All posts by Mackenzie Sanderson, Correspondent

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COG holds pet food drive

 

Most times when helping people the needs of their pets and the big roles they play in people’s lives are forgotten.

Professor Paula Richards from NECC is making sure these animals and their roles in our lives are not forgotten about by facilitating a pet food and supply drive.

Pets provide comfort and love for many people so it is important to make sure they are able to be properly taken care of.

When asked why the Pet food drive was created this is what she said: “Mid-spring semester I became the faculty advisor for the Community Outreach Group [Student Club] because it has always been my passion to facilitate ways for our NECC students to collaborate with community partner organizations. The Community Outreach Group student club participants explored ways to connect with our communities and make a meaningful difference by addressing a real need. Many of our community college students are parents, not only going to college but also working and caring for their aging parents while also raising their own children,” she said. “When people consider needs in our communities, the important role that pets have in people’s lives is sometimes forgotten. Pets provide solace and comfort, but caring for them can be expensive.”

The Pet drive is taking donations of cat and dog food, toys and other pet supplies. Richards and the Community Outreach Group are working in partnership with the Salisbury Council on Aging and Pawsitive Pantry. “Often for seniors in our communities, their pet might be their only consistent daily companion. This pet food/pet supply drive is especially for them [and their dogs or cats] in partnership with the Salisbury Council on Aging and Pawsitive Pantry,” said Richards.

Pawsitive Pantry is a nonprofit organization providing help for pets whose families are going through hard times. The pet supplies and food will be donated to Joanne’s Food Market, which is the pet supply pantry at the Salisbury Council on Aging’s Senior center.

“It was named after this long-time volunteer and advocate for seniors,” said Richards.

You can find the donation boxes on both the Haverhill and Lawrence campus in these locations from April 10-May 12: Haverhill Campus-NECC library lobby, Spurk lobby, D building lobby, 3rd floor elevator between B+E buildings. Lawrence Campus-Dimitry 1 st floor lobby, Dimitry 2 nd floor outside Dimitry Academic Center and ,El-Hefni Lobby near the Security Desk.

This pet drive not only supports the pets but also the seniors in our community. If you are interested in getting involved and making a difference in your community the NECC Community Outreach Group is a great place to start.

“This week we had our last Community Outreach Group [COG] meeting of the spring semester, but we will start again fresh in fall 2023 semester. The Community Outreach Group is an opportunity for students to make meaningful connections and explore ways to make a real difference in their communities. If NECC students or community organizations are interested in being involved in fall 2023, they can contact me, Prof. Paula Richards by email [prichards@necc.mass.edu]. Additional ways to help pets and their owners can be explored via this Pawsitive Pantry, visit pawsitivepantry.org.

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Early College program offers opportunities to high school students

 

Going to college is an important step in many people’s lives.

The early college program at NECC gives high school students a head start on their future in college.

The early college programs gives students from Massachusetts a chance to take college classes while still in high school.

They are able to go off campus from their normal high school to take classes at NECC. The classes that they take at NECC will count as credit on their high school transcript but can also go to their college transcript.

“The Early College program helps students get an advance start on what college is all about. Students learn how to choose their schedule, talk to an advisor, expectations of a college course vs high school course, use the college resources such as tutoring, academic coaching, organization and self-advocacy with college professors. One Early College students graduate from high school they should know what college is all about and know which major they are interested, ” said Early College staff member Myrna Percibal.

The early college program is also helpful for high school students because they are able to test courses in majors that they are interested in before committing to a major in college to see if it is the right fit for them.

“In addition to the general education courses, you can also take courses that interest you to test the waters in a certain career option or to see if a particular field is right for you. These courses may transfer as well,” according to NECC.

Joining the NECC college program can also help future college students obtain scholarships for other colleges that they plan to go to after they complete the early college program.

“At NECC, we have several ways for you to get a head start on a degree. Starting early is smart – you can save money and time, get an early introduction to college life, and start investing in your future,” according to NECC.

Any high school student can be involved with Early College. The guidelines to be an Early College student is apply, assess and register. Once the student applies each EC student needs to choose a pathway. This will give us a better idea which courses the student can register. In order for a student to be part of EC the student has to show that they are ready for college courses. The assessment is a way to determine if they student qualifies and is ready in reading and writing at the or close to college level. If a high school student is a senior and they have a 2.75 GPA or higher the assessment is waived. Students that the assessment is waived will start with English Comp I and if they decide to take a math course the student can start with our first level college math course applied math or statistics depending on the students pathway, said Percibal.

To become apart of the early college program you have to meet with your high school guidance counselor to see if it is a good fit for you.

“We have three high schools that have our largest cohort at NECC. Haverhill High, Lawrence High and Whittier,” said Percibal. “Most of the students start as a junior and when they graduate from high school they graduate with 30 credits. This means that most of these students start as a sophomore at any college or universities that they decide to attend. The only advice I give all my students is that the Early college credits are transferable to any state of Mass universities or colleges. If it is a private or out of state school it will be under the schools discretion. In the most part most schools have accepted the credits but this is a conversation the student needs to have with the advisor.We have also have had seniors that have graduated from high school with their associates degree.”