NECC President Lane Glenn congratulates employees Kathleen Bartolini and Janet D’Agata-Lynch on receiving the Employee Recognition Award for the third quarter of . Kirsten Kortz is not in the photo.

Three Northern Essex Community College employees, Kirsten Kortz of Hampstead, NH, Kathleen Bartolini of Amesbury, and Janel D’Agata-Lynch of Haverhill recently received the Employee Recognition Award for the third quarter of 2019.

0The Employee Recognition Award recognizes the many and varied contributions of the college’s nearly 700 employees. Employees are selected each quarter based on recommendations from supervisors and co-workers.  Recipients receive a $150 certificate to the restaurant or mall of his or her choice.

Bartolini has been an adjunct faculty member in the human services and academic preparation area since 2014. For the last two years, she has also served as the adjunct faculty fellow in the Center for Professional Development.

She was nominated by Kim Burns, dean of academic innovations and professional development, who praised her for her involvement with adjunct faculty and taking on numerous leadership roles.

“Kathleen is a committed educator who is dedicated to the mission of NECC…” she wrote. The nomination was supported by Sharon McManus, director of professional development, who wrote, “Kathleen’s positivity, enthusiasm and can do attitude has been a true asset to the Center for Professional Development.”

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Education from Boston Conservatory and a Master of Art in Mental Health Sciences and Dance Movement from Hahnemann University Graduate School.

Kortz an adjunct faculty member as well the director of Transitional Support for New Students. She was nominated by Stephanie Haskell, coordinator of student activities for leadership and social justice initiatives, who lauded her for caring about the success of her students as well as NECC. “When working with Kirsten her words as well as her actions show her empathy for our students and her sensitivity to our college’s diverse student population,” she wrote.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from William Smith College, a Master of Arts in Child Development from Tufts University, and a PhD. in Education from the University of New Hampshire.

D’Agata-Lynch is the coordinator of civic engagement, service-learning and community resources. She has worked at NECC since 2017. She was nominated by Paula Richards, associate professor of Academic ESL and English, Liberal Arts Division, who credited her with encouraging students to engage civically through volunteerism. “In addition, she has been a champion for students who experience food insecurity and housing instability…She accomplishes all with a calm, personable, compassionate and down-to-earth demeanor,” she wrote in the nomination. It was supported by Deb LaValley, administrative assistant for careers and civic engagement who praised her for moving the civic engagement and service learning initiative forward.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Holy Cross College and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in community organizing, policy, planning, and administration from Boston College.