Bulletin for May 23, 2022

 

 

Three more days!!

THERE IS STILL TIME to participate in the 56th Commencement Ceremony!  Faculty and staff that are interested in participating live in person at one or more of the Commencement ceremonies, please complete this google form, if you have not already done so.

We are still seeking event staff to help make the events run smoothly.  We welcome all who can assist. Please note, you do not need to be there all day and that there are several opportunities to contribute and still walk in one or more of the ceremonies, if you so choose.  You can access the form here to sign up as an Event Staff member at the Commencement Ceremony.

Below is some important Day of Commencement information for faculty and staff:

1.  Parking for faculty and staff will be at our Broad Street parking lot.

2.  If you are participating in one or more of the ceremonies, please plan to arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.  Faculty and staff are meeting in the classroom behind Campus Police LE 140 to robe and gather.   If you prefer not to robe, no problem!  We will still have you all sit together!

3.  Faculty and staff will walk together into the gymnasium approximately 10 minutes before the start of the ceremony to be seated together.  

4.  Faculty and staff will recess out before the students and form two lines with the platform party and event staff to cheer on the graduates as we did at the drive thru and years past at SSU.  In LE 140, we will have some noise makers to distribute.  Feel free to bring your own if you would like .

Additional details may be found at www.northshore.edu/commencement.  Questions can be directed to commencement@northshore.edu or 781-477-2124.

Thank you so much for your patience and flexibility, as I navigated this new role and new format.  As you can imagine there have been many ebbs and flows and changes as we have constructed and reconstructed these events.   I am excited we are hosting Commencement at HOME and am looking forward to seeing you all in 3 days.  

--Amanda Dooling, Director, Student Engagement

 

 

Celebrate Commencement with our 2022 graduates by posting congratulations and/or photos & videos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #nsccgrad22. 

 

FT Faculty: Get involved with Pathways to Success, NSCC's Title III grant!
Deadline to express interest: May 23

Are you interested in improving student outcomes, helping students identify their career goals, and working with others across the college to close achievement gaps and improve student success? The Title III grant is looking for faculty participation in the following ways: Contextualized Courses Faculty Circles : 5 hours a month from June to DecemberPathways Task Force: 4-5 hours a month from May to DecemberIntrigued? Click here to learn more about these opportunities. Questions? Contact Sonja Gamby, sgamby@northshore.edu or John Duff, jduff@northshore.edu

 

 

2022 NISOD Teaching Excellence Awards

North Shore Community College recently re-joined NISOD and we are excited to be able to participate in the NISOD Excellence in Teaching Awards program again. Please join us in congratulating our four faculty members who will be receiving the award this year. We will officially recognize them in September at the opening college meeting but wanted to share the wonderful news with the campus community now. 

Each faculty member was asked to share what inspires and motivates them in their work; what strategies help drive their success; and/or what words of wisdom they might pass on to others. We are including their inspiring words here:

Erinn Gilmore, Assistant Professor, Human Services & Developmental Disabilities Chair

“Embracing students' uniqueness while making a positive difference in their education and lives continues to inspire my work as an educator. My goal is that every student I encounter will know that my support, guidance, and encouragement will help them to keep moving forward to achieve their educational and professional pursuits.”

William (Billy) Jackson, Professor and Chair, Mathematics

“The best part about working in community colleges is the community aspect. I'm inspired to teach my students who are likely to live and stay in my home community, students who could be my future nurse, teach my children, or in some other way be a part of my everyday life.”

Yelenna Rondon, Professor, Business

“Abraham Lincoln once said, “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.” Watching my community college students thrive despite many challenges inspires me to strive for excellence, while intertwining their personal and educational experiences helps to drive my students’ success.”

Maria del Mar Vazquez, Professor, Psychology

“As an educator, what energizes me the most is realizing that the knowledge that will be shared in the classroom is an important equalizer and agent of change that will hopefully have a positive impact in an individual’s development. I find that being genuine works best in establishing rapport with my students.”

 

Thank you Erinn, Billy, Yelenna, and Maria for your commitment and dedication to our students inside and outside the classroom!

--Andrea DeFusco-Sullivan, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Andrea Milligan, Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation

 

 

Caption Contest Winner

Thank you to all who participated in the caption contest!  We enjoyed some laughs over the amusing and very creative submissions.  But we could only chose one winner and the winning caption, submitted by Susan Downey, Admissions and Recruitment, is:  "Wow, look at me, larger than life!  Glad to be the 5th President of NSCC."

Congratulations, Sue!  You will be contacted regarding claiming your prize of a $25 gift card to the NSCC Bookstore.

 

 

 

 

Academic Affairs Retirements, Resignations

Academic Affairs wishes everything good to these faculty and staff as they leave the College:

 

Justine Morse - A long-serving member of the NSCC community, Justine touched many with her kindness and supportive approach. She was instrumental in the early adoption of many innovations in CAS, as well as successfully helping to run the Danvers office and test for faculty courses. We in CAS will miss her very much. At the same time, we congratulate her on her retirement and wish her well in the next chapter of her life. Thank you for being such an awesome CAS-mate, Justine!

 

Cynthia Therrien- Cindy will always be known for her special relationship with NSCC's ESOL students, who enjoyed her care and advocacy for many years. Her former teammates in CAS will miss her cheerful and supportive presence in Lynn. We are, however, pleased to see her return as a part time greeter at the Danvers campus. Thanks so much, Cindy!  And congratulations on your retirement. 

 

 

Lory Kwan Keller- Lory successfully supported the smooth running of CAS's office in Lynn for many years. Her organizational skills and talent for understanding the details are legendary. She was instrumental in the design of the new CAS suite in Lynn, as well as being the face of faculty course testing. Popular with faculty and staff alike, Lory will be missed by many, especially by her CAS-mates. Thank you, Lory, and we wish you all of the best in your retirement!

 

Lynn Clarkson - Lynn joined NSCC in 1985 and has been a pillar in the English department and across the college for nearly four decades. Lynn got her B.A. from Antioch College and her M.Ed. from Harvard University. She is a gifted, compassionate teacher who has taught in multiple roles across the college, most notably TRIO and WIT. Her students adore her and speak glowingly of how much they learn about the craft of writing in her classes. How committed a teacher is Lynn? It's the stuff of legend now, but Lynn was in the middle of teaching an English class when she went into labor. Shortly after leaving campus in labor, Lynn gave birth to her twin boys, Ethan and Ben. One of those twins just became a father himself, and Lynn, a new grandmother. In her retirement, Lynn is looking forward to spending time with her new granddaughter, Nora, as well as traveling with her husband, Bob, and taking long hikes with her Golden Retriever, Angus. 

 

John Zamparelli - John joined NSCC in 2010 on a one-year contract. He was such a gifted, remarkable teacher that the college found a way to create a tenure-track position for John, and he has continued that tradition of excellent teaching for a dozen years. John got his B.A. from New York University and his M.F.A. from Emerson College. John is a passionate, tireless teacher who gives his all and then some to his students day in and day out. John has taught our Creative Writing class for years, and his students have had their work recognized at several regional competitions, always with John in the audience cheering them on. John took on the Visiting Writer initiative and under his care, it has flourished. John has brought to campus an extraordinary and diverse collection of writers. John is a huge fan of the New England Patriots and some guy named Tom Brady He is also an avid skier and traveler. In his retirement, John and his wife Pannawadee are moving to Thailand where many adventures await them. 

 

Maureen Nardella - Maureen, who is retiring after 30 years at NSCC, is a long-serving faculty member and department chair for the Occupational Therapist Assistant Program. Maureen has been a strong advocate for the program and students. She has successfully led the program through ever-changing accreditation standards, curriculum, annual reporting, and re-accreditation. She has won countless awards (MAOT and AOTA) as well has had leadership roles within both of those organizations. All while growing the OTA Program and raising her two boys with her husband. Maureen enjoys spending time with family and friends and skiing. We hope Maureen will come back as a simulated participant.

 

Margaret Figgins-Hill - Peggy has passionately served the college and her students over her entire career.  Peggy has always been there to support her students and to advocate for them.  As the coordinator of the Women in Transition program, she has been able to help many in this vulnerable population to overcome their individual challenges and attain levels of success they never dreamed possible.  Although the WIT program was comparatively small in numbers, the actual impact and life changing experiences Peggy facilitated are incalculable.  I am only allowing Peggy to retire because she has promised to keep teaching in the Human Services Program.   Thank you for everything you have done on behalf of your students.  

 

Kristin Erbetta - Kristin, a longtime professor in the Behavioral Sciences department, was a beloved and respected member of the Division of Liberal Studies. Her commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice was apparent in her teaching and in her service to the college on Diversity Leadership Committee, and the REJI teams. She also taught courses for TRiO and WIT cohorts regularly. As she begins a new career in the Social Work program at Salem State, we are thrilled that she will continue as an adjunct with us. 

Joan Latauskas - Joan joined NSCC as a nurse educator in 2015. She is an RN with 35 years experience in pediatrics and adult nursing in acute care, emergency, outpatient, and vascular access. Her leadership at NSCC  includes curriculum development, team leader of second year faculty, engagement in college-wide committees, instruction in classroom, online and clinical settings. We wish her all the best as she leaves for new work adventures.

 

Mary Beth Nelson - For almost 19 years, Mary Beth Nelson has been a longstanding  and outstanding Department Chair in Business, invaluable member of governance, and advocate for students. Her leadership in TLSD and other professional development venues has supported her colleagues at the college, and across the state system. Recently, she was one of the college's representatives on the Mass Transfer pathways work. Mary Beth has been, and will continue to be, a bright light at the College, and on the North Shore. Thank you Mary Beth!

--Andrea DeFusco-Sullivan, Interim VP of Academic Affairs

 

 

Transforming the Future Festival on Lynn TV

If you were unable to make it to the Transforming the Future Festival, Lynn TV did an outstanding job filming an overview of the festival and interviewing the festival planning chairs and commitee members - Dianne McDermott Cerasuolo, Maria del Mar Vazquez and Sharon Zajac. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LY0YS5GsEk

 

 

COVID Testing at NSCC

The Danvers COVID Testing kiosk has been closed due to reduced usage. Faculty, staff and students in the local area looking for COVID testing can utilize a COVID testing kiosk in Peabody at 8 Centennial Drive. Testing can be accessed by parking and walking to the kiosk or by making an appointment in advance using this link: https://curative.com/sites/34433.  Home tests and N-95 masks are available at the Greeter stations on both campuses.

 

 

 

Fiscal Year-End Procedures

Each year as the College’s fiscal year end approaches, there are a number of financial procedures that department heads and managers need to perform to ensure complete and accurate financial statements for the fiscal year.

Fisal Year 2022 Closing Calendar

Click the calendar link with key dates for closing your department’s finances for FY22. Please read the following information carefully, and reach out to staff members in the Fiscal Affairs Office with any questions or concerns. Please plan accordingly to ensure a successful close.

--Eileen Gerenz, Comptroller

 

 

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

Like most commemorative months, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month originated with Congress. Its origins date back to the late 1970s first with annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week until the 1990 when Congress passed its observance to a month. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

In her recent article, Dr. Liza Talusan argues it is clear that Asian and Pacific American history is made invisible in or curriculum, and this month is an important time to amplify the voices of Asian and Pacific Americans. Check Dr. Talusan’s post to learn more, including the following resources:

• See Us Unite is an incredible collaboration between Jeff Chang and Renee Tajima-Pena with short videos that highlight incredible Asian and Pacific American issues, particularly related to cross racial solidarity

• The Library of Congress has a great section for teachers navigating AAPI Heritage Month

• Don’t forget intersectional themes; this here is a great source on AAPI and Queer Identity.

• Fantastic resource by the Smithsonian with lesson plans for AAPI Heritage Month

• A whole listing (with videos) of Asian American poets (be sure to watch them first based on ages)

• A good primer if you are at the start of your own journey understanding AAPIs in the United States

• Have your school or organization invest in purchasing the Asians in America documentary to raise your own knowledge and awareness and to use the lesson plans written by incredible Asian American and Pacific Islander educators.

• A list of AAPI activists to include in your programming efforts

As always, I welcome and invite the NSCC community to participate in this year's Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage Month celebrations through the numerous and various events happening across the North Shore all month long.  Also, Student Engagement will be celebrating with an AAPI Heritage Month Pizza and Movie!

--Nikki Pelonia, Chief Diversity & Equity Officer, npelonia@northshore.edu

 

 

 

Join NSCC for Disney Pride

Join NSCC for Disney Pride presented by the Boston Gay Men's Chorus Sunday June 5, 3pm at the Lynn Auditorium.  Free Tickets available to NSCC faculty, staff, students, and their guests. Limited number of tickets available. Sign-up now to reserve your seats! Courtesy of the Solimine Family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Summer Food Service

Please note that there will be no summer food service in our campus cafes beginning May 11.  Stay tuned for the reopening date.

 

 

 

Welcome to the
Equality & Equity Project

 As part of our commitment to Anti-Racism, Diversity & Inclusion, the Equality & Equity Project will provide historical and present-day information about the contributions, challenges, culture, and daily lives of the many vital groups that make up our NSCC community, and the larger world.

We invite you to visit often, reflect on what you see and read, discuss it with others and, hopefully, expand your knowledge base, appreciation, and understanding of groups beyond your own.                                  

Think About This:

May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories of Americans hailing from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Like many other ethnic groups mental health remains a barrier.