After a nationwide search, Northern Essex Community College has hired a new vice president of academic affairs.

The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its June 1 meeting to appoint Dr. William A. Heineman of Chelmsford, MA, the college’s current dean of foundational studies and liberal arts & sciences, as the new vice president.  Heineman will replace Dr. Lane Glenn who will become president of the college when President David Hartleb retires on June 30.

Heineman holds a bachelor’s in history from the University of Rochester, a master’s in public policy from Harvard University, and a doctorate in higher education administration from UMass Boston.

He started teaching part time in the college’s History & Government Department in 1996 and joined the faculty full time in 1998.  In addition to teaching, he has served as chairperson, history, government, philosophy, and economics; coordinator, Liberal Arts Program; and assistant dean, business, math, science & technology and humanities & social sciences, before being named  dean in 2008.

At Northern Essex, Heineman has been a champion of innovative curriculum, with a focus on ensuring student success and meeting the needs of area employers.  He has been behind many successful academic initiatives including creating new programs in response to community need, such as the associate degree in applied science for lab technicians; the accelerated business management associate degree for working students; and the electronic technology certificate program offered on site at Raytheon.   He also helped successfully secured over a half million dollars in federal and state grants for the college.

“I am humbled by the opportunity this position represents,” said Heineman.  “I am even more humbled and awed every day at Northern Essex by the grit and determination of our students who overcome difficult odds in pursuit of their education, by the energy and commitment of our staff and faculty to meet student needs, and by the support of our community.”

The vice president of academic affairs is the chief academic officer of the college and is responsible for the quality and administration of all instructional programs, both credit and noncredit, at all college locations. This position reports to the president, and is a member of the president’s cabinet.