2025 - Page 9 of 12

Student Journalists Win Awards for NECC Observer

April 2, 2025/in Headlines, Press Releases, Students/by mbouse

Portland, ME (March 29, 2025) – Northern Essex Community College student journalists from the NECC Observer recently won awards from The New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) in the college division of the Better Newspaper competition.

Shaun Hood of Groveland and Observer correspondents received a first-place award for best arts and entertainment section, and former Observer Editor-in-Chief/Opinion Editor Kim Zappala of Haverhill won a third-place award for best opinion section.

Shaun Hood and his award

The awards were announced at NENPA’s annual convention on March 29 in Portland, Maine.

The awards honored work produced and published in the student newspaper the NECC Observer during the 2023-2024 school year. This is the second year in a row that Zappala won a NENPA award. In 2024 she won second place for best opinion section. Zappala graduated from NECC in May, 2024. She is now studying journalism at UMass Lowell.

The Observer staff members were competing against students from colleges and universities throughout New England. Finalists in their categories included students from New England College, Bowdoin College, University of Southern Maine and Quinnipiac University.

“Congratulations to Shaun and Kim and the journalism students who contributed to the arts and entertainment section. These awards are a testament to the hard work the students put into the Observer and their dedication and commitment to the craft of journalism and to the student newspaper,” said Mary Jo Shafer, NECC Journalism/Communication program coordinator and faculty adviser to the NECC Observer. “Shaun puts incredible effort, thought, planning, care, and creativity into his stories and page. Kim is dedicated, passionate, and diligent in digging for facts and presenting engaging and informative opinion pieces. I am so proud of Shaun and Kim. “

Kim Zappala and her award

Shafer said she is also pleased to see the contributions from students in Journalism I and II courses being honored as part of the arts and entertainment award because the Observer appreciates their submissions. “I think it’s a nice acknowledgement of our students who consistently write interesting, informative, engaging, and relevant stories and who have lots to say and share about arts and entertainment topics,” she said.

Several other student journalists from NECC also attended the annual two-day convention, attending workshops on topics including interviewing techniques, unlocking data for local journalism, public records, media law, artificial intelligence, fact-checking and best practices, tips for writing good stories, podcasting, investigative reporting, gender and local news and more. Students also attended a town hall focused on the First Amendment. The March 29 keynote featured artist Alexandra Bell, who led a thought-provoking session on rethinking and revising news coverage to promote fairness and accuracy.

The Observer is published monthly during the academic year by NECC journalism students. Observer staff members work to inform the college community, including students, faculty, and staff. The Observer also serves as a public forum for the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses and accepts letters and guest columns from the college community.

The NECC Observer is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, and the New England Press Association.

To learn more about NECC’s Journalism/Communications program, visit the website or contact Mary Jo Shafer via email.

From left, former Observer Editor-in-Chief/Opinion Editor Kim Zappala, Campus Life Editor Rowan Rockwell, Features Editor Bailey Orio and Editor-in-Chief Daniela Valdivia-Terres attend the New England Newspaper and Press Association convention in Portland, Maine, March 29.

NECC Welcomes New Veteran and Military Services Coordinator

April 1, 2025/in Faculty and Staff, Headlines, Press Releases/by mbouse

Northern Essex Community College is proud to welcome Alfred (Fred) Denesowicz ’98 as the college’s new Veteran and Military Services Coordinator. A dedicated advocate for veterans and military-affiliated students, Denesowicz brings a wealth of experience in both military service and higher education support.

A native of Haverhill, MA, and an NECC alumnus, Denesowicz graduated in 1998 and was an active member of the Student Senate, serving as Secretary. He also participated in the PACE program and spent countless hours in the Math, English, and computer labs—experiences that shaped his passion for student success.

Alfred (Fred) Denesowicz ’98 is NECC’s new Veteran and Military Services Coordinator

Denesowicz is a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant with 26 years of service, including extensive experience in Human Resources and Career Counseling. An Afghan War veteran, he has traveled to several countries throughout his military career. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Eastern Nazarene College and an MBA in Human Resource Management from Touro University International, Denesowicz is well-equipped to guide and support NECC’s veteran and military-connected students.

“This really comes full circle for me,” Denesowicz shares. “I was a chef by trade from Whittier Tech but realized I needed to go to college. I joined the Army to get college money, and when I started at NECC, I wasn’t very academic. Working as a VA work-study student in the financial aid office, helping students with their benefits, I realized how rewarding it was to assist military members. That led me from HR to career counseling, and now, being able to take on a role like this—where I can use all my experience to make a difference—is really fulfilling.”

Denesowicz understands firsthand the challenges veterans face transitioning from military to civilian life. “It’s a different world,” he explains. “Veterans and service members go through some heavy stuff, and that transition can be extremely difficult. I’ve been through it myself—I speak their language. That’s why I’m here, to be an advocate, to help them navigate their benefits, and to make sure they get the support they need.”

At NECC, approximately 70 students actively use their military benefits, with another 100 to 120 veterans attending in some capacity. Denesowicz’s goal is to ensure all veteran and military-affiliated students know about and take advantage of the resources available to them. “I’ve used these benefits to pay for my education through my master’s degree—I get it,” he says. “I can counsel students on the best way to use their benefits, including free community college options, so they can save benefits for future education or family members. It’s all about figuring out the next step.”

The Veteran and Military Services Office is located in SC214 on the Haverhill campus, and Denesowicz will soon start having regular office hours on the Lawrence Campus as well. He says his door is always open. “Students don’t need to make an appointment, I’m always available for support or to provide information.”

Learn more about Veteran and Military Services at NECC by visiting the webpage.

Northern Essex Projects Win Four National Marketing Awards

March 31, 2025/in Faculty and Staff, Headlines/by mbouse

New Orleans, LA (March 28, 2025) – Four Northern Essex Community College projects were honored recently with Paragon Awards from the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). NECC’s Executive Director of Marketing, Keith Paul, and Director of Public Relations, Melissa Bouse, were on hand to accept the awards at the organization’s national conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Paragons are NCMPR’s highest honors, recognizing outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges. It’s the only national competition that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and PR professionals at two-year colleges.

NCMPR received 2000 entries across 47 categories. Marketing and PR industry professionals judged entries and selected gold, silver, and bronze winners.

Northern Essex was honored to receive:

Gold: Excellent in Writing, Long-Form, Speaking Up for Those Who Can’t, feature story in Spring ’24 edition of alumnecc

Gold: Successful DEI Marketing, Neuroinclusivity Videos

Silver: Microsite/Landing Page, Business Solutions

Bronze: Newsletter, Spring ’24 edition of alumnecc magazine

Melissa Bouse and Keith Paul pose with four glass awards

Melissa Bouse and Keith Paul pose with NECC’s Paragon Awards at NCMPR’s masquerade-themed ceremony and dinner.

The awards were part of a three-day conference featuring workshops, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and keynote addresses specifically geared toward marketing professionals at two-year institutions. Paul and Bouse were also featured presenters at the conference, delivering a session on finding opportunities for leadership and growth within small teams.

NCMPR celebrated its 50th anniversary in New Orleans. The organization will host smaller, regional conferences in the fall. NECC is part of District 1, along with colleges from Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and the United Kingdom.

Community Leaders Voice Optimism for New Whittier Tech High School and Local Cost-Sharing Arrangement

March 28, 2025/in Community, Headlines/by bhough

Just-released UMass Donahue Institute study recommends “collaborative shared campus model” in which WT and NECC share space and services.

Representatives from Whittier Tech’s communities, including mayors, town managers, and city councilors and select board members, have expressed strong interest and optimism for a proposal and new cost-sharing arrangement for a new career training high school in partnership with Northern Essex Community College at its Haverhill campus.

The positive comments, sense of collaboration and project momentum have occurred at the most recent meetings of the WT-NECC Municipal Working Group Feb. 25 at Whittier Tech and March 21 at the community college.

All working group members in attendance agreed that a new building project at NECC cannot happen without a new regional agreement and capital funding formula due to the inclusion of NECC and the state as partners. The Healey Administration has signaled its support of the Shared Campus model provided the member communities can reach a deal on a new capital funding agreement.

Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch and NECC President Lane Glenn are leading the meetings with help from special facilitator Dennis DiZoglio, a former Methuen mayor and Merrimack Valley Planning Commission director.

Community leaders and a just-finished study by the UMass Donahue Institute have called for more public outreach and timely communications about ongoing planning and discussions around the evolving proposal. Whittier Tech’s initial building project proposal was defeated at a district-wide February 2024 election over objections to the $445 million price-tag and other concerns.

Formal communications documenting the Municipal Working Group meetings are coming soon and regular project updates are available and will continue to be posted on the Whittier Tech and NECC websites. Project updates also occur at monthly WT Regional School Committee meetings and in-person updates will be provided at local Select Board and City Council meetings upon request.

The District recently released the new 91-page UMass Donahue Institute final report and recommendations, which can be found on the project website along with this press release and other updates and background information at necc.edu/whittier.

The UMass Donahue Institute, a public service, research and economic development arm of the University of Massachusetts, examined and identified potential new funding streams, cost-saving ideas, mixed-campus models, and best practices for partnering academic, career training and workforce development institutions. Its study included interviews with residents and municipal officials in the Whittier Tech District, and analyzed data on the regional workforce, demographics and labor market.

The Donahue report’s most significant recommendation is that Whittier Tech and NECC should pursue a “collaborative shared campus model” in which the two schools share space and services.

The WT-NECC partnership was born in the interest of reducing the price-tag of a new Whittier Tech high school while also creating a first-of-its kind career training secondary education school and community college partnership to benefit young people in the district and the region’s future workforce needs.

Without a new building or major expansion and/or renovations that have been projected to outpace the cost of a new school, the future of Whittier Tech’s 50-year-old high school is in doubt. The facility is in critical need of a new wastewater treatment plant, new electrical and heating infrastructure, and larger, modern technical training spaces.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in December voted to preliminarily approve a new WT building project. MSBA will help the District plan and pay for a new high school, provided the District meets certain benchmarks and the communities continue to work together and demonstrate their commitment to a new high school and funding agreement. MSBA had committed $177 million in state funds, 40% of the cost, toward the former unsuccessful proposal.

To proceed into MSBA’s 270-day Project Eligibility Period this coming summer, the District must provide by July 1, 2025, a letter signed by the chief administrative official in each of the 11 district communities certifying their commitment to:

Support the District during the MSBA Feasibility phase to consider a new Whittier Tech high school building project;
Proceed with understanding that the WT District is responsible for the cost of the new building project Feasibility Study. (More information on those costs will be coming soon but the intention is to use information from the previous WT Feasibility Study, as well as some existing District funds and other potential sources of financial support to limit expenses for the WT communities);
Amend, as may be needed, the existing 50-year-old WT Regional Agreement between the 11 cities and towns.

MassReconnect Student Shares Passion for Community Engagement

March 24, 2025/in Headlines, Programs, Stories, Students/by bhough

Northern Essex Community College student caitlin little has only lived in Haverhill for a couple years. But in that time, she’s immersed herself in the local community.

Initially hailing from Nebraska, little is a general studies major and a member of NECC’s PACE program. “I’m a non-traditional student.” little shared. “This is the first time being in school for 17 years.”

Similar to many, little’s biggest obstacle when it came to seeking further education was cost. “I thought, ‘well if I go to school, how will I pay for it?’” Though she moved to Haverhill just two years ago, little knew she needed to take advantage of the MassReconnect program. “I’m here, I should make the best of it. So, I decided to go back to school.”

caitlin little on stage at the Art Space show

Today, little is a vibrant member of Haverhill’s arts and culture scene, with her passion for community engagement influencing numerous projects and programs.

little’s move to New England came after she accepted an AmeriCorps VISTA position in arts and culture. She was drawn to New Hampshire because of the chance to contribute to a region that needed her experience and enthusiasm. Her dedication to community service quickly became evident in her roles at local organizations.

She currently serves as the Community Engagement Director for Arts in Reach (AIR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young women and gender-expansive youth through creative experiences. In her position, little is responsible for fostering connections between AIR and local communities, ensuring that the organization’s programs are inclusive and accessible to all. Her work allows her to create meaningful partnerships and encourage personal development through the arts.

But her contributions to local communities extend beyond her role at AIR. little has become a volunteer with Haverhill Promise, where she has volunteered in their book buddy program. “Book buddies rules!” little shared. “I am really invested in literacy programs so this was really fun. This is my second year and I plan on continuing.”

caitlin adding shoes to a shoe bin for the Arts In Reach clothing drive

caitlin participating in the Arts In Reach clothing drive.

“I’ve spent a lot of time working in accessibility particularly for the arts” said little. “The arts are key to placemaking and wellbeing, and to making life cool”

This summer, little is taking on an exciting new challenge as the co-chair of both the fundraising and marketing committees for Haverhill’s first-ever Pride Parade. The event promises to be a milestone for the city, and little is excited about the opportunity to help make it a success.

“If you would have asked me even two years ago whether I would be back in school I would say that’s outrageous” said little. “I’m a first-generation student. I dropped out of high school. I am challenging a thousand years of hurt and generational trauma. But I am doing it!”

little’s enthusiasm for service and community engagement shows no signs of slowing down and hopes to inspire others to get involved. She was recently chosen as one of Essex County Community Foundation Creative County’s 2025 ChangeMakers cohort members alongside Haverhill city council member Kat Everett and 10 other community members. She will also be attending Emerson College in the Fall to study writing, literature, and publishing.

Q&A with Criminal Justice Major Mirelys Morales

March 18, 2025/in Programs, Spotlight, Stories, Students/by mbouse

When Mirelys Morales graduated from Methuen High School in 2021, she wasn’t sure what she should do next. With some gentle nudges from her parents, she decided to explore Northern Essex Community College. Now, just a few months away from graduating with her criminal justice degree and drug and alcohol counseling certificate, she is sharing how she was pleasantly surprised at what she discovered about NECC and herself.

Mirelys Morales

What made you choose NECC?
My parents sort of gave me the push to come to NECC. They kept telling me that community college is the best move to not only save money but also take general credits, such as English, math, science, and history while I figure out what I want to do with my major and take classes for my major at a lower cost.

How did you decide on your major?
I always knew I wanted to go into an area that would allow me to help and give back to others. It goes back to my mom and seeing her talk about immigration law and the passion she has to one day become an immigrant lawyer. It really inspired me and pushed me to lean towards criminal justice.

Describe a time you felt your best as a student.
A time I felt my best as a student would have to have been the day I found out about all the available resources we have. From English support to math support as well as the academic coaching room. And the amazing staff in academic coaching and all the rooms have!

What was your favorite class and why?
Forensic science by far has been my favorite class. Taking that class allowed me to learn a lot in that field and always kept me engaged and interested in the class. It also opened the opportunity for me to shadow in different fields to see if that was something I was interested in or saw myself doing.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? And if so, which ones and why was it important to you to get involved?
I played on the women’s basketball team. It was important to me because it gave me something to do after class. Playing basketball again allowed me to be active and shaped me as a person. I learned different skills and habits that I can use in my everyday life.

How did your experience at NECC shape your plans for the future?
My experience at NECC helped me a lot with my plans for the future because it allowed me to build connections and network with faculty that I can reach out to at any time! The student transfer fair and seeing different colleges and opportunities also allowed me to see all the different colleges I could attend and how my credits would transfer over.

What advice do you have for students just starting out at NECC?
Use all the available resources at NECC because it is very beneficial and helpful as well as everyone is very supportive and kind! Explore different classes and enjoy your time!

Are you a current student or recent alumni who would like to share about your experience at NECC? Email Director of Public Relations Melissa Bouse.

This story was written by public relations intern Emma Ruggiero

Board of Trustees March 2025 Update

March 18, 2025/in Community/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (March 5, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees convened for its March meeting on Wednesday, March 5, on the Haverhill Campus. Topics included the results of a change in placement testing for students, how the college is responding to directives from the Department of Education, an overview of fundraising efforts, and a new policy to help students get back on track if they received failing grades in the past.

Development and Implementation of Guided Self-Placement

Dean of Enrollment Services Donna Bertolino and Interim Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs Tom Greene presented this month’s education report, highlighting a new model for placement testing for students. To reduce barriers to enrollment, the college has transitioned away from using computer-based Accuplacer testing and has moved to an internally developed Guided Self-Placement model. Bertolino said the previous test took three hours to complete and students were required to take it in person. Those factors alone made it inaccessible to some students. And for others who have difficulty performing on tests, it produced questionable results.

“As an English teacher, I saw many students who were ready for English 101 but who froze on the Accuplacer,” remarked Greene.

“The student’s voice was not heard in that process, it was the test determining which class they would take,” said Bertolino. “Students were put in developmental classes and it would take them years to get into their majors.”

A team of faculty worked with Bertolino to develop the new Guided Self-Placement model. It is more like a survey, which asks students to answer can-do statements. It generally takes students less than ten minutes to complete, and they can take it remotely, online. Students get their results immediately, which they can share with their advisors to select their classes for the upcoming semester.

Report of the Administration

NECC President Lane Glenn updated the Board on the college’s continued response to executive orders and directives from Washington, D.C. affecting higher education institutions. Glenn said he is in constant communication with the college’s general counsel.

“The short version is at the moment these are not laws, they are considered guidance. Things are moving quickly and we intend to ensure the information we share [with staff and students] is accurate, timely, and relevant.”

Student Trustee Hikma Mohammed, who is an international student, shared that she has appreciated the response from the college, particularly surrounding immigration concerns. “I am thankful for the help from NECCO so far. [Director of International Student Support and Special Populations] Maria Hernandez is sharing updates with us and we feel protected.”

FY24 Fundraising Overview

Allison Dolan-Wilson, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of NECC Foundation, shared auspicious news about fundraising efforts from recent years and the past fiscal year.

“We’ve almost doubled our endowment in the past five years,” she stated. Dolan-Wilson also noted that FY25 is on track to be the first year in which more than $100,000 is raised for the NECC Fund. 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. For example, the NECC Fund has provided stipends for students participating in unpaid or underpaid internships.

“We want to make sure our students have experiential learning. It gives them something to add to their resume and the stipends allow them to make a decision that’s most beneficial to their learning and career goals.”

The program has provided stipends to 45 students since its inception in 2023. The college’s fourth annual Giving Day, which benefits the NECC Fund, is April 3.

Academic Restart Policy

Trustees voted unanimously to approve a new initiative called the Academic Restart Policy. Academic Restart is a one-time opportunity for NECC students to exclude failing grades from their cumulative GPA. This policy is designed to help returning students recover their GPA and return to Academic Good Standing more quickly.

“Things happen in people’s lives, we like to give them a little amnesty to get them back on track,” said Glenn.

Students can apply for Academic Restart after an absence from the college of at least two years and subsequent successful completion of at least 12 credits. To apply, students should speak with an academic advisor and then submit an Academic Restart Form to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

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 April 2 on the Lawrence Campus. A full list of meeting dates and more information about the Board of Trustees can be found on the webpage.

Honors for the Knights as Men’s Basketball Finishes Season in 9th Place Nationally

March 17, 2025/in Students, Headlines, Programs/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (March 17, 2025) – A pair of Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball standouts picked up All-Region 21 honors as recently selected by a vote of the league’s coaches, while Knights head coach Darren Stratton was named Region 21 and East District Coach of the Year for a third consecutive season.

Alejandro Delgado

Alejandro Delgado (Haverhill) picked up first-team honors while Javien Kirmil (Lowell) was selected to the second team.

Delgado, who appeared in all 33 games on the season with 27 starts, was the Knights’ leader in both scoring and rebounds as he averaged 14.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. His rebounding figure was good for fifth in the region. He dropped a season and career-best 29 points in the regional championship game victory over Quincy and recorded 20 or more points on five separate occasions during the season. On fourteen occasions during the season, he picked up double-digit rebounds including a season-best 17 against Massasoit on December 14th.

Javien Kirmil

Kirmil, a second-year guard started all 31 games he played in this season averaging 11.7 points per game, scoring in double digits 16 times on the season with a single game high of 28 on February 17th against Bunker Hill. Over his two seasons in the Knights uniform, he played in 64 games and finished his two seasons with 604 points. He is expected to move on next season to continue his playing and academic career at American University in Spain.

Stratton, who picked up his 350th win leading the Knights in the regional championship game has guided the program to three consecutive national tournament appearances, becoming only the second program in Region 21 history to win three consecutive titles and first in 37 years.

For the season, NECC finished with a 29-4 overall record and placed 9th in the national tournament.

NECC Culinary Students to Prepare Friday Lunches at BOSA

March 14, 2025/in Community, Events, Headlines, Programs, Students/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (March 14, 2025)– On Friday, March 28th, BOSA Coastal Italian in Downtown Haverhill launches their “Rising Stars” lunch program in partnership with Northern Essex Community College. As part of a hands-on learning experience, students from the NECC culinary program will source ingredients for the lunch, prepare the food, serve guests, and handle set-up and clean-up of the restaurant.

BOSA and the NECC Lupoli Family Institute of Culinary Arts are located in The Heights building in downtown Haverhill

This unique opportunity to “taste what they teach” will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Fridays from March 28th through April 25th. The lunch is $15 per person, and guests are encouraged to provide valuable feedback to students during this critical training experience.

In 2020, The Lupoli Family Institute of Culinary Arts opened at NECC in downtown Haverhill, for which the Lupoli Family Foundation pledged $500,000. As part of the pledge, Sal Lupoli’s vision was to host the students at BOSA Coastal Italian for experiential learning opportunities.

“We are so thrilled to be working with NECC again this year for these hands-on training lunches,” said Sal Lupoli, President and CEO of Lupoli Companies and BOSA Coastal Italian. “Last year we tested the waters with one lunch event, and this year we’re opening it to the public every Friday for 5 weeks so that the community can experience this exciting program.”

“We deeply value this continued partnership,” said Lane Glenn, President of NECC. “Our culinary students are known for their preparedness and professionalism and it’s very exciting for them to hone their craft with true leaders in the hospitality industry. Through the student lunch program, we are looking forward to NECC students contributing to and upholding BOSA’s high standards for quality and service.”

The menu for the “Rising Stars” lunch includes a first course with choice of Caesar Salad or Italian Wedding Soup, a second course with choice of Chicken Saltimbocca, Mushroom Risotto or Margherita Pizza and choice of Chocolate Chip Cannoli or Chocolate Toffee Cookie for dessert. Soda, coffee, tea and water are included in the $15 price. Guests are strongly encouraged to offer a gratuity to the students.

LOCATION:
BOSA Coastal Italian
160 Merrimack Street
Haverhill, MA 01830

DATE & TIME: Every Friday from March 28th through April 25th from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.

RESERVATIONS:
Lunch is by reservation only. Reservations can be made at www.bosaitalian.com or by calling the restaurant at 978-641-3149.

Giving Day is April 3!

March 13, 2025/in Headlines, Students, Events, Featured/by mbouse

Haverhill, MA (Mar 13, 2025) – Northern Essex Community College is preparing to host the fourth annual Giving Day on April 3, 2025. 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.

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. NECC held its inaugural Giving Day in April of 2022 and, in just under 24 hours, collectively raised over $34,000 from 200+ donors. These totals made the inaugural Giving Day the largest single-day fundraising effort in our annual giving history!

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.