NECC graduate Vicky Sherwood

Recent Northern Essex Community graduate Vicky Sherwood of Merrimac was selected from a nationwide pool of candidates to receive the Harold McPheeters Scholarship from the National Organization for Human Services.

 McPheeters is widely considered to be the father of human service education in the United States and this scholarship recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student studying in human services.

After graduating from NECC in May, Sherwood transferred to Salem State University where she is currently a full- time student in the social work program. Outside of school Sherwood works part time at the Amesbury Senior Center and part time at the Emmaus Family Shelter in Haverhill.

On receiving the scholarship, Sherwood said “I’m deeply humbled to have been selected as the winner of the award and also very appreciative.” Sherwood has a daughter who is enrolled at Northern Essex Community College and a son who is a freshman at Pentucket Regional High School. Sherwood went on to say that “going back to school to change careers at the same time my children are starting their college journeys is financially difficult so I am extremely grateful for this award.”

The Harold McPheeters Scholarship is a service-focused scholarship that honors Dr. Harold McPheeters and his contributions to the human service profession. This scholarship is awarded each year to one currently enrolled student in an associate, baccalaureate or master’s degree Human Services program.

Sherwood will receive this award at the National Organization for Human Services conference in Maryland in late October.

NECC offers a Human Service’s Associate of Science degree as well as certificates in Alcohol Drug Abuse Counseling, Community Support and Human Services Practitioner, and Direct Support.

For additional information contact Jane Gagliardi, NECC Human Service Program coordinator at jgagliardi@necc.mass.edu.