The year 2023 has been a momentous one, with historic investments from the state in higher education, faculty getting national recognition, students traveling around the globe and community partners showing up for Northern Essex Community College in meaningful ways.

Celebrate these major milestones with a look back on the top NECC Newsroom stories from 2023.

Governor Maura Healey

Investing in Education
In her first budget as governor, Maura Healey delivered some of the Commonwealth’s most significant investments in higher education ever. It included funding for MassReconnect, Tuition Equity, and Nursing Program Scholarships and funds to build capacity to make community college free for all next year. Several of 2023’s most-read stories centered around these ground-breaking programs:

Tuition Equity Bill Included in State Budget, Allows Undocumented Students to Receive In-State Tuition  
Governor Healey Celebrates Tuition Equity at Northern Essex
Finding a Fresh Start: Meet the Students of Mass Reconnect
TikTok Creator Influencing his Community to Try MassReconnect

Members of the NECC Baseball team participated in a community service project in the Dominican Republic

NECC Goes Global
Northern Essex students are known locally and across the state for achieving excellence. This year, they let the world see their talents. Two of the year’s top stories focused on once-in-a-lifetime experiences of traveling abroad:

Journalism Student to Attend Highly Selective Study Abroad Program at The Hague, Netherlands
Northern Essex Baseball Team Visits the Dominican Republic

Erin Archambault, Public Health Major

Student Success
Students find success in a number of ways at Northern Essex, and many credit the help of faculty and staff. Of the most-read stories of 2023, three showcase the hard work of those students, faculty, and staff:

NECC Faculty and Staff Nationally Recognized
Public Health Student Lands Competitive Internship
Early College Student Finds Place and Passion on NECC’s Accessible Media Team

Diana DiZoglio, Public Service and Advocacy Award

The Care of the Community 
Much of the accomplishments of those at NECC are made possible with the help of generous community partners and local businesses. Two stories that resonated with readers this year demonstrate how collaborations can have a ripple effect through our communities:

Five Honored at Inaugural NECC Impact Awards
New Noncredit Courses Now Available for Winter and Spring 

Do you have an idea for a great story for 2024? Want to share your accomplishments or those of your peers? Contact Melissa Bouse, director of public relations at mbouse@necc.mass.edu. Thank you to all who have shared your stories and made 2023 one to remember!