Employee Recognition Breakfast

Nancy Barker, a proud North Shore alum, dedicated more than 26 years to the College and played a key role in strengthening its reputation through her work in Communications, including the faculty/staff Bulletin. Her efforts helped share the College’s stories with the broader community, but just as importantly, Nancy was an integral part of the community within NSCC itself.

She was always the first to volunteer, the first to spread the word, and the last to take any credit. Since retiring in August 2025, Nancy has been living her best life, embracing the phrase “Retire from work but not from life.” She is greatly enjoying having more time to spend with family and friends, volunteering with seniors, ticking items off her bucket list, traveling, trying to garden successfully, and learning to tap dance!

Kathy Gallo, Director of Career Pathways, began working at North Shore Community College in September 1998 and retired from her position in September 2025. Through her strong sense of collaboration, teamwork, and alignment with the college’s mission, she successfully oversaw the implementation of the Early Childhood Education Career Pathways activities supported by the grant year after year.

Kathy consistently advocated for education and for what is in the best interest of children. To this end, she supported nonnative English learners and encouraged adult learners to pursue careers in this field. Examples of how this was achieved include offering ESL contextualized workshops and supporting journeys toward the Child Development Associate credential.

Beyond the walls of NSCC, Kathy served on various statewide task forces aimed at early childhood education programming and service delivery, with equity and accessibility considerations always at the forefront.

Her deep knowledge, passion for the field, and collaboration with her colleagues will truly be missed. We wish Kathy all the best and a very joyful retirement!

Cheryl Hines was a Workforce Programmer in Professional Education for 18 years. She was responsible for the certificate programs and classes offered by Professional Education, working with credit and noncredit instructors, curriculum, and the operations team to offer a catalog of classes each semester.

She led the CPED division with expert knowledge in workforce development and healthcare programming, particularly in CNA training, while aligning industry certifications and licenses to ensure full compliance and excellence across all certificate programs. Cheryl worked with the Professional Education team to create three catalogs in a calendar year for more than 15 years, growing student enrollment to a high of over 3,000 students in 2019. In addition, she worked swiftly to shift all classes to online access after COVID.

Cheryl worked with precision, passion, and grace to stand up programming and collaborate with staff, internal NSCC partners, and community workforce partners. She negotiated contracts with third party training vendors and ensured every detail met NSCC’s standards and learner needs. She also partnered with Corporate Education as needed, especially on healthcare programming.

There was never a situation, problem, or goal Cheryl wasn’t willing to tackle, and she is known across the NSCC community for her drive and exceptional organizational skills. She is intelligent, passionate, responsible, funny, and someone who never lets details get away from her—no loose ends!

Cheryl will always be part of the Professional Education and NSCC family. She is more than a colleague and is deeply missed in our day-to-day work. We are grateful for her commitment to public service and the college for so many years.

Anne has been a cornerstone of the Math Department—and of NSCC as a whole—since her very beginning here. Recruited as an adjunct faculty member in 1992 by Art Neuner, a friend and NSCC legend, Anne credits her career at the college to his encouragement. As an adjunct, she taught a wide range of courses, from developmental math through calculus, before joining full-time in 2003 as both a faculty member and an AMATYC Project ACCESS Fellow. Her passion for teaching quickly revealed her leadership strengths, and she became a trusted mentor to colleagues across the college.

Throughout her career, Anne has consistently championed student success. Most recently, she designed a flipped learning model for Precalculus and Calculus and co-developed a self-enrolled Algebra 1 Blackboard course. Her leadership extended across campus committees, including Student Development, Professional Development, Faculty/Staff Steering, Coordinating Council, and CTLI. Known for her humor and sharp mathematical thinking, Anne brought insight and care to every role she held.

Her influence also reached beyond NSCC. Through her work with the New England Math Association for Two-Year Colleges, she served as Vice President of its Executive Committee, chaired its conference committee, and co-hosted a conference at NSCC—an event fondly remembered for its lively and creative spirit.

Anne’s leadership journey even includes a memorable moment when she was elected MCCC Vice President in absentia due to a missed meeting. Undeterred, she embraced the role with dedication and grace, serving throughout the pandemic years.

As Anne transitions into a well-deserved retirement—filled with cycling, golf, and pottery—we thank her for her extraordinary contributions. From mentoring faculty to supporting students, her impact has been lasting and profound. We are delighted she will continue as an adjunct, coming full circle to where her journey began. Anne, thank you for being an exceptional teacher, mentor, and leader.

Jane Schweizer, Department Chair of Respiratory Care, has served NSCC for 39 years. Prior to joining the faculty, Jane was a graduate of the Respiratory Care program. After several years working as a respiratory therapist, she returned to NSCC as a clinical instructor, later serving as clinical coordinator before assuming her current role as department chair.

During her tenure, Jane has successfully led the program through multiple programmatic reaccreditations and has received several CoARC Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Awards, which recognize respiratory therapy programs that exceed CoARC requirements for Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials, retention, and on-time graduation, reflecting the strength of the program and the success of its graduates.

Professor Schweizer has long been recognized for her integrity, intellectual generosity, and deep commitment to the Respiratory Care program. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a rare combination of scholarly rigor, humility, and genuine care for both students and colleagues. She approaches teaching and leadership with a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism and has consistently modeled the values that define the respiratory care profession.

I would like to thank Jane for her many years of service, dedication, and commitment to the program, the division, and the college. She will be greatly missed.

Dr. Walter Stone dedicated more than two decades of service to North Shore Community College, beginning his career at the College on September 1, 2004, as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Over the course of his faculty career, he advanced through the academic ranks—becoming Associate Professor of Mathematics in 2007 and Professor of Mathematics in 2010—reflecting his strong commitment to teaching, scholarship, and student success.

In 2017, Dr. Stone transitioned from the faculty into academic leadership when he was appointed Assistant Dean of STEM and Education, where he supported faculty, academic programs, and student pathways in key disciplinary areas. Building on that work, he later assumed the role of Dean of Postsecondary Transition Programs in 2023, where he helped strengthen initiatives that support students in their transition to and through higher education.

Throughout his career at NSCC, Dr. Stone contributed meaningfully to the College’s academic mission, supporting both instructional excellence and institutional initiatives that expand access and opportunity for students.

Dr. Stone retired on October 31, 2025, concluding more than twenty-one years of service to North Shore Community College. We thank him for his dedication and contributions and wish him well in retirement.

Thank you for being here as we celebrate a truly special milestone—the retirement of Lieutenant Bob Vaccaro after 32 years of dedicated service with the North Shore Community College Police Department.

A career in law enforcement isn’t measured simply in years. It’s measured in lives protected, people mentored, problems solved, and the example set for others. Still, 32 years of service speaks volumes about Bob’s character and commitment. By every measure, his career has been exceptional.

For many of us, Bob has been more than a colleague. He’s been a steady presence, a trusted leader, and someone whose calm professionalism set the tone for those around him. In a profession where situations can change in an instant, Bob was someone people relied on—bringing experience, sound judgment, and integrity to every decision.

Campus policing is unique. It requires not only the skills of an officer, but also the patience of a teacher and the empathy of a counselor. Bob understood that better than anyone. He helped build an environment where safety and respect go hand in hand, and where the police department is a trusted part of the campus community.

Over the years, Bob mentored younger officers, passing on not just tactics, but the core values of service, accountability, and respect. Those lessons will continue to shape this department for years to come.

Today isn’t just about looking back—it’s about what comes next. While Bob may no longer be answering the radio, the qualities that defined his career will continue to guide him in whatever comes next.

Bob, thank you for your leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to others. Your impact will be lasting, and your career something to be proud of.

Please join me in congratulating Lieutenant Bob Vaccaro and wishing him health, happiness, and new adventures ahead.

Taylor Bee

Carol Blanchard

Son Huynh

Dana Kyminas

Alicia Mayer

Laura McKellar

Amy Middleton

Julie Morrill

Michael Morris

Sarah Olken

Eric Ong

Annmarie Paolucci

Angel Rodriguez

Sarah Stopyra

Ana Tejeda

Kacie Brennan

Brian Falter

James Gargano

Sara Hilinski

Kehinde Ikuomenisan

Rex Krajewski

Joseph Mansell

Nicole Marcotte

Gary Miller

Wanda Pothier-Hill

Norberto Rosario

Luciano Sappia

Alexa Singer

Andrew Yuen

Suchitra Amritkumar

Mario Cabrera

Frank D'Agostino

Kara Kaufman

Anne Tabet

Teresa Cheung

Kathleen Lyth

Blair Robinson

Luis Francisco

Ann Koshivas

Angel Lugo

Karynn Mason

Mary Meng-Lee

Cheryl Gebhardt

Teresa Whitney