alumnecc Spring 2023 Volume 24

Message from the President INSIDE

Hello Friends, How do YOU define community?

Merriam-Webster, a part of our broader community being headquartered here in Massachusetts, offers nuanced definitions of community. “A unified body of individuals” is one example. And so is “society at large.” Those are very different and also very much the same. We have our biological families and our chosen families. We have our friends, our mentors, our employers. We volunteer, we study, we explore ourselves through hobbies. We live in neighborhoods, and we explore new places. Somehow many of these communities exist on their own while also overlapping with each other.

4

From Student to Chief Technology Officer

6 On the Air and in the Spotlight

8 The Power of Second Chances

10 On Campus/ In the Community

This issue of alumnecc celebrates our community. Alumna Nairoby Sanchez ’14 shares how she sought help from others and is now paying that back. NECC’s Chief Technology Officer and alumnus Danny Rivera ‘05 shares how the community he found as a work study student inspired his career. We highlight amazing alumni doing great things across our community. We even celebrate some of those alumni (and other members of our community) with a new Northern Essex tradition honoring the impact they make.

I hope you are inspired by these stories, with a focus on one idea: Is there any place more community-focused than Northern Essex Community College?

Appreciatively,

14 Alumni News 'N Notes

Editor: Melissa Bouse

Contributing Editor: Sarah Comiskey

Creative Director: Trev Stair

Writers: Melissa Bouse, Sarah Comiskey, Keith Paul

Lane A. Glenn President

Community is our connection to each other.

NECC student James Day Keith made his acting debut in the major motion picture “Champions.”

Student Trustee Sarah Pachano spoke to MA lawmakers in Washington, D.C., about the importance of student support services.

WHDH TV interviewed AtaSavas Kurtulus about the basketball team’s supply drive for earthquake victims in his home country of Turkey.

NECC and UMass Lowell created an enhanced transfer process with a new joint admissions agreement.

Former NECC players and their families gathered for a special alumni basketball game and surprise party for Coach Stratton’s 50th Birthday.

SCAN HERE FOR MORE NECC NEWSROOM STORIES

From Student to Chief Technology Officer

Danny Rivera Has Spent the Past 20 Years at Northern Essex

For as long as Northern Essex Chief Technology Officer Danny Rivera can remember, technology has been part of his life. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, his father worked in the IT field and as a math professor. If a toy stopped working, Rivera was quick to take it apart and try to figure out what went wrong. That curiosity reached a new level when his family got a home computer in the early 1990s. “My brother and I would mess around with that computer all the time,” recalls Rivera. “We had to boot it up by putting in floppy drives and swapping them halfway through the boot-up process.”

As the technology evolved, so did Rivera’s interest in the STEM field. He emigrated to the United States at

16, settling in Haverhill, and in 2002, Rivera enrolled at Northern Essex as an engineering student. He also took a part-time job at the NECC IT Service Desk, providing tech support to fellow students, faculty, and staff. He stayed with the IT department until he graduated in 2005 with his associate degree in electronic technology: Computer Network Engineering.

Rivera transferred to UMass Lowell the following fall. But he was lured back to NECC by another part-time job in the IT department after just four months away. Rivera continued to work for NECC IT while completing his degree at UMass. “My last year at school, I switched to the night shift to take a full schedule. So, I took five full courses

while working nights to finish my degree.” He earned his BSBA in Management Information Systems (MIS) and Management in 2010.

By then, Rivera was a valued member of the NECC IT team. He was soon promoted to network administrator and, in 2015, became an assistant director and network manager. When his manager was promoted to Chief Technology Officer in 2020, Rivera realized he could have a role like that someday. He didn’t have to wait long. His manager retired in 2022, and in July, Rivera was named as his replacement. He says his experience starting as a student worker has informed the way he manages his staff today.

“I always leave the door open. I always tell them, ‘What you do is really only limited by what you want to do.’ So, if you’re on the service desk and you want to try to learn about managing servers, nothing is stopping you.’”

Rivera’s years of training were put to the test when, in early March, he and his team detected unusual activity on the NECC networks.

“We had begun monitoring it when we got a call from Homeland Security. A civilian group called CISA monitors state and federal networks, and they notified them of the suspicious behaviors in our network.” Together, NECC IT, CISA, and Homeland Security developed a plan. They closed the school and slowly took systems offline. That allowed them to secure the network, shut out communications from the outside, and launch a full investigation.

“We were, in a way, incredibly lucky because when Homeland Security and CISA found the activity in our network, it had only been compromised for a few days. The [hackers] try to move very slowly within your network not to be detected, so that means the longer they’re in your system, the more sophisticated they are and the higher the chances are of a full-blown attack happening. Since we were alerted so quickly and we were able to shut down so quickly, we were able to contain that threat.”

Cyber-attacks have been on the rise in higher education. Rivera says they believe the group responsible for hacking NECC’s systems specifically targets universities and colleges. He’s grateful that his team was able to restore service in just five days.

“It is a testament to my staff spending 14, 15-hour days here. Everyone understood what we were dealing with and made the best of it. We supported each other. From a management perspective, it was kind of a dream scenario. I want to share a personal ‘thank you’ to my staff.”

Rivera lives in Concord, New Hampshire, with his wife and four children. When he’s not tinkering with electronics, he enjoys watching sports and playing softball. He says his family, along with his positive attitude, are the reasons for his success. “They’re my battery recharger. I do it all

Spotting Human Hacking

Danny Rivera says social engineering, or human hacking, is one of the main ways cybercriminals attack. Hackers use techniques like phishing emails or copycat websites to trick users into exposing data, spreading malware infections, or giving access to restricted systems. They favor this scam because it is often easier to exploit people than to find a network or software vulnerability. Danny says you can help keep your workplace safe by immediately reporting any suspicious emails, links, or phone calls and by completing routine IT training sessions.

On the Air and in the Spotlight

NECC Alumni Take Media by Storm

It’s no secret that our alumni have a profound impact on our community. They are at the frontlines of nearly every local industry. They are the pioneering innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs that so many of us are proud to work with every day.

The lesser-known fact is just how far their influence can extend. More and more, our alumni are making their mark on a national level, and perhaps in no industry is that more readily apparent than in media and communications. From Los Angeles to Houston to New York and beyond, NECC graduates are gracing the screens that you watch and delivering the news you consume, keeping you informed and entertained.

In this spread, we are delighted to highlight three alumni media professionals who are using the skills they obtained at NECC to make an impact on and off the air.

Lena Maria Arango ’15 On-Air Meteorologist FOX 26 Houston

Watching meteorologist Lena Maria Arango deliver an on-air weather report to hundreds of thousands of Houston viewers, you would never know that at one time she was, as she describes, without aspirations.

“I was lost,” she says, thinking back on her time as a student. “I never took the PSATs or SATs because I had no aspirations of going to college. I had absolutely zero idea what I wanted to do.”

It was with some encouragement from her father that she decided to at least take a few business classes at NECC – and that’s where her love of learning took off.

“I took any classes that seemed cool or interesting,” she says. “This included sociology, psychology, ASL, and a field study in natural systems in Ecuador that eventually led me to take Intro. to Meteorology… and the rest, as you can see, is history.”

After obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees in atmospheric science, Arango interned at Boston 25 News – and it was there, in the newsroom, that she knew she’d found her dream job.

She notes that despite her recent success, it was actually 15 years of trial and error, including breaks between leaving NECC and entering a bachelor’s degree program, that got her to this current point. She hopes that fact might inspire others who face similar doubts.

“I didn’t graduate college until 31 or start TV until then. So, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams as long as you’re willing to make sacrifices and put in the work to cross the finish line!”

Dan Lyons ’83

Senior Brand & Content Strategy Director DocuSign; Published Author

To many aspiring writers, Dan Lyons’ career might look like the ultimate dream. He’s held senior editor positions at Forbes, ReadWrite, and Hubspot, has had articles published in Newsweek and Fortune, among many other publications, is a New York Times bestselling author, and was a writer and co-producer of the hit HBO show “Silicon Valley.” And yet, he says – perhaps to the surprise of some –it has never felt like a full career.

“It felt more like I was just tumbling from one thing to the next,” he admits. To Lyons, success has always seemed accidental. After graduating from NECC, where he served as editor of The Observer, he accepted a job at the Eagle Tribune. Initially, he did not see himself as a journalist, but became more comfortable with the field after stints at the Boston Herald and PC Week. Eventually, after earning an MFA in creative writing and settling into a career at Forbes magazine, and later Newsweek, he realized he had found his passion.

“About ten years ago when I was at Newsweek, I realized why I loved journalism,” he says. “It’s because you get to go out and meet fascinating people, interview them, and tell their stories… Journalism, whether it’s for a newspaper, or magazine, or a book, involves always learning.”

Nicholas Mazzone ’16

Postproduction Coordinator

Apple TV’s “The Last Thing He Told Me”

Former Head of Sustainability

Jordan Peele’s “Nope”

For Nicholas Mazzone, it was an internship at Kiss 108’s “Matty in the Morning” show, obtained with help from NECC’s career services team, that solidified his decision to pursue a career in show business.

“From the very moment I entered the radio station, I knew I had to work in entertainment,” he says.

Just six years later, after graduating from NECC, he was living in LA and working on the set of Jordan Peele’s “Nope” as the head of sustainability, a job that he calls “the highlight of my career so far.”

“I never imagined I would be able to work on a summer blockbuster. I grew up watching movies my whole life and always wanted to be part of it. When I finally got my chance, it was everything I imagined and more.”

Mazzone received his first shot at Hollywood from a UMass alumnus, who helped him land a job with the production team of “America’s Got Talent.” It’s been a steady rise ever since, with more gigs in the works. Most recently, Mazzone completed his first post-coordinating job with “The Last Thing He Told Me,” which aired in April on Apple TV+.

The Power of Second Chances

Alumna Connects Those Impacted by the War on Drugs with Careers in the Cannabis Industry

Nairoby Sanchez ’14 is a firm believer in second chances. While enrolled at Northern Essex, she overcame a tumultuous high school experience to become a standout student and volunteer. In her current role as the Director of Programs for Mass CultivatED, she helps those who have been impacted by the War on Drugs to find success in the burgeoning cannabis industry.

Sanchez first experienced the power of second chances when her mother was a student at Northern Essex. She had dropped out of high school as a pregnant 17-year-old.

“As a teen mom, she was told she would never amount to anything,” remembers Sanchez. “She decided that was not going to be her story. My siblings and I saw her trajectory over so many years, working so hard to get an education.”

Her mother got her GED, enrolled in NECC, and later transferred to UMass Lowell, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. Seeing her mother’s determination throughout those years inspired Sanchez to do the same.

“My grades weren’t the best in high school, and I had a difficult time.

So, I went to Northern Essex and had the idea of turning everything around and do what my mother did: work hard. And I did. I got a 3.8 GPA and was involved in so many things. It reinvigorated my own sense of possibilities.”

Sanchez graduated with her associate degree in liberal arts: political science and earned a scholarship to UMass Boston. She even fulfilled a lifelong dream of studying abroad in France. Sanchez transferred to UMass Lowell to finish her political science bachelor’s degree closer to her home in Haverhill. Upon graduation, she realized the hard work had just begun.

“I didn’t think I would land in politics right away. I got so many rejections. People would tell me there aren’t many jobs in the political market or they don’t pay enough. But eventually, I managed to land a job in Elizabeth Warren’s office.”

While working on Senator Warren’s presidential campaign, Sanchez discovered how she could use her background to advocate for change.

“Knowing the type of mind she has regarding seeing a solution to community issues, I realized there’s

Nairoby Sanchez was president of the NECC Student Senate and Amnesty International, participated in the Student Leadership Development Program, and was honored with the “29 Who Shine” award.

Scan here to learn more about Cannabis Education at NECC!

a lot you can do with policy. There’s more work to be done. You have to learn to bridge the gap between policy and those advocating for that policy change.”

Her interest in policy eventually led Sanchez to Mass CultivatED, a nonprofit that uses public-private partnerships to assist individuals affected by the War on Drugs. Mass CultivatED, dubbed the “nation’s first jail-to-jobs cannabis program,” works with individuals to get their records expunged and helps them find work in the cannabis industry. Education is a key component in that process, and Mass CultivatED has partnered with institutions, including Northern Essex, to provide that piece. Northern Essex launched a cannabis certificate program in the Fall of 2022. Students can enroll in the online courses anytime and earn a certificate in eight weeks. Currently, Mass CultivatED has eight students enrolled in NECC’s program.

“NECC offering that in the communities that have been impacted by the War on Drugs provides direct access for people to turn their negatives into a positive,” says Sanchez. “By NECC having the institutionalized, trusted space, the community will open up more to that possibility. We’re creating possibilities here.”

Mass CultivatED is currently expanding its reach across the Merrimack Valley and the North Shore. Sanchez hopes that means people in places like Lawrence, where she spent much of her youth, will get to experience a second chance, too.

“I want people to know there are systems around you that are working to see you thrive, whether it’s programs like Mass CultivatEd or a school system like NECC. Take advantage of the opportunities bestowed upon you. You might not realize they can be impactful. So, take that chance to take that leap of faith, but take it knowing you have that community behind you.”

Hiring in the Cannabis Industry

Lazy River Products (LRP) employs more than 70 people at its cannabis facility in East Dracut, many from Haverhill, Lawrence, and Methuen. When Human Resources Manager Katie Lee heard about NECC’s Cannabis Education programs, she immediately realized the benefits for her employees and the industry as a whole: “Certification courses for cannabis jobs, such as the courses NECC offers, will help with not only hiring but also maintaining employment long enough to have the chance to grow in a position toward a career path that someone is passionate about. It is so important to understand why processes are done the way they are and to keep up to date with compliance and regulation updates as they happen in real-time. NECC is helping break the negative stigma cannabis currently has in the workforce and ultimately helping the cannabis industry to evolve into an industry that will one day not be so restrictive and limited with job-related opportunities.”

Lee graduated from Northern Essex in 2017 with a degree in liberal arts. She then got her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Southern New Hampshire University in November 2022.

Katie Lee ’17, Human Resources Manager at Lazy River Products

Second Annual Giving Day Brings Community Together

Last month, the NECC community came together in the spirit of pride and philanthropy to celebrate the college’s second annual Giving Day. On April 6, 2023, 134 individual donors collectively raised more than $12,000 toward the NECC Fund, which supports various areas of critical need at the college, from scholarships to programs to classroom technology.

Giving Day is held each year on or around April 7. The date is significant: more than 60 years ago, April 7th was the date students could first register for classes at the newly formed Northern Essex Community College.

Spring Theater Production Storms Through NECC

NECC Theater took the outdoor stage with its spring production of “Hurricane Diane.” Liberal Arts: Writing major Mirrorajah Metcalfe of Haverhill played Diane, who is the Greek god Dionysus disguised as a gardener with a dire warning about climate change. Metcalfe, along with a supporting cast of four Northern Essex students, had audiences laughing while also pondering big themes like sexuality and nature.

“I love the pace, the relationship to the environment, the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s fun, and it’s modern,” said director and NECC Theater Professor Brianne Beatrice.

To learn more about upcoming performances, casting calls, and ticketing, follow @necctheater on Instagram.

HURRICANEDiane

Four New Programs

Northern Essex continues to meet local workforce needs with the creation of four new programs. Earlier this year, the Northern Essex Board of Trustees approved: Lab Technician Certificate, Medical Billing and Coding Certificate, Entrepreneurial Business associate in science, and Marketing associate in science program. While the degree programs await further approval from the Department of Higher Education, the Lab Technician Certification and Medical Billing and

Cultural Immersion in the DR

Six members of the Northern Essex leadership team, along with several community partners, spent a week in the Dominican Republic this spring. With forty percent of Northern Essex students having ties to the Dominican Republic, the trip was a chance to learn more about their experiences.

Coding Certification are ready to start this fall.

“Medical billers and coders are a vital part of our healthcare system and are in high demand. This program will allow graduates to gain the entry-level skills and knowledge needed to meet that demand and begin a very rewarding career,” said Medical Billing and Medical Coding Program Coordinator Dawn Wheaton, CPC.

“We want to be able to understand the culture our students come from to better serve them and to help them be successful,” said NECC President Lane Glenn.

The trip was organized by Vice President of the Lawrence Campus and Community Relations, Noemi Custodia-Lora. It included stops at colleges, high schools, healthcare settings, and important landmarks. A brave contingent even summited Pico Duarte, the tallest mountain in the Caribbean, at over 10,000 feet. Custodia-Lora has coordinated six cultural immersion trips to the Dominican Republic for Northern Essex in recent years.

“We want to be able to understand the culture our students come from to better serve them and to help them be successful,”

NECC President Lane Glenn

Honoring Those Who Have Impacted NECC

Northern Essex Community College is proud to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to the college and its students with the inaugural NECC Impact Awards. Five outstanding community members were honored at a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

This award honors an individual, group, or organization who, through their support, has made a lasting impact at Northern Essex. Covanta has long been a partner for Northern Essex, supporting numerous causes, initiatives, and projects. In 2011, the local sustainability company established an endowed scholarship for students pursuing an associate degree in natural, laboratory, or engineering science. Most recently, Covanta matched a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth for the Haverhill Promise Program. The program allows Haverhill High School students who have participated in early college at NECC to complete their associate degrees tuition-free following graduation. Covanta’s Business Manager, Mark Van Weelden, serves on the NECC Foundation Board.

This award recognizes an alumnus/a who has achieved career-related success, is active in the community, and/or has exemplified active support for the college’s efforts. Jouel Gómez is a senior manager at Mass General Brigham: Newton-Wellesley Hospital. After graduating from Northern Essex in 2015 with a Business Transfer Degree, Gómez earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University in management and an MBA from Bentley University. He became involved in alumni association efforts at NECC in 2016, becoming the vice-chairperson and president and chairperson in 2021. Gómez also serves on the NECC Board of Trustees as the alumni representative.

This award is given to a member of the Northern Essex community who has demonstrated commitment to NECC through financial support, volunteering, and leadership. Entrepreneur Jeffrey Linehan graduated from Northern Essex in 1977. After earning his bachelor’s and MBA, Linehan returned to his roots, serving as a long-standing member of several local and college boards, including time as the chair of the NECC Board of Trustees. Currently, Linehan serves as the secretary for the NECC Foundation Board.

The Public Service and Advocacy award honors an individual who has made a tremendous impact on the lives of our students through public service or advocacy. Diana DiZoglio was recently elected as State Auditor. As the former State Senator from the First Essex District and the Representative for the 14th Essex District, DiZoglio has been an advocate for Northern Essex, its students, and its efforts in Lawrence, Haverhill, and surrounding communities.

This award recognizes individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have positively impacted the NECC community through values such as a commitment to equity, diversity, and the advancement of human rights and social justice. Vilma Martinez-Dominguez is the COO of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) and the former Community Development Director for the City of Lawrence. GLCAC partners with hundreds of local organizations to provide wraparound services for area residents living in poverty, including numerous collaborations with NECC. This year, GLCAC partnered with NECC to expand the availability of high-quality ESOL instruction in the Greater Lawrence region, addressing the expansive waitlist of more than 2,000 people.

Covanta, Community Partner Award

Jouel Gómez ’15, Outstanding Alumni Award

Jeffrey Linehan ’77, Philanthropy & Volunteerism Award

Diana DiZoglio, Public Service & Advocacy Award

Vilma Martinez-Dominguez, Equity and Social Justice Award

WHY I HIRE

RMON Networks

“Hiring students from Northern Essex Community College (NECC) has brought several benefits to our organization. Some reasons for hiring NECC students include:

1. Fresh perspectives: NECC students bring new ideas and perspectives to the workplace, which have helped drive innovation and growth.

2. Skill development: NECC students are trained in a wide range of skills and are eager to apply what they have learned in a real-world setting.

3. Future talent: Hiring students from NECC provides a pool of talent for RMON Networks. By nurturing their skills and abilities, we have helped them grow into valuable employees.”

Timothy Howard, President, RMON Networks

Interested in partnering with NECC to hire future interns or employees? Visit www.necc.mass.edu/business-industry to learn how.

Tito Joaquin ’07 Family Medicine Physician

For Tito Joaquin ’07, it was an eye surgery at age 10 – and the positive transformation he experienced afterward – that solidified his decision to become a doctor. The family medicine physician, who started at Northern Essex in 2003, has been committed to the field of medicine for decades, starting his career as an EMT before completing medical school and eventually obtaining his current position as a boardcertified physician at Pentucket Medical Associates/Mass General Brigham Community Physicians. His path, he says, while at times difficult, has been rewarding – and it all began with his biology degree from NECC.

“The path was a rough one, but it was worth it,” he says. “The determination to achieve, the burning desire to become a physician, and the support of my wife, family, and friends were the key factors in accomplishing my professional goals.”

Joaquin holds an M.D. from the Universidad Iberoamericana Medical School, a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst, and an associate degree from NECC.

In Memoriam

Maurice J. Viscuso ’63

Mary E. Goecke ’87

Sidney G. Pietzsch ’00

Devin J. DiTomaso ’13

Matthew A. Lake ’14

Alumni News

EDUARDO CRESPO ’70, an NECC Foundation Board member, and CEO of Hispanic Market Solution, has received the Massachusetts 2023 Minority Owned Business of the Year Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

LISA DEMEO ‘81 has been appointed as the first woman president of the Massachusetts Highway Association.

DAN LYONS ’83 was featured on the cover of a recent issue of Time Magazine, which discussed his new book “STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World.”

NON-GRADUATED ALUMNI

Jeffrey D. Cadoret

Matthew George

Janet M. McMullen

Diane L. Rohner

Robin M. Walsh

TOM MORIN ‘93 was recently featured in the Tewksbury Town Crier, where he discussed his journey from construction worker to respiratory therapist.

GAYLE SIMONE TROIANI ‘03 has accepted a new position as a Digital Content Producer for NESN.

SERCAN FENERCI ‘04, a former NECC basketball star and current athletic director at Bunker Hill Community College, recently assisted NECC’s basketball team in organizing a donation drive to help victims of the devastating Turkey and Syria earthquake.

KATRINA HOBBS EVERETT ‘05, an educator and consultant, has received the Waystone Health & Human Services 2022 Belonging Award.

SARA CODAIR ‘08, an academic and career coach at NECC, has published a new novel, “Junk Junction,” which will be available this summer.

JODIE PICKLES ‘10 has been promoted to the position of branch manager of Haverhill Bank’s main office in downtown Haverhill.

CJ DIPRIMA ‘16, a cancer survivor, was recently featured on the ABC Nightly News “America Strong” segment. DiPrima ran this year’s Boston Marathon.

JONATHAN AGUILAR ‘18, CEO of CADSPARC, a computer-aided drafting startup, was awarded the “Rising Star Supplier of the Year” award at the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub’s celebration of manufacturing.

NOAH GREENSTEIN ‘18 has been nominated for the “best scenic design” award by BroadwayWorld Boston for the play “The Abolitionist’s Refrain,” performed at the Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill.

JEURYS SANTIAGO ‘20, owner of the Lawrence-based company Minds with Purpose, served as a featured speaker for Boston University’s “Idea Con” conference earlier this month.

The following alumni were recently hired to the staff of NECC: WINIFRED MBOGO ’18, administrative assistant; SARAH REGAN-KELLEY ’19, Liberal Arts Center coordinator; JESSICA ANGELINI ’16, Marketing Communications Specialist; and JINE ROQUE ’09, Center for Adult Education staff assistant.

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

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

Meet the 2023 Featured Commencement Speaker

If you’ve ever tuned into Kiss 108 in Boston during a morning commute, chances are you’ve heard Justin Aguirre ‘09. The popular co-host of the “Billy and Lisa in the Morning Show” has long kept people laughing and entertained through their daily rides to work and throughout the day on streaming services– but few know the journey he went on to make all this possible.

The Salem, NH resident enrolled in NECC in 2006, at a time when he found himself in need of a critical change of pace and after years of struggling with addiction.

“It was the push of my professors [at NECC] that gave me the confidence to go after my goals,” he says.

Before long, and with a fresh set of media skills in hand, Aguirre had obtained two degrees and a coveted job with JAM’N 94.5. Now, just over a decade later, he is an executive producer for Boston’s number one hit radio station, with thousands of listeners throughout greater Boston tuning in each morning.

“Providing a show [people] can routinely listen to and making them smile and laugh is really special to me,” he says of his work.

You Make a Difference: Giving Societies at NECC

Leadership Giving

The NECC President’s Circle

The President’s Circle recognizes generous benefactors who demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and impact of NECC. Any individual who makes a gift of $1,000 or more each fiscal year automatically qualifies for membership.

Loyalty Giving NECC Loyalty Giving Society

The NECC Loyalty Giving Society was established to honor and recognize motivated individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting NECC through consistent annual contributions. Anyone who has donated a gift of any size to the NECC Fund for five consecutive years or more is automatically considered a member of the Loyalty Giving Society.

Planned Giving

The William and Rosemary Klueber Planned Giving Society

Named after two beloved members of the NECC alumni family, the Klueber Planned Giving Society honors individuals who have chosen to include NECC in their long-term giving plans through a will or trust, life insurance, bequests, real estate, and more. Setting up a gift with NECC is a great way to provide longterm support, helping the college and its students to thrive well into the future.

Interested in learning more about NECC giving societies, or other ways you can get involved? Reach out to us at giving@necc.mass.edu.

Justin Aguirre ’09: Co-Host and Executive Producer, “Billy and Lisa in the Morning”

You Ask. They Answer!

We’re excited to launch NECC CONNECT, a simple and quick tool for alumni like you to network with your peers and current NECC students. START HERE!