A look inside the NECC Veterans Center on the Haverhill Campus.

Northern Essex Community College’s success in educating veterans was recently recognized when the college received designation as a  Military Friendly®  School by Viqtory, a national organization that connects veterans with civilian education, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Institutions were selected for this designation based on public data sources and a comprehensive 15-page survey completed by the college. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with 747 earning the designation. Some of the factors considered are student retention, graduation rates, job placement, and loan repayment for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“This designation is important because it looks at not only the programs and services that we have in place to support our military connected students, but also the success and sustainability of them,” said Kalyn Ryll, NECC’s veteran and military services coordinator.

The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

“Schools that achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community,” said National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®, Kayla Lopez.

Northern Essex has an average of 100 veterans enrolled each semester, according to Ryll, who assists student veterans with using benefits to help pay for school and making connections and referrals to community services.

The college also hosts a representative from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VITAL (Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership) Program, who comes on campus twice a month to help student veterans navigate their transition from soldier to student.

“We focus on the success of each individual student veteran,” said Ryll. “Providing them with the guidance and services to reach their educational goals, whether they’re interested in moving right into a career or transferring to a four-year college or university.”

The top areas of study for veterans at Northern Essex include Biology, Business, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Health, and Social Work, and Northern Essex awards credit for military training and experience.

To learn more, contact Ryll at kryll@necc.mass.edu or visit the website

Northern Essex Community College has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence. It offers approximately 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth.  Each year, 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley.  For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3700.