Janel D’Agata-Lynch, NECC’s civic engagement and service learning coordinator, just completed the Mill Cities Leadership Institute.

Janel D’Agata-Lynch of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College’s coordinator of civic engagement, service-learning, and community resources, recently completed the Mill Cities Leadership Institute.

The 10-month program, which began last September, examines “socially just leadership through readings, discussions, reflections, meeting with community leaders, and community site visits.”

D’Agata-Lynch was one of 26 to complete the program. She attended eight to twelve hours a month. More than 200 area professionals have completed the leadership institute since its inception in 2012. Other Northern Essex employees who have attended MCLI include George Moriarty, NECC director of workforce development; Mary Farrell, dean of health programs; Analuz (Lulu) Garcia, assistant director of community & international relations; Melba Acevedo, academic technology; and Myrna Percibal, staff assistant.

D’Agata-Lynch said the experience was invaluable. “MCLI helped to connect me to new areas of the community and network with many different community leaders,” she said. “It challenged me to think how NECC could better prepare our students to be informed and engaged community members.”

Because of her experience with MCLI, D’Agata-Lynch has begun to design programming that will be a pathway for students to civic engagement. “This would be in line with our Integrated Student Experience goal in the strategic plan and support graduating students who are knowledgeable and active citizens, something essential in our world today. MCLI challenged me to step up the plate as an effective, empathetic, and responsible leader. I will treasure the opportunities to discuss, reflect and network with such an amazing group of diverse, community leaders.”

For additional information on the program, contact Delia Durán-Clark, executive director, Mill Cities Leadership Institute, at dduran-clark@LawrenceCommunityWorks.org or 978-722-2600.