Haverhill, MA (September 27, 2022) – A new partnership between Northern Essex Community College and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is creating new pathways for NECC students who wish to pursue a career in intelligence or security. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) recently designated UNH as a national Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) and established the Northeast Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (NICCAE).

The consortium includes Northern Essex Community College, Howard University, College of Mount Saint Vincent, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Northern Essex will create a new National Intelligence and Security Certificate program.

“Northern Essex is honored to have been selected by UNH to join them in the establishment of the Northeast Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence,” expressed Dr. Paul Beaudin, Provost.  “As the only community college in this group of graduate-level institutions, our inclusion is peer recognition of the rigor and quality of our academic programs and our commitment to the diversification of our regional and national workforce.”

Over ten years, UNH will administer $2.5 million in funding to develop intelligence-related curricula, workshops, simulations, conferences, and seminars at partner institutions. At Northern Essex, this will include creating a new National Intelligence and Security Certificate program. It will also provide a wide range of transfer opportunities.

“We know that our professors will benefit from the breadth of this academic collaboration, and our graduating students will be given transfer opportunities in a critical field of study,” said Dr. Beaudin.

NICCAE aims to bring together culturally, ethnically, academically, and geographically diverse students to pursue national security and intelligence-related careers. Professor James Ramsay of the Security Studies Department at UNH says the initiative’s focus is to broaden students’ capacity for critical thinking, communication, and analysis of national security threats.

“Our consortium is designed to leverage the strengths of UNH and its partner institutions, which includes supporting a diverse and inclusive community that truly inspires lifelong learning,” Ramsay said. “Our students will be motivated to increase their understanding of the wicked security problems that confront all democracies and how best they may serve the nation and society as a whole as intelligence analysts.”

Northern Essex Community College offers an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a Law Enforcement Certificate program. Contact program coordinator Paul Cavan at pcavan@necc.mass.edu for more information.

About NECC

Northern Essex Community College, the first Federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution in New England, is an education leader for the Merrimack Valley. Through a supportive learning environment and cultural inclusion, NECC embraces all identities and inspires initiative and excellence through top-notch affordable certificate and associate degree programs online and at campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence. NECC offers many bachelor’s degree transfer options, workforce development, and community education classes and is host to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and Gallaudet University’s Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing. Visit Northern Essex online at www.necc.mass.edu.