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Point of View: Our Week in the Dominican Republic

March 22, 2024/in Events, Faculty and Staff/by mbouse

By Keith Paul

In a world that’s increasingly interconnected, the significance of understanding and appreciating different cultures cannot be overstated. As educators, it’s essential not only to impart knowledge but also to foster a sense of global awareness and empathy in our students. It’s exciting that NECC understands this importance, which is why faculty and staff embark on a cultural trip to the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse society, provides an ideal backdrop for such an immersive experience. The journey offers NECC faculty and staff a unique opportunity to step out of their familiar environment and dive into a world that is both enriching and enlightening. Last week, 10 faculty and staff traveled to the DR to experience Dominican universities, meet with government officials, and explore cultural sites important to Dominican history. But perhaps more importantly, we all got to know each other, bond over shared experiences and new friendships. We shared who we are as individuals and who we are as stewards of NECC’s promise to our amazing students.

Participants included Sarah Cooper, Maria Hernandez, Tom Greene, Rachel King, Shawna Lind, Trish Schade, Marcy Yeager, and me. We were led by Noemí Custodia-Lora and Giselle Peguero. Seen in photos are our wonderful guides Clara Benedicto and Oliver Quiroz.

One of the key highlights of the trip is the opportunity to visit universities and high schools including the Universidad Dominico Americano, the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), the Universidad Central del Este (UCE) San Pedro de Macorís campus, and Liceo Cientifico Dr. Miguel Canela Lázaro, a high school attended by three current NECC students.

A workshop with colleagues from INTEC

We explored labs and classrooms and student life at each campus while continuing conversations about possible partnerships with NECC where faculty and student exchanges or degree articulations might be implemented. In fact, we were delighted to hear that visits to our Lawrence campus inspired officials at UASD, INTEC, and UCE to build-out simulation labs similar to what we have in the El Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center.

These interactions go beyond mere observation; they foster meaningful exchanges between educators from different backgrounds. NECC faculty and staff not only share their expertise but also gain valuable insights into the Dominican education system, teaching methodologies, and challenges faced by educators in the region.

In addition to educational institutions, the trip also included meetings with government ministries, including the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX). At MIREX, we met with officials from the Institute for Dominicans Abroad (INDEX) who work to promote academic, technical, and social studies, aimed at supporting the capacity, training and development of Dominicans living abroad. In addition, the ministry operates the National Institute of Vocational Technical Training (INFOTEP), which governs professional technical training. INFOTEP has an office in Lawrence to help strengthen education and technical training for Dominicans living here.

A student-led tour at the Liceo Cientifico

The trip also included visits to cultural and historical sites. The Museum of the Mirabal Sisters gave us an important view into how the sisters were known for fighting to overthrow former dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo and were killed for it by Trujillo’s men, which ultimately led to the end of the DR’s most brutal regime. NECC travelers read In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, a novel chronicling the lives of the Mirabal sisters.

We also spent time exploring the Museum of the Dominican Man which displays the history of the aboriginal and Taino peoples native to the island before the arrival of Europeans and African slaves.

A visit to the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration was profound in that the site was built originally by Trujillo (as an honor to himself) and later rededicated to honor the restoration of Dominican sovereignty from Spain.

Beyond formal meetings and discussions, the cultural immersion trip exposed participants to the everyday life of the Dominican people. Whether it’s exploring local markets, savoring traditional cuisine, or engaging with our Dominican peers, every experience is an opportunity for experiential learning. These interactions not only broaden perspectives but also foster a sense of empathy and respect for cultural diversity.

The insights gained from the cultural immersion trip have a profound impact on teaching and learning at NECC. Faculty return to their classrooms with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with fresh perspectives and a deeper appreciation for cultural differences. By infusing their curriculum with these perspectives, they can create inclusive learning environments that prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world.

At its core, the cultural immersion trip exemplifies NECC’s commitment to fostering cultural competence and global citizenship among its students, faculty, and staff. By experiencing firsthand the richness and complexity of another culture, we’re better equipped to help shape the lives of NECC students.

Marketing Council Honors Northern Essex at National Conference

March 22, 2024/in Faculty and Staff, Headlines, Press Releases/by mbouse

Seattle, WA (March 22, 2024) – Northern Essex Community College (NECC) received a 2023 Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) at the council’s recent national conference in Seattle, Washington.

The award celebrates the college’s marketing team’s work on the Success for All NECC Strategic Planner. This groundbreaking document might be the first of its kind in higher education. It serves as a daily workbook for college employees to measure their work against the college’s Strategic Plan goals.

“When you tell your college’s story well, you ensure your that students can find themselves, and the supports and services they need, at your institution,” said Jeff Julian, NCMPR’s 2023-24 president. “It’s evident in the winning entries that our members are committed to serving their students.”

NECC was the sole Paragon Award winner among the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts, all of which are members of NCMPR. In addition, NECC’s director of public relations, Melissa Bouse, was recognized as a finalist for NCMPR’s national Rising Star award.

The 2023 Paragon Awards drew 1,531 entries from 210 colleges across the country and was judged by 65 marketing and public relations professionals.

NCMPR’s Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design, strategy and communication at community and technical colleges. It’s the only national competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges.

NCMPR supports the professional development of community college communicators, serving more than 1,600 members from close to 600 colleges across the United States and Canada. It’s the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges and is one of the largest affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges. NCMPR is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Northern Essex Community College and Newburyport Bank Announce the Seacoast Promise Program

March 13, 2024/in Programs, Headlines, Press Releases/by mbouse

Newburyport, MA (March 12, 2024) – Northern Essex Community College, with the generous support of Newburyport Bank, has created the new Seacoast Promise Program. Building on the success of the Lawrence and Haverhill Promise Programs, the Seacoast Promise will provide full tuition, fees, and books to Early College graduates from Seacoast area high schools who wish to complete their associate degree at Northern Essex. This new program was created with a $250,000 pledge from Newburyport Bank.

NECC student Lana Viola shared her experience with the Promise Program

“Because of the generosity of Newburyport bank, we’re going to be able to expand this opportunity to so many other students who may be able to achieve something they never thought possible before,” said Allison Dolan-Wilson, NECC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the NECC Foundation, Inc.

“This is important,” said Newburyport Bank President Lloyd Hamm, Jr., who participated in an early college program when he was in high school and was a first-generation college student. “Northern Essex gets students to the next step, whether that’s employment or onto a four-year institution. They play an important role in changing someone’s life, which changes their families and their communities.”

Newburyport Bank President Lloyd Hamm Jr. and NECC VP of Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson

On Tuesday, leaders from Northern Essex, Newburyport Bank, Pentucket Bank and surrounding communities gathered for an event to celebrate the Seacoast Promise at Newburyport Bank’s State Street location. Local high school guidance counselors were also in attendance, along with students who spoke about the benefits of Early College and affordable higher education.

“As a student who works two jobs and has responsibilities at home, the Promise Program has helped to reduce the challenges and stress that come from balancing work and academics,” said Lana Viola, who took early college classes while at Whittier Regional Vocational High School and is now continuing as a full-time student at Northern Essex under the Haverhill Promise Program. Lana will graduate next spring with her associate degree in Civil Engineering.

Leila Grasso is a senior at Newburyport High School who is currently taking early college classes at Northern Essex. “When I graduate high school this spring, I’ll have taken 15 early college classes. It will allow me to move right into my core classes in my major when I get to UMass, and I’ll finish in two years.”

Students Lana Viola and Leila Grasso

The event also honored the contributions of Pentucket Bank to Northern Essex’s Haverhill Promise program, now in its fifth year.

The Early College program at NECC has grown from 250 students when it began in 2018 to over 1,000 students participating this year. Students choose one of six pathways when joining: Liberal Arts, Education, Criminal Justice, STEM, Health Care or Business. In the fall 2023 semester, the Early College program served 875 students who earned 4,457 credits -an average of just over 5 credits per student.

To be eligible for Promise Programs at Northern Essex, students must earn at least 15 credits in Early College and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The new Seacoast Promise Program will include, but not be limited to, Pentucket Regional, Sanborn Regional, Amesbury, Triton Regional, and Newburyport High Schools. To learn more about Early College at Northern Essex and the Promise programs, visit the webpage.

Criminal Justice Student Chosen for Exclusive Study Abroad Program at The Hague, Netherlands

March 11, 2024/in Headlines, Programs, Stories/by mbouse

Ask any of Maria Cubias’s friends to describe her, and chances are they’ll use the word “determined” multiple times. The Northern Essex Community College Criminal Justice major, known to those friends as Ampa, has set the bar high for herself and pushes her friends to do the same.

“When we’re studying and getting tired, she’s the one who tells us, ‘No, we’re not done yet. We have more work to do,’” says good friend and NECC journalism student Daniela Valdivia-Terres.

PACE Director Kristen Arnold, Ampa Cubias, Anthony Severino, PACE Data Specialist Christine Carbone and PACE Transfer Advisor Jessica Rocker at MEOA Awards

Ampa’s hard work shows. As a straight-A student, the Haverhill resident was one of six students from across the state awarded a scholarship from the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association (MEOA) this fall. This semester, she learned she was selected for the Council for Opportunity: Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program.

Just 20 undergraduate students from the United States were selected for the program to study at The Hague University of Applied Sciences for three weeks. Those students will connect with students from around the world to study courses based on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The classes focus on solving global issues by connecting the public and private sectors.

“When I found out, I was screaming and crying. I couldn’t believe it,” recalls Ampa. She got the news just four days after submitting the application, which led to a flood of emotions. “I’m excited- and scared- to pursue this dream. I remember watching friends in high school travel to Europe, and I never thought I’d be able to go, too.”

Ampa Cubias with awards from the PACE program

Ampa is from El Salvador and was raised in a close-knit family and community there. Their world was shattered when Ampa was 15. As political violence started to spike, one of Ampa’s eight siblings, a brother, was murdered by a ruthless gang. The family made the difficult decision to seek safety by moving to the United States.

They settled in New Jersey, and Ampa became laser-focused on learning English and succeeding in her classwork and athletics. A guidance counselor noticed her efforts and helped her secure a competitive scholarship to attend the prestigious Admiral William Halsey Academy in Elizabeth, NJ. For the next four years, Ampa worked tirelessly and earned a scholarship to a four-year university to play soccer.

Sadly, around the time she was to graduate high school, she learned her mother was facing a serious illness. She put her college dreams on hold to support the family.

“I worked two, three jobs to help pay for her treatment.” Tragically, her mother passed away when Ampa was just 20 years old. “She was the engine that kept me going. I thought, ‘Now what am I going to do?’”

Ampa decided to follow one of her sisters to southern New Hampshire. She first enrolled at a community college there but got discouraged by the college’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program. They also had to cope with the passing of their father in 2019.

“I remember my mom saying, ‘You have to go to school and have to get a career. You have to be someone.’”

So Ampa gave college another try, enrolling in Northern Essex. She says she noticed a huge difference in the ESL offerings compared to her previous college, especially since she could start earning credits right away. She also found a second family in NECC’s Pathways to Academic & Career Excellence Program (PACE), which provides wrap-around support for first-generation college students. In fact, it was through PACE that she met her friend Valdivia-Terres, who was selected for the Global Leaders Program last year. PACE Director Kristen Arnold helped Ampa apply this year and provided a moving letter of recommendation.

“For her entire life, she has faced obstacles around every corner,” wrote Arnold. “Every time, she has found a way to persevere. She is standing, smiling, and one of the most remarkable students I have ever met.”

Ampa is determined to clear one more hurdle before she can attend the program in June. The NECC Fund is providing a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition. However, Ampa will be unable to work during the three weeks she will be in the Netherlands, and she’s concerned she won’t be able to save enough to cover her regular expenses—like rent—for that time on top of any travel-related expenses. The friends Ampa has supported are rallying to return the favor by helping her set up and publicize a GoFundMe.

For now, Ampa continues to work hard in her classes and in her job as a rehousing case worker with Chelmsford Police and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department. She’s on track to graduate in the spring of 2025. Ampa plans to transfer to a four-year school, get her bachelor’s degree and achieve her dream of becoming a crime scene investigator.

“I’ve been through a lot, and I’ve found support along the way. Once I find my dream job, it’ll all be worth it.”

If you’d like to donate to the GoFundMe, you can find the link here.

Board of Trustees March 2024 Update

March 8, 2024/in Community/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (March 6, 2024)—On Wednesday, March 6, The Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees convened on the Haverhill Campus for its monthly meeting. At just under an hour, much of the meeting was devoted to the education report, during which Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson shared some exciting updates about the LPN to ADN (RN) Program and answered Trustees’ questions about health care programs in general.

LPN to ADN (RN) Program

The LPN to ADN (RN) Program at Northern Essex allows students who are already licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to earn their associate degree of nursing (ADN) in just two semesters. Whether they earned their LPN at Northern Essex or elsewhere, LPNs can receive credit for a full year of the associate degree by taking a summer transition course.

Dean Hudson shared that the program has been available since 2013. However, following a decline in enrollment during the pandemic, she and her colleagues reexamined the structure and found that some of the admission requirements were discouraging students.

“We weren’t changing the curriculum; we were changing the way students could come into the program,” noted Hudson. “We removed barriers and made it more accessible.”

One major change was rescheduling the transition class from a short intersession to a 6-week course over the summer semester, which allowed students to schedule it more easily in their busy lives. The results were almost immediate. Not only did they see an increase in applicants, they saw more students of color and first-generation students.

“We opened applications for fall 2024 in January, and we already have 34 applicants. Twenty-three of those are NECC LPN graduates. In health care, we talk about laddering: start with us, finish with us, then come back to us when you’re ready for that next step,” said Hudson.

Other changes to the program include embedding nursing tutors in all programs and expanding partnerships throughout the Merrimack Valley to offer new clinical learning opportunities.

The reassessment of the LPN to ADN (RN) Program is one initiative supported by a $300,000 grant from the Achieving the Dream (ATD) organization and is made possible by support from the Brave of Heart Fund. Hudson was instrumental in securing the grant in 2022. The funding is specifically for creating stronger pathways to employment in the nursing field, particularly for those students who represent the diversity of the communities they serve.

Giving Day 2024

Trustee Pati Fernandez, who serves on the Alumni and Advancement Committee, reminded her fellow board members about the college’s upcoming Giving Day. The third annual Giving Day will take place on April 4, 2024. NECC’s Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraising effort that aims to unite alumni, friends, staff, faculty, and students toward a common goal: supporting the college and its students. In addition to encouraging support for the college’s annual fund (the NECC Fund), Giving Day celebrates healthy camaraderie and competition through a variety of themed challenges, prizes, and more. Learn more here.

State Awards NECC $137,000 Grant for Workforce Training Program

March 7, 2024/in Featured, Headlines, Press Releases/by mbouse

Boston, MA (March 7, 2024) – Northern Essex Community College will receive $137,000 as part of a statewide initiative to create workforce training programs for adults looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that they are awarding a total of $1.5 million in grants across 13 of the state’s community colleges. The grants, which are part of the Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) program, will prepare Massachusetts residents for careers in fields such as education, health care, addiction recovery, cyber security, and manufacturing. It’s estimated the grants will provide free career training to more than 400 adult learners at Massachusetts community colleges, with all programs targeting residents who are unemployed or underemployed.

“The success of MassReconnect has demonstrated that Massachusetts residents are eager to further their careers, and these training programs are another way to meet that need,” said Governor Maura Healey. “TRAIN grants allow community colleges to be responsive to regional workforce needs and quickly prepare residents to fill critical roles in our cities and towns.”

At Northern Essex Community College, the funding will go toward training approximately 100 unemployed and/or underemployed adult learners with limited English language skills, many of whom will be recent immigrants. The college will offer two cohorts of Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training (maximum 20 students per cohort) and three cohorts of Pharmacy Technician training (maximum 20 students per cohort). In addition, there will be an ESOL companion class for any CNA student needing ESOL support.

“These grants will not only offer new career opportunities to those seeking them, but they will bring lasting benefits to our communities by increasing the number of trained professionals in our schools, hospitals and beyond,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Massachusetts residents win across the board when employers in key industries can look into their communities and find the talent they need to carry out their missions.”

“Massachusetts’ community colleges are tuned into the workforce needs in their region and these grants allow colleges to meet those needs while bringing opportunities to residents looking to launch new careers with newly acquired and improved skills,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “TRAIN grants allow community colleges to build on their existing programs and offer new opportunities targeted toward residents looking for entry or re-entry into the workforce.”

TRAIN launched in 2016 when it served four community colleges. It has now grown to offer grant opportunities to all 15 community colleges in Massachusetts.

For more information on the TRAIN programs at Northern Essex, visit the webpage for Community Education or call 978-556-3060.

Dean Receives Women’s Empowerment Award on International Women’s Day

March 7, 2024/in Faculty and Staff, Headlines/by mbouse

Congratulations to Northern Essex Community College Dean of Business and Professional Studies, Jody Carson! On International Women’s Day, Carson received the “Catalyst for Women’s Empowerment Award” from the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Network Massachusetts.

Dean of Business and Professional Studies Jody Carson

According to its website, “The mission of the Massachusetts ACE Network is to support the advancement of women in all segments of Massachusetts higher education and the New England Region and to promote the diversity of women and their contributions in Massachusetts higher education. The network is committed to developing leaders who promote justice, equity, and inclusion at their institutions.”

The Catalyst for Women’s Empowerment Award honors a leader who is an exceptional ally and advocate with a demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women in higher education.

Carson is a Northern Essex alumna and a first-generation college student. She returned to Northern Essex as an adjunct faculty member in 2007. In 2020, she earned tenure as a member of the faculty and received a NISOD Excellence Award. She was named dean of business and professional studies in May of 2022.

Carson and the other honorees received their awards on International Women’s Day – Friday, March 8 – at Salem State University.

NECC Announces Plans for 2024 Commencement, Including the Featured Speaker

March 6, 2024/in Events, Featured, Headlines, Press Releases, Students/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (March 6, 2024)—Planning for the 62nd annual Commencement Ceremony at Northern Essex Community College is underway. The event will be held on the Haverhill Campus on Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. More than 400 students and their families will gather under the tent for the occasion.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan will be the featured commencement speaker

This year’s featured speaker will be United States Representative Lori Trahan (D MA-3rd District). Congresswoman Trahan was born in Lowell and raised in a working-class family. She was the first in her family to graduate college.

As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Rep. Trahan has been an advocate for supporting public schools, making college more affordable and accessible, and ensuring fair wages and opportunities for the workforce in Massachusetts’ 3rd District.

Rep. Trahan on a tour of the NECC Lawrence Campus in 2019

Shortly after her election in 2019, Congresswoman Trahan visited NECC’s Lawrence Campus. She met with students, toured the facilities, and pledged her support for the school and its critical role in the communities she serves. “If we’re going to set everyone up for financial success, we need to support our community colleges,” she said during the visit.

Since then, Rep. Trahan has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for local infrastructure projects, small businesses, workforce training programs, community organizations, and more. Northern Essex President Lane Glenn says most recently, they discussed the Workforce Pell Act, which would allow Pell Grants to support students enrolled in high-quality, short-term education programs that align with the most in-demand careers.

“Congresswoman Trahan understands, from a very personal perspective, the transformative power of higher education,” says President Glenn. “She sees how a community college like Northern Essex can pivot to directly and effectively address the workforce needs of our communities and students. We look forward to her sharing her inspirational story with the class of 2024.”

A delegation from NECC met with Rep. Trahan during the National Legislative Summit put on by The Association of Community College Trustees

The 62nd 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.

To learn more about commencement, 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 hosts 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.

Northern Essex Hosting NJCAA East District/Region 21 Basketball Championships

February 29, 2024/in Featured, Headlines, Press Releases, Programs, Students/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (February 29, 2024) – For the first time, Northern Essex Community College is set to host the men’s and women’s NJCAA East District/Region 21 Championships Tournament Semi-Finals and Finals this coming weekend, Saturday, March 2nd, and Sunday, March 3rd. The 2024 tournament will mark the first time the men’s and women’s championships have been held at the same site since 2020.

The Knights men’s basketball team has earned the tournament’s top seed for the second consecutive season and advanced to the tournament’s final four by virtue of Wednesday evening’s 93-61 quarterfinal victory over Roxbury. Luis Reynoso (Lawrence) led the Knights with a 29-point, 15 rebound performance in the quarterfinal.

NECC will be looking to become the first back-to-back Region 21/East District Champion since Springfield Tech accomplished the feat in 2003 and 2004.

Going into the tournament, NECC leads the nation in scoring defense, holding the opponent to 61.5 points per game on the season while ranking second in rebounding with 57.7 rebounds per game.

On the women’s side, Northern Essex will be making their first postseason appearance since 2010 as the program returned this season after a 13-year hiatus.

The Knights will be the second seed and are led by the duo of Mirelys Morales (Dracut)and McKayla Dingle (Haverhill), who are averaging 16.8 and 13.6 points per game, respectively.

All games will be played at the Sport and Fitness on the Haverhill Campus, and Admission is free throughout the weekend.

Games are also live-streamed on YouTube.

Tournament Schedule:

Women’s Semi-Finals Saturday March 2nd
#1 CC Rhode Island vs. #4 Roxbury 11:00am
#2 Northern Essex vs. #3 Massasoit 1:15pm

Women’s Championship Sunday March 3rd
Semi-Final Winners 1:00pm

Men’s Quarterfinals Wednesday February 28th
#1 Northern Essex 93 #8 Roxbury 61
#2 Quincy 85 #7 Bunker Hill 66
#3 Quinsigamond 83 #6 CC Rhode Island 77
#4 Bristol 77 #5 Massasoit 88

Men’s Semi-Finals Saturday March 2nd
#1 Northern Essex vs. #5 Massasoit 4:00pm
#2 Quincy College vs. #3 Quinsigamond 6:15pm

Men’s Championship Sunday, March 3rd
Semi-Final Winners 3:30 pm

Written by Dan Blair, Director of Athletics

Third Annual Giving Day Set for April 4

February 27, 2024/in Featured, Headlines, Press Releases, Programs/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (February 27, 2024) – Northern Essex Community College is preparing to host the third annual Giving Day on April 4, 2024. NECC’s Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraising effort that aims to unite alumni, friends, staff, faculty, and students toward a common goal: supporting the college and its students. In addition to encouraging support for the college’s annual fund (the NECC Fund), Giving Day celebrates healthy camaraderie and competition through a variety of themed challenges, prizes, and more.

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.

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.

Recently, the NECC Fund made national headlines by supporting the creation of an Internship Stipend Program. The program provides stipends of up to $2500 for students in unpaid or underpaid internships, clinicals, or other experiential learning roles. Ten students were paid through the NECC Fund donation to the program in the fall of 2023, and another cohort has just begun the program for the spring semester.

Giving Day is an annual event held on the first Thursday in April. The timing is significant: more than 60 years ago, students could first register for classes at the newly formed Northern Essex Community College the first week of April. 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.