Whittier Tech: Exploring a Shared Campus
Stakeholders in the Whittier District communities are exploring a shared campus model for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School (WT) and NECC on the college’s Haverhill campus.
The overarching goal of this collaboration is to meet educational needs efficiently and affordably, expand access to postsecondary education, and increase enrollment capacity at both institutions.
Summary
In April 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced initial steps to explore a shared campus model for Whittier Tech on NECC’s Haverhill campus, a collaborative effort with state and local partners that aims to meet the evolving educational needs of the region’s students and communities, efficiently and affordably.
This partnership between WT and NECC will explore ways to create a new, modern facility for Whittier Tech, allow for expanded access to postsecondary education across northeastern Massachusetts, and increase enrollment capacity at both institutions. It will also open up new avenues for potential new funding sources in the Merrimack Valley.
Public Listening Sessions
We need YOUR feedback on any potential future collaboration between Whittier Tech and NECC. To participate, please provide your information and availability; sessions will be held on Zoom, audio will be recorded, and your participation will be confidential and voluntary.
These 90-minute sessions will be facilitated by the UMass Donahue Institute:
- Tue., Oct. 8, 11:00 a.m.
- Tue., Oct. 29, 1:00 p.m.
- Tue., Nov. 12, 6:00 p.m.
- Tue., Nov. 19, 1:00 p.m
UMass Donahue Institute Report
To gather and organize input from the 11 member communities supporting Whittier Tech, we contracted the UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI) to conduct research, interviews, and focus groups, aiming to complete a report by December 2024. We formed the NECC-WT Planning Group, a team of creative, big-picture thinkers, to guide this process.
Planning Group
Led by NECC President Lane Glenn, WT Superintendent Maureen Lynch, and UMDI Research Director Mark Melnik, the NECC-WT Planning Group first met on August 27, 2024 to set goals, share resources, and ensure continuous progress in collecting feedback for the report.
Emphasis is placed on the importance of keeping all stakeholders, particularly local elected officials, informed throughout this process. While the group gathers feedback on whom to include in upcoming focus groups and one-on-one interviews, these are the goals:
- Replace the current high school with a safe, modern facility.
- Expand access to postsecondary education for WT students and the community.
- Increase WT enrollment capacity.
- Identify additional funding sources (e.g., state higher education capital, foundations, etc.).
Key Dates
| Date | Who | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| October 8, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Public | Listening session |
| October 29, 1 to 2:30 p.m. | Public | Listening session |
| Late October | UMDI | Interim report due |
| November 4 | Planning Group | Discussion of interim report |
| November 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Public | Listening session |
| November 19, 1 to 2:30 p.m | Public | Listening session |
| December 2 | Planning Group and UMDI | Review of themes and input |
| Late December | UMDI | Final report due |
News & Updates
Questions?
Chris Sicuranza
NECC Chief of Staff
978-556-3856 (call or text)
csicuranza@necc.mass.edu
