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December 2017 Trustees Update

Submitted by on December 12, 2017 – 3:41 pm

Faculty Report on Recent Sabbaticals

Professors Ginger Hurajt and Marilyn McCarthy shared what they had accomplished during recent sabbaticals, including how it has impacted students at the college.

Hurajt, English professor and coordinator of the college’s Honors Experience, spent her sabbatical creating an Honors English Composition I class that she taught for the first time this semester.

After doing research, Hurajt added service learning and personal, academic, and career success strategies from the college’s First-Year seminar class to the course curriculum.

Assignments were designed to engage students in the campus community.  Students were required to attend campus events and interview a participant in NECC’s College of Older Learners (CoOL) for papers that were shared at the college’s CoOL showcase.

McCarthy, professor of college reading, focused on students who are on the autism spectrum.  She researched how to best help them succeed at Northern Essex.

Her goal was to help faculty, especially those teaching developmental reading and writing, to better address the needs of students on the spectrum by providing practical strategies and skills.

After doing extensive research, McCarthy created a series of three PowerPoints—thinking, reading, and writing—for faculty with tips on how to better understand and teach students with autism.

Using Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who is a professor and top scientist, as an example, McCarthy said “Many of our most brilliant people are on the spectrum.”

Fundraising Report

The Institutional Advancement Office raised over three-and-a-half million dollars last year in private and public grants and in-kind donations from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, according to Jean Poth, vice president of Institutional Advancement, who provided trustees with a year-end report.

Here are some highlights:

Private sector funds: $514,926

Private sector funds came from a number of sources including endowed funds, annual scholarships, the Women of NECC, the NECC Fund, and events.

In-kind donations: $201,493

The top in-kind donations were for kitchen equipment for 420 Common Street from Lupoli Companies ($113,225), a dental machine for the Dental Assisting Program from Dr. Maritza Morell ($37,000), and a bronchoscope for the Respiratory Care Program from Mount Auburn Hospital ($15,000).

Public sector grants: $2,843,465

The largest public sector grant—$495,000 from the Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program—covered culinary and megatronics equipment.

Northern Essex has the largest foundation board of any of the Massachusetts community colleges, said Poth, and the college’s alumni board recently expanded from nine to almost 20 members.

Report from the Administration

Capital Campaign Update

President Lane Glenn reported that the college is exploring the feasibility of a capital campaign.

“We have some needs that are greater than what the state can support,” he said.

If the college decides to move forward with a capital campaign, funding may be requested for athletic facilities; support for the culinary arts and hospitality programs; technology; the college’s Lawrence library; and student scholarships.

Upgrades for B and E Buildings?

Northern Essex has submitted a preliminary proposal requesting over $11 million to renovate the B (General Services) and E (Science) buildings on the Haverhill Campus in response to a request from the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) for capital project priorities.

The state is expected to award a total of up to $140,000,000 for capital projects that align with Commonwealth priorities.

If accepted, the funding will address compliance issues, upgrade smart classrooms, improve building signage, replace outdated elevators, make bathroom renovations, install security systems, and more.

Both buildings were part of the college’s original campus which was built in 1971.

Trustees Approve Two New Programs

Trustees voted unanimously to approve two new degree programs, which replace current programs, providing better transferability to bachelor’s programs.

The new Associate of Science Degree in Chemistry/Physics/Environmental Science replaces the Associate Degree in Liberal Arts: Physical Sciences.  It is designed to provide a seamless transfer for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics, or environment science.

The new Associate in Science Degree in Exercise Science will replace the college’s Associate Degree in General Studies: Movement Science Option.  This degree will transfer into programs in exercise physiology, nutrition, athletic training and pre-physical therapy.    The health fitness instructor concentration will prepare students to take the National Strength & Conditioning Certified Personal Trainer exam and seek employment in the health & fitness fields.