Chemistry Professor with Ph.D. Pursues Associate Degree in Liberal Arts

It was the first day of First-Year Seminar class Cross’s secret was uncovered by Justin, another student in the class. Justin was giving Cross a funny look before class began. Finally, he asked “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

Cross, a chemistry professor at Northern Essex and chair of the Natural Sciences Department, was slow to respond. He knew he had met with Justin earlier in his role as faculty advisor, but today he was trying to blend in as just another NECC student.

After he was recognized, Cross quietly confessed, sharing his story, a remarkable example of how far a faculty member will go to truly understand the student experience. Cross, who has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, has taught at Northern Essex for the past six years. He decided to pursue a liberal arts degree at Northern Essex last spring after attending the annual Awards Convocation.

“I was clapping for my students and I started thinking about how much our students overcome,” he said. “I wondered what it was really like to have kids and a full-time job while getting an associate degree. I wanted to understand where our students are coming from so I know better how to help them.”