alumnecc Spring 2022 Volume 22

VOLUME 22 | SPRING 2022

A MAGAZINE FOR OUR ALUMNI & FRIENDS

innovative THINKING

TRAILBLAZERS AND FRESH IDEAS POWER A NEW WAVE OF INNOVATION AT NECC

NECC’s Student Ambassadors Help Peers Find Success see page 6

NECC Alumna Builds Construction Business see page 8

Message from the President

INSIDE

Dear Friends,

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After completing a comprehensive selfstudy and undergoing intensive evaluation from a visiting team of higher education leaders, Northern Essex received a 10-year accreditation—the maximum given— from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The NECHE report found that the college is doing many things right. They highlighted our “meticulous” academic program review process and praised our college culture, which values community, professional development, and leadership at every level.

What makes me most proud is that the NECHE team singled us out for innovation and resilience, writing “NECC serves mostly students of color who are largely low-income, and often the first in their families to experience higher education, with decreasing state support and declining enrollments. Faced with this combination of scarce resources and vulnerable students, faculty and staff at the college have, over time, developed a culture of innovation and resiliency and have been recognized regionally as higher education leaders.”

To me, innovation, the theme of this issue of alumnecc, means addressing problems and opportunities with creative solutions, and, at Northern Essex, we have long embraced this approach. We are not afraid to try new and bold initiatives and are known for “thinking outside of the box.”

In this issue, you’ll read about our virtual exchange with two French universities, our team of student ambassadors who are helping their peers succeed, and a young alum who is blazing new pathways in the construction industry. You will also hear about plans to revitalize our academic program offerings from Dr. Paul Beaudin, vice president of academic affairs.

I hope you enjoy this issue of alumnecc. Thank you for your continued support of our college, and know that I appreciate all that you do!

Warmly,

INNOVATIVE TEACHING Learning Across Borders

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INNOVATIVE CULTURE

Student Ambassadors Lend a Hand

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INNOVATIVE ALUMNI

Breaking Barriers in the Construction Industry

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On Campus/ In the Community

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Alumni News 'N Notes

alumnecc necc

Editor: Ernie Greenslade

Contributing Editor: Sarah Comiskey

Lane A. Glenn President

Creative Director: Trev Stair Writers: Paul Beaudin, Melissa Bouse.

Sarah Comiskey, Ernie Greenslade, Alex Pecci ’02

innovative PROGRAMS What Drives Program Development at NECC

BY DR. PAUL BEAUDIN, NECC’S VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS When I enter the Haverhill Campus library, I always stop to chat with Louise Bevilacqua, who has been assisting students in the college library for over 40 years.

Last month, while I was visiting with Louise, a student came by to return a fairly voluminous text on the history of philosophy.

She was seeking suggestions on other philosophers she might read and I recommended American John Dewey and Brazilian Paulo Freire, two educational philosophers who are central to what I believe about being student-centric and about the liberating power that education provides to students at places such as Northern Essex.

Being focused on students first and providing academic programs that ensure economic opportunities for

graduates is key to the work of the Office of Academic Affairs.

Our initiatives related to eight-week semesters, free textbook resources, competency-based educational modules, co-requisite supports in mathematics and English, and Early College Programs in partnership with local high schools, demonstrate our commitment to innovation and accessible education for all.

During the pandemic, we learned valuable lessons about course delivery, finding that demand for online courses continues to grow, with students opting for a hybrid schedule, mixing on-campus and online courses, that allows them to integrate their educational pursuits with employment and family demands.

At the same time the college is committed to making its academic mission seamlessly aligned with the lives of students, we are beginning the process of identifying potential new academic programs, which will do five things: •

close the professional equity gaps within our wider community by adopting innovative high tech, business, STEM, professional, liberal arts, and health degrees at the college;

•

provide degrees that will lead to living-wage jobs within the Merrimack Valley;

•

acknowledge the importance of new majors that integrate the liberal arts with all programs;

•

provide universal opportunities for students to pursue internships as part of their academic programs;

•

and recognize student and faculty expertise and build new programs upon stackable certificates that can lead to associate degrees and transfer to baccalaureate partners.

We have begun composing a list of 25 possible degree and certificate programs that are not currently offered locally and that lead to wellpaying jobs (cybersecurity is one example). Once that list is honed by external experts, NECC faculty, department chairs, and academic deans will begin a conversation on the merit of adding these programs.

Some of the new programs will only require the addition of a couple of new courses, and, with faculty approval, these new programs could be offered by the fall of 2023.

Developing fully new programs will take longer, and we can expect to see those in the following semesters.

This is an incredible opportunity to complement the need for cuttingedge programs with what we have learned about our changes in instructional delivery. That will help set us apart within the educational landscape.

And what of Plato, Dewey, and Freire?

I am proud that the college maintains a commitment to philosophy, the humanities, and the social sciences.

Without such, it is unlikely that a student would stop to talk to Louise and me about Plato.

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innovative TEACHING

Learning Across Borders International Virtual Exchange Prepares Students for a Tech-Focused, Global World Ismael Aldana is incredibly excited when he talks about his Differential Equations course at NECC, not only because of the aerospace-related math project that he's working on, but because of who he's working on it with: students at Lorraine University in France.

Aldana, who's studying engineering sciences with a focus on civil engineering, is part of NECC's International Virtual Exchange (IVE), which allows students in different countries to work together on specific projects related to their coursework via technology platforms.

"It's a faculty-led virtual learning opportunity that goes across geographical regions and cultures focused on creating collaborative and experiential learning activities," says Melba Acevedo, NECC's director of instructional technology and online learning.

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That means faculty can work with an international partner—in this case, French ones—to co-create and co-design learning experiences that align with their disciplines. NECC is partnering with two universities in France for the program, which kicked off during the spring 2022 semester.

NECC professors in math, English, science, and English-asa-second language have each worked with their French counterparts to design 12-week projects for the students to work on together.

"It becomes interdisciplinary and aligned with the learning objectives," Acevedo says. "And is all done through virtual learning. The technology that they use for engaging in the virtual experiences ranges, depending on the faculty decision on which technology would work best for the project and what they have available."

Students in Professor Habib Maagoul’s Differential Equations course have been collaborating with a class in France on a project focusing on the math and history of the Apollo space mission.

In Aldana's Differential Equations course, for instance, the students work together through Zoom and WhatsApp on a project focusing on the math and history of the Apollo missions. He says that collaborating with students in another country has allowed him to experience what it's like to work through language and communication barriers to meet a common goal.

He also appreciates that he can get this experience at NECC, and likes being "part of a bigger project that you'd only normally hear about coming out of a four-year college, instead of a community college like ours."

In addition, the program helps students learn about how to work and collaborate with people from different cultures.

"That, in a way, mimics real-life situations, and the kind of life that we have, professionally and personally, as our society becomes more diverse and becomes more dependent on technology," Acevedo says. "We're providing students with real-life experiences through this international virtual exchange."

Maria Soracco, a dual-enrollment high school senior from Newburyport who’s studying chemistry, agrees.

"I've always wanted to work in an international market," she says. "I think this will definitely provide me the sort of communication skills that I need to go on to do that."

In addition, while programs like study-abroad are a rarefied experience—Acevedo says just 5.3 percent of students will participate in a study abroad program and of those, only 10 percent are Latino—the IVE program allows students to have experiences with people and cultures outside of their own.

"By bringing in those opportunities through that international virtual exchange model, we have created now a more accessible and open process for students to be engaged in getting those global perspectives and leading to global citizenship," she says.

This story was written by Alex Pecci ’02

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innovative CULTURE

A System of Support

NECC’s Student Ambassadors Lend a Helping Hand Nearly every student has heard it at some point in their academic career: if you need help, just ask. But for some students, especially those who are the first in their families to go to college, it can be difficult to know where to start.

With that concern in mind, Audrey Ellis, NECC’s director of institutional effectiveness, created the Student Ambassador program in the fall of 2019. It identifies students who are

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struggling academically and connects them with peers (ambassadors) who have been trained to guide them to the right resources and get them back on track. And when COVID forced the college to transition to online learning in the spring of 2020, the ambassadors also became a vital link for students who felt isolated and disconnected. In fact, The Boston Globe recently highlighted the Student Ambassadors program as a

model for how schools can create a sense of belonging on campus.

Ambassadors MacKenzie LioMacDougall and Grisleidy Aragonés both know what it’s like to feel alone.

“When I first started college, I had recently moved from the Dominican Republic away from my parents, other family members, and friends… I had to figure out everything by myself,” says Aragonés.

Lio-MacDougall also had a rocky start.

“During the fall semester of 2020, my mental health declined to the point where I failed three classes,” she says.

“I was disappointed in myself for falling so behind, but in Fall 2021, I retook all three classes, and I passed them all with A’s.”

Spanish-speaking. And half of the ambassadors are adult learners – students over the age of 25.

areas on campus and sporting shirts with their new slogan “If you need help, just ask.”

Now that life on campus is starting to resemble more closely what it was like pre-pandemic, the effect of the student ambassador program

“I love being an extra support system for fellow students," says LioMacDougall. “College can be scary, so I understand that it can be easier to talk to other students in the same position rather than an authority figure.”

“College can be scary, so I understand that it can be easier to talk to other students in the same position rather than an authority figure.”

MacKenzie Lio-MacDougall, Student Ambassador

Both young women are now using their experiences to give back. They say it’s helpful that they, and other ambassadors, can relate to their fellow students on many levels. For example: of the current ambassadors, 72 percent identify as Hispanic and

is evident. Ellis says a recent survey shows that students who connected with an ambassador were twice as likely to feel part of the college community. They’re working diligently to get the word out about their services, hosting tables in busy

Student ambassadors are paid and they’re eligible for tuition reimbursement. Currently, 16 students are taking part in the program and Ellis says they hope to have a full roster of 20 ambassadors lined up for the Fall 2022 semester.

Student Ambassadors Eudania (Chucha ) Aquino and Sean Sullivan are ready to assist any fellow student in need.

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innovative innovative ALUMNI ALUMNI

Breaking Barriers An Alumna’s Journey to CEO

At 31 years old, Everett resident Liseth Velez ’15 is an award-winning business leader and veteran who has shattered many traditional barriers to become the successful CEO of a construction firm and contracting agency. But until recently, she never could have imagined such a reality.

As a child, Velez, who grew up in Lowell after migrating from Colombia, says she wanted just one thing: to join the United States military.

It was a dream she began working on as a teenager and pursued relentlessly

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in subsequent years. By her freshman year at Lowell High School, she had enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and by the time she graduated, was bent on continuing her training by joining the National Guard.

“Thank God for the educational benefits that came out of serving in the MA National Guard,” she says.

“I was finally able to pursue higher education and, most importantly, learn about subjects that actually interested me.”

NECC came into focus as an option while she was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Her time in the military had made her eligible to receive reduced college tuition rates: a benefit that she felt she would be remiss not to use.

Velez’s time on campus began in the summer of 2012, with two courses that would help her test the waters of her educational journey while she continued to pursue work and training. She faced a unique and significant challenge, however;

“Oftentimes, we are told to work on our weaknesses, but I believe we should work on our strengths. That is the only way you can truly become an expert at something and be happy while doing it.”

Liseth Velez ’15 the reality that, even while actively enrolled in school, she could be called upon for deployment at any time.

By the time she graduated in 2015, she’d indeed gone through multiple deployments, often dropping classes midway through the semester to serve.

This could have been a major deterrent at another institution, but Velez credits NECC with having the resources in place to make it work.

“It helps that everyone at NECC was very supportive and aware of the procedures whenever something like this happened, so it made the transitions in and out of classes a lot easier,” she says. “It’s the culture and flexibility at NECC that helped me during the hardest of classes.”

“Little did I know that every experience was a stepping-stone for what was coming next,” she says.

Velez launched her Everett-based construction firm, LJV Development, in 2018, and in just four years has developed a broad portfolio, serving on a range of development and contracting projects for federal agencies and commercial enterprises.

Earlier this year, she and her company were recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with a third-place honor in the national Women Veteran GovCon Bootcamp Accelerator Pitch Competition, which resulted in a $5,000 grant to support the growth of her evolving business.

For now, Velez has no plans of slowing down. A firm advocate for the value of

strengths-based work, she continues to push toward what she knows she’s good at, and encourages others to do the same.

“Oftentimes, we are told to work on our weaknesses,” she says, “but I believe we should work on our strengths. That is the only way you can truly become an expert at something and be happy while doing it.”

ONLINE WEB

www.ljvdevelopment.com LINKEDIN

www.linkedin.com/company/ljvdev INSTAGRAM

@ljvdevelopment

That flexibility helped Velez find the balance and concentration she needed to continue her educational journey after NECC. Developing an interest in business and engineering, she went on to earn an associate degree in mechanical and electrical technology from the Community College of the Air Force and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Webster University.

The field of construction came naturally to her. Velez began investing in real estate early in her career and found a passion for the field while working as an HVAC technician in a civil engineering squadron of the Air Force.

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ON CAMPUS/IN THE COMMUNITY

Mullet Madness Sweeps NECC The NECC Knights men’s basketball team showed some incredible talent on the court this season. But that’s not what earned them 15 minutes of viral fame.

Former NECC Business Transfer student Andrew Comeau, who contributes to the popular @ballislife social media accounts, attended the Knights season-opening game. Two things about NECC’s Matthew D’Amato, a member of the basketball team, immediately caught his eye: his skill at sinking three-pointers and his “business in the front, party in the back” mullet hairstyle.

Comeau asked D’Amato if he could post about him on social media. “[He] told me it had a chance of making it on their Twitter, but I thought it was a long shot,” says D’Amato. “Next thing I know, it’s on the @ballislife Twitter and Instagram where they have millions of followers.”

Then ESPN’s SportsCenter reshared the post with their 26.37 million Instagram followers, dubbing D’Amato the “Mullet Mamba” in the process. The Knights quickly got in on the fun and hosted mullet wig and #MulletMamba T-shirt giveaways.

to

Tune In to Our Podcast!

NECC recently launched NECC Now, a podcast designed to highlight members of the college community who are doing exciting things within and outside the college.

Each month, Marc Lemay, a veteran broadcast journalist, interviews a member of the college’s faculty or staff, a student, an alum, or a community partner on a timely topic of interest.

Recent podcasts featured Joshua Stokel, director of the NECC Police Academy, who talked about community policing, a day in the life of an academy police recruit,

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D’Amato helped the Knights to earn a recordtying 14 game winning streak. The team made it the NJCAA Region 21/East District Championship Game for the first time since 2009 and ended the season with a 20-9 overall record.

and changes in police education; and Melba Acevedo, director of instructional technology and online education, who shared information about the new International Virtual Exchange, which the college started with two French universities amid the pandemic (see page 4).

The 28-minute broadcast is currently available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.

Podcast usage is growing, according to recent statistics. In early 2021, 41 percent of the United States population reported that they had listened to a podcast in the past month, a three-fold increase over ten years before.

The podcast will be produced once a month and aired on the third Wednesday.

To listen, visit necc.mass.edu/engage/ necc-now/

As of the fall of 2021, training for all NECC Police Academy student officers now includes an eight-hour national training module that prepares them to intervene if a fellow officer is involved in misconduct.

The college’s academy is the first municipal police academy and the first at a community college in Massachusetts to be accepted into the Georgetown University Law Center’s Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project, a national training and support initiative committed to building a culture of peer intervention that prevents harm.

The ABLE Project was created in 2020.

“We feel this training is important because if we are going to see true progress in terms of police reform, it must start at the academy level,” said Joshua Stokel, director of NECC’s police academy.

To date, 619 student officers have graduated from the academy since its inception in 2015, and are now serving over 75 municipal police departments, eight colleges and

universities, the Massachusetts Port Authority, and the Somerville Housing Authority. The next class will graduate in June.

Northern Essex manages the academy with guidance from an advisory board that includes police chiefs from Amesbury, Haverhill, Methuen, Lawrence, and North Andover.

To learn more about the academy, contact Stokel at jstokel@necc.mass.edu.

Who Says Graduation Means Goodbye?

You may have graduated, transferred, or met your educational goals, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave Northern Essex. A full slate of noncredit classes allows anyone to stay connected to NECC and learn new skills for personal or professional growth, no matter where they might be on their journey.

Culinary classes are always a hit. Local chefs teach onenight workshops like Seafood 101, Pestos and Quick Sauces and Latin Street Fare. The culinary classes meet in the new NECC Lupoli Family Institute of Culinary Arts in downtown Haverhill.

“These courses are for people who enjoy cooking and want to learn more about the culinary arts,” said Suzzette Turnbull, program manager, NECC Corporate & Community Education. “The focus is on having fun while learning.”

Noncredit programs also offer a variety of professional development opportunities. Turnbull says one of the most popular courses for spring semester has been the

ON CAMPUS/IN THE COMMUNITY

NECC Police Academy Is First in MA to Be Accepted for National Bystander Training

Human Resources Certificate Program. Participants take a series of required courses on topics like recruiting, diversity, and workplace communication to earn their certification.

Turnbull says other popular programs include: Nonprofit Management, Home Inspection, Interior Design, and Project Management. Her office is currently considering a few new options for fall.

To learn more about noncredit class options, contact Communityeducation@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3060.

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ON CAMPUS/IN THE COMMUNITY

Sweet Success for NECC Alumna Renee Terry Business was already booming for Amesbury baker and NECC alumna Renee Terry ’13 when she got a direct message through Instagram last year. It was from producers at the Food Network’s “Christmas Cookie Challenge,” inviting her to apply for the show. After a long process, she was not only chosen to compete, but also won the competition! Now, she’s busier than ever, teaching at events across the country, and booking orders at her business, Sweet Cheeks

by Renee, months in advance. Luckily, she wasn’t too busy to answer a few questions about her experience: What was it like being on tv?

Filming the show was quite the experience. Working in an environment that I wasn’t familiar with in and of itself was a huge challenge. And then actually seeing myself on national TV was quite surreal. At home, I am in my comfort zone. I use certain products; I know where everything is. At the workshop where we filmed, the products were different, the space was massive and you are working around other competitors. It was difficult!

NECC OFFERING TWO NEW CULINARY PROGRAMS

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What surprised you most about the experience?

I was pleasantly surprised to meet such wonderful artists and bakers whom I have become friends with.

I was also surprised at how long everything takes for filming. Each contestant has roughly eight hours of filming each, and somehow they take all that footage and condense it into a one hour show with commercial breaks.

How has business changed since then?

I did have quite the bump in social media followers, which was incredible. I also saw a rise in online

sales, which I am so grateful for. It has also opened the door for me to travel and teach more classes around the country.

When you were a student at NECC, did you envision what your life would be like today?

When I was a student at NECC, I was studying to be an elementary school teacher. During that time is when I was working full time as a cake artist and developing my skills.

I also developed a passion for it. But at no point did I imagine owning my own business, traveling the country or being on TV. It wasn’t even on my radar.

NECC’s new culinary offerings have gained national recognition in recent months. In March, the program was featured in the New York Times article “A Fast, Frugal Track to a Cook’s Career? Community College.”

This fall, Northern Essex will offer two new credit program options: an associate degree in culinary arts and a certificate in baking and pastry.

“With these new programs, we can maximize the use of our beautiful facility, preparing more local residents for culinary and hospitality careers,” said Chef Denis Boucher, coordinator of culinary programs. Registration for all summer and fall classes started on April 4.

Why I Hire:: EN Business Solutions, Inc.

“

At EN Business Solutions, Inc, we like to hire individuals from NECC because we know we are getting well-trained and motivated individuals that quickly fit in to our growing business. We also enjoy the opportunity of working with students that are new to the accounting and bookkeeping field and helping them get the experience before they graduate. It has been a great experience for us, and we hope it has been the same for the students and former students that we have met along the way.

Ernie Cintron, President/CEO, EN Business Solutions, Inc.

“

Interested in partnering with NECC to hire future interns or employees?

Visit www.necc.mass.edu/business-industry to learn how.

“NECC Helped Me Get There” Genesis Garcia ‘12 For Genesis Garcia ‘12, NECC was an affordable path to her dream of working in the media industry. A graduate of NECC’s LA: Journalism/ Communication program, she says that the flexibility of her course track helped her get to the next step in her career, all while affording her the opportunity to pursue part-time work on the side. Since graduating, Garcia, who now resides in Brooklyn, NY, has enjoyed a rewarding career in music publicity, first at Def Jam Recordings, and later at RCA Records, where she serves in her current role as associate director of publicity, helping the flagship label to promote artists.

Looking back on her time at NECC, Garcia expresses gratitude for the many support services that helped her reach her long-time dream.

“NECC helped me discover what I wanted to do with my career. I was given the resources to explore different career paths that I was interested in.”

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ALUMNI NEWS ‘N NOTES

In Memoriam

Alumni News

Alice Wormald ’71

DAVID VOSE '68, recently retired from his role as professor at Berklee College of Music, is now the conductor of the Deep Blue C Studio Orchestra.

Janet Boulanger ’75 Astreed Bagdoian ‘76 Judith D’Elia ’81 Andrea Brennan ’87 Charles Courtemanche ’87

NO CLASS YEAR LISTED

George Medelinskas Thelma Halberstadt

EDUARDO CRESPO '70 a member of the NECC Foundation Board, provided a virtual lecture as part of NECC's annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in October.

JOSEPH BELLA '74 has been recognized by Marquis Who's Who Top Executives for his dedication, achievement, and leadership in the areas of veterans administration and historical preservation. Bella is the vice president of the Methuen Historical Society.

JAMES BARR '86 has been promoted to the position of Director of IT Services for Globalization Partners.

MICHELE CUBELI HARRIS '00 has been named the new director of SUCCESS at North Shore Community College.

JAMIE HELLESEN ’02 provided a virtual lecture about the event planning field as part of the NECC Pathfinders series, launched in the fall.

BRIAN MOHIKA ’06 provided a virtual lecture about entrepreneurship and business leadership as part of the NECC Pathfinders series.

MICHAEL ZUCCOLA '07 a professional actor, recently returned to NECC to deliver a special performance and Q&A for students.

RALPH BASILIERE '08 has been appointed by Mayor Jim Fiorentini as a part-time Veterans Services Officer. Basiliere replaces Veterans Service Officer Luis Santiago, who is also an NECC alum. Santiago left to take on a similar role in Billerica.

SARA CODAIR '08, an NECC writing tutor and adjunct faculty member, published her third novel, "Earth Reclaimed," in November. It is now available for sale.

MATT GINGRAS '14, a former editor in chief of the NECC Observer, has started a new position as financial aid counselor at NECC. BOBBY THORNE '16 was recently featured in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services for his role in saving a man's life.

KARINA CALDERON '17 was recently promoted to the position of Deputy Director of the Lawrence Partnership.

GISELLE PEGUERO '21 has joined the team of the Lawrence Partnership as a staff associate.

JESSICA INGEMI (no class year), an avid baker and cookie designer, competed in a recent season of the Food Network's "Christmas Cookie Challenge."

The following alumni were inducted into the NECC Class of 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame: SEAN CHIPMAN ’00, a former member of the golf team, and RYAN MCAULIFFE ’15, a former member of the baseball team.

THE ALUMNI OFFICE IS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE NEXT GREAT STORY 14

We’d love to hear yours! If you have news to share, please fill out an Alumni Information Update Form at:

www.necc.mass.edu/update-contact

In 2021, the NECC Alumni Board appointed Haverhill resident Jouel Gomez ’15, a senior manager at Massachusetts General Brigham: Newton-Wellesley Hospital and active community volunteer, as their new president and chairperson. A previous vice-chairperson of the board, Gomez has been involved with a range of alumni association efforts since 2016.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and an MBA from Bentley University.

Jouel Gomez ’15

Of his new role, he says “I love having the ability to network with

other NECC former students… I also love having a direct impact in the NECC community. It may be through a scholarship award, various community events for students and alumni, or assisting in fundraising opportunities; it is all worthwhile!”

As president and chairperson, he hopes to increase awareness of the board’s efforts to enhance alumni involvement with the college.

“I would love to see more former students join our board,” he says.

ALUMNI NEWS ‘N NOTES

Meet the President of the NECC Alumni Board

On April 7, 2022, NECC held its inaugural Giving Day in recognition of the timeframe when NECC first opened its doors to registration 61 years ago. With an incredible show of support from faculty, staff, alumni, students, and friends alike, NECC raised $34,604 for the NECC Fund from 206 donors, helping to secure critical resources for our students and community. Thank you to everyone who participated in this special day!

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Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Permit #31 Northern Essex Community College Haverhill, MA 01830

NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE 100 Elliott Street Haverhill, MA 01830

202203-025

Doing Our Part to Ensure a Good Night’s Sleep Sleep medicine is becoming big business as people increasingly struggle to get the restorative sleep they need. NECC’s 10-month Sleep Technologist Program—the only program of its kind in New England— prepares students for careers helping to diagnose sleep disorders.

45.1% 48.0% Insufficient sleep is defined as less than 7 hours of sleep daily.

33.2%

32.4%

White

Hispanic

In MA, the prevalence of insufficient sleep duration varies by race/ethnicity

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In 2014, 34.2% of Massachusetts adults reported usually getting insufficient sleep.

Sleep duration has an impact on chronic conditions such as depression.

Black

Asian