Haverhill, MA (September 3, 2025) — The first Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees meeting of the new academic year took place on the Haverhill Campus in early September. Topics included updates on campus building and improvement projects, a look at current enrollment, and the introduction of two new members of the board.

New Trustees

This was the first meeting for new trustees Dr. Zandra Kelley and Melissa Horne. Kelley is the President and CEO of the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. The Andover resident previously served as Chief Medical Officer for the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and as Chief of Family Medicine at Lawrence General Hospital.

Horne, of Haverhill, is a Human Services major at Northern Essex. She was elected to serve as the student representative on the Board of Trustees. A mother of six, Horne’s two oldest children are also enrolled at NECC, while another child is part of the Early College program through Whittier Tech.

“This fall will be the second time one of my children and I will be in the same class,” she said. “NECC has been such an important part of my and my family’s lives.”

Enrollment Update

NECC President Lane Glenn shared that enrollment for the fall semester [at the time of the meeting] was up 11.5% over the same time the previous year. This marks the first time the headcount has crossed the 5,000 mark since 2018.

“And we’re talking about just the fall. That’s still the biggest start time for our students, and the significance of the beginning of a new academic year is still important. We also have 11 start times throughout the year,” Glenn pointed out. “So, how we tally enrollment and how we bring students into the college is a lot more flexible.”

President Glenn’s update also included a snapshot of funding for the upcoming academic year. He noted that Massachusetts has “held the line” in terms of higher ed funding for the year, though there could be some changes to book vouchers under the MassEducate program. With less certainty at the federal level, Glenn said the college has taken a more conservative approach to budgeting this fiscal year.

Campus Projects

NECC CFO/COO Michael McCarthy updated the Trustees on several ongoing campus improvement projects. Work on the B and E buildings on the Haverhill Campus is expected to be completed by September 2026. The $20 million project includes a new roof, new windows, a larger elevator, improved ramps, and a more efficient HVAC system.

While an initial plan for improvement to the Health and Wellness facilities at the college did not move forward, McCarthy said his team is exploring new options to provide better athletic fields and add tennis courts and a full track. “These updates and additions would allow the college to host meets and tournaments, which bring people to the area and, in turn, helps the communities.”

McCarthy also shared that a project to install solar panels on the Haverhill Campus is progressing. “The panels would generate 23% of the energy for the campus, which would amount to $3 million in savings over 20 years.”

The NECC Board of Trustees includes nine members whom the governor of the state appoints to a maximum of two five-year terms, as well as an alumni-elected member, who also serves a maximum of ten years, and the student trustee, who serves for two semesters. The next board meeting will be held on October on the Haverhill Campus. A full list of meeting dates and more information about the Board of Trustees can be found on the webpage.