When I decided to start my academic journey, I did it thinking that at this point of my life, being 45 years old, I was not looking for the certificate itself. I was looking for the knowledge and the wisdom that professional educators could share with me. By far, I have been pleased with NECC faculty and staff, who have been always keen to help me on this journey.
Never tireless to correct me and make suggestions to improve and challenge me to give my fullest potential, I have no more than words of appreciation for every professional I have related to.
Beyond the top-notch professors in NECC, I have found different programs that helped me to focus on my studies by minimizing other concerns of daily life. The free mobile market has helped me to balance household expenses, and even pushed me to learn how to cook seasonal produce.
Having a toddler bouncing around my house makes me stay in the library late, very late. Once, my peer and I spent long hours studying and we were asked to leave the library on the Haverhill campus as they had to close. The security officer told us to go to the SC building and that is how we discovered the free SMART meals, ready-to-eat frozen meals which we heated in the microwave and filled us to keep studying. We touched glory when we left with high scores in our Statistic test, and with full stomachs.
Later, I learned about the food pantry, besides having instant noodle cups, there were food and hygiene products for students to shop for free. Filling the questionnaire for this service, I also checked the box
for clothing assistance. Somewhat embarrassed, I answered “yes” to Janel D’Agata-Lynch when she called me and asked me for my name and if I needed clothing assistance. Immediately, she kindly and discretely gave me directions to pick up a voucher to get clothes in a secondhand store.
One more thing I feel thankful for is the little baskets with feminine products. Once I had a “red emergency.” There are vending machines for pads and tampons in women bathrooms but who carries a 25 cent coin these days? Pay-by-phone or at least by credit card would be more effective. I had a $10 bill to change but the cafeteria was closed. By the way, the cafeteria opened two weeks after classes started! I asked a few students, but no one had a quarter to donate.
Feeling desperate, someone told me that at the end of the corridor, there was a basket with feminine products and that saved my day. By the next week, all bathrooms had the little basket. By the way, I learned that some female students do not buy feminine products anymore because they save money getting it from school.
As I was progressing with my studies, my classes were getting more demanding. I decided to pause my entrepreneurship to invest my time on studies but that affected me economically.
I do not qualify for FAFSA, so I must manage different ways every semester to keep pursuing my academic dream.
Before I started this current semester, I was concerned about how I would continue studying, but luckily, I learned about the Civic Engagement paid-internship course COP that professor D’Agata-Lynch was teaching. This course included paying $20 per hour (up to $3,000) to students who will work as interns for a non-profit or government organization, and one Civic Engagement class per week. I cannot be more thankful for this opportunity, not only for helping me to pay for my studies this semester, but also, learning by working in a government institution.
So, learning that D’Agata-Lynch, the author of these and other student assistance programs, like registering to vote or housing assistance, will no longer be here at NECC, it’s like the ice-bucket challenge but with no rewards. I am aware that she has worked hard through the years to make every student program run.
She has been recognized for her leadership as well as commitment to students and the community in various opportunities inside and outside the institution.
While professors and students rely on her as the key contact in NECC for food or housing insecurities, the NECC President Lane Glenn raised up a Crisis Resources card with a list of public organization phone numbers, which by the way includes D’Agata-Lynch’s phone number, in front of the board of trustees, and the audience waiting for his take on this situation. This was too bitter to pass.
I asked myself, is this what a professional who gives so much to her or his position gets at the end?
What is the message for her colleagues? What about invaluable professionals, like Dagaata-Lynch, who work passionately giving their best to students? What is the example we, the students, are receiving from this administration?
As the student Maria Cubias said, “It affects all of us who benefit from NECC’s opportunities. I would say it would affect 80% of students who attend school every day.”
I went to the meeting and was told that it is the position that is being retrenched, not the program. That would be very good for the program to continue and to grow but we still need someone to run the program and I do not understand why take the position away from someone who put in long years of work for the program to be successful,” said student Joanne Callahan.
Also, a student of the Civic Engagement paid-internship course, Irwin Mburu, shared his discomfort about the retrenchment.
“I don’t know 100% all the details of the situation, but from what I hear I don’t really like any of it. I don’t see the positives of it or for NECC. I think it’s not a good thing. Janel has been pretty valuable and helpful in her time at NECC as a teacher, advisor, and community leader and is always helping and engaging with the community. Her position is important in helping guide students as they grow and get into their careers as well as help them engage with the community around us. She’s also been great in the internship program, and her along with the internship has helped a lot. She’s been great at NECC and retrenching her is a big mistake in my eyes for NECC,” stated Mburu.
What is it what really matters? Does the voice of the students to NECC?
Over 200 students signed a petition to reconsider the retrenchment, according to Sarah Pachano, student trustee. I did not sign as I did not know about it. However, I join my peers and respectfully ask the administration to please reconsider this decision.
I hope this bittersweet taste can be dissolved by looking for ways to utilize D’Agata-Lynch expertise and experience throughout her years of service into developing and enhancing all her initiatives.
I want to keep seeing NECC as a great institution who listens to their students and works on their behalf.
Faculty and students hold signs at the April 12 Board of Trustees meeting against the proposed retrenchment of the Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator position. From left to right, student Zeke Vasquez, Philosophy professor and chair of Global Studies Department, Meredith Gunning, Vice-President of Student Government Association, Elijah Antunes, and student Yormerly Rodriguez. Photo by Campus Life Editor Daniela Valdivia-Terres
College administrators have proposed eliminating the position of Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator.
Since 2015, working on developing plans for increasing student civic engagement, creating alliances with organizations to help students experiencing food, clothing and housing insecurity, advocating for paid-internship student programs, adjunct professor and licensed social worker Janel D’Agata-Lynch has been the civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator, but her position could be terminated on May 12.
Retrenchment describes a situation in which someone loses their job because their employer does not need them, according to Collins Dictionary. This is D’Agata-Lynch’s current situation. Many students, faculty and staff are concerned with this decision by the administration and are looking for solutions.
According to the agreement between MCCC and the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, once a position is retrenched, that position cannot be reinstated for the next four years. So, the essential work cannot get done.
Students and faculty called for fairness in the last board of trustees meeting
On April 12, during the last meeting of the board of trustees at El Hefni on the Lawrence campus, staff members, faculty and students were sitting and standing in the room, waiting for Sarah Pachano’s speech at the end of the meeting. One hour later, Pachano, student trustee, Student Government Association SGA president, and recently appointed Civic Newman fellow, spoke out.
“I am here today to express my grave concern about the recent decision taken by the President to retrench the Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator position at our community college,” Pachano said.
“Students face numerous challenges, including financial difficulties, food insecurity, and housing insecurity, which can significantly impact their academic performance. I believe these students are best served through the Basic Needs Security Program by a dedicated staff person. Janel D’Agata-Lynch has personified the idea of serving-ness in the work that she has done; on behalf of the students at the college, I call upon the President to reverse his action,” stated Pachano.
“It’s not the same to have a number to contact someone instead of having someone (in-house) who cares for you, to help you, to tell you ‘it’s OK.’ Especially for the Hispanic students because we are taught at very young age that we cannot ask for help. We do need someone there to say, ‘It’s OK to ask for help’ someone who cares for us,” ended Pachano.
Professor of philosophy, Meredith Gunning together with Elijah Antunes, vice-president of SGA, the Student Government Association, among other students were holding signs against the retrenchment of D’Agata-Lynch’s position.
“No Civic Engagement equals No food, no housing, no voting,” was written in red on one sign. Another sign read, “Does removing our social worker support our strategic plan?” next to the photo of the cover of “Success for All – NECC Strategic Plan 2022-2027.”
After loud applause for Pachano from the audience, NECC President Lane Glenn answered: “No services for students will be missing whatsoever… In fact, all services will be extended. You have in front of you a card,” he showed a kind of a business card.
“It’s a Crisis Resource card, for all the emphasis in all the resources. Much like the subtitle of this book,” he showed a book, “is a team sport, the kind of services we provide students that trustee Pachano has being describing has always been a team sport. They never had been the job of one person. It’s always been a number of people would respond to these things and will continue…”
The Crisis Resource card introduced by the NECC president includes a large array of general emergency phone numbers from different organizations. For instance, from Lahey Psychiatric Crisis Team, YWCA Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence, Veterans Crisis Line, among others. It does also include NECC Community Resource contact, which is Janel D’Agata-Lynch’s office phone number.
People from the audience wanted to ask questions but the NECC president deterred them by explaining that any participation from the public requires 24 hours’ notice. He closed the meeting and he and the board members left.
The board of trustees attending in person were Chair Jennifer Borislow, Vice-Chair Marianne Paley Nadel, Jouel Gomez, Glennys Sanchez and Evan Silverio. Other board members attended on zoom. None of the board members responded to Pachano’s speech or the people with signs against the retrenchment that were standing in front of them.
Comments in the hallways by professors and students
“I’m very disappointed as a student, especially from the Lawrence campus, with other students who come from lower income backgrounds like me… By helping students not just with the food pantry but helping them sign up to vote, helping them with housing, her (D’Agata-Lynch) work has gone above and beyond. The fact that her position is being retrenched with little to no explanation. Students are questioning. As the student (SGA) vice-president, it’s my responsibility to tell them this is unfair,” Elijah Antunes said.
“Janel has helped over 22,000 students. What’s going to make more of an impact? A card that no one has ever heard about or a licensed social worker who actually can provide the resources or know where to go. Which number will they call? Well, I’m sure the president might say ‘I don’t know, figure it out, there’s the card.’ It’s not OK that their plan is absent for such an important role,” Antunes said.
Pachano said about the NECC president’s reply: “He decided to ignore the students’ request. He is gaslighting the students into believing that we are going to keep the same resources, the same type of care that Janel (D’Agata-Lynch) offers but what they are doing is reorganizing what she does, and putting a lot of jobs to more people who does not need to do that and that’s going to be detrimental to students.”
Faculty answered questions from an Observer editor on the spot, showing their support to their colleague D’Agata-Lynch and their disapproval of the proposed retrenchment.
“The position of the individual who has direct contact with students who actually meets with them, sits down and understands what their issues are. It’s not just getting students to go to one place or another, it’s truly understanding what is happening and being able to not just connect but provide the answers that they need. That position is extremely important so we could have partners around the community that help students, but that individual is the lifeline of everything. Our students need that point of contact. So that is the position. It’s an incredible position for students,” said marketing and entrepreneurship professor and Chair of the Business Department, Sheila Muller.
“When you think of all the pantries, all the other things that are around the campus, it was created because individuals listened to the students’ needs. Positions were available, positions were made, created and resources were created as a result. It’s a collaboration across the campus, between the SGA and the community services. All these individuals came together to provide us with what we have right now and advocated for more resources. So, now saying ‘thank you very much but we no longer need this position’ is a big hard pill to swallow for a lot of people. So, retrenching the position is actually a bigger problem for a lot of us than saying that these resources are going to be elsewhere,” stated Muller.
Faculty are looking for answers and want an action plan on behalf of students.
“I wish there would be more transparency. If they are claiming they are expanding services, I would like to hear more of a concrete plan because I’m hearing fake things about an expansion but not who is going to take the place or doing this work. I used to be a faculty member for the outreach group, I could say as a faculty member here for a long time, just to send students to Janel (D’Agata-Lynch) directly made a big difference instead of saying ‘call this numbers on this hot line.’ Students may be scared and may not call whereas if they meet one on one with a social worker, I think that makes a difference. Janel is a trained social worker and I think trying to deviate these tasks to already frequently overworked staff and faculty, I don’t think is a wise idea… What is the possible plan or helping students to receive those services?” said professor of Philosophy and Chair of Global Studies Department, Meredith Gunning.
Vice-President outlined an explanation
Noemi Custodia-Lora, vice-president of Lawrence campus and community relations, aid about Pachano’s speech that “it’s so important that students get actively involved in social justice issues and create awareness of the needs of students.”
Questioned about the possible retrenchment, Custodia-Lora said while she could not comment on the details of the retrenchment of the position, she could mention what they were intending to provide in the future.
“We are not retrenching services. This is something that I want to make clear to everybody. When we created the Center for Equity and Social Justice back in 2019, part of the job of that is to figure out how we can collaborate with community partners to better serve our students, because with the limited budget that we have, with the expertise what we have, we may provide a limited amount of services to students,” Custodia-Lora said.
Custodia-Lora said they are working with a couple of large nonprofit organizations that are experts in providing support services to students, and students would have an external relationship with them. Students may be able to receive assistance and use resources after they leave NECC, she said.
“We’re excited about the new projects that would be coming out of this, and some of that will include having more targeted services to students. Especially those that do not have transportation and we might have to deliver meals at home for example, which is something that is not happening in life right now,” she said.
When questioned if instead of having one contact person in-house, D’Agata-Lynch, who is the Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator, they would outsource those services, Custodia-Lora answered:
“It’s not about hiring an organization because it would defeat the purpose of restructuring. It’s partnering with organizations that are already doing the work of food insecurity and working on providing some of the social services to students.
“We will still continue to expand and figure out better ways for students to do Service Learning and that would be through Academic Affairs.
“We developed the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI), we hired a person (Francellis Quinones) who will take the lead on Civic Engagement projects and figuring out what we are or not doing, and how we can expand.
“There’s also opportunities for people to apply for other positions,” she said.
Custodia-Lora said that a better way for students to access resources would be through one phone number or one way to contact a variety of people who know what resources are accessible 24/7.
She also emphasized the importance of building trust and being culturally sensitive. Custodia-Lora stated that more than 50% of students at NECC are English language learners. For this reason, they considered bringing a Spanish-speaking person for the JEDI position, she said.
“Even myself sometimes I feel much better, when I’m talking to a doctor or in a crisis, to speak to somebody in Spanish, so we also bring on that to the table that they (Spanish-speaking students) can call anybody at any given time,” she said.
Custodia-Lora added: “I want us to, for example, when we offer food to students, we could give them beans, rice, tomatoes… you know, things that are even also more culturally sensitive to us, even with the frozen food.”
Custodia-Lora said: “This is a new plan that we have, and I really hope that more students get involved in this because to me that’s important.
“We need to remove ourselves from the position and we really need to tackle the larger issues which is, are we serving the students the best way that we could?” she said.
But why does this matter to the students?
Regardless of background or ethnicity, D’Agata-Lynch, as the Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator, has served students with the following programs in both campus, Lawrence and Haverhill:
Civic engagement. Helping students to register to vote and organizing events to engage students with their right to vote.
Civic Engagement paid-internship course COP. Thanks to a grant D’Agata-Lynch wrote, she got the funds for this course. Students get paid $20 per hour up to $3,000 for the semester to engage in a civic engagement/leadership internship working for a nonprofit or a government organization. Once per week, intern students have class with professor D’Agata-Lynch where they learn about important subjects related to the workforce as equity, equality and inclusion. This reporter is currently a student in this course.
Clothing assistance. Students get a free voucher to shop in a local secondhand store.
Free monthly Mobile Market. Students, faculty and staff shop for free produce and/or any food available.
Food pantry. At any time, students can shop for free food like pasta, cereal, etc. Even hygiene products like shampoo or soap.
According to the Eagle Tribune, in June 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren visited Lawrence NECC campus to tout the Student Food Security Act, legislation aimed at addressing food insecurity on college campuses. NECC President Lane Glenn, former interim Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez, D’Agata-Lynch, and students escorted the senator to show her the food pantry, and she praised NECC for their initiative.
Feminine product baskets. In any women’s bathroom, students can take free tampons or pads.
Frozen food. Students can take unlimited free frozen ready-to-eat food.
Housing insecurity. According to students’ needs, whether they have children or not, they would be accommodated by nonprofit organization, and followed-up by D’Agata-Lynch.
Numbers talk
Let’s see in numbers the impact the most popular program, the Mobile Market, which celebrated April 25, its sixth anniversary of helping students and NECC families. They have helped: 26,253 individuals; 7,233 households; and distributed 223,568 lbs. of food, according to a flier from the program.
During the 2022 calendar year alone the market served 433 households representing 1,593 persons. In addition, 320 students were provided with Smart Meals, gift cards, feminine hygiene products, food pantry items, and/or food vouchers
Who is Janel D’Agata-Lynch and why does her position matter?
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from College of the Holy Cross and a master of social work with a concentration in community organizing, policy, planning, and administration from Boston College. Since 2004, she has been a licensed social worker. In 2015, D’Agata-Lynch was hired as civic engagement and service-learning coordinator. Since 2017, she also has been the community resources coordinator.
Fully committed to serving students and community, she had developed all programs mentioned before. Also, as an adjunct professor, she has taught sociology and civic engagement courses.
In 2019, D’Agata-Lynch received the NECC Employee Recognition Award as she encouraged students to engage civically through volunteerism. “In addition, she has been a champion for students who experience food insecurity and housing instability…She accomplishes all with a calm, personable, compassionate and down-to-earth demeanor,” said Paula Richards, associate professor of Academic ESL and English, who nominated her.
In a Letter to The Observer’s Editor, professor of Art & Design Michelle Carter, said “when a person is without basic needs, it can feel overwhelming to try to navigate various channels of aid. Janel helps connect students to these resources, coaching them to self-advocate. She also runs food pantries on both campuses and a free monthly farmers’ market, among other initiatives. It makes such a difference to me, as it does to many faculty, to know that I can refer students to an in-house social worker if needed.”
As professor Gunning stated “this (D’Agata-Lynch’s retrenchment) is an attack on a MCCC position. Every time that any union position is eliminated, the union is weakened and our ability to bargain collectively for our shared well-being is undermined.”
D’Agata-Lynch declined an interview with The Observer as the union was negotiating her current situation.
What matters to the administration
Last month, in an interview on Judy Josephs’ show called “History of Success” broadcasted by Lynn Community Television, NECC Provost Paul Beaudin said “I have found at Northern Essex, a community of professionals who believe as I do that what students think matters, the student experience in the classroom matters, the modalities of the classes that we offer matters.
There are so many things that matter, and we need to make sure that we are being effective in promoting a history of success.”
Beaudin told this reporter he could not answer or make any comments about D’Agata-Lynch or the student programs she oversaw.
This reporter also attempted to interview NECC President Lane Glenn but the Chief of Staff, Cheryl A. Goodwin, stated Glenn could not comment because of ongoing negotiations with the union about the position.
When asked about the plan for all the student services D’Agata-Lynch position was covering, Goodwin said none of these programs would disappear, instead they would be more robust. “How?” I replied. Goodwin said she couldn’t give me more information.
Students learn from alum’s experience. Travis Jacobs started his prolific career as a lawyer obtaining an Associates in Arts in paralegal studies in 1998. Photo by Sheila Muller
NECC alum Travis Jacobs, who graduated in 1998, founder and managing partner at The Jacobs Law LLC, came back to his alma mater to share his knowledge and experience as a lawyer specialist in business law and litigations with entrepreneurial students, on March 23.
As part of the BizTalks series, an event called “The Legal Side of Business” was held at the Business and Professional Studies Center, in Spurk – C building, Haverhill campus.
After years of studies and exercising in the legal field focusing on representing small businesses and entrepreneurs, Jacobs has been selected by Boston Magazine to its inaugural list of 2021 Top Boston Lawyers for Civil litigation.
After navigating the traffic from his Boston-based The Jacobss Law firm, the awarded lawyer made a master presentation called “Tapping Your Entrepreneurial Spirit” which was about what small businesses should know when establishing their company and how to avoid litigation.
Professor Judith Ciampi and her former student, Travis Jacobs, who graduated from NECC in 1998. Professor Ciampi was a faculty member and later on a coordinator of the paralegal studies program. Photo by Sheila Muller
Here are the basic steps for a business formation, according to Jacobs.
Entity name
Start by checking if the business name in mind is available. Make sure it is not a trademark, either by state or national, by visiting USPTO.gov.
Check online. Surf the web looking for a website, url, or through social media outlets if the chosen business name has not been already taken.
Did you know that you can reserve a name for your business before starting a business? When an idea comes up but not sure when to start, it is possible to reserve it for 60 days, paying a $30 fee to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Key factors before choosing an entity type
Take a moment to think about what kind of business will be. For instance, it will provide professional services, or it will be a manufacturing company.
Ownership. Only one person or more people will be owners of the business. When opening a business with a relative or a friend, make sure to be clear about the responsibilities for each member of the company.
Think about the financing. The business will be open with savings or a loan. In the future, do you expect to ask for venture capitalists or investors to join your business?
Learn about tax and liability implications for each kind of business type.
Entity types
Here it is where it may be tricky, but Jacobs explained each type of business in a simple manner about
Corporations (INCs) need a series of documents such as by laws, shareholder agreements and articles of organizations. There are several types of corporate structures: C-Corp, S-Corp, Benefit Cor (BCs), Professional Corp (PCs) and Non-Profit Corporation (NPs)
Then Jacobs took us to the most popular legal frame, the Limited Liability Company (LLCs or PLLCs.) There are reasons for its popularity. It offers pass-through taxation and as its name says, offers limited liability to its owners that means personal assets are not compromised in case of debts or obligations. It is also easier to manage.
Partnerships is another type of entity for two members or more. It starts with a Partnership Agreement document. There are three kinds of partnerships: General (GP), Limited (LP) and Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
The last ones on the list and least recommended entities are Sole Proprietorship and DBA (Doing Business As) as they do not offer personal liability protection. Sole Proprietorship is a legal structure as LLC or corporation, but DBA is not. Having a DBA does not even protect your DBA business name.
Understanding this information can be lengthy, Jacobs kept alive the audience’s interest by giving examples of different situations where business owners had gone through legal challenges, just for not having the right legal framework since the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
At the same time, students’ questions sparked at Spurk. When Jacobs brought up the concept of independent contractor from the employer and employee perspective, a business student wondered if he was mislabeled at the company he worked for as a sport trainer for a few hours a week. Jacobs explained the benefits for the business owner, no payroll nor insurance commitments for an employee under contract, but the employee is legally not compromised to wear uniforms or follow a schedule.
This opened a discussion about legal issues in the workplace. A communication student, who owns a single-member LLC, raised her concerns about how to hire staff if only needed for one or two days. Jacobs explained Massachusetts is an employee friendly state. However, as it is a high cost to hire a full-time or part-time employee with full benefits, in this case, most companies opt for contractors taking the risk the employee may or may not comply with working expectations. Jacobs recommended looking for a business lawyer advice to choose the right legal option for both employer and employee according to the nature of the business.
Jacobs also created legal awareness about customer’s data privacy. When asking for contact information to clients or potential clients, i.e., the subscribe button on a business website asking for mobile number or asking for a phone number to get into a raffle of your products or services online or in person, this must include a disclaimer that complies with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This restricts the making of telemarketing calls and the use of automatic telephone dialing systems and artificial or prerecorded voice messages. Small business owners lose hundreds of millions of dollars every year for failing in this compliance.
For Anthony Jordan, an entrepreneurial student who will open soon his ninja-based concept gym, “Jordan Warriors,” this last information was his biggest takeaway. As his business will open on June 4, he is setting up all promotions to attract customers to his indoor training facility located at 140 Epic Rd. Exeter, New Hampshire, and his marketing plan includes asking for contact information from potential clients. “If you are collecting phone numbers, you need a disclaimer. Otherwise, the client can take you to court or cause a lot of troubles.” He noted that even for sending text messages, he will use a disclaimer.
The event exceeded the class time as it was full of insights and questions were kindly absolved by the renowned business lawyer.
Jacobs was an avid and tireless student. After he graduated from the Paralegal Program in 1998 in Northern Essex Community College, he transferred to Bentley University and obtained his bachelor’s degree in International Studies where he graduated summa cum laude.
He obtained his Juris Doctorate at Suffolk University Law School.
He holds a Master in Science in Development Economics and a Certificate in International Law from the London School.
To this day, Jacobs continuously receives recognition for his professional trajectory and has been appointed as board member for different organizations.
For contacting Jacobs, please visit his website, https://theJacobsslaw.com or email him tJacobss@theJacobsslaw.com
For the record, NECC used to have for over 30 years a paralegal associate degree and certificate program which closed in 2014.
Jacobs’ legal presentation was part of the important key points that are addressed in the Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Course given by Professor Sheila Muller, who organized this event.
As part of Muller’s course, students learn to write a business plan. In the process, they learn how to start a business, the types of entities there are, products or services they want to, create mission and vision statements, market research, and the financial side. “Each business plan’s step requires certain levels of insights. Each type of entity is related to tax and legal implications.
Also reporting annually. So, students need to know that before they decide” said Muller.
Students have the opportunity to have a CPA tax professional or an experienced lawyer to learn from. However, as BizTalks is open to all, students from different courses/degrees who were thinking about opening a business or already were business owners, benefited from this event.
For more more information about this course, contact Sheila Muller at smuller@necc.mass.edu.
Participants show off their paintings on their butterflies. Their artwork will be part of a migrating mural. Back row, from left to right: Carla Pojoy, Jenn Houle, Sara Tema, Sarah Pachano, Christina Penna,Emily Gonzalez and Rubi Camacho. Front row, from left to right: Kate Houle and Daniela Valdivia-Terres. Photo courtesy of George Mongeau
Plant Paint Cross Pollinate recently touched down on the Lawrence campus.
The positive environmental art project landed at the new art gallery in the Fournier building on Amesbury Street on Feb. 19.
Students, faculty and members of the public learned about the importance of Monarch butterflies as pollinators. They planted native seeds which they took home to start their own eco-garden to attract pollinators. Participants also painted native flowers on wooden canvas with the shape of native butterflies which will be part of an itinerant art expo throughout the Merrimack Valley.
The event was a fully enriched hands-on learning experience.
Jenn Houle, the creative mind and leader of this project, is an adjunct professor in the Art & Design Department. She introduced the audience to a range of pollinators like honeybees, wasps, beetles, moths and native butterflies.
These insects play a critical role in our food production system.
According to the USDA, three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35% of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce.
That’s one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of a pollinator.
Fun fact: Some birds and bats are also pollinators. Bats also help to keep crops safe by consuming nightly mosquitos or forest pests saving billions of dollars in pest control.
Houle also educated us about native species to plant in our garden to create a habitat for pollinators.
With the promise of having a colorful garden when spring sprang, each participant put sole in small containers and chose among a flower plant list their favorite native seed to grow.
Even people like me that are far from being a green thumb, indeed even a cactus did not survive under my will, were cheerfully participating.
Taking pictures of the chosen plant description to learn about their care, carefully adding soil before and sand after planting their seeds and writing the scientific / common name of the plant on small sticks, were part of this amusing activity.
The event landed on the art main project to create awareness about the importance of these hard-working insects. The audience was encouraged to paint large-scale cut out butterfly signs. These anatomical shapes belong to the five families of butterflies found in Massachusetts: swallowtails, whites and sulphur’s, gossamer-wings, brush footed butterflies and skippers.
“I have no experience in drawing or painting, I am afraid to ruin it!” said one participant. However, Houle offered handouts with drawing and painting techniques and patiently directed each participant to draft with chalks and use acrylic paint fearlessly directly on the signs.
But why butterflies’ signs instead of bees or another pollinator? Houle explained, “I chose the butterfly because it is a powerful symbol of transformation, and nature’s ability to metamorphose into something else. Butterflies are beautiful, their life cycle is almost magical. They are a ‘charismatic species’ which are animals that scientists realize easily capture the public’s love, imagination, care or attention. Charismatic species are often beautiful or visually striking and help ease the entry and connection to environmental conservation issues. I want to support all pollinators, and the seeds we plant will help do so!”
The project’s activities have been presented since January in different locations such the public libraries of Amesbury and Haverhill.
The Lawrence campus art gallery was the last call. This project will generate 20 colossal painted butterfly signs which will be part of Butterfly Mural Migration, which will tour from May – Oct. 2023 throughout Amesbury, Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimac, Newbury and West Newbury on public conservation land, at public libraries, and around local schools.
The audience left with new knowledge about pollinators, delighted with their artistic contribution for the murals, and ultimately, inspired to collaborate in creating habitats for pollinators and support our ecosystem from their own backyards or planters.
More about the art project leader: Jenn Houle received her bachelor’s degree in art from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2007.
She later received her master’s degree in art from Cornell University in 2015.
She teaches 2D Foundations and Drawing at NECC. She also teaches at Fitchburg State University. Contact her at jhoule@necc.mass.edu or visit www.jennhoule.com
This program is supported in part by grants from the Amesbury, Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimac, Newbury and West Newbury Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Also sponsored by Mel’s Record Shop, Water Street Realty Trust and BareWolf Brewing. Soil donation from Coast of Maine & Aubuchon Hardware Haverhill.
Students work individually or in groups at the Center for Business and Professional Studies in C201 in the Spurk building on the Haverhill campus. Photo courtesy of Professor Sheila Muller
The Center for Business and Accounting Services and the Center for Professional Studies have merged into the Business & Professional Studies Center. Together they are building a strong presence to provide more services to students.
Located in the Spurk Building on the Haverhill Campus, the Center for Business and Accounting Services, mostly known as the Business Center at C201, and the Center for Professional Studies, right next door, at C203, are now one academic center offering extended hours to students.
Since the Spring 2023 semester, students have access to the center from Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Whether for printing a last-minute assignment, using the computers, or having a snack or a drink (water, tea or coffee) the airy well-lit center decorated with encouraging quotes at C203 welcomes students with a cozy environment for reading quietly while charging their electronic devices.
Most importantly, this merged center provides an academic advisor and permanent support from faculty who volunteer their time for community work.
“Working together we create a strong presence”, said Lisa Fabbri-Lopez, assistant professor of the Human Services Division.
Fabbri-Lopez explained that her division is looking for ways to overlap and collaborate with Business & Accounting professors to craft events and talks aboutwhere students can learn from both career pathways. Fabbri-Lopez also emphasized that in Business careers it’s important to learn how to interact with human relationships. At the same time, it’s highly beneficial to be business savvy to thrive in any other professional studies.
“The idea is bringing topics and creating awareness from human services to the business field,” Fabbri-Lopez said.
Professional Studies encompasses Criminal Justice, Educational Studies, Human Services, Early Childhood Education and American Sign Language Studies. While Business associate degree programs include Accounting, Business Management, Business Transfer and Hospitality Management. Now their academic centers have joined and renamed as Business & Professional Studies Center.
“One big advantage for students is that now they have more and longer access to the center,”said Sheila Muller, assistant professor of Division of Business and Professional Studies.
Muller also highlighted the great opportunity for collaboration between both centers as beneficial for students.
On Feb. 23, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. one of the BIZTalks Series, formerly known as Lunch and Learn for Business students, will be a collaboration with Professor Fabbri-Lopez.
Fabbri-Lopez will share her knowledge and experience in Customer Services into the business industry and she will lead an event called “Delivering a Knock your Socks off Service” which is about “recognizing how our service delivery affects our company image and revenue generation,” said Fabbri-Lopez
Students will learn the skills necessary to provide superior service despite the customer’s anger/dissatisfaction.
Furthermore, the Human Services Division also has Tuesday Talkies with Takis, an event series launched on the last Tuesday of the month, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. which shows Human Services relevant movie or documentary, followed by a discussion or reflection led by a faculty expert on the subject matter.
Soon, they will bring expertise from the Business faculty to be shared with Professional Studies peers.
Open to all students regardless of their major, these events are hosted at C203 (main entrance is at C201) with Zoom access.
This study room serves as a quieter place for students or faculty when there are no scheduled events.
For more information or registration about BIZTalks Series, contact Professor Sheila Muller at smuller@necc.mass.edu.
For Tuesday Talkies with Takis, contact Professor Lisa Fabbri-Lopez at lfabbrilopez@necc.mass.edu
With so much knowledge to acquire, being on top of assignments and due dates can be a challenging task.
The invitation to stop scrolling down on social media, focus on your study goals, connect with peers and professors in a casual business style lounge or have an easy break with free amenities, is open.
No RSVP needed, just come in at C201, Spurk Building, NECC Haverhill Campus. From Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The last year of the last century I was committed to changing my life significantly. I wanted to stop working in a factory full of ink, inhaling thinner, and other toxic products which were affecting my stomach. I was tired of carrying the smell of “fresh paint” everywhere, even after I showered. It seemed I could be tracked just by my toxic aroma.
Oh! But please don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for my six years working in the silk-screen and merchandising business. It was my entry to the workforce at 16 years old. I had so much fun making new friends, and I started to buy my own things and help my parents. A few years later I started to study at night and save money. I knew in my heart I was going to find my way to the corporate world. I wanted to change my chunky worker boots for fine stilettos, get rid of my stinky and super toxic apron for fancy blouses and skirts, and most of all, my wish was to learn other cultures, speak several languages and travel around the world.
After I passed basic English in the academy, I quit my job and I went for Sabre and Amadeus intensive classes. Both were the most common booking systems for flights, hotels, and cruises. The internet was the new thing and only the biggest companies could afford it. Travel agencies were in transition to making reservations in-house without having to call the airlines to book a flight, which allowed them to own the entire transaction. And there I was, ready to jump into the tourism field.
After several rejections, I got hired. It was my dream job! It didn’t matter that I had one and a half hour commute. I used to read on the bus anyway. The office was in the main avenue of the most “SoHo” and hipster district of Lima, surrounded by art museums and high-end restaurants. Then of course, I was finally wearing proper attire including a parfum. During my first week in my new position, I had a client who wanted an international flight, so I offered the lowest flight ticket I found. She was happy. She was one of the top customers of the company as she used to travel very often. She was a renowned photographer but seemed very down to earth. I was so delighted listening to all her stories about her last trip to India and Morocco that I forgot to close her reservation. By the way, completing a flight transaction would be like learning coding today.
“ET.” I just missed two letters! ET means end of transaction. But when I realized it, it was too late. There was no seat in economy class which she had already paid for. Instead of informing my supervisor, I began checking the flight constantly, praying for someone to cancel the desired seat so I could have it back. After eight hours of intensive searching, it didn’t happen.
I had no choice but to talk to my manager and explain what happened.
It was dusk, the sky rapidly turned dark like my thoughts. Was I good enough for this job? I just got hired but I was so close to being unemployed in less than a week. Maybe tourism was too hard for my abilities? I was so disappointed in myself.
The manager called the client. Apologetic and embarrassed, he offered her a ticket to travel one day earlier, and we (he meant me) would pay for the extra night in the hotel. The client explained she needed to connect with her crew in the stopover, so she refused. He offered another airline. She refused as she didn’t want to miss a mile of her frequent flier account. Finally, he said:
“There is availability in business class. Would you mind the upgrade?” Of course, she accepted.
There was a pregnant pause while he finished the call and the booking until he broke the silence (after pressing ET of course).
He said to me, “The price difference is twice your monthly salary, you better pay in installments. Next time you make a mistake, don’t keep quiet, say something.”
And definitely, I learned the lesson! Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Editor’s Note: Daniela Valdivia-Terres recently submitted this essay to the Observer. She wrote this for an English Composition 101 class. Valdivia-Terres was born and raised in El Callao, Perú. She moved to the U.S. in 2015 and lives in North Chelmsford. “At 44 years old, I am a mom of a toddler, I decided to start my pathway to college as after owning two travel agencies, one in my country and another one here in MA, and starting a digital marketing agency during Pandemic time, I got to a point where I need further education beyond short courses and self-taught education,” she wrote. Valdivia-Terres says her goal is to eventually transfer to a four-year university to pursue the career of neuromarketing or business. “I still haven’t decided where and when. But when I get it, I will be the first grad in my family. I just hope to graduate before my daughter. Looking forward to achieving it!” she wrote.
