Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, last year’s SMART Award recipient Molly Sullivan Sliney, NECC vice president of institutional advancement, and Haverhill City Councilor and NECC Trustee Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien.

Jean Poth, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the NECC Foundation at Northern Essex Community College, recently received the SMART Woman Award from Haverhill’s girls inc., during its 100th anniversary celebration.

Poth, a resident of Groveland, was one of three area woman celebrated during the celebration that featured First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick, who served as honorary chair of the event; and keynote speakers Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and former Governor Michael Dukakis and his wife Kitty Dukakis.

The SMART Woman award is given to women who “know the value of education and recognize it is one of the most critical elements of success.”

Poth is an active volunteer in the community. She currently serves on the board of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s executive and finance committees. She is also an active Rotarian and serves on their board.

Over the years, she has volunteered for numerous organizations and has received many leadership awards.

In accepting the award Poth said, “Being recognized as a SMART Woman is probably the greatest compliment you could give me, because I have always valued education… …I do believe in the power of education to transform lives, and I feel very fortunate that I have been given the opportunity to devote my career to higher education.”

Girls Inc. serves girls and their families through year-round academic enrichment and skills building programs that focus on self-reliance, leadership, STEM education, economic literacy, substance abuse prevention, violence prevention, healthy life choices and career exploration.

For more information on NECC’s institutional advancement visit the website.