NECC Graduation
NECC Celebrates the Class of 2022
Northern Essex Community College celebrated its 60th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2022.
This was the first time the college had celebrated with a traditional ceremony since 2019, and, if the broad smiles were any indication, everyone was glad to be back. More than 800 students were recognized and associate degrees and certificates from over 70 academic programs were awarded.
President Lane Glenn opened the ceremony, calling the class of 2022 “one of the most resilient in the college’s 60-year history.” “You have shown that crisis is nothing to fear and even sometimes an opportunity. Likely, you are stronger, more confident, and more determined as a result of the last two years.”
For links to the student speeches, a gallery of photos, and a full list of all awards that were presented, visit the newsroom.
HC Media livestreamed and recorded the ceremony. You can find the recording here.
View a full list of 2022 graduates here.
Next year’s commencement will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, so mark your calendars now. We will be updating this site with details closer to the day so keep checking in!
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Graduation News
This CIS Grad Loved NECC’s Online Courses
Wilson McCormack attended college after graduating from Chelmsford High School in 2016, but it just wasn’t clicking.
Unsure about what he wanted to major in, he lacked focus and purpose, and dropped out after a few semesters to work full time.
In the fall of 2020, he was ready to go back; this time with a plan.
Always interested in computers—he liked to build his own—he started taking computer courses at Northern Essex.
This time it all came together.
On Saturday, May 14, McCormack graduated from Northern Essex Community College with high honors, a degree in Computer Information Science: Networking and Security, and plans to transfer to UMass Lowell where he will continue his studies in computer science.
McCormack claims his success this time around was in large part due to the support of his professors Jay Termini and Adrianna Holden-Gouveia, who helped with his academic goals and his career path, and his academic coach, who shared skills that will lead to academic success.
In March of his first year at Northern Essex, courses transitioned to online delivery in response to the pandemic, which became a positive for McCormack, who found that he appreciated the flexibility of online courses.
“I could do my work any time I wanted, even late at night,” said McCormack, who used discussion boards and online study groups available through Navigate, the college’s student app and website, to keep connected.
McCormack actually found that he preferred online courses to face-to-face courses, and, rather than finding them isolating, he was engaged with both his professors and other students.
McCormack isn’t sure in what specific career direction his degree will lead him, but he knows he’s on the right track and he’s looking forward to exploring his options at UMass Lowell.
All his courses transferred there, so he will save significantly on his bachelor’s degree.
“Most of my time at Northern Essex was spent in the midst of a pandemic. Despite that, it was a great experience. I learned a lot about by myself and I feel like I’m on a great path.”
To learn more about studying computer science at Northern Essex, visit the website.
NECC Celebrates the Class of 2022
Northern Essex Community College’s 60th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 14 was close to perfect, thanks to sunny weather (the thermometer hit 90 degrees), inspiring remarks, and the uncontained joy of the 800-plus graduates and their families.
This was the first time the college had celebrated with a traditional ceremony since 2019, and, if the broad smiles were any indication, everyone was glad to be back.
President Lane Glenn opened the ceremony, calling the class of 2022 “one of the most resilient in the college’s 60-year history.” “You have shown that crisis is nothing to fear and even sometimes an opportunity. Likely, you are stronger, more confident, and more determined as a result of the last two years.”
The featured speaker, Eric Dickson, MD, a 1988 graduate of Northern Essex’s Respiratory Care Program, who is now CEO and president of Mass Memorial Health, talked about the importance of having a “mighty purpose” in life, sharing a poem by George Bernard Shaw titled “A Splendid Torch”.
“For me, I think the true joy in life is fighting for something you believe in. Staying attached to your mighty purpose doesn’t use you up. It gives you the fuel you need to keep going.”
Dickson was inspired to pursue medical school when his professor, Dr. Dan Coleman, medical director of the college’s Respiratory Care Program, suggested he had the potential. He shared that in his current role “I have been given the opportunity to fight for several mighty purposes that fuel me, including fighting for health equity, caring for people living in poverty and removing the stigma of mental illness and addiction disorders.”
Here’s Dr. Eric Dickson’s Speech.
Iseline Mendoza of Lawrence, who graduated with high honors and associate degrees in accounting and business transfer, had two messages for graduates: “be specific when addressing your goals, hopes and dreams” and “always vocalize your needs.”
To illustrate, Mendoza shared her own story. She decided to come back to school when she was pregnant with her now three-year old son, who joined her at the podium in the middle of her speech.
She thanked her parents for supporting her and her son during her educational journey and the college for providing the opportunity for her to develop leadership skills—she was president of the Student Government Association—which allowed her to grow and address issues such as student mental health and transportation to campus.
Mendoza has a full-time job in her field with Anstiss Certified Public Accountants of Chelmsford and she will be continuing her education in accounting at UMass Lowell.
Here’s Iseline Mendoza Student Speech.
There were several awards presented at commencement.
Community Partner Award: Lawrence General Hospital
President Lane Glenn presented the Community Partner Award, which was created in 2019 to recognize the people and organizations throughout the Merrimack Valley that are positively impacting the community and helping the college and its students, to Lawrence General Hospital.
One of every three Northern Essex students is enrolled in health programs and Lawrence General Hospital is the college’s biggest health care partner, providing clinical placements for all 22 of the college’s health programs, hiring graduates, and providing adjunct health instructors.
“As a community college, we are imbedded in our local community and, we count on our community partners to help us achieve our goals. I’m proud to say that Lawrence General Hospital is one of those valued partners.”
Glenn credited LGH and other local health organizations, with their response to the pandemic. “They were quick to set up testing centers and, when the vaccine was available, the hospital created vaccine clinics that were open night and day through the city. Hospital staff worked under extraordinarily difficult conditions and at the risk of their own health, to care for the residents of Greater Lawrence and prevent the spread of COVID 19.”
Mike Mancuso, chairman of the LGH board of trustees, accepted the award on behalf of LGH.
Social Justice Award: English Language Learners Task Force
The Social Justice Award, which recognizes individuals, groups, departments, and initiatives that promote values such as a commitment to equity and diversity of the advancement of human rights and social justice, was presented by Glenn to the English Language Learners Task Force, which was created in 2021 to focus on engaging the entire college community in meeting the needs of English language learners.
After surveying students, speaking with faculty and staff, researching best practices at other community colleges, and analyzing what the college is currently doing, the task force is implementing sustainable changes that will make all aspects of the English language learners experience at the college more successful.
Members, including faculty, staff, and an ESL coach, are Amy Cameron, Vanessa Desani, Sandra DeVita, Analuz Garcia, Arlen Gargagliano, Tom Greene, Rick Lizotte, Heather Mores, Marsha Parinussa Flynn, Colleen Pelczar, Janice Rogers, and Susan Wilcox.
Emeritus Recipients
Four long-time members of the college’s faculty and staff received emeritus status, Rick Lizotte, who taught English as a Second Language for 36 years and was a curriculum designer in the college’s Center for Instructional Technology, professor emeritus of English as a Second Language; Stephen Mathis, a beloved teacher at the college who retired early due to health issues, professor emeritus of English; Wendy Shaffer, the college’s longtime grant writer who raised millions of dollars for the college and its students, dean emerita of development and Dr. Jorge Santiago, who taught sociology and social welfare and served as director of the Institute for Community Workforce Development at NECC, professor emeritus of sociology.
At Northern Essex, the rank of emeritus is an honor that recognizes sustained excellence in performance, character, and meritorious service to the college.
Outstanding Alumni Award: Dr. Eric Dickson ’88
Richard Padova, who teaches history and government at Northern Essex and is a member of the NECC Alumni Aboard, presented the Outstanding Alumni Award to Dr. Eric Dickson ’88, the commencement speaker.
“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, he served as a leading voice in the effort to resolve and mitigate difficult challenges in the healthcare industry, working through hospital bed and staff shortages while promoting safe practices. He has been frequently quoted in publications across Massachusetts and beyond for his expertise and his work to help the Commonwealth find viable solutions for a better tomorrow. And today… he served as our esteemed commencement speaker.”
Also, last February, Dr. Dickson created the Dr. Dan Coleman Respiratory Care Scholarship in honor of his former Northern Essex professor. He made an initial contribution of $10,000 and the endowed scholarship now has over $70,000.
Here’s a NECC 2022 Graduate List.
To learn more about NECC’s 2022 Commencement, visit the website.
Nursing Grad Plans Career in Emergency Medicine
Nathan Samoisette of Georgetown, MA had been working in the medical field since graduating from Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School in 2005, but he had never seriously considered continuing his education.
It wasn’t until a nursing manager pulled him aside and told him that he should go back to school that he decided to enroll at Northern Essex Community College, the first step in his journey toward a nursing degree, which he is earning with high honors in 2022.
“She told me that time would pass no matter what,” says Samoisette, “And that I had potential.”
Samoisette took it slow at first, enrolling in one course a semester. “I wanted to get into a routine,” he says. “Once I had confidence, I applied to the full-time nursing program.”
A once reluctant high school student, Samoisette thrived in the college environment, balancing a full-time job working the night shift as a CNA for Holy Family Hospital with full-time studies.
Sometimes he only got two to three hours of sleep a night, but he found a way to make it work, focusing on staying organized, doing things ahead of schedule if he had free time, and bringing his books with him everywhere so he could sneak in a few minutes to study when he had the opportunity.
Reflecting back after just having finished finals, Samoisette says the last two years were a blur. “It’s still surreal that I will be graduating,” he says. “At one point in my life, I thought I might be a CNA my entire career.”
Samoisette discovered that the emergency room was the right place for him during his clinical placements. When you consider that when he was younger he wanted to be a firefighter and loved watching Rescue 911, it all makes sense.
“I want to jump in the fire,” he says.
Samoisette will be taking his nursing boards in July and soon after that he hopes to be employed in the emergency room at Lawrence General Hospital.
Nursing runs in the Samoisette family. His brother, Matthew, graduated from Northern Essex with a certificate in Practical Nursing last summer and is now working in the field with plans to continue his education.
“It’s crazy that it’s over,” says Samoisette. “I want to start working and get to it!”
Learn more about the Nursing Program at Northern Essex.
Learn more about the 2022 NECC Commencement Exercises.
Pandemic had a Silver Lining for These Two NECC 2022 Grads
Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (May 4, 2022)-When their jobs in the hospitality field ended abruptly in March of 2020, due to COVID-19, Jenna Joseph of Methuen and Sydney Sampson of Haverhill, both single parents, pivoted, enrolling in Northern Essex Community College’s Lab Science Program in the hopes of pursuing more stable careers.
Now, just over two years later, the two are preparing to graduate, both with high honors, jobs and internship opportunities, and plans to continue their education in the clinical lab science program at UMass Lowell.
Joseph graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 2012 and she attended two colleges after high school but neither clicked. Up until the pandemic, she was working as a bartender and she and her now three-year old daughter were living with her parents.
“I knew I wanted to go back to school, and, with the pandemic, it was my opportunity,” she says. “I wanted to set an example for her and also have a job where I could be working when she’s in school.”
Joseph has a perfect 4.0 GPA and her hard work has led to two job offers—she’s accepted a position working in the lab at Lowell General.
Lab Science is a perfect fit for Joseph who has always been interested in the medical field, but not so much patient care. “I’m still helping people get a diagnosis,” she says.
Sampson, the mother of two boys, three and 10-years old, had been working as a cook at the Haverhill Country Club before the pandemic. She grew up in Florida and dropped out of high school her junior year, so was returning to school at 30 years old after more than a decade out of the classroom. “It was really hard at first but it got easier,” she says. “I began to look forward to it. I cried when I picked up my gap and gown. I never thought I would see that day.”
She always loved science so, when choosing a major, that’s what she gravitated toward. What clinched the decision was Pfizer’s development of a COVID vaccination. “Their ability to come up with a vaccine so quickly inspired me. Working for a company like that is my ultimate goal.”
Sampson will soon start an externship with HepatoChem in Beverly and she has been offered a full time position after the externship. She will be working with metabolites, which are necessary for the metabolic system.
Like Joseph, she plans to continue in the clinical lab science program at UMass Lowell and eventually go on for a master’s degree.
Both Joseph and Sampson credited the support that they received from their professors while in the program for their success. Professors Kevin Mitchell, Marguerite White-Jenneau and Kim Waligora, were so understanding and helpful, according to Joseph. “They make sure you pass and that you understand the material,” said Sampson.
The Laboratory Science Program at Northern Essex is a two-year program that prepares students for a laboratory career in a variety of fields, including biotechnology, environmental sciences, and analytical chemistry. The program includes an externship and graduates secure jobs in medical facilities, forensics, or quality control in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical manufacturing, and environmental industries.
For more information, contact Dr. Kevin Mitchell, program coordinator, 978 556-3343 or kmitchell1@necc.mass.edu
To learn more about the May 14 Commencement, visit the website.
Business Transfer Grad Headed to UMass Isenberg School of Management
Talking to Saviel Ortiz of Lawrence, a 2022 Northern Essex Community College Business Transfer grad, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Only 20-years old, he has worked in banking for two years, and is heading toward a career in commercial lending with an interest in helping to develop low-income communities across the Commonwealth.
A 2020 graduate of Greater Lawrence Technical School, Ortiz was a campus leader, serving as president of both the National Honor Society and his class. That year he was one of only five high school students across Massachusetts nominated as a Career and Technical Education Presidential Scholar.
When considering colleges, Joanna de Pena of Top Notch Scholars, a youth leadership organization, suggested he look at Northern Essex.
“She made me see how much I could save,” says Ortiz, who took advantage of Mass Transfer, which helps community college graduates transfer seamlessly to a state university, providing the most affordable route to a bachelor’s degree.
Graduating from Northern Essex with high honors and as one of two Northern Essex students selected for the Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Team, Ortiz has been accepted to the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, where he will be continuing his business studies this fall. He plans to eventually work toward a master’s in business.
His interest in banking started when he landed a co-op job as a bank specialist at Reading Cooperative Bank while still in high school.
After high school he began working 30 hours a week as a teller and was soon promoted to bank supervisor, traveling from branch to branch to service business clients.
The role of commercial lenders intrigued him and after shadowing one he says he found “That I really do like it.”
While Ortiz has excelled academically and in his career, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Taking classes online due to the pandemic was challenging, and he’s grateful to his academic coach Laurie Sorota, whom he met with monthly to learn time management, test taking, and organization skills. “I owe it all to her. With her advice, I did well.”
Ortiz also credits his mom, Amarilys Pena, whom he calls a “super star.” “She’s the ground and base of the family. She puts a lot of work in us, and keeps us on track.” His brother Alkenly Ortiz, who was also a Presidential Award winner, graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in architecture and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the field.
While Ortiz was leaning toward going to a four-year college directly after high school, he’s happy now that he started with Northern Essex. “It was my best choice. Starting here alleviated a lot of the stress. I could focus on class and now I’m ready for the four-year college.”
To learn more about the May 14 Commencement, visit the website.
Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.
Aspiring Lawrence Accountant will Address NECC Class of 2022
Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (April 28, 2022)-Iseline Mendoza of Lawrence, an accounting major, graduating with high honors, will be the student speaker at Northern Essex Community College’s 60th Annual Commencement Exercises, held on Saturday, May 14 on the Haverhill Campus.
After graduating from Lawrence High School in 2014, Iseline Mendoza spent six years pursuing a boxing career. With the birth of her son, now three, she decided she needed a career more conducive to raising a family and she enrolled at Northern Essex.
Mendoza has been a highly visible and inspiring campus leader. As president of the Student Government Association, she advocated for her fellow students on many levels, most notably in her efforts to build resources for students going through mental health issues, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.
Earlier this spring, she was selected to participate in a national panel on mental health on college campuses where she had the opportunity to interview Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general.
In addition to student government, Mendoza participated in the PACE Program; Alpha Beta Gamma, business honorary; and National Society of Leadership and Success.
After completing her coursework in December, Mendoza secured a full-time job in her field at Anstiss Certified Public Accountants. She credits the staff in NECC Career Services with helping her with her resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills. “They helped me build confidence, teaching me how to brag about myself,” she says. She also gained valuable skills through an internship with EN Business Solutions.
Mendoza plans to continue her studies in accounting at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the fall while continuing to work full time.
Cheering her on at commencement will be her support group including her husband, son, mother, step dad, uncle and other extended family members. “This is a privileged position. I’m so thankful to be able to go to college.”
Supporting her nomination for speaker were Stephanie Haskill, coordinator of student services; Mike McCarthy, vice president of administration; Marissa Elliott, business operations manager; and Lane Glenn, president.
Nominations were solicited from the college community and submitted to a committee of faculty and staff who selected Mendoza as their top choice.
To learn more about the May 14 commencement, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu/commencement
Business Transfer Grad Headed for UMass
When Kimberly Justo graduated from Lawrence High School in 2020, she was thrilled to receive many college acceptances—including an offer from her “dream school” Bryant University in Rhode Island—along with strong financial aid packages.
Still, she soon realized that she would be taking on substantial debt, and, as a practical person, paying for college herself, she knew she didn’t want to do that.
That’s why she decided to enroll at Northern Essex Community College for two years and earn her Business Transfer associate’s degree, before transferring to a four-year institution.
Sweetening the deal for her was the Lawrence Promise Program, which offers a free associate degree, covering tuition fees, a laptop, and textbooks, to graduating high school students who were enrolled in the Early College Program, taking Northern Essex classes while in high school.
Justo will graduate debt-free from Northern Essex in May with a 3.97 GPA (straight A’s plus one A-) and plans to transfer to UMass Amherst. Based on her stellar academic record, she has received significant scholarship packages from both schools.
Just 20 years old, Justo arrived in Lawrence from the Dominican Republic four years ago, speaking no English. Determined to learn the language, she taught herself in two months, primarily by watching television.
She’s soft-spoken, calm, and focused on her education and her future career. “I try to think about why I’m like this. I don’t like to fail. I like the way it feels when I’m doing my best.”
Justo also isn’t afraid to reach out for help, relying on many of the college’s resources including the academic and transfer advising offered through the PACE Program; the tutoring center, which she “always uses”; counseling services; and the college food pantry.
When she was looking for a summer job in the accounting field, she reached out to Career Services and, with their help, wrote an “awesome” resume and cover letter, which has already resulted in interview appointments.
For Justo, Northern Essex is the first step in her educational journey. After earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting, she wants to continue on, with CPA certification and graduate degrees in her field.
She says many of her friends didn’t attend college after high school, and she’s determined to change that. Thanks to her encouragement, two of her closest friends enrolled at Northern Essex this past semester, including one who is on track for a nursing degree.
As a high school senior, it was difficult to let go of the idea of her “dream college”, says Justo, but now, close to earning her associate degree, she wouldn’t change her decision. “I was kind of scared when I was starting college, but Northern Essex has resources that have helped me a lot. I feel ready to succeed at the next level.”
To learn more about the May 14 Commencement, visit the website.
NECC Announces Plans for 2022 Commencement, Including the Featured Speaker
Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (February 24, 2022)-The last two years, Northern Essex Community College had to dramatically change its traditional commencement celebration, due to COVID-19.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, students were invited to drive on campus and pick up celebration packages, followed by a virtual commencement on a later date.
And in 2021, five smaller commencement ceremonies, allowing socially distancing, were held.
This year, Northern Essex will return to its traditional commencement, complete with kilted bagpipers leading the commencement procession, a featured commencement speaker, and a post-commencement reception with refreshments, music, and photo opportunities. The ceremony will begin on Saturday, May 14 at 11 am under a 2,700-person tent on the Haverhill Campus. The latest COVID-19 safety guidelines will be practiced.
Northern Essex is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year and this will be the college’s 60th Annual Commencement.
“It feels so good to return to “normal” after the past two years,” said Lane Glenn, Northern Essex president. “We know how important it is to our students to walk across the commencement stage and receive their well-earned diploma. They and their families appreciate the pageantry of our traditional ceremony, which they will be able to experience again this year.”
This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Eric Dickson ’88.
Dr. Dickson is now a physician and CEO of Worcester’s UMass Memorial Health, the third largest health care system in Massachusetts, employing over 16,500 individuals, but, in the late 1980’s, he was a respiratory care student at Northern Essex, who was unsure of what direction his future would take and open to guidance.
Dr. Daniel Coleman of Andover, a pulmonologist and medical advisor to the college’s Respiratory Care Program for the past 35 years, recognized the young man’s potential and suggested he consider becoming a physician.
“He (Dr. Coleman) was the first person in my life who recommended that I go to medical school and become a doctor. His mere suggestion in that moment started my career trajectory, which culminated in my current role…I’ll always be grateful for Dr. Coleman’s encouragement that led me to where I am today.”
After earning his associate degree in respiratory care from Northern Essex in 1988, he went on to get a master’s degree from Harvard University and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
In addition to the featured speaker, there will be a student speaker selected by faculty and staff and awards will be presented including the Outstanding Alumni Award, Social Justice Award, and Emeritus.
To learn more about Northern Essex’s 60th Annual Commencement Ceremony, visit the website.
Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.
