NECC President Lane Glenn applauds Margaret Kostiew, who received the college’s Outstanding Student Award.

Margaret Kostiew, of Kingston, N.H., was named this year’s recipient of Northern Essex Community College’s Outstanding Student Award at the college’s Annual Awards Convocation ceremony on May 16. Selected by the NECC Alumni Association, the Outstanding Student Award recognizes the accomplishments of a graduating student who has achieved outstanding achievement, both scholastically and in service to the college or community.

In three years as a first-generation, non-traditional student at NECC, Kostiew earned five certificates along with her associate degree in computer and information sciences — all with a near-perfect cumulative GPA of 3.9. In addition, she’s been accepted to her top pick of transfer school, UMass Lowell, which has selected her to receive the highly-selective, $20,000-a-year Provost’s Scholarship.

Kostiew has also dedicated much of her time to her fellow learners, becoming a much-sought-after algebra tutor for CAEPP (Center for Adult Education Programs and Preparation) students.

“These adults are from different countries, and sometimes English isn’t their strong point,” she says. “I bring a level of patience to guiding their understanding with math … and it truly sets my soul alive when I see the ‘aha’ moment of comprehension in their faces.”

Northern Essex offers associate degrees in computer and information sciences, with concentrations in applications, computer science transfer and information technology. Students can also pursue certificates in computer networking, computer security, help desk and web design.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 70 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth. Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. Northern Essex is the only state college located in the lower Merrimack Valley Region of Massachusetts. For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.