New academic programs were the focus of the May 4 meeting of the Board of Trustees which was held at NECC’s Quarrybrook Outdoor Learning Center in Windham, NH.

Before starting the business portion of the meeting, President Lane Glenn explained that, since last fall, Northern Essex has managed the operations and growth of Quarrybrook, which is funded by the El-Hefni Technical Training Foundation, a generous supporter of the college.

Opened in 2014, Quarrybrook offers hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences to a K-12 audience on a 245-acre campus featuring trails and outdoor gathering spaces and a 20,000 square foot facility with a large fireplace and gathering room and multiple flexible “classroom spaces.”

“Our partnership with Quarrybrook allows us to extend our reach to K-12 and better serve our New Hampshire students,” said Glenn, who offered trustees a tour of the facility after the meeting.

Public Health Associate Degree Receives BHE Approval

Beginning this fall, Northern Essex will offer an associate degree and a certificate in the public health field, preparing students for careers as community health workers.  The associate degree program was approved by the Board of Higher Education at its May 3 meeting.

The Associate Degree in Public Health (68-credits) and Community Health Worker Certificate (27-credits) will both include online and classroom learning and a practicum experience. Classes meet in the late afternoon or early evening, one to two days a week, making the programs accessible to working students.

The associate degree will include foundational courses in the principles and practices of public health as well as general education and science courses.  Graduates will be prepared for entry level positions as front line health care workers in hospitals, doctors’ offices, health centers, and clinics, and for transfer to bachelor degree programs in public health education, health administration, or environmental health.

The 27-credit Community Health Worker Certificate will prepare students for transfer into the associate degree in public health.

Northern Essex was recently recognized by the League for Innovation in the Community College, a nonprofit with the mission of cultivating innovation in the community college environment, for its work in developing the public health curriculum.  The college was only one of six colleges nationally to be recognized at the league’s annual conference this spring.

Pat Demers, a former assistant dean and nursing professor, who is now an adjunct professor at NECC, told trustees “We want to attract a group of students that aren’t interested in back office work or direct care but want to provide health education.”

NECC Launches Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing

The board voted unanimously to approve a new certificate program in advanced manufacturing, precision machining, featuring a hands-on curriculum that will lead to immediate employment and/or transfer to NECC’s Associate Degree in Engineering.

Advanced manufacturing is a high growth industry and positions are increasingly technical requiring a thorough understanding of contemporary machining technologies, according to the report shared with trustees.

Graduates will be prepared to work in manufacturing in jobs as machinists, cell leaders, precision machining technicians, engineering assistants, or prototype developers.

BHE Approves Lyndon State College Bachelor Degree Completion Program

At its May 3 meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education voted to approve bachelor’s degree completion programs offered by Lyndon State College on Northern Essex’s Lawrence Campus.

Beginning this fall, the Vermont public college will offer bachelors in computer information systems, music business and industry, and visual communications on the 2nd floor of 420 Common Street.

“Lawrence is becoming a college-town,” said NECC President Lane Glenn. “The lower Merrimack Valley is being well served by higher education.”

Four Appointments are Approved

Trustees voted unanimously to approve four new appointments including Margaret Pothier, director of communiversity outreach & marketing content developer, Marketing Communications; Steven DiLeo, Jr., maintainer 1/janitor; Shawn Donnelly, maintainer 1/janitor; and Kyle White, carpenter 1.