Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (April 28, 2022)-Iseline Mendoza of Lawrence, an accounting major, graduating with high honors, will be the student speaker at Northern Essex Community College’s 60th Annual Commencement Exercises, held on Saturday, May 14 on the Haverhill Campus.

After graduating from Lawrence High School in 2014, Iseline Mendoza spent six years pursuing a boxing career. With the birth of her son, now three, she decided she needed a career more conducive to raising a family and she enrolled at Northern Essex.

Mendoza has been a highly visible and inspiring campus leader. As president of the Student Government Association, she advocated for her fellow students on many levels, most notably in her efforts to build resources for students going through mental health issues, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.

Earlier this spring, she was selected to participate in a national panel on mental health on college campuses where she had the opportunity to interview Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general.

In addition to student government, Mendoza participated in the PACE Program; Alpha Beta Gamma, business honorary; and National Society of Leadership and Success.

After completing her coursework in December, Mendoza secured a full-time job in her field at Anstiss Certified Public Accountants. She credits the staff in NECC Career Services with helping her with her resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills. “They helped me build confidence, teaching me how to brag about myself,” she says. She also gained valuable skills through an internship with EN Business Solutions.

Mendoza plans to continue her studies in accounting at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the fall while continuing to work full time.

Cheering her on at commencement will be her support group including her husband, son, mother, step dad, uncle and other extended family members. “This is a privileged position. I’m so thankful to be able to go to college.”

Supporting her nomination for speaker were Stephanie Haskill, coordinator of student services; Mike McCarthy, vice president of administration; Marissa Elliott, business operations manager; and Lane Glenn, president.

Nominations were solicited from the college community and submitted to a committee of faculty and staff who selected Mendoza as their top choice.

To learn more about the May 14 commencement, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu/commencement