Salisbury Native Kadee Tapley

The dance program and the affordable tuition are what drew Kadee Tapley to Northern Essex, but the class variety, faculty support, and student activities are why she stayed and earned one degree and enrolled in another.

The-23 year-old Newburyport native graduated from Newburyport High School in 2008. She worked a few part-time jobs and continued to do what she enjoyed most — dance — before enrolling in NECC’s dance program.

It was Kadee’s dad who taught her to tap, tumble, and ballroom dance and in doing so inspired her to open her own dance studio. With that in mind, she earned an Associate Degree in General Studies: Dance in December of 2012 and will complete her Associate Degree in Business Transfer in December of 2013.

The now-Salisbury resident fully immersed herself in college life: she danced with the Stillpoint Dancers and even choreographed a few routines; worked as a work-study student in NECC’s student engagement office; completed the student leadership program; and served as president of the NECC dance club. She is also a seasoned orientation leader who now trains other orientation leaders.

She is unapologetic when she gushes about Northern Essex.

“I can’t say enough about the college,” she says. “It offers such a positive learning environment. I am inspired to give back to the college in any way I can. It has given me a lot of opportunities. I have done so much here.”

“Northern Essex offers a safe and comfortable environment where you never feel like an outsider,” she offers. “The professors are always willing to put in the extra time to help students,” she says. “Northern Essex is all about the student getting a good education.”