Message from the President

Dear Friends,

In Northern Essex’s vision statement, we say leadership is the ability to move people from where they are now to where they have never been before, but need to go — and to do so by evoking for them a shared vision for the future.

In 1961, just a few months before we opened our doors to our first students, President John F. Kennedy delivered his eponymous quote “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” President Kennedy challenged us all to contribute in some way to the public good. His inaugural address continued with “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

This issue of alumnecc celebrates the togetherness we share as a college community. In these pages, you’ll read about the importance of togetherness and our efforts to create belonging at Northern Essex. You’ll meet Francellis Quiñones, our first justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) officer. You’ll learn about the first-in-the-nation Early Childhood Education program that's accessible to many through a competency-based education (CBE) model. A young alumnus from Lawrence shares how his company thrives because of the work done by NECC engineering interns. Another alumnus shares how he’s bringing people together to support veteran wellness efforts. And we have unprecedented numbers of high school students beginning their college degrees before they even graduate!

All of these initiatives bring Northern Essex together with the people of the Merrimack Valley and beyond. All of these initiatives bring Northern Essex together with the people of the Merrimack Valley and beyond. Our alumni have come together to support us in many ways, and we are grateful to you and the and the power of your collective.

We are better together.

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!

Appreciatively,

Groundbreaking Early Childhood Education Degree

6

Alumnus Launches CAD Internship Program

8 Theater Makes a Roaring Comeback

Lane A. Glenn President

Editor: Melissa Bouse

Contributing Editors: Sarah Comiskey, Keith Paul

Creative Director: Trev Stair

Writers: Melissa Bouse, Sarah Comiskey, Keith Paul, Alex Pecci ‘02

Francellis Quiñones joined the NECC community in July as its first Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI). A Haverhill resident, Quiñones has been dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work in the Merrimack Valley for nearly 20 years. She is the co-founder and president of Quiñones Culture Consultants and has worked as an educator in the Boston Public Schools, Weston Public Schools, and Greater Lawrence Technical School.

How have you approached your first few months as the Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion?

I have approached my first few months as an opportunity to meet and learn about as many people and the work they do as possible and to connect to, with, and within the communities we serve. I’m learning