Northern Essex Trustees Meet in Lawrence; Library Describes Student Supports

The Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees met June 17, 2026, in room L244 of the John R. Dimitry Building at 45 Franklin Street in Lawrence. Chair Borislow opened the meeting at 5:06 p.m.; a quorum was present. Attendees included Borislow, Cousins, Fernandez, Gomez, Gomez Ruiz, Hamm, Hatem-Roy, Horne (arrived 5:19 p.m.), Kelley, Silverio and Yepez, and President Glenn. Trustees unanimously approved the May 6, 2026 minutes. No correspondence was reported.

Vice President Austin Gilliland introduced Associate Dean Matthew Bodie, who reviewed library efforts to boost student success. Bodie highlighted programs such as Spice Up Your Ramen, a zine workshop, a Yankee Book Swap, Engineering Week events and Women’s History Month activities, and described AI-enabled database tools and research linking database use with higher GPAs. The laptop-lending collection grew by 55 grant-funded machines to nearly 100; devices are wiped after return. Bodie said the library is aiding the shift to the Brightspace platform and developing AI literacy through grant partnerships, and outlined Foundation-funded plans for new study pods. Meeting participants said tracking loaner-computer use may be possible, though NECC has not chosen to do so. Mr. Bodie said the library shares information online and with flyers but emphasizes classroom visits to reach students.