to the wilderness. They’re trading their school classrooms for Nature’s Classroom. When they return, parents say they seem to walk a little taller, with a newfound sense of independence.

Dr. John Santos ’68

Nature’s Classroom is a beloved experiential learning program founded by Northern Essex Community College alumnus, the late Dr. John Santos ’68. His idea was simple: give students an opportunity to learn outside of a traditional classroom setting. By utilizing summer camps in the off-season, he and a team of wilderness educators could host schools for up to five days of learning through nature. Along the way, students would build a sense of community, develop trust in each other, and bring a spirit of cooperation back to their home life.

It’s the kind of program Dr. Santos wished he had growing up. As a self-described late bloomer, he struggled through classes in Billerica Public Schools.

“He joked that he joined the military senior year because he was about to fail out,” remembers son John “Jay” Santos. “He didn’t do well in high school; it wasn’t the way he learned and thrived.”

Dr. Santos earned his GED while serving in the military during the Vietnam War. Once back home, he decided to give education another try. He enrolled in Northern Essex Community College and discovered there was much more to learning than what happened inside the classroom.

“He started to enjoy more self-directed learning, getting to pick and choose what he studied. It was as much about the classroom-based lessons as it was the conversations in the hallways and the connections with professors,” says Jay Santos.

He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Ph.D. in Education from Boston College. Dr. Santos taught elementary school for two years before deciding to pursue his passion for experiential learning. He opened the first Nature’s Classroom location in Potters Place, New Hampshire in 1973. A few years later, he moved his young family to Charlton, Massachusetts, which serves as the base of operations for Nature’s Classroom to this day. The program grew to operate in more than a dozen locations throughout New England and New York and has now served more than a million students.

Santos, far left, with outdoor educators in the early years of Nature’s Classroom

“I always remember, at the beginning of each school year, they’d bring all the educators from all the sites to Charlton. Before the official site opened there, it was my house. So, there would be 60 to 70 counselors in the backyard.”

Jay Santos says his father always credited those educators for bringing his idea to life through nature and creating a one-of-a-kind community along the way. Dr. John Santos passed away this summer, not long after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Nature’s Classroom.

“At the funeral, one thing that stood out was the community of educators and how much that community meant to them. People started their careers there; they met their partners. At one point, we counted, and we got up to 15 to 20 Nature’s Classroom babies.”

Continuing the Legacy
Jay Santos and his brother Kenneth “Kip” Santos currently serve on the board of directors of Nature’s Classroom. They look forward to continuing to build on their father’s legacy. That includes helping students at Northern Essex. Their father donated his time and supported many initiatives at the college through the years. In 2010, he established The Dr. John G. Santos Environmental Education Scholarship Fund. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in one of NECC’s Natural Science Associate Degree programs.

“He’s always wanted to support the causes that meant a lot to him,” says Jay of his father’s philanthropy. “Northern Essex gave him that opportunity to do something with his life that I don’t think he ever envisioned growing up. I’m glad he was able to leave the legacy to Northern Essex students.”

Santos reunited with dozens of Nature’s Classroom “alumni” in May 2023 to celebrate its 50th anniversary

You can read the full issue of alumnecc, and back editions, by visiting the website.