Observer Department: News


A penny for your thoughts

In May 2025, the Secretary of Treasury was ordered to stop the production of new pennies.  The production of pennies has been ordered to stop in the beginning of 2026, which is getting closer as the days go by.  As the discontinuation of pennies is nearing, there are raising concerns…


Global Politics Club meeting focuses on flags

NECC’s Global Politics Club recently took a breather between heavy subjects. Recent topics of discussion at Professor Stephen Russell’s Global Politics Club have ranged from the youthful uprising of Nepal to the heavily-broadcasted humanitarian crisis of Gaza’s siege and starvation.  Typically a student takes charge of organizing a different discussion…


Weekly specials back at Perfect Blend Cafe

The Perfect Blend Café at C Spurk Building in the Haverhill campus of NECC has brought back Weekly Wednesday Specials for the fall semester. This was mostly due to both persuasion and helpful decision making by the café staff to bring back this beneficial trend for those attending NECC who…


Shuttle transformation?

NECC students and even staff find the bus shuttles very useful during all the busy school days throughout the semesters.  It has become a lifesaver for students that need to travel in between both Lawrence and Haverhill Campuses. The shuttles typically run every hour and even a few times in…

NECC shuttle bus by the curb in front of building.


YMCA child care moves off campus

The YMCA Child Care Program closed operations at NECC’s Haverhill campus this fall for a number of reasons.  Several staff members recently spoke with this reporter about the transition of the child care space leaving D building (the sports and fitness center) and the content that will take up the…


Students put faith in NECC

Students and faculty put their faith in NECC. They look to NECC for a safe campus and secure data protection, but specifically, air clear from airborne particles such as viral aerosols, mold and wildfire smoke. Dez Kelly, Liberal Arts major at NECC, speaks of community care and grassroots organization. But,…


Older students find opportunities at NECC

Older adults are returning to school at NECC this fall to further their education. Most students begin their college career shortly after high school.  However, many others choose to return in later stages of life. This could be for one of many reasons. It could be for better job opportunities,…


Julia Alvarez visits

Northern Essex Community College has begun the year with an appreciative and beneficial event, “Literature, Legacy, Community. An Evening with Julia Alvarez.” Sponsored by the White Fund and hosted by NECC’s Vice President Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus along with some staff members, the event took place on the Lawrence Campus during…

Four people standing on a stage smiling.


AI experts meet students

The first AI Panel Event in NECC was held on April 16, and it gathered staff, students and faculty in the Lecture Hall, all of them curious to ask questions about AI, artificial intelligence. Five panelists from different industries, using AI at their workplace, shared their experience and insights about…

A group of people stand in a line in front of a sign.


Students share views at open forum

Monday afternoon proved fruitful for members of the Student Affairs Committee, as they held an open student forum where members of both campuses shared their experiences, questions, and concerns with the current state of Northern Essex Community College in a town-hall style online meeting. Hosted on the afternoon of April…