"Geography is destiny," said Lane Glenn, president of NECC, referring to a common issue Lawrence-area students face when pursuing a four-year degree — access to transportation.
Noemi Custodia-Lora, vice president of NECC's Lawrence campus and community relations, said students who work full-time and/or have family commitments find it difficult to commute to a four-year institution.
"We have seen many students unable to continue their education due to an inability to leave their responsibilities in their community,” she said.
Regis College, a private Catholic college in Weston and Northern Vermont University (formerly Lyndon State College) in Vermont, offer bachelor programs at NECC for students with associate degrees.
In addition to accessibility, students enrolled at Northern Vermont University at NECC enjoy Massachusetts in-state tuition, making their degrees in computer information systems and graphic design an affordable option.
"Northern Vermont students at NECC are able to go further by staying closer," said Nolan Atkins, provost at the school.
Regis College offers four bachelor degree programs - sports management, health sciences, nursing, and public health at the satellite campus known as Regis North which includes four renovated classrooms and computer labs on the second floor of 420 Common St.
Yanina Riley was among the first group of students to graduate with a bachelor's degree from Regis North last May. She is now an interpreter at Lawrence General Hospital and pursuing a master's degree in health administration at Regis.
"There are many other Yaninas out there, single moms, working full time, and assuming they cannot pursue education," she said.
