NECC Receives $1.24 Million Grant to Update Science Labs in Haverhill and Lawrence

northern Essex’s 10-year plan to update aging science labs in both Haverhill and lawrence was put on the fast track in april when the college received a $1.24 million grant from the massachusetts life sciences Center (mlsC).

With the help of the grant, northern Essex will completely renovate five science labs and a biology prep lab on the Haverhill Campus and renovate two labs and construct a new lab in lawrence within three years, seven years earlier than the original plan.

“many of our students have been working in labs that were built when the Haverhill Campus opened and the labs look much the same as they did then, more than 40 years ago,” says lane glenn, nECC president. ”i t’s not hard to imagine what a benefit this will be to our students who will now have hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment.”

The labs will benefit students enrolled in the college’s lab science Program as well as students taking general chemistry and biology courses. northern Essex offers an associate degree in lab science which prepares laboratory technicians who will work in analytic chemistry, biotechnology, and environmental sciences industries, and liberal arts degrees with a physical science or biology option.

“our wishful thinking became a dream come true,” says dr. noemi Custodia-lora, assistant dean, foundational studies and liberal arts and sciences, while explaining how important this news is for the college. “We can expand the courses we currently offer, especially in lawrence, and, with access to these new labs, our students will be better prepared for employment and/or transfer to four-year science programs.”

Through the mlsC, massachusetts is investing $1 billion over 10 years in the growth of the state’s life sciences supercluster. These investments are being made under the massachusetts life sciences initiative, proposed by governor Patrick in 2007, and passed by the state legislature and signed into law by governor Patrick in 2008.

The mlsC grant was supported by a $200,000 matching donation from the Technical Training Foundation, which was created by the late dr. ibrahim El-Hefni, a longtime resident of north andover and a successful business owner.

UMass Lowell is Coming to NECC this Fall

Beginning in september, umass lowell will offer classes on the northern Essex Community College Haverhill Campus leading to a bachelor’s degree.

students will have access to courses in business administration, criminal justice, and liberal arts offered through umass lowell’s division of online and Continuing Education. The state university will use office and classroom space in the Hartleb Technology Center, and courses will be offered monday through Thursday evenings.

“We are pleased we can begin making a high-quality umass lowell education available in Haverhill as soon as september,” said umass lowell Chancellor marty meehan. “We have worked successfully with northern Essex for years to help their graduates make a smooth transition to continue their education on our campus and now we can say that will be even easier.”

“This is great news for our students and for the city of Haverhill,” said nECC President lane glenn. “Being co-located will allow us to build on what is already a strong partnership and provide additional higher education options for local residents.” umass lowell has long been a natural choice for nECC graduates seeking to transfer to a four-year institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. last year alone, more than 360 students transferred from nECC to umass lowell. nECC currently has 26 transfer agreements with umass lowell in areas including business, criminal justice, engineering, liberal arts, and education. The university waives tuition for graduates of all community colleges who complete their associate degrees with at least a 3.0 gPa .

This is umass lowell’s first satellite campus. in december, the university announced plans to open a satellite campus in downtown Haverhill, but a request for proposals did not yield a location that would meet the university’s requirements in time to allow classes to begin in september. it announced in april its plans to enter into a partnership with nECC while continuing to look for a permanent downtown location. it will be located at northern Essex at least through the 2013-14 academic year.

The satellite brings the university’s strengths in educating working professionals, adult learners and traditional students to Haverhill. already, more than 2,000 residents of the city and nearby communities attend umass lowell.

“i am very happy to see umass lowell and northern Essex coming together to enable the university to launch its Haverhill operation while plans continue for a permanent home in our downtown area,” said massachusetts House Ways and means Chairman Brian dempsey of Haverhill, a umass lowell alumnus. “This is a big step in establishing the Haverhill satellite campus and i am pleased with the progress.”

“We have worked successfully with Northern Essex for years to help their graduates make a smooth transition to continue their education on our campus and now we can say that will be even easier.”

- um ass l owell Chancellor m arty m eehan

UMass Lowell at NECC Fall Courses