Northern Essex Community College is proud to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to the college and its students with the fourth annual Impact Awards. The following outstanding community members will be honored at a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, 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 that, through their support, has made a lasting impact on Northern Essex. This year’s honoree is Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa). MeVa was nominated due to its outstanding commitment to serving our NECC population, especially students. For years, MeVa has provided consistent, timely, and reliable transportation, helping thousands of degree-seekers to access the spaces, campuses, and resources they need to complete their courses of study. MeVa and the college have collaborated on routes to maximize ridership, and fare-free services have become instrumental for students.

Michael Costello ’12

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. Michael Costello ’12 was nominated by NECC President Lane Glenn due to his outstanding service to the residents of the Merrimack Valley region. Throughout six terms as a state representative for the First Essex District, and through work in public policy, Costello has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to aiding the region’s most vulnerable populations, supporting them with groundbreaking foreclosure prevention policies, identity theft reforms, and more.

Marjorie Ringrose, Smith Family Foundation

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 Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation and Senior Program Officer Marjorie Ringrose. Ringrose and the foundation have provided generous support to and advocacy for the college and its students for many years. Programs they’ve supported include: NECC’s ESOL, early college programs, and, most recently, the exciting new apprenticeship program. Since 2013, the foundation has helped thousands of students to access and succeed in their courses, develop their linguistic skills, and become career-ready.

Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger

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 is Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger. Sheriff Coppinger has made providing educational support for inmates a priority, partnering with NECC in expanding educational offerings at the Middleton Correctional Facility. That partnership between the college and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department extends to the STAR re-entry program and the Sheriff’s Academy. The Sheriff’s leadership has highlighted the importance of education, and particularly a community college education, for the betterment of people’s lives.

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. Opportunity Works was chosen for this honor due to their longstanding dedication to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. Through programs like Project SEARCH, Opportunity Works has consistently secured competitive employment opportunities for interns on NECC’s campuses and beyond. Through this partnership, Opportunity Works has supported and motivated students in finding fulfillment and freedom in their careers and has removed many of the barriers that have historically hindered their chances of success.

Recent Project SEARCH interns

To learn more about the Impact Awards, buy tickets, and watch videos of past honorees, visit the webpage.