All posts by Carolina Gonzalez, Correspondent

Registration now open for winter, spring and summer

Starting Nov. 7, students attending Northern Essex Community College can now register for classes in the winter, spring, and summer.

“I feel confident. I’m excited to try new classes and explore what’s out there,” says Observer News Editor Aibhne Martino, a student at NECC.

Now that there are less than six weeks left in the fall semester, students and professors can expect to be busy during this time.
Not only are they getting through their workload, but they are also preparing themselves for next year and making their schedules.

The final exams are right around the corner too.

Despite everything that is happening, it is important for students to register as soon as possible.

“It’s important for students to have a plan as to what courses they want to take next. The fall is coming to an end, more quickly than people realize,” says Sarah Regan-Kelley, coordinator of the Liberal Arts Center.

Students are encouraged to meet with an adviser, or they can visit the academic center assigned to their program.
The Liberal Arts Center is a wonderful place for students to sign up for their classes and ask questions as well.

Transfer Fair draws a crowd

On Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., over 30 admissions representatives from multiple four-year public and private institutions visited Haverhill’s Northern Essex Community College’s campus.

There, the admissions counselors supplied information to interested students on what programs are available to them as well as transfer requirements and more.

It had been two years since this event took place on both Haverhill and Lawrence campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now arrangements for the next Transfer Fair are being considered.

At the Hartleb Technology Center (Building TC) in Haverhill, NECC students were greeted with pizza and given the opportunity to enter a raffle when they signed up at the front entrance.

A transfer checklist was handed out and on it were guidelines as to how students can prepare to transfer to a four-year school after graduating as well as questions that they can ask representatives.

NECC’s Director of Transfer, Articulation, and Academic Center Advising, Michelle Sunday, says, “The Transfer Fairs give students an opportunity to talk to transfer counselors at the college they were thinking about transferring to after graduation as well as some colleges they maybe haven’t considered.” She explains that the best time for students to connect with transfer counselors is in the Fall, before graduation in May.

Sunday continues, “Connecting with a transfer counselor is important because they are the experts on the admissions process, criteria to get into certain majors that might be more competitive than others, deadlines, and scholarships … It is important to begin those conversations early so there are no surprises once graduation rolls around and they’re ready to transfer.” The privileges of completing an associate degree at Northern Essex Community College are that individuals can save over thirteen hundred dollars when transferring to a state or private university, and most four-year institutions have better scholarships when transferring with an associate degree.

NECC’s Deb LaValley, says, “NECC has many Joint Admissions Agreements four-year Institutions that make transferring easier.”

Not only is Northern Essex Community College partnered with colleges and universities in Massachusetts but also in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. For anyone who was not able to attend this event, current students can reach out to their academic advisor, academic center, program coordinator of their major, or even Director, Michelle Sunday and Deb LaValley.
They can answer questions about the transfer process, connect students to transfer counselors at the transfer college/university, and connect them to resources like transfer scholarship opportunity. It is vital that students check NECC’s Event Calendar for College Tabling Visits. https://www.necc.mass.edu/succeed/academic-support-services/starting-necc-transferring/campus-visits-transfer-events/.

In-person Transfer Fair returns to campuses

On Oct. 18 over 30 admissions representatives from multiple four-year public and private institutions visited Haverhill’s Northern Essex Community
College’s campus. There, the admissions counselors supplied information to interested students on what programs are available to them as well as transfer requirements and more.

It had been two years since this event took place on both Haverhill and Lawrence campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now arrangements for the next Transfer Fair are being considered.

At the Hartleb Technology Center (Building TC), NECC students were greeted with pizza and given the opportunity to enter a raffle when they signed up at the front entrance. A transfer checklist was handed out and on it were guidelines as to how students can prepare to transfer to a four-year school after graduating as well as questions that they can ask representatives.

NECC’s Director of Transfer, Articulation, and Academic Center Advising, Michelle Sunday, says, “The Transfer Fairs give students an opportunity to talk to transfer counselors at the college they were thinking about transferring to after graduation as well as some colleges they maybe haven’t considered.” She explains that the best time for students to connect with transfer counselors is in the Fall, before graduation in May.

Sunday continues, “connecting with a transfer counselor is important because they are the experts on the admissions process, criteria to get into certain majors that might be more competitive than others, deadlines, and scholarships … It is important to begin those conversations early so there are no surprises once graduation
rolls around and they’re ready to transfer.”

The privileges of completing an associate degree at Northern Essex Community College are that individuals can save over thirteen hundred dollars when transferring to a state or private university, and most four-year institutions have better scholarships when transferring with an associate degree.

NECC’s Deb LaValley, says, “NECC has many Joint Admissions Agreements four-year Institutions that make transferring easier.”

Not only is Northern Essex Community College partnered with colleges and universities in Massachusetts but also in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. For anyone who was not able to attend this event, current students can reach out to their academic advisor, academic center, program coordinator of their major, or even Director, Michelle Sunday and Deb
LaValley. They can answer questions about the transfer process, connect students to transfer counselors at the transfer college/university, and connect them to resources like transfer scholarship opportunity. Students can also check NECC’s Event Calendar for College Tabling Visits.
https://www.necc.mass.edu/succeed/academic-support-services/starting-necc-transferring/campus-visitstransfer-events/.

A glimpse into the writing major option

Northern Essex Community College provides students with the tools needed to succeed, and the Liberal Arts Writing Option program gives students the opportunity to expand their career while they are enhancing their skills.

The Liberal Arts Writing Option major has been around for a long time.

Northern Essex’s English department created the program so those who are interested in enrolling have the freedom to explore both creative and professional writing styles.

When speaking with Professor Patricia Portanova, she said, “The purpose behind the writing program is to give students the foundation in creative and professional writing skills so that they can take on and use either in transferring to a four-year college program that focuses on creative writing or to the workplace, being able to work as a writer.”

Regardless of their career path, many who choose this route are sharpening their writing skills which are highly valued everywhere you go.

Currently, there are 24 students combined from the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses.

Skills developed during and after the first two years at NECC varies depending on one’s intended career path.

Students will learn how to pay attention to detail, developing character, description, and “flushing out a narrative” if they want to pursue a career that requires them to be creative.

When asked about the phrase, “flushing out a narrative,” Portanova explained that it meant to develop and tell a story.

That is one of the most important skills to have and it can be transferred to several settings.

Benefits of being in the writing option is that it is flexible. After completing the program, students can transfer to B.A. programs in English, Writing, Communications, and as well as other liberal arts majors.

Also, it prepares students for entry-level jobs.

To name a few, jobs such as a technical writer, an English teacher, content editor, freelance writer, and many more are available to individuals who are pursing the Liberal Arts Writing Option program.

Experienced writers are in demand as the media continues to bloom. Further, the program can be taken fully online so students can still enroll if they can not come in person.

To learn more about the Writing Option, visit https://www.necc.mass.edu/learn/credit-programs/communication-arts/liberal-arts-writing/