Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (OFFICIAL) – February 14, 2024
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room TC103A&B in the Hartleb Technology Center at the Haverhill Campus on February 14, 2024 at 5:00 PM. A Zoom Teleconference option was also available.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow (via Zoom)
Ms. O’Rorke (via Zoom, left at 6:01PM)
Mr. Gomez (via Zoom)
Ms. Paley Nadel
Ms. Fernandez
Mr. Silverio
Mr. Hamm
Mr. Vasquez
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Ms. Quiles, Ms. Sanchez
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM with a roll call of attendance and a quorum present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairwoman Borislow asked for a motion to approve the December 6, 2023 meeting minutes.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Paley Nadel and seconded by Trustee Silverio, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the December 6, 2023 minutes as presented.
CORRESPONDENCE:
There was none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees (Verbal)
President Glenn introduced several new employees to the Board. They were:
– Karen Correll, Part time Business Manager, Marketing and Communications;
– Jessa Heath, Full time Academic Advisor, Student Success Hub;
– Jacqueline Lynch, Exec. Dir. Of the Center for Adult Education;
– Theresa Mullin, Full time EDP Systems Analyst III, MIS;
– Annalyssa Murphy, Full time Assistant Professor of Sociology;
– Solveig Schilling, Full time Recruitment Counselor, Enrollment Services;
– Kirstin Shephard, Full time Recruitment Counselor, Enrollment Services;
– Christopher Sicuranza, Chief of Staff, President’s Office; and
– Peter Twichell, Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations.
The board welcomed the new employees to NECC.
In the interest of their time, Dr. Glenn asked to take the Audit and Finance Committee report out of order so that the GW&K staff could be available for any questions. The report by Committee Chair Hamm is below under Report of Board Committees.
EDUCATION REPORT:
a) Where STEM Meets the Workforce (ADM-3838-021424)
President Glenn introduced Dr. Carolyn Knoepfler, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) who provided the Education Report. Dean Knoepfler thanked Dr. Glenn for the introduction, and she noted that her report would focus on STEM with a specific emphasis on the Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) area and their new, engaging work as a highlight of the presentation.
Dean Knoepfler noted that the STEM area is well-enrolled with 93 Biology majors, 41 Chemistry/Physics/ Environmental Science majors, 13 Lab Science, 141 CIS: Computer Science majors, 77 CIS: Information Tech and another 53 students majoring in CIS: Networking and Security. NECC’s Computer Networking certificate currently has 6 students enrolled, and there are 118 students in the Engineering programs.
In an effort to get underrepresented students into information technology careers, NECC is currently participating in a Department of Labor Consortium grant called Tech Rise: Advancing Equity for Women and People of Color in Information Technology, and noted that the program is primarily housed at Bunker Hill Community College. In addition, NECC is participating in the Strengthening Community College Training Grant program (also at BHCC), and the purpose is to fund job training for women and people of color in the IT industry focusing on skill development, reskilling and quality jobs.
NECC’s grant activities this year included creating challenge exams for folks that have experience in the workforce, but don’t have a degree in CIS to advance their career. Dean Knoepfler noted that the creation of the exams is a huge step forward allowing students to get various credit in Computer Applications, Introduction to Linus, and Computer Sciences. Other additional grant activities include the redesign of the COP 104 class which will make this course more applicable to the field of Computer Forensics and will better prepare students for an internship. In addition, the CIS:IT area held an Open House on October 19th in the evening as well as a Hackathon event on October 27th. These events help students to work on soft skills, and explain how to communicate with employers.
Going forward in 2024, Dr. Knoepfler noted that the division will continue to work on the Tech Rise grant, developing more challenge exams, holding open houses, and working on advisory boards and consortium help as well. Working with North Shore Community College, NECC is also submitting Google grant for a Cybersecurity Clinic here at NECC which will help to train students to assess cybersecurity issues. Internships will be paid for by the grant, and students will receive a laptop as part of this program/ opportunity which dovetails nicely with the Tech Rise grant.
In closing, Dean Knoepfler extended many thanks to STEM faculty Jay Termini, Michael Penta, and Devan Walton for their work and support of STEM students.
Chairwoman Borislow thanked Dean Knoepfler for her report and asked what is the likelihood that NECC would be awarded the Google Grant? Dean Knoepfler noted that NECC jumped at opportunity to apply, but also vetted the program very carefully to ensure it was a good fit. She noted that she is very hopeful that the college will receive the grant, and it as a true team effort.
In closing, President Glenn thanked Dean Knoepfler for her report and noted that there is an exciting and dizzying array of opportunities with every grant that comes before the NECC board, and this is certainly an exciting one.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE:
Chairwoman Borislow provided two brief updates:
1) President Glenn, Chair Borislow, and Chief of Staff Christopher Sicuranza recently attended the ACCT Legislative Summit in Washington, DC where they had an opportunity to meet with over 1,000 attendees from across the United States. The focus of the Summit was on workforce development and the role community colleges play in workforce development. She noted that along with the help of MACC staff, she, Lane and Chris, along with several college leaders attended meetings with legislative leaders on Capitol Hill with a goal to express the continued need to provide successful experiences for students by helping to influence legislation to do so. It was a very insightful experience, and she encouraged other trustees to attend next year.
2) Chairwoman Borislow also congratulated Trustee Lloyd Hamm for his recent nomination for NECC’s Impact Awards which will be held at NECC’s Haverhill Campus on May 1st. Chairwoman Borislow encouraged trustees to attend.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit and Finance Sub-Committee: (This agenda item was taken out of order, and before the Education Report above).
Committee Chair Lloyd Hamm noted that the Audit and Finance committee met just prior to the meeting. In the packet, Trustees received the FY24 Quarter 2 Budget update (AFC-24-03) and the GW&K Investment Management Update (AFC-24-04). The committee heard the terrific presentation by the GW&K team noting that NECC has had consistent and excellent performance over the last twenty-five years. Chair Hamm noted that the trustees can review the reports, and noted that the auditors were present to address any follow up questions if necessary.
With none, President Glenn thanked Jim McCarthy from GW&K again for his time with committee
b) Alumni Advancement Sub-Committee: Committee Chair Fernandez reminded trustees about the May 1st Impact Awards breakfast and noted that Lloyd Hamm will be receiving the Community Partner Award, Jennifer Borislow will be receiving the Philanthropic & Volunteerism Award, the Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented to immigration attorney Zoila Gomez, the Public Service & Advocacy Award to Rep. Andy Vargas of Haverhill, and the Equity and Social Justice Award will be presented to Governor Maura Healy. Trustee Fernandez encouraged trustees to attend, share the information on social media, and thanked them for their support.
c) Equity Imperative Sub-Committee: Committee Chair Paley-Nadel noted that the group is scheduled to meet in two weeks, but she did meet with VP of Lawrence Campus Noemi Custodia-Lora to talk about the future direction of the committee’s work and to discuss opportunities to track equity initiatives across the college. The team will look at a variety of learners and create a council of faculty and staff to help drive the work. The Committee continues their focus on increased student access, bilingual access, and meeting students where they are in the learning journey.
d) Nominating Sub-Committee: President Glenn noted that the college is anticipating one appointment to the board very soon. That candidate is in process with the Governor’s office, so we anticipate that appointment soon.
e) Presidential Evaluation Sub-Committee: Chairwoman Borislow noted that the Evaluation Committee will be reconstituted soon, and the first meeting will be scheduled to discuss the process for President Glenn’s 2024 annual evaluation.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
a) Institutional Advancement Report: FY23 Fundraising Overview (Verbal)
President Glenn introduced Vice President of Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson who provided an overview of FY23 fundraising activity.
Ms. Dolan-Wilson began with an overview of the department’s objectives which is to raise funds, to strategically engage external partners in NECC events/campaigns, and to properly use data to evaluate areas of future growth and make informed decisions. She went on to report that the Foundation has raised more than $2 million this year and currently has over $9.5 million in net assets. The Foundation has provided in excess of $1 million in direct support to NECC for scholarship, faculty and student research, and capital improvements. The NECC Foundation has also secured $1.3 million toward the endowment.
In terms of private funds raised, Ms. Dolan-Wilson noted that they are moving in the right direction with over $2.2 million raised in FY23 which was the highest of the last five years and a significant increase from FY21 and FY22.
Ms. Dolan-Wilson then provided FY23 financial highlights by fundraising initiative including the NECC Fund, Private Grants, and Endowed Funds, and provided a synopsis of the impact the use of these funds has had on NECC students including the impact of scholarship awards to students and payment of internship stipends to students so that they can earn money while learning. She also noted that the NECC Lift Campaign supported the Lawrence and Haverhill Promise Programs and provided generous support to students in our Hospitality programming.
Looking forward in FY24, the department has a number of new and on-going initiatives including NECC’s third annual Giving Day on April 4, 2024, the development and implementation of Donor Societies, the development of a Gift Acceptance Policy to strengthen NECC’s position as a philanthropic destination, and improved navigation and content/layout of NECC’s donor webpage through the Donor Web Experience/Publicity initiative.
In other Institutional Advancement updates, Ms. Dolan-Wilson noted that Career Services will expand the internship program, the Development area has raised almost $12 million in public sector grants to support college projects, programs and services, and MassHire is experiencing an influx in service numbers. MassHire has also developed a new grant to assist sheltered immigrants. In addition, the Marketing/Communication area launched three new tools, “Campus Communicators” workshop series, a streamlined NECC ONE for daily/weekly faculty/staff updates, and created a toolbox for faculty/staff to use in developing college presentations and materials so that they align with college branding standards. The Institutional Effectiveness area continues to monitor and support the NECC Strategic Plan encouraging assessment and informed improvement, and the Center for Corporate and Community Education continues to make strides in the area of workforce development. In closing, Ms. Dolan-Wilson thanked the trustees for their time.
Trustees Fernandez and Paley Nadel thanked Allison and the full Institutional Advancement team for the massive amount of work being produced by that area. Both extended congratulations on this work and thinking ahead about NECC’s needs. Ms. Paley Nadel also noted that she appreciated hearing the background/story telling on giving as it provides trustees with something to carry into the community.
Trustee Hamm extended thanks to Allison and her staff on behalf of the Newburyport Bank. He noted that this great work doesn’t just happen by accident, and he expressed how proud he is to be affiliated with Northern Essex.
b) ACCT National Legislative Summit (Verbal) President Glenn noted that Chair Borislow covered this topic under her Chair’s report.
c) Mass. Association of Community Colleges – FY25 Budget Priorities (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that Trustees were provided with a copy of the MACC FY25 budget and Legislative priorities that will also be shared with our legislative delegation at the upcoming Legislative breakfast on campus. He noted that one of the non-budget priories is the FASFA completion requirement. He is working closely with Representative Andy Vargas on this priority to ensure that this gets accomplished swiftly. Another big item will be the FY25 Free Community College priority. With revenues declining in the state, he notes, we want to give as much shape to this priority as possible. We will have to see how this is going to play out over the next few months. As a reminder, we typically don’t have a finalized budget by June, so we will act as quickly as possible, but it’s important to note that the college will need time to implement it. Dr. Glenn noted that he would provide another update next month on this.
d) NECC Observer: The Glass Ceiling is Broken, by Sally O’Rorke (ADM-3839-021424)
President Glenn was pleased to distribute to trustees a copy of Trustee O’Rorke’ s article that was recently published in the NECC Observer about the election of Haverhill’s first woman Mayor Melinda Barrett.
e) Haverhill Campus (Verbal)
President Glenn noted that the Impact Awards have already been mentioned in a prior report, and he also wanted to note an upcoming Athletics Awards banquet. In addition, the NECC’s Theater program continues to thrive with Hurricane Diane selected as a finalist to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival from January 30 to February 3rd. He congratulated the group on their great success. And lastly, President Glenn anticipates that more information on the Health and Wellness Center project will be available next month.
f) Lawrence Campus (Verbal)
President Glenn did not have a Lawrence report this month.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chairwoman Borislow noted that the board had one institutional policy to approve related to the NECC Clery Act.
a) Motion to Approve NECC Clery Reporting Policy (ADM-3841-021424)
On a Motion presented by Trustee O’Rorke and seconded by Trustee Paley Nadel, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the NECC Clery Reporting Policy as presented.
b) Grants: In addition, the college put forth three (3) grant motions as presented for approval.
1) Amazon.com/Youth Development Organization (YDO) Greater Boston Tech Initiative (ADM-3842-021424)
2) Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Early College Capacity Grant (ADM-3843-021424)
3) Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet/Haverhill High School: STEM TECH Career Academy Program Technology and Equipment Funds (ADM-3844-021424)
On a Motion presented by Trustee O’Rorke and seconded by Trustee Gomez, by roll call vote, the Board unanimously approved the three grants (ADM-3842-021424, ADM-3843-021424, and ADM-3844-021424) totaling $384,221 as presented.
OTHER BUSINESS: There was none.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chairwoman Borislow adjourned the meeting at 6:13PM.
