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Merrimack College & NECC Sign Joint Admissions and Transfer Partnership Agreement

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Haverhill, MA (February 24, 2025) – A new joint admissions agreement between Northern Essex Community College and Merrimack College will provide NECC students with more seamless pathways to continue their education after graduating with their associate degrees. Under the agreement, students who opt-in are conditionally accepted to Merrimack College when they are accepted to NECC. Once a student graduates from NECC, they can begin the transfer process. Merrimack College will provide a designated transfer admissions counselor for graduates of NECC, who will receive priority for Merrimack merit scholarships.

“Now more than ever, we must ensure that any student who dreams of earning an associate degree and bachelor’s degree can do so,” said Merrimack College President Christopher E. Hopey, Ph.D. “And this agreement will make that dream more accessible to more students. We know first-hand the transformative impact higher education can have on its students and the communities they go on to serve.”

During the event, President Hopey also announced that NECC students who transfer to Merrimack College after they earn their associate’s degree will receive up to a $10,000 scholarship, or a $5,000 scholarship if they enroll in the Bachelor in Humanities program.

Merrimack College and NECC have enjoyed a long-standing partnership focused on accessibility and opportunities for learners in the Merrimack Valley and beyond. Over the past five years alone, about 400 NECC students have transferred to Merrimack College.

The institutions have worked to grow early college programs and are exploring the establishment of an innovation corridor in the Merrimack Valley.

“Merrimack remembers its roots,” said NECC President Lane Glenn H’15. “Merrimack remembers the importance of service to our communities and ensuring accessibility to and affordability of a high-quality education. This joint admissions agreement is another significant step forward because it makes the process much simpler.”

Those 400 recent transfer students include Ally Powell ’24 and Joseph Spero ’24. Both cite the academic offerings, financial aid, and proximity to home as big factors in their decisions to transfer to Merrimack after graduating from NECC. They say the support they received in the process has helped them realize their passions. Powell is studying human development and human services, as well as teacher education, and hopes to be a special education teacher in communities such as Haverhill or Lawrence, while Spero is doubling down on his love of sports through the sports management program.

“The campus and community at Merrimack are a great fit for me,” said Powell. “I don’t know how else to describe it other than it matches my vibe. Transitioning to Merrimack has been an incredible experience. All of my classes transferred and the change was really smooth.”

Powell and Spero shared their transfer experiences during a special event at NECC’s Haverhill Campus on Monday, Feb. 24, where Merrimack and NECC announced a new joint admissions and transfer partnership agreement.

“It is an honor to be here today sharing my experiences with you all,” Spero said to a crowd of more than 50 senior leaders, administrators, and faculty from both institutions. “I would 100 percent recommend the path I took to others. For students who are comfortable at home and are still looking for a challenge, Northern Essex is a perfect fit. And now, I’m a junior at Merrimack and I love it.”

Spero was also a Haverhill Promise Scholar at NECC. The Promise programs allow students who take early college classes at Northern Essex to continue at NECC for free after their high school graduation.

NECC has joint admission agreements with four additional institutions: Salem State University, UMass Lowell, Regis College, and Emmanuel College. Learn more by visiting the Transfer webpage.

NECC to Hold Third Annual Impact Awards

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Haverhill, MA (February 13, 2025) – Northern Essex Community College is proud to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to the college and its students with the third annual Impact Awards. The following outstanding community members will be honored at a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, May 7, at 8:30 am on the Haverhill Campus. Learn more about tickets and sponsorship opportunities by contacting Allison Dolan-Wilson or visiting the webpage.

Community Partner Award

This award honors an individual, group, or organization who, through their support, has made a lasting impact on Northern Essex. As first-generation Ecuadorian Americans, Luis and Juan Yepez understand the transformative power of education firsthand. Mainstream Global’s founders and chief executives support Northern Essex and its students through financial support, mentorship, and guidance. Their contributions have especially impacted Lawrence students through the NECC Lawrence Promise program, where students can receive full scholarships to NECC after completing the Early College program.

The Outstanding Alumni Award

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus/a who has achieved career-related success, is active in the community, and/or has exemplified active support for the college’s efforts. Methuen Chief of Police Scott J. McNamara earned his associate degree in Criminal Justice at NECC in 1991. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Salem State College and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from UMass Lowell. His law enforcement career began in 1996 in Lawrence. He quickly rose through the ranks and in 2021 was chosen as the new Chief of Police in Methuen. Chief McNamara has shown, throughout his career, a dedication to building positive relationships between police and community members and developing community partnerships.

Philanthropy & Volunteerism

This award is given to a member of the Northern Essex community who has demonstrated commitment to NECC through financial support, volunteering, and leadership. Northern Essex is proud to give this year’s award to Haverhill business leader, Sally O’Rorke, founder and president of Gold Leaf Fine Jewelry. O’Rorke has been the recipient of numerous awards for her community service. She served as president of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and volunteered with many area organizations including the American Red Cross, the United Way, Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board, Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Girls, Inc., and the Boys & Girls Club of Haverhill. O’Rorke has also served on the Northern Essex Board of Trustees since 2015. Her second and final term will conclude this year. Throughout all her endeavors, O’Rorke has served as a vital connection between NECC and Merrimack Valley communities and worked to strengthen partnerships and develop opportunities.

Public Service & Advocacy

The Public Service and Advocacy Award honors an individual who has greatly impacted the lives of Northern Essex students through public service or advocacy. This year’s awardee, State Senator Barry Finegold, has always understood the importance of education: his mother was a teacher in the Andover Public Schools and his father taught at Northern Essex. Senator Finegold has made advocating for education a pillar of his three-decade career in public service. In his current role representing the Second Essex and Middlesex District in the Massachusetts Senate, he’s been a key supporter of many initiatives to increase access to higher education including MassReconnect, MassEducate, and Tuition Equity.

Equity and Social Justice Award

This award recognizes individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have impacted the NECC community through values such as a commitment to equity, diversity, and the advancement of human rights and social justice. Derek Mitchell is the founder and president of the LEADS (Leaders Engaged and Activated to Drive System-wide change) Program. The leadership program provides executive training and development to community members in the Merrimack Valley, creating meaningful and productive connections and collaborations. LEADS was first developed when Mitchell served as executive director of the Lawrence Partnership.

To learn more about the Impact Awards and past recipients, visit the webpage.

Board of Trustees February 2025 Update

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Haverhill, MA (February 5, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees gathered for its first meeting of 2025 on the Haverhill Campus earlier this month. The meeting included details of a new partnership that will benefit students, an update on the exploration of a shared campus with Whittier Tech, and information on how the college is responding to students’ concerns about recent Executive Orders.

Educational Report

Dean of STEM Carolyn Knoepfler presented this month’s education report by sharing some exciting new developments from her area. This year, they’ve seen a 14% increase in the number of students majoring in STEM. Knoepfler said they continue to far outperform national averages when it comes to enrolling students typically underrepresented in STEM, such as women and Hispanic students.

This year, they are launching a new partnership with the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI). The institute is well-regarded for offering cutting-edge technology and techniques in lab sciences. The partnership would allow students who have been certified by GMGI to seamlessly roll into a lab science associate degree. Conversely, students enrolled in NECC credit programs might be eligible to take a master class at GMGI.

“This is one of the most exciting partnerships I’ve worked on since I’ve been a dean,” said Knoepfler. “GMGI does top-notch training, it’s an incredibly rigorous program.”

Report of the Administration 

President Glenn began his update by addressing the flurry of Executive Orders from President Trump. Several orders could directly impact the college, its students, and its employees.

“What I’ve shared with the college community is that we will not be overreacting [to the Executive Orders.] We’ll be assessing any orders in a measured way, seeking accuracy followed by transparency. We want to communicate as timely as we can,” said President Glenn.

He said students and their families have been particularly concerned about orders relating to immigration enforcement. The college has set up a webpage with information and planned several workshops to address questions they might have.

“We will follow the law, and we will advocate for what we think is right for our students,” he continued.

Chairwoman Jennifer Borislow commended the college’s response: “There’s a lot of anxiety our goal is not to overreact. [The college] has done a remarkable job of not overreacting. It’s complicated and it’s chaotic.”

President Glenn also updated the Board on the exploration of a shared campus between NECC and Whittier Tech. The first meeting of the Municipal Working Group was held a week prior. It is comprised of leaders from local towns and cities that send students to Whittier Tech. The group explored the different possibilities of what a shared campus would look like. Those options could include schools that operate separately, two schools that operate separately but share some services like security and maintenance, or a full integration of the two institutions. Glenn reminded the Board that the exploration of a shared campus is still in its very early stages. A report from the Donahue Institute on the public listening sessions is expected soon.

 

The NECC Board of Trustees includes nine members whom the governor of the state appoints to a maximum of two five-year terms, as well as an alumni-elected member, who also serves a maximum of ten years, and the student trustee who serves for two semesters. The next board meeting will be held on March 5 on the Haverhill Campus. A full list of meeting dates and more information about the Board of Trustees can be found on the webpage.

El Hefni Building Goes Hollywood

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el hefni building at dusk

The Northern Essex Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health and Technology Center

What started out as a small, independent film is now likely heading for a major national release. “Sorry, Baby” was shot partially on the Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Campus in the winter of 2024. The film features scenes in and around the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Health and Technology Center at 414 Common Street.

Actress Eva Victor wrote, directed, and stars in the film. She plays the lead character Agnes, a fictional college professor recovering from a sexual assault. The movie’s tagline states: “Something bad happened to Agnes. But life goes on… for everyone around her, at least.”

“Sorry, Baby” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month to much critical acclaim. The movie took home Sundance’s Waldo Salt Award for Screenwriting and earned a 100 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Following its success, several major studios bid on the rights to distribute the movie worldwide. A24 Films won and will plan a national release soon. The movie is listed as “coming soon” on the A24 website. A24 has released many critical and box office successes including the 2023 Academy Award-winning Best Picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Here to Help: Familiar Faces Greet Students on the Lawrence Campus

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This story originally appeared in the fall 2024 edition of alumnecc, the alumni magazine of Northern Essex Community College.

45,000. That’s how many hours- give or take- the women behind the Welcome Express desk on the Lawrence Campus have spent working together. They’ve celebrated milestones, helped each other through tough times, and become a family. But most importantly, they’ve welcomed thousands of students into the Northern Essex family.

“That personal touch is important to them,” said Ilia Colon ’11, the newest member of the team who has been at NECC for 25 years.

She joined Elizabeth Mercardo ’95, ’09 and Paula Pancorbo ’06, ’12 as an enrollment services specialist in 2003, though her connection to the college goes back much further than that.

“I first came to the college in 1995 to get my medical transcription certification,” she recalled. “I was working in a building across the street as a property manager. I had my kids young, and I was a single mother, so I was thinking about them.”

After earning her certificate, she returned to Puerto Rico, where she was born and where many of her family members still lived. A year later, she was back in Lawrence, and ready to continue her journey at NECC.

She first took a work-study role in the health program and then became an administrative assistant for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program in 1999. Three and a half years later, she learned about the full-time opening with Enrollment Services. The hiring manager called Colon’s supervisor for a reference, which must have been glowing because she was hired on the spot.
“It all started in this building,” she said of the Dimitry Building at 45 Franklin Street. Colon went on to earn an associate in arts: general studies degree from NECC in 2011.

Mercado had a similar experience. She received an associate degree in administrative management: travel/tourism in 1995. After an internship at Logan Airport and a short time working for the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority, she saw an ad in the paper for the enrollment position at NECC and decided to apply.

“I was the last one to get interviewed and I was really hoping for this great opportunity. When I was hired, it was a dream come true. As a student, I always had that vision of one day helping other students accomplish their goals.”

That fateful day was 28 years ago. Though some of the mechanics have changed – no more paper applications, for example – the essence of the role remains the same.

“We do it all! We connect them to financial aid, we refer them to services, we’re recruiting,” Colon remarked. “But most of all, we’re a personal connection for them. Some really want and need that interaction; they don’t want to do everything online.”

Colon recalled the time a mom came in with her daughter. The daughter wasn’t sold on the idea of enrolling, but after a short talk with Colon, she decided to give it a try.

“I just told her ‘You have a lot of opportunities. My mother never told me to go to college.’ The mom came back and thanked me and said, ‘I don’t know what you did to change her mind!’ We do that all the time for our students. We want to go the extra mile.”

Mercado said it’s especially helpful that the enrollment staff in Lawrence are bilingual.

“Often, we’re talking to the student in English and then we’re translating it into Spanish for the parents. And we’re happy to do that because it’s what makes the process easier for them.”

Many of those students who benefited from that extra attention are now paying it forward.

“One of the things I love about my job is that we see the students, and then we see them come back with their children. That is – wow – I love it. We had one just today! It happens all the time, almost every day,” said Mercado.

Both women said they are reminded every day that welcoming students isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to change lives.

“I love working here, I love to work with the people,” reflected Colon. “I love to see people succeed.”

NECC Celebrates Black History Month

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Since 1976, February has been a global celebration of Black History Month. At Northern Essex Community College, students and faculty are devoting time to celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. They are hosting a variety of events and programs to honor this important observance and help educate our community.

The events began on Wednesday, February 5 as the Center for Liberal Arts hosted a “Unerasing Black History” discussion presented by History Professor Steve Russell and Global Studies Chair Meredith Gunning.

It was standing-room-only as students, faculty, and staff attended the “Unerasing Black History” discussion.

Several of Professor Russell’s and Professor Gunning’s students attended this event, alongside an NECC librarian, a sociology professor, and a psychology professor.

Professor Russell began the presentation by discussing the importance of understanding “how fundamental African American labor was to building the United States of America’s modern global economic systems,” said Russell. He touched upon New England’s economy in the 18th century, specifically the “transportation of goods,” such as lumber and agricultural products produced by Black Americans, noting the essential role that played in the American economy.

A handful of students provided their thoughts on Black Americans’ impact on the U.S. economy, which transitioned into a deeper discussion of the enhancement of the 19th century when the significance of cotton and textile mills also contributed to the economy.

After questions and answers were exchanged between Russell and students, Professor Gunning took the floor.

Gunning began her presentation by having students compare and contrast the past to the modern day to comprehend the importance of how to “tackle problems of today [one must understand] past mistakes,” said Gunning.

Gunning examined the history of literature and thought it would be best to “look in our own backyard” in Boston during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, said Gunning.

According to Slavery and Remembrance, a website overseen by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, “The transatlantic slave trade was an oceanic trade in African men, women, and children which lasted from the mid-sixteenth century until the 1860s.”

As a result of doing her own research about the transatlantic slave trade, Gunning wanted to put “names to faces” and honor a specific and historical slave: Phillis Wheatley, said Gunning. In 1761 Wheatley was kidnapped in Gambia, a country in West Africa. According to the National Women’s History Museum’s website, Wheatley was brought to America and “sold to the Wheatley family in Boston, Massachusetts.” During her enslavement under the Wheatley family, she was taught to read, write, and comprehend the English language. A few years later, Wheatley explored the world of poetry and writing, which led her to become “the first Black African woman to have poetry published in America,” said Gunning.

For the remainder of the event, students and faculty shared their thoughts on the importance of celebrating Black history and the significance it continues to have on America.

Wednesday’s event was the first in a series of talks, workshops, and celebrations of Black History this month. For a complete listing, visit the webpage.

 

President Glenn Receives Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership

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February 5, 2025 (Haverhill, MA) – Campus Compact is pleased to announce that Lane A. Glenn, Ph.D., president of Northern Essex Community College (NECC), has been awarded Campus Compact’s Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership. The award recognizes presidents and chancellors from community colleges who have exemplified a deep and sustained commitment to civic and community engagement throughout their careers.

Glenn is recognized as Massachusetts’ longest-serving community college president, where his leadership and dedication to equity have made an indelible mark, not just on the communities NECC serves, but across Massachusetts and its educational institutions.

“President Glenn is a strong advocate for colleges and universities as engines of economic and workforce development—particularly in Massachusetts Gateway Cities,” said Allison M. Dolan-Wilson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at NECC in a letter nominating Glenn for the award. “Northern Essex Community College is now in year three of Success for All, its current strategic plan. The plan seeks to remove structural barriers and create a more equitable, more diverse, and inclusive college that reflects the cultures and identities of all people who are part of the NECC community. This work would not be possible without the strong foundation laid by President Glenn.”

“President Glenn’s longtime leadership at Northern Essex Community College clearly demonstrates the unique and vital contributions that civically engaged community college leaders can make toward community development and wellbeing,” said Bobbie Laur, president of Campus Compact. “We are honored to recognize his many years of dedicated leadership in higher education civic and community engagement work with this award.”

The Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership is presented as part of Campus Compact’s Impact Awards, which recognize shining examples of meaningful, impactful higher education civic and community engagement work. Read more about the other awards and this year’s recipients here.

The recipients of these awards will be recognized at Compact25, Campus Compact’s annual conference, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from March 31st – April 2nd, 2025.

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