Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (OFFICIAL) – March 5, 2025
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room TC103AB in the David Hartleb Technology Center located at 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, MA on March 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. A Zoom Teleconference option was also available.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow
Ms. Fernandez (arrived at 5:12 p.m.)
Mr. Gomez
Mr. Hamm
Ms. Hatem-Roy
Ms. Mohammed
Ms. O’Rorke (joined via Zoom at 5:09 p.m.)
Mr. Silverio
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Mr. Cousins, Ms. Quiles, Ms. Sanchez
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn (joined via Zoom)
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. with a roll call of attendance and a quorum present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Borislow asked for a motion to approve the December 11, 2024 minutes and the February 5, 2025 minutes with a correction to the February 5, 2025 minutes. Trustee Hatem-Roy did not attend the Massachusetts Governance Leadership Institute.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Gomez and seconded by Trustee Silverio, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the December 11, 2024 minutes as presented and the amended February 5, 2025 minutes.
Trustee O’Rorke arrived via Zoom at 5:09 p.m.
CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees:
President Glenn introduced and welcomed NECC’s newest employees: Lauren Shultz, Senior Project Manager; Alfred Denesowicz, Veteran Services Special & Populations Coordinator; and Nicole Sabando, Marketing Communications Specialist. The Trustees also welcomed the newest employees.
Trustee Fernandez arrived at 5:12 p.m.
EDUCATION REPORT:
a) GSP Development and Implementation by Donna Bertolino and Tom Greene
President Glenn introduced Vice President for Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson who introduced Dean Donna Bertolino and interim Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs Tom Greene. Dean Bertolino oversees enrollment services including the Welcome Express.
Dean Bertolino and Assistant Vice President Greene presented on the Guided Self-Placement (GSP) Gateway Course Impact. This initiative is aimed at changing admission policy and reducing developmental course work. Since 1999, the College Board has guided placement though ACCUPLACER- a three-hour, in-person test that does not provide the student with opportunity to explain. Over time, the ACCUPLACER has been found to be penalizing to non-white students. In 2014, NECC implemented multiple measures for consideration in admissions decisions, but still included the ACCUPLACER.
With the support of a large team of faculty and staff, NECC has transitioned away from ACCUPLACER and adopted the Guided Self-Placement model. The GSP model invites the student to answer a series of can-do statements to access their level. The assessment can be completed on campus, at home, or remotely at the students’ convenience. It can be completed in 3-5 minutes with immediate results. With the GPS placement model, we have seen a modest increase in Gateway Course pass rates.
Q: Trustee Silverio asked to clarify how long the new placement test took? A: Under the ACCUPLACER model students had to sit for a 3-hour, in-person test and wait for results. The GSP model takes 3-5 minutes (sometimes 7-8 if English is not the student’s primary language) with immediate results.
Q: Trustee Fernandez asked if the advocacy for the GPS model has resulted in a shift in the culture. A: Yes, although it is not being formally tracked, we can see the shift.
Q: Trustee Mohammed asked if this would replace student advising. She also asked why wasn’t special training be put in place to allow advisors to capture the student’s voice prior to the GSP model? A: The student voice was captured in previous models; however, Massachusetts Law require ACCUPLACER and developmental coursework as part of the educational structure. That has been softening over the last decade.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE:
Chair Borislow, Trustee Hatem-Roy, and President Glenn attended the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) 2025 Community College National Legislative Summit. The summit was the largest one that Chair Borislow remembers attending. The focus centered on funding and resources, and although the legislative priorities shifted as the summit progressed, it was very productive. Chair Borislow commended President Lane for “going to all ends” and recognized his strong voice for the State and his relationship building.
Chair Borislow reminded the Trustees that Giving Day was approaching and requested that all Trustees participate.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee: There was no report.
b) Alumni Advancement Sub-Committee: Trustee Fernandez thanked Chair Borislow for the Giving Day reminder. The date is April 3, 2025. She asked Trustees to share ideas for challenges and matching gifts. The focus of Giving Day is on participation and building the pipeline. The 2025 goal is 225 participants. The dollar goal is $50,000. Trustee O’Rorke asked the sub-committee to consider $65,000 to coincide with the College’s 65th Anniversary.
The 3rd Annual Impact Awards will be on May 3, 2025. She encouraged all Trustees to come. If Trustees would like to sponsor the event or know of corporation/organizations that participate in sponsorships, please reach out to Allison Dolan-Wilson with contact information.
c) Nominating Sub-Committee: The packet with the new Trustee recommendations has been submitted to the State Board of Higher Ed.
d) Presidential Evaluation Sub-Committee: The sub-committee met early today and is on track to have a recommendation by the deadline.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
f) Institutional Advancement Report: FY24 Fundraising Overview: Agenda item 8f was taken out of order because Vice President Dolan-Wilson had a conflicting commitment. Vice President Dolan-Wilson presented an overview of FY24 Fundraising. The foundation holds over $9M in net assets and provided over $900K in direct support for scholarships, faculty and student research, and capital improvements. Over 100 students benefited from $212.2K in scholarship awards. Vice President Dolan-Wilson emphasized the need to continuously monitor and review how we obtain and use data. Good data make for good stories that help us raise money. She highlighted the Internship Stipends that can provide students with up to $2,500 for unpaid internships. This investment has resulted in a 100% completion rate for students who receive the funding. Vice President Dolan-Wilson shared the FY26 advancement initiatives including: developing a comprehensive stewardship guide, drafting new management strategies as the pipeline grows, and identifying new corporate and foundation partnerships.
a) National Policy, Legislative, and Litigation Update:
President Glenn began his report with an update on the Federal Government executive orders. The continued focus is on program that are centered on DEI, gender identity, and immigration. Some colleges have begun to receive demands of attestation letters. College president can be held criminally liable for not attesting or falsifying attestation records, and in MA presidents can be held liable for not following state law. The state schools are working closely with counsel to prepare for action when required. President Glenn explained that we are analyzing where we are vulnerable if federal funding is affected. MA presidents are receiving daily legal counsel updates and the President’s Alliance is holding biweekly meetings and taking the lead in part because they were instrumental in the implementing tuition equity.
Q: Trustee Fernandez asked how the community is doing? Are we checking in with students, faculty, and staff about anxiety and frustration? A: Yes, and we will continue to assess in a measured way and communicate (1) accurate and (2) timely information. We will follow the law even if we are advocating for something different.
Trustee Mohammed acknowledged the resources provided for international students. She expressed the need for continued, broad communication about how international student can protect themselves (e.g., how to make sure that documents are in order) and the need for counseling resources.
b) Whittier Tech Project: The working group is developing a timeline and drafting a community support letter template. There is a continued focus on financing so that the project can moved forward with the support letters.
c) Vice Presidents Searches: The Provost position is being transitioned back to a Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) and a Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA). Vice President Dolan-Wilson is chairing the VPSA search, and President Glenn is chairing the VPAA search. We anticipate having the finalist for both positions come to campus the last week in April so that faculty and students are available. President Glenn also noted Mike McCarthy’s new title as Executive Vice President in recognition for his decade-long service to the College.
d) Recap of ACCT National Legislative Summit: The 2025 Community College Federal Legislative Priorities “green sheet” was handed out at the top of the meeting. President Glenn highlighted some of the priorities including: Support Workforce Pell Grants for Students in Short-Term Programs, Strengthening the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and End the Taxation of Pell Grants. President Glenn encouraged all Trustees to attend at least one ACCT conference over the next two years.
e) Updates from NECC Legislative Breakfast: A number of local legislators joined the NECC leadership cabinet and members of the Whittier Tech staff for breakfast on February 14. President Lane shared the Whittier Tech at NECC: A Shared Vision for Career and College Readiness presentation, followed by lively discussion with the legislators. After the breakfast, they attended NECC Police Academy Graduation in the Sport and Fitness Center.
g) Campus Updates:
Vice President for the Lawrence Campus & Community Relations Naydeen González-De Jesús is settling in and is in “full-swing.” She has already launched the LP Education Attainment Subcommittee- a community group focused on education attainment in Lawrence.
In Haverhill, with the last Police Academy Graduation, NECC has helped to prepare over 800 new officers serving in 70 departments across the Commonwealth. A new cohort has just started and Trustees will receive an invitation to the next graduation.
d) Save-the-Date:
· Student Annual Awards Convocation, Tuesday, May 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sport & Fitness Center, Haverhill Campus
· Early College Recognition Ceremony, Thursday, May 15, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Quad, Haverhill Campus
· NECC 63rd Commencement Exercises, Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Quad, Haverhill Campus
e) Communique: President Glenn spotlighted NECC’s Solutions for Businesses. He further brought attention to NECC and Merrimack College Sign Admissions Agreement and President Hopey’s announcement that NECC students may be eligible for up to $10,000 in scholarship funding when transferring to Merrimack College.
Trustee O’Rorke requested leadership follow charts for the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chair Borislow noted that the board had three motions to approve.
a) Limited X-Ray Machine Certificate
Chair Borislow called for a motion to approve the new Limited X-Ray Machine Certificate program.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Hamm and seconded by Trustee Mohammed, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the new Limited X-Ray Machine Operator Certificate in the Radiologic Technology program within the Division of Health Professions at Northern Essex Community College.
b) Academic Restart Policy
Chair Borislow called for a motion to approve the Academic Restart Policy. The Academic Restart is a one-time opportunity for NECC students to exclude failing grades from their cumulative GPA. This policy is designed to help returning students recover their GPA and return to Academic Good Standing more quickly.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Fernandez and seconded by Trustee Gomez, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the Academic Restart policy for Northern Essex Community College.
c) Grants
Chair Borislow noted six grants for approval totaling $741,250.00 and asked for a motion to approve the grants collectively. They were:
1) Massachusetts Clean Energy Center: Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network Initiative Planning Grant | *$ 50,000.00
2) Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Community College Workforce Training Incentive Grant | $ 80,278.00
3) Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) Implementation Program | $ 110,453.00
4) Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) Planning Program |$ 29,619.00
5) United States Department of Education/Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)/Framingham State University: Career and AI Readiness While Remixing Open Textbooks Through an Equity Lens (CA-ROTEL) | $ 460,175.00
6) United States Department of Education/Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)/Framingham State University: Remixing Open Textbooks through an Equity Lens (ROTEL) | $ 10,725.00
*Pending Sponsor Approval
On a Motion presented by Trustee Hamm and seconded by Trustee O’Rorke, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the six grants (ADM-3913-030525, ADM-3914-030525, ADM-3915-030525, ADM-3916-030525, ADM-3917-030525, and ADM-3918-030525,) totaling $741,250.00 as presented.
OTHER BUSINESS: There was none.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chair Borislow adjourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m.
