Partners in Early College Initiative L-r: Mary Sarris, Executive Director of the North Shore Workforce Investment Board; Patricia Meservey, President, Salem State University; Patricia Gentile, President, NSCC; Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Mayor of Lynn; Catherine Latham, Superintendent of Lynn Public Schools; Lori Berry, Executive Director, Lynn Community Health Center
Imagine being able to take up to 30 college credits while still in high school, graduating with both a high school diploma and a year of college under one’s belt, at a huge cost savings and great jump on college completion? That will now be possible through an innovative partnership between North Shore Community College (NSCC) and the three high schools in the Lynn Public School (LPS) system.
The two educational partners signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to create an educational resource sharing partnership for the mutual betterment of LPS and NSCC students and to advance common interests in the attainment of their respective educational missions and goals.
The NSCC LPS Early College model, will: help more Lynn high school students persist to high school graduation; see more students be more likely to go on after high school graduation to college, persist in college and obtain a college degree; provide to Lynn high school students a jump on their college experience, both lowering the total cost of a post-secondary certificate or degree and cutting the time to either an associate degree and, hopefully, a bachelor’s degree; provide a seamless academic path where college credits earned in NSCC LPS Early College transfer in full to North Shore Community College and then on to Salem State University.
This program is based on a three-year Early College pilot between NSCC & LPS, which will conclude in the spring semester.
“This is an auspicious and historic occasion,” said Dr. Patricia A. Gentile, NSCC President. “Research clearly delineates the various benefits of an Early College approach to helping prepare and inspire high school students for a college or post-secondary education commitment. The MA Department of Higher Education has goals to reduce the achievement gap for minority students and to better serve underserved populations. This historic step, under CommUniverCity at Lynn, is certainly an innovative way to achieve those education goals.”
“Sincere thanks to everyone involved in this process – you have all made and will continue to make a huge difference in the life of our Early College students, the City of Lynn, and the economic future of this region,” Gentile added.
Cathie Latham, LPS Superintendent, noted, “I can’t tell you how excited I am about this. So many of our students are first generation and this will give them the opportunity to see what college is all about and to experience their ability to succeed. This takes away the fear of the unknown and is a wonderful opportunity at very little cost.”
Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy stated “how vital it is to have a well-educated and trained workforce. This initiative will help the city as a whole.
“I know what tuition bills are like and how difficult it is to finance a college degree. To be able to provide this will get kids off to a very important, and cost effective, start. It is absolutely terrific!” the Mayor said.
The CommUniverCity at Lynn is an urban education workforce development collaboration. The initiative will provide effective and affordable educational pathways from pre-school to graduate school and into the workforce, promoting integration of academic and career pathways and community services with the goal of improved student retention and completion rates, a more coordinated response to regional workforce needs, and expanded interagency collaborations.
Dr. Patricia Meservey, President of Salem State University and a CommUniverCity partner, noted, “What is different with this program is a firm commitment to offer a pathway from 10th grade to an associate’s and on to a bachelor’s degree with clear pathways, expectations and the knowledge that all credits will transfer.
“We are also particularly thankful to our industry partners as students need to see the job opportunities and career pathways, and to our philanthropic partners who are providing a significant portion of the resources to really make this happen,” President Meservey said.