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Lawrence Partnership Announces Transition

November 25, 2025/in Mobile, Campus & Community/by mbouse

Lawrence, MA (November 20, 2025) — After four years of successful leadership, the Lawrence Partnership announced that Executive Director George Ramirez would be stepping down from his role effective February 2026.

“It has been my great honor to serve as the Executive Director of the Lawrence Partnership to advance its mission of improving the quality of life of Lawrence citizens through inclusive economic development,” said Ramirez. “The board and staff are among the most committed people I have ever worked with, and I believe the organization is well-positioned to continue its mission. While I will be transitioning in my role, I look forward to pursuing new opportunities where I can make an impact.”

Socrates De La Cruz, Chair of the Lawrence Partnership Board, lauded the work of Ramirez.

“Under George’s leadership, the Partnership has expanded its impact across workforce development, educational attainment, and community engagement—strengthening collaboration among business, government, and nonprofit leaders throughout the Merrimack Valley,” said De La Cruz. “George has left an indelible mark at a time when his leadership was sorely needed. We’re forever grateful for his work.”

The Executive Committee of the Lawrence Partnership has appointed Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús as Interim Executive Director, effective March 1, 2026. González-De Jesús currently serves as Vice President of Lawrence Campus and Community Relations at Northern Essex Community College, where she has been a driving force in building partnerships that expand access to education, workforce opportunities, and economic mobility.

“I’m excited to continue working with George throughout this transition and build upon the success of the Lawrence Partnership in supporting a vibrant community,” said González-De Jesús. “This is a pivotal time for our city, with tremendous opportunities to strengthen collaboration, further invest in our people, and continue to build an inclusive and resilient future together.”

González-De Jesús brings extensive national and international experience to this role. Her previous work includes international diplomatic engagement with the U.S. Department of State, as well as leadership in resource development, apprenticeships, business incubators, and workforce innovation initiatives across New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Texas. These experiences offer a valuable perspective on strategic leadership and innovation as the Partnership continues to strengthen Lawrence’s economic ecosystem.

“Dr. González-De Jesús continues the tradition of energetic, thoughtful leadership that we envisioned when we first formed the Lawrence Partnership,” said NECC President Dr. Lane A. Glenn, a founding member of the organization. “I’m proud of the work everyone has accomplished, and excited for what lies ahead.”

In her interim role, González-De Jesús will collaborate with the Partnership’s board, staff, and community partners to advance ongoing projects and enhance the organization’s fundraising and revenue-generating capacity—laying the groundwork for a future search for a permanent Executive Director.

“Dr. González-De Jesús has demonstrated true commitment to our city and the mission of our organization, so we are grateful that she is bringing her experience to this role as we transition,” said De La Cruz. “Her understanding of Lawrence, combined with her national and international experience, makes her uniquely suited to guide the Partnership through this transition and into its next phase of growth.”

The Lawrence Partnership remains focused on advancing its three strategic pillars: Workforce Development, Educational Attainment, and Community Engagement—continuing to build an inclusive economy that benefits all who live and work in Lawrence.

For more information about the transition, contact George Ramirez at the Lawrence Partnership at gramirez@lawrencepartnership.org.

NECC Celebrates Donor Impact

November 17, 2025/in Events, Mobile/by scomiskey

Assistant Dean Matthew Bodie presents at the Donor Appreciation Event

On Tuesday, November 4th, Northern Essex Community College welcomed more than 30 giving society members to campus for its fall Donor Appreciation Reception, an annual event held in celebration of NECC’s most committed supporters.

The evening began with opening remarks from Vice President of Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson and NECC President Lane Glenn, who highlighted the ongoing impact of donor-supported student access initiatives like the laptop lending program and the internship stipend program, and their overall role in helping students become career-ready. During her address, Dolan-Wilson announced that collective support for the NECC Fund, the college’s annual fund, had most recently allowed for the purchase of additional library resources for students, including laptops and a high-tech mobile cart.

The main program welcomed new Assistant Dean and Lead Library Administrator Matthew Bodie to the podium for a lecture and discussion on the history of NECC’s campus library culture, during which he explored the library’s evolution from a small collection of shelves in 1961 to a dynamic academic hub in 2025, complete with lab spaces, an art gallery, literacy labs, and access to digital scholarship repositories. Chris Dube, an NECC student and frequent library user, followed with a brief testimonial about his experience with the library and the ways in which it had positively contributed to his academic journey.

Throughout the evening, attendees were treated to stationary hors d’oeuvres and to a special NECC archives exhibit curated by Coordinator of Library Services Laura Mondt.

The annual donor appreciation event is hosted and organized each fall by the Institutional Advancement Team.

Giving societies at NECC: Supporters of NECC have the option to participate in a variety of recognition opportunities, including membership into any of the college’s three giving societies: the Loyalty Giving Society provides automatic membership to any individual who has contributed to the NECC Fund for five consecutive years or more. The President’s Circle welcomes all donors who contribute $1,000 or more in a fiscal year, and the Klueber Planned Giving Society comprises forward-thinking benefactors who have included NECC in their will or estate plan.

Please visit the NECC giving site for more information on philanthropic programming at NECC.

Photos: Ceremony Honors Local Veterans

November 17, 2025/in Headline, Mobile, Campus & Community/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (November 6, 2025) — Northern Essex Community College paid tribute to local veterans with its annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The event, organized by Veteran and Military Services Coordinator Alfred (Fred) Denesowicz ’98, started with a flag-raising ceremony on the college’s Haverhill Campus. A breakfast followed, featuring guest speaker retired Major General John Deyermond. See below for a gallery of photos from this special event.

There are dozens of active military or veteran students currently enrolled at NECC. The Military Times included Northern Essex on its “Best for Vets” college list in 2022 and NECC became a designated “Military Friendly School” by Viqtory in 2021. Denesowicz helps connect veteran and active duty students with a multitude of support services, including Credit for Prior Learning, which can apply those students’ experiences to academic credits. To learn more about Veteran and Military Services at NECC, visit the webpage or email Denesowicz at veteransservices@necc.mass.edu.

State Awards NECC $15,000 to Help Fight Campus Hunger

November 17, 2025/in Mobile, Campus & Community/by mbouse

Boston, MA (November 17, 2025) — Northern Essex Community College will receive $15,559 to help with existing efforts to fight student hunger. The funding is part of $500,000 that the Healey Driscoll Administration has awarded across 30 colleges and universities in Massachusetts as Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants. The administration estimates the funding will help 36,000 college students.

At NECC, students have access to food vouchers, a food pantry, and assistance with SNAP benefits. Additionally, the college offers direct connections for students and their families to existing food resources in their communities. A full list can be found on the food support webpage.

The year’s Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants arrive at a time when President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed a bill that makes severe changes to SNAP and may result in more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated, including students. Earlier this month, President Trump became the first President in United States history to withhold SNAP benefits during a federal government shutdown.

“We want college students to be able to focus on succeeding in school and their career, but they can’t do that if they are facing hunger,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Far too many students on our campuses were already struggling to afford food, and President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs have made things even worse. In Massachusetts, we are committed to preventing everyone, including our students, from going hungry.”

A complete list of funding recipients and more details on the Hunger Free Campus Initiative can be found here.

This article was adapted from a press release by the offices of Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.

Knights Score First-Ever National Tournament Victory

November 14, 2025/in Mobile, Students & Alumni/by mbouse

Herkimer, NY (November 13, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College men’s soccer team picked up its first-ever national tournament victory on Thursday night as it defeated Raritan Valley 4-0 at Wehrum Stadium on the campus of Herkimer College. The win gives the Knights a fifth-place national tournament finish in their second-ever tournament appearance. The Knights finish the season with a 13-4-1 overall record.

Maxim Chriss (Lexington) and the Knights jumped on the Lions early as Chriss scored two goals in the game’s opening 3:40 of the contest. The first goal would come on an assist from Gabriel DosReis (Somerville) when he sent a short pass to Chriss, who sent the ball across the box and off the keeper’s outstretched hand and into the left corner.

The second goal would come off an assist from Kayky Freitas (Everett) as he sent the ball in from the left side, and Chriss sent the ball to the top of the net from six yards away.

DosReis would connect with Chriss again for the hat trick just over two minutes into the second half in a similar fashion to the second goal, as Chriss scored again from six yards out as he took the pass from the left side.

Sotir Agallui (Manchester, NH) would finish the scoring for NECC in the 75th minute when he got his foot on a shot from Oriol Jean (Haiti) and deflected it into the left corner.

For the game, NECC had a 23-9 advantage in shots and forced the Lions’ keeper to make 13 saves. Rolston Ladd (Candia, NH)got the start in net for the Knights and made four saves.

Learn more about NECC Athletics by visiting the website.

Base Manufacturing Program Launching to Meet Workforce Demand

November 12, 2025/in Programs/by mbouse

A new non-credit program launching at Northern Essex Community College will address some of the most pressing needs of the Massachusetts workforce. Currently, there are 1.2 unemployed persons for every job opening and over 30,000 manufacturing positions available in the Commonwealth. In collaboration with Axim Collaborative and supported by a $600,000 grant, NECC is developing a manufacturing training program focused on foundational, employer-identified skills. The program will prioritize access for historically marginalized and underrepresented populations, preparing learners for a range of career pathways in the manufacturing industry.

The Base Manufacturing Program was co-designed with leading regional employers. This employer-aligned model delivers career-connected credentials through precision measurement, machine operation, safety, critical thinking, problem-solving, and workforce communication training essential across nearly all manufacturing roles.

Offered at no cost to participants and designed to align with emerging federal workforce funding, the program removes barriers and expands access to training for adults looking to gain new skills and for recent high school graduates exploring direct pathways into the workforce. NECC’s community-based recruitment strategy makes pathways visible and easy to access while tapping into the 10,000+ job seekers supported annually by MassHire.

Starting with the regional employers, the goal is to enroll 200 students by 2028. By 2031, the program has the potential to reach over 6,000 learners and include 50 regional employers. A three-phase strategy includes piloting the program at NECC, replicating it across the Merrimack Valley, and disseminating it throughout the Massachusetts Community College system. This partnership aims to accelerate growth and create a blueprint for connecting untapped talent to meaningful, well-paid careers across the Commonwealth.

For more information about non-credit educational opportunities at NECC, visit the website.

Student Literary Magazine Parnassus Wins Back-to-Back National Awards

November 10, 2025/in Students/by mbouse

For the second year in a row, The Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) is recognizing Northern Essex Community College’s student literary magazine, Parnassus, with a national Pacemaker Award. This makes Parnassus one of the top student collegiate magazines in the country, as this marks the sixth time overall the ACP has recognized the magazine with the distinction.

“Parnassus is a truly amazing opportunity for students and other members of the NECC community to showcase their artistic works, both at the college and in these national competitions, and winning the Pacemaker two years in a row (and our sixth time overall) is a strong testament to how fantastic our college’s creativity is and continues to be alongside the amazing work of the Parnassus staff in their selection and design of the magazine as well,” said NECC Writing Program Coordinator/ Faculty Advisor for Parnassus Patrick Lochelt. “We will continue to build on the great foundation we’ve established, and we look forward to receiving more amazing submissions from our NECC artists and writers for the 2026 issue!”

The prestigious Pacemaker recognizes overall excellence and distinguishes the top student media produced during a particular school year. The award started shortly after the association was founded in 1921 and is often regarded as the most competitive, most honored award in collegiate journalism.

Other winners of the Pacemaker Award this year include Auburn University, Southwestern College, University of New Mexico, Valencia College, University of Oregon, Western Kentucky University, and Black Hills State University.

Gary Lundgren, ACP associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competition, noted the quality of the winning student magazines rivals those produced by professionals.

“The verbal and visual storytelling in the winning magazines is incredible and robust long-form stories combined with shorter quick-reads to pace the reader through the pages of the feature magazines,” Lundgren said.

Other national associations, including the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Community College Humanities Association, have also recognized past issues of Parnassus. It was first produced at Northern Essex in 1965, making it one of the oldest institutions at the college.

The staff creates new and fresh looks to present each year, with submissions from the NECC community in the areas of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, art, and photography. To learn more about Parnassus, click here or contact Patrick Lochelt at plochelt@necc.mass.edu.

Students Recognized for Success in Re-Entry Program

November 6, 2025/in Students/by mbouse

When Rashad Diggs first walked through the doors of the STAR Center in Lawrence in March 2025, he wasn’t sure what to expect. A few months later, he stood before a cheering crowd of staff, classmates, and family members celebrating his completion of the program and his next steps forward in life.

woman gives pin to young man standing behind a podium

Rashad Diggs receiving his National Adult Honor Society Pin

Diggs is one of 26 justice-involved individuals recently recognized for graduating from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department’s Supporting Transitions and Reentry (STAR) program. Through its partnership with ECSD, Northern Essex provides the educational component of the STAR program. Recent ceremonies at the STAR locations in Lawrence and Lynn celebrated graduates’ academic achievements, including two students who earned their high school equivalency. Diggs completed the STAR program, has passed two of his five HiSET tests, and, along with three other students, was nominated for the National Adult Education Honor Society.

“The STAR Program is a tight-knit community, and it uplifts and gives people the confidence to succeed when they feel like they can’t do it on their own. Once you come here, you can feel it. Everyone is transparent, and they take their time with you. So, I want to say, ‘thank you’ to all involved,” Diggs told the crowd of supporters.

The STAR program, launched in 2022, was designed to help individuals transition successfully back into their communities after incarceration. For Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, that mission is deeply personal.

“Before I was Sheriff, I was a police chief in Lynn for seven years, and served 32 years as a police officer,” said Coppinger. “I saw when people came out of jail and they came back to the communities, they were lost on the street, living in the shelters. A lot of times, they had no family friends; they go right back to a life of crime, and they go back to jail. So, when I ran for sheriff and I got settled in office, one of my major goals was to create a program or an entity that would bridge that gap between leaving jail and then resuming a normal, productive life in society.”

Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger

Since its creation, the STAR program has helped hundreds of individuals like Diggs. Students are matched with Navigators who guide them through education, training, and community reintegration. Some graduate in as little as three months; others take longer as they balance work, family, and personal growth.

Northern Essex provides the educational component of the STAR program, offering courses that build both academic and life skills. Across the Sheriff’s Department’s five facilities, the college provides HiSET preparation, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), digital literacy, non-credit electives, and for-credit college classes. As the educational partner for all sites across the ECSD continuum, NECC ensures students experience academic continuity every step of the way. Providing educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals is key to reducing recidivism and keeping our communities safe; research shows that nearly 95% of incarcerated individuals eventually return home, and those who participate in correctional education are significantly less likely to reoffend.

“The value of what we do collectively with our partners, like the college, is we’re preparing these inmates for successful reentry,” remarked Sheriff Coppinger. “And what that means is an increase in public safety for each of us, and for the 34 cities and towns in Essex County.”

That shared commitment to education, reentry, and community underscores the partnership between the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and Northern Essex Community College. For many graduates, the STAR program represents an opportunity to rebuild their lives, contribute positively to their communities, and chart a new path forward, supported by education, purpose, and hope.

To learn more about the STAR program, visit the webpage.

State Awards NECC $147,000 Grant for Workforce Training Program

November 4, 2025/in Programs/by mbouse

Northern Essex Community College will receive $147,258 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 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 that the grants will provide free career training to more than 500 adult learners at Massachusetts community colleges. At Northern Essex, the funding will be used to support the Certified Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician programs.

“Everywhere I go, I see the difference our investments in education are making — people earning degrees and credentials, launching new careers, increasing their earnings and strengthening their communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Free community college has opened doors for thousands of students, and these TRAIN grants will open even more by helping adult learners gain the STEM and workforce skills that power our economy. That’s what STEM Week is all about — learning that leads to opportunity.”

“At a time when employers across the state are looking for skilled workers, we’re making sure Massachusetts residents can get the training they need to fill those roles and build great careers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “During STEM Week, we’re celebrating how hands-on learning—from the classroom to the lab to the workplace—helps people of all ages discover new pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math. These TRAIN grants strengthen that pipeline by connecting adult learners to the high-demand STEM careers driving our state’s innovation economy.”

The TRAIN grant program focuses on supporting long-term unemployed, under-employed, and new entrant adult workers by providing them with targeted industry skills and workforce readiness training. This funding supports 13 implementation programs that offer comprehensive training programs, which include not only the development of key skills, but also wraparound support services to guide participants through their learning journey and into new careers.

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.

This article was adapted from a press release from the Executive Office of Education.

Launch of Entrepreneurship Hub at NECC

October 31, 2025/in Programs/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (October 23, 2025) —Northern Essex Community College students interested in business and entrepreneurship now have some additional resources at their fingertips. This month saw the launch of the Entrepreneurship Hub. Created by Business Department Chair Sheila Muller and Associate Professor Julie Pierce, within the Business and Professional Studies Division, and hosted at the Haverhill Commons, the Entrepreneurship Hub connects students with resources for creating, planning and funding small businesses.

The Entrepreneurship Hub is a partnership with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC Senior Advisor Awilda Irizarry hosts open office hours every week in the Haverhill Commons, where students can ask questions and seek advice. She is also available virtually on any day of the week.

“The idea is to really help those students with an entrepreneurial mindset to help them go where they want to go,” said Business and Accounting Department Chair Sheila Muller. “We have students come here who are already entrepreneurs, and then we have others who start businesses using the connections they gain at NECC.”

About the presence of SBDC on campus, Rosa Conn Garza ‘24, owner of Rosita’s Cocina, remarked, “I wish something like this existed when I was a student.” She launched her business during her first semester as a Business Transfer student at NECC.

Garza participated in a panel discussion during the launch event for the Entrepreneurship Hub, alongside fellow alumna Gefranny Lara ‘25, owner of Gyla Models Academy, and NECC staff member Gina Kenney, owner of Inspire by Gina. They shared how starting a small business can be both challenging and enormously rewarding.

“When you put your time into your dreams, then you’re making your dreams come true, because you’re putting your time towards you,” said Lara. “Whatever you want to do for your business, do it for yourself.”

Gina Kinney, Associate Prof. Julie Pierce, Rosa Conn Garza ’24, Gefranny Lara ‘25, SBDC Senior Advisor Awilda Irizarry

The launch event was well-attended by students, including those from Associate Professor of Business and Accounting Julie Pierce’s Early College Principles of Marketing class, her Introduction to Business course, and Chair Muller’s Marketing students. This was a great opportunity for the Early College cohort to also participate in college activities outside the classroom.

Northern Essex currently offers six associate degree business programs, as well as several non-credit business certifications. The Alpha Beta Gamma Business Honor Society is also available to all business students enrolled in a degree program who have earned 12 college credits and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Learn more by visiting the webpage or contacting Business and Accounting Department Chair Sheila Muller.