Success for All at NECC

Introduction

Background

Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is, at its core, an open-door institution. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has access to an equitable, affordable, and exceptional academic experience at every step of their journey with us.

Striving toward equity and accessibility is not only key to our mission; it is also critical to the livelihood of our institution. NECC serves one of the lowest-income student populations of all 106 colleges and universities in the Commonwealth. It also maintains a long-standing status as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), having been the first college in New England to receive this federal designation. These qualities combined make equity imperative to every facet of our work. We are committed to eliminating equity gaps, and dismantling the structures that inhibit success. Our latest strategic plan, Success for All at NECC, reflects our devotion to this value.

Threaded throughout this plan is the vision behind the Integrated Student Experience (an NECC initiative which ensures an integrated, structured, and inclusive student experience at every level), along with the ongoing initiatives launched through our Strategic Plan 2020, such as the continued prioritization of our campus’ financial health, safety of students and employees, and continuous improvement practices.

In addition, Northern Essex Community College thrives as part of a statewide system of higher education that includes vital community college and university partners. We have played an important role in the creation and leadership of the statewide SUCCESS (Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services) initiative, which is entirely aimed at closing equity gaps, particularly for low-income students and students of color.

Regionally, NECC is an active member of the Northeast Consortium of Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (NECCUM), a collective of eleven public and private institutions of higher education; and helped create the recently formed Northeast Regional Collaborative, a cooperative effort among NECC, Middlesex Community College, North Shore Community College and Salem State University. Both groups regularly work together toward closing equity gaps, improving student success, and ensuring the most efficient operations of our colleges.

NECC is also deeply interwoven with PK-12 school districts in our region, where we are now home to three state-designated Early College partnerships (with Haverhill High School, Lawrence High School, and Whittier Regional Technical High School), and one of the largest enrollments of Early College students in the state.

The goals outlined here will, alongside our college, regional, and statewide partners, inspire accomplishments that significantly improve the environment and success outcomes of our community. We are proud to outline, in the following pages, the goals, metrics and strategies that have been developed by our entire college community.

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