Luz Burgos-Lopez, interim director of the Rainbow Center and assistant dean of students at the University of Connecticut, was the keynote speaker at the National Society of Leadership and Success induction ceremony.

Twenty-eight Northern Essex Community College students were recently inducted into the college’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).

The NSLS is the largest leadership honors society in the United States, with 581 chapters nationally. There are currently 160 members of NECC’s NSLS chapter.

Bill Heineman, vice president of NECC’s academic and student affairs, delivered the welcoming remarks and congratulations.

The keynote speaker was Luz Burgos-Lopez, interim director of the Rainbow Center and assistant dean of students at the University of Connecticut. A higher education professional and social justice advocate, she encouraged the students to be leaders. She told them, “Titles don’t define leaders…your ability to lead is not determined by your position. …be committed to finding communities of leaders they are everywhere.”

She invited them to challenge themselves. “Lean into your fear, this will prepare you to face challenges and be prepared to take risk as you move forward in your careers and communities.”

Vengerflutta Smith, Northern Essex’s interim director of student life and Student Conduct Administrator, is the chapter advisor for the NSLS.

Students are invited to the program based on their GPA or by nomination through a faculty or staff member at the college. Once students become a member, they have access to thousands of scholarships and awards. If a student completes the steps toward induction, the door opens for more opportunities including: additional scholarships, employer recruitment through an online job bank, discounts on computers, insurance and more.

The steps to induction include attending an orientation, attending and participating in a three-hour long leadership training day, meeting and discussing future goals three times within small peer teams, and viewing three celebrity speaker broadcasts via webinar and communicate with them via Twitter or video.

Northern Essex students inducted into the NECC chapter this spring include:

Amesbury

Julia Lawliss

Andover

Jessica Borges

Beverly

Brett Davekos

Boxford

Jeanette Giusto

Bradford

Jennifer Casey

Haverhill

Sara Ramirez

Nina Nieves

Lawrence

Veira Cardona

Christopher Cruz

Idalsy Cruz

Jancarlos Infante

Alyssa Moronta

Nathanael Sencion

Lowell

Amber Lafond

Doris Wleh

Methuen

Timothy Miele

Rafael Nunez

Kaylee Sarazin

Ricardo Tejeda

Carmen Vidal

North Andover

Robert Halenda

Parisa Hatami

Margaret Kamau

Sallay Thulla

Tewksbury

Hannah Benning

New Hampshire:

Atkinson

Erika Mara

Danville

Renee Spencer

Salem

Margaret Matte