College for Kids Celebrates Twenty Years

What was once a bold new idea is now a campus standard.

Two decades ago, when Northern Essex first established College for Kids, a summer academic program for children, it was unlike anything else offered in the Merrimack Valley at the time. Young students who enrolled in the four-week program were given the unique opportunity to explore dozens of topics ranging from theater to 3D modeling, all through interactive courses taught on NECC’s campus by local teachers and experts.

Now College for Kids is looking back on its twentieth year, with nearly 300 children, ages 7 through 13, having enjoyed creative programs on NECC’s campus this summer. Its importance, according to Alicia Iola, K-12 programming coordinator, only continues to grow as NECC looks at new ways to expand interest in its offerings.

“I think the summer program is great as it highlights NECC in a few different ways, “she says. “It showcases how we are first and foremost a community college and creates programs tailored to local families. It also shows off the diversity of the NECC faculty and alumni.”

Iola, once a student of the College for Kids program herself, is particularly keen to the impact that College for Kids, and similar summer programs, can have at the individual and community level. While the program largely exists as a tool for combatting summer learning loss, its true value, she explains, is in the fun of it.

“I have fond memories of the College for Kids program when I attended, and it was because I was allowed to have fun while learning,” she says. “I prep all of the staff by letting them know that while they have great intentions for their classes, it’s also important to gauge the student reaction and make sure that they are interested.”

To boost awareness of these engaging learning opportunities, the staff of NECC has now expanded its summer program offerings to include courses for middle school and high school students. This year’s program included a STEM Academy for 13-16 year olds, who, in addition to attending classes, were treated to various career and education lectures.

“We have consciously worked to thoughtfully increase the age range and create developmentally appropriate courses for each level,” explains Marcy Yeager, executive director of PK-12 partnerships and international studies, who helps lead the summer program efforts.

Summer program plans for 2019 are set to include concentrated week-long writing workshops for teenagers as well as additional sports offerings.

The NECC College for Kids Program is made possible thanks to the support and generosity of the Edward S. & Winifred Moseley Foundation, the Amelia Peabody Foundation, the Greater Lawrence Summer Fund, and the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust. For more information, please visit www.necc.mass.edu/college-for-kids.

Opposite Page: College for Kids students enjoying various summer program activities, such as: Arts & Crafts, Tie-Dying, Sports, and Film Workshops involving screen writing, filming, and editing.