Academic Advising Staff

Advising Campus Locations

Campus	Location	Phone
Haverhill	Behrakis One Stop Student Center, 2nd Floor, CPAC	978-556-3440
Lawrence	Dr. Ibrahim El Hefni Allied Health and Technology Center, 1st Floor, LC 129

Academic Advising Staff

Academic Advising Staff Contact Info
Name	Location	Phone	Email
Grace Young, Dean, Academic & Career Advising, Articulation, and Transfer	SC212A and LC 131	978-556-3449	gyoung@necc.mass.edu
Solanyi Muñoz, Special Program Coordinator for Dislocated Workers	LC129	978-655-5924	smunoz@necc.mass.edu
Linda Bradish, EDP Entry Operator IV, Haverhill	Outside SC212A	978-556-3445	lbradish@necc.mass.edu
Nelfa Pimentel, FT Clerk III	LC129	978-655-5909	npimentel@necc.mass.edu
Candy Rentas, Administrative Assistant II, Haverhill	Outside SC212A	978-556-3443	crentas@necc.mass.edu
Jayne Ducharme, Coordinator of Academic Advising, Lawrence Read Jayne’s Bio	LC 129	978-655-5914	jducharme@necc.mass.edu
Stephanie Wares, Coordinator of Academic Advising, Haverhill Read Stephanie’s Bio	CPAC-18	978-556-3446	swares@necc.mass.edu
Martha Bixby, Academic Advisor, Haverhill Read Martha’s Bio	CPAC-11	978-556-3450	mbixby@necc.mass.edu
Vanessa Desani, Academic Advisor Read Vanessa’s Bio	LC 129	978 655-5921	vdesani@necc.mass.edu
Jeffrey Flaherty, Academic Advisor, Lawrence Read Jeffrey’s Bio	LC 129	978-655-5918	jflaherty@necc.mass.edu
Amanda Fregeau, Academic & Transfer Advisor, Haverhill Read Amanda’s Bio	CPAC-9	978-556-3436	afregeau@necc.mass.edu
Maria Hernandez, Academic Advisor, Lawrence Read Maria’s Bio	LC129	978-655-5915	mhernandez@necc.mass.edu

Advising Staff Bios

Jayne Ducharme

Jayne hails from the great state of Massachusetts. She graduated with a BA in English and Communications from Assumption College and earned her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Jayne worked in secondary education and student affairs for many years prior to starting as an Academic Advisor at NECC in 2006. Jayne currently serves as Coordinator of Academic Advising on the Lawrence Campus. In the Coordinator’s role, Jayne serves as a resource for the Lawrence Career Planning and Advising Center Team. Her favorite day is St. Patrick’s Day because she loves being Irish.

Stephanie Wares

Stephanie is originally from Lockport, New York. She has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from SUNY Fredonia and a MS in Mental Health Counseling from Canisius College. Stephanie has many years’ experience in Residence Life, Admissions and Counseling along with a passion for women’s psychology. She joined NECC in 2011 and currently serves as Coordinator of Academic Advising and Community Referral for the Haverhill campus. In the Coordinator’s role, Stephanie serves as a resource for the Haverhill Career Planning and Advising Center Team. Stephanie made her theatrical debut in the NECC Top Notch adaptation of the Vagina Monologues.

Martha Bixby, Academic Advisor, Haverhill

Martha grew up in Groveland, Massachusetts and earned her Associates Degree in Computer Operations and Accounting from Northern Essex Community College. Upon transferring from NECC, Martha earned a BS in Business Studies, a MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University. She began working at NECC in 2008 and became an Academic Advisor in 2011. She currently assists with the advising of students in the Adult Literacy & Transition Programs. Martha enjoys volunteering at her church and loves Lifetime movies.

Vanessa Desani

Vanessa is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil. She received her BA in Portuguese and English Language & Literature from Sao Paulo University and her M. Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Cambridge College. She also earned a Portuguese & English Community and Legal Interpreter certificate from Boston University. She has been in the U.S. for almost nine years and has worked very close to the Latino community in Allston and Framingham, where she taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for social justice and diversity groups’ empowerment. Vanessa started her career at NECC in 2015 and she currently serves as an Academic Advisor and Community Referral on the Lawrence Campus. Vanessa loves summer and she keeps wearing her Brazilian flip-flops over the winter.

Jeffrey Flaherty

Jeff is originally from Rochester, New York. He earned a BA in Communications Management and a M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Services from the University of Dayton. Jeff joined NECC in 2014. Prior to that he worked as an Academic Advisor at the University of Connecticut and Dean College. Jeff also has many years’ experience working in Residence Life. He was the mascot and mascot coach at the University of Dayton, and is always willing to talk about his alma mater. Last but not least, Jeff participated in Up With People where he traveled performing live musical shows, staying with host families, and doing community service work in cities and towns all over the world.

Amanda Fregeau

Amanda grew up in Athol, MA. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Westfield State University in Psychology and Master’s Degree from Fitchburg State University in Counseling. Amanda began working at NECC in 2015 and joined the Academic Advising Team in 2016. She also has a background in Residential Life, New Student Orientation and Secondary Education. She is an avid sports fan and dog lover.

Maria Hernandez

Maria grew up in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She graduated with a BA in International Relations from Utica College and earned her MA in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University. Maria worked with various international development nonprofit organizations prior to entering the field of higher education where she worked for many years as an International Student & Scholar Advisor. Maria currently serves as an Academic Advisor on the Lawrence Campus. Maria has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa and is multilingual. She is currently working on her Arabic.

Northern Essex Community College

Academic Advising Staff

Advising Campus Locations