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<\/a>SOAR Scholars Lucas Restituyo of Haverhill and Sean Sullivan of Andover<\/p><\/div>\n
This group was gathered to celebrate a new statewide initiative, which promises to have a similar influence, connecting students with the support and encouragement needed to be successful in college.<\/p>\n
The statewide initiative is modeled after Northern Essex\u2019s Pathways to Academic and Career Excellence (PACE)\u00a0 Program<\/a>, a federally-funded student support services program, and is aimed at increasing positive outcomes for community college students.<\/p>\n President Glenn was instrumental in lobbying for the creation of the new statewide SUCCESS Fund (Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services). Thanks to support from state legislators, $17.5 million was included in this year\u2019s state budget to provide wrap-around support services that will benefit the most vulnerable students at the 15 community colleges. Northern Essex received $1.2M of that.<\/p>\n Northern Essex is using the funding to create the SOAR Initiative, which stands for Seize Opportunities, Aspire to Rise. Program coordinators have already identified more than 600 Northern Essex students who can benefit from extra support. Dean of Students Jonathan Miller says that includes students who are low income, differently-abled, minorities, LGBTQ+, and the first in their family to attend college. Additionally, they looked at grade point averages and attendance to identify participants. Miller says these students will receive a variety of services like peer mentoring, tutoring, academic skills workshops, and transfer advising.<\/p>\n Lucas Restituyo of Haverhill, a liberal arts major<\/a>, is one of the SOAR scholars. He first came to NECC in 2010, but left to work fulltime before he finished his degree. Just a few weeks into his return, he\u2019s already having a more positive experience. \u201cThe more involved you get, the more likely you are to succeed. It gets you thinking,\u201d he says. Fellow SOAR participant Sean Sullivan of Andover, a General Studies: Health Specialization<\/a> major, agrees. He faced life-changing challenges in the last couple of years, and he\u2019s ready for a new direction. \u201cI want to grow more. I\u2019m excited to be involved in more student activities and meet new people.\u201d<\/p>\n The odds of achieving success are in their favors. SOAR expands on the existing PACE program at NECC. PACE is a federally funded program specifically for first generation college students who meet certain federal financial guidelines. It provides similar, targeted support services to participants. Students who enter the PACE program are 20-30% more successful than the overall student population: 94% stay enrolled at NECC or transfer to another institution, 72% graduate with a degree or certificate within eight semesters, and 94% earn a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The PACE program costs just $1,561 per student. President Glenn shared this data with the state to show that investing in wraparound services for vulnerable students does translate to successful outcomes.<\/p>\n The SUCCESS Fund will support the SOAR program for the remainder of the school year. Efforts are underway to secure additional funding for future students. Coordinator Sarah Cooper says they\u2019ve nearly met their goal of hiring 25 new staffers to ensure that support services are available to all SOAR participants around the clock, seven days a week. As President Glenn told the group gathered under the tent, \u201cIt\u2019s our job to make you successful. I hope when you do make it, you\u2019ll think of those at NECC who helped you along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more, contact Cooper at scooper@necc.mass.edu<\/p>\n\n\t\t