Haverhill, MA (March 13, 2026) —  State legislators from across the Merrimack Valley convened at the Haverhill campus of Northern Essex Community College (NECC) recently to discuss the impact of state and federal policy and funding on higher education in the region. The visit brought together college leadership and elected officials to examine key issues, including the expansion of free community college, workforce development initiatives, and the growing demand for career and technical education programs.

“The decisions made on Beacon Hill have a tremendous impact on where and how we deliver for our residents,” said NECC President Lane A. Glenn. “Just a few years ago, our legislators made a commitment to free community college through the MassEducate and MassReconnect programs. That decision has opened the doors to hundreds of students locally, which has contributed to our enrollment growing by 23% since those programs were introduced.”

The gathering included discussions on the impacts of free community college, Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, workforce development opportunities, and housing options for students.

“Community colleges continue to be one of the best investments our state can make into our future success,” said Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director of the MA Association of Community Colleges. “Our students graduate with necessary credentials, without debt, allowing them to successfully enter the workforce and maintain a quality of life that all residents deserve.”

Legislators attending included State Senator Barry Finegold and State Representatives Ryan Hamilton, Kristin Kassner, Frank Moran, Francisco Paulino, Adrianne Ramos, and Andy Vargas. State Senator Pavel Payano and State Representative Tram Nguyen were represented by staff.

“Community Colleges are an essential vehicle for equipping our residents with the tools and skills to thrive in the modern economy,” said Senator Finegold. “Northern Essex represents the standard for that service, and we’re lucky to have that right here in the Merrimack Valley.”

“Northern Essex Community College is always working to make the educational experience better for its students,” said State Representative Kristin Kassner. “I’m always impressed by their innovative approaches from early college through career pathways, and their commitment to ensure that students build strong relationships to succeed. “

Glenn was joined by several staff, faculty, and Trustees in discussing what a robust community college experience has meant for area students.

“Enrollment is up by over 1,000 students since 2022,” said Glenn. “Last spring, we handed out over 500 associate degrees, and 229 were because of the MassEducate and MassReconnect programs.”

MassReconnect is a state program providing free tuition, fees, and books for residents aged 25 and older to attend any of the state’s 15 public community colleges; while MassEducate is a state program providing free tuition and fees for all residents—regardless of age or income—enrolled in public community colleges. Both are funded through the additional Massachusetts income tax levied on incomes over $1 million.

“Massachusetts’ free community college programs enabled me to return to school and finally earn my degree,” said 2025 Student Commencement Speaker Mike McDougal, of Haverhill, who joined the delegation for their meeting. “This matters more than ever in today’s uncertain job market.”

“It’s encouraging to see how students from across our region are accessing the resource that is Northern Essex Community College,” said Representative Ramos. “We hear all the time about the growing cost of higher education, and the reality is that in the Merrimack Valley, our students have access to a quality option that doesn’t have to be a financial burden.”

The morning’s conversation included a discussion about current and future partnerships that NECC is building with Greater Lawrence Technical High School and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.

“The Merrimack Valley, like the rest of Massachusetts and the nation, is seeing a spike in interest from younger students looking for Career and Technical Education options,” said Glenn. “We at NECC are always looking for ways in which we can support our high school partners, including by offering complementary programming to help support the growing interest in the education they offer.”

“The growing interest in Career and Technical Education is a reflection of the evolving economy,” said Representative Vargas. “Community colleges are embracing this evolution – with NECC leading the way – giving residents of all ages access to a meaningful education that yields a bright future for them as members of a changing workforce.”

“What I really value about Northern Essex is that they’re always considering the needs of their students, adjusting programming as the economy changes, all to maximize the impact on helping their students succeed,” said Representative Paulino.

Learn more about free community college by visiting the webpage.