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May 1, 2024 (Haverhill, MA) – The May meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees included a thought-provoking sabbatical report, a recap of the second annual Impact Awards, a second round of approvals for two new degree programs, and a heartfelt thank you to a board member whose term is ending.

Professor Adrianna Holden-Gouveia

Sabbatical Report: The Internet of Things By Professor Adrianna Holden-Gouveia
Professor Adrianna Holden-Gouveia is a faculty lead for NECC’s STEM Center. She spent her recent sabbatical researching security on the Internet of Things, which refers to everyday devices people have in their homes that are connected to the internet: things like Ring cameras, Amazon Echos, and FitBits.

“The security on the Internet of Things is a dumpster fire,” said Holden-Gouveia. “Personal information is insecure at a fundamental design level. Some of these devices that are so insecure they can’t be fixed.”

Holden-Gouveia said the reason that so many of these devices are inexpensive is that the manufacturers make their real money from selling data collected from them. So, what can the average person do to make their data more secure? Holden-Gouveia has rated and ranked these devices on her website to allow people to make more informed decisions when buying products. She has also created a step-by-step guide on how to implement the security safeguards she uses in her home. Holden-Gouveia said she encourages students to do similar research and find security solutions for devices they use daily.

Business Programs Approved
The Board voted unanimously to approve the next step in creating two new business degree programs: an associate’s Degree in Marketing and an Associate’s Degree in Entrepreneurial Business. The programs will now move to the final phase of the state approval process.

“Thank you to Provost Paul Beaudin, Dean Jody Carson and Professor Sheila Muller for the reconnaissance that goes into determining the need for these programs and for the hard work and effort that goes into creating new degrees,” noted NECC President Lane Glenn.

Bidding Farewell
The May meeting was the final meeting for Trustee Marianne Paley Nadel, whose term is ending. Paley Nadel started serving on the board in 2015 and most recently served as the chair of the Equity Imperative Committee.

“Your years of service, your impact has been felt near and far. I wanted to acknowledge that we’re incredibly grateful for your service to the school,” NECC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Jennifer Borislow told Paley Nadel.

The college’s Board of Trustees includes nine members who are appointed by the governor of the state to a maximum of two five-year terms as well as an alumni-elected member, who also serves a maximum of 10 years, and a student trustee who serves for two semesters. Find more information including meeting dates and minutes from past meetings on the webpage.