Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 1/31/21

January 31, 2021 by Kristin Cole

AROUND THE VALLEY

Two Haverhill High School Alumni Selected for STEM Fellowship

Two Haverhill High School graduates, who continued their studies at Northern Essex Community College (NECC), have been chosen for a selective fellowship focused on addressing the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx talent in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math.)

Alejandro Brito, a 2015 Haverhill High School graduate, who graduated from NECC’s Computer Information Science Transfer Program in December of 2020, and Sebastian Rosario, who graduated from Haverhill High School in 2019 and is now enrolled in NECC’s Computer Information Science: Networking & Security Program, were both chosen after a rigorous selection process for the New England Venture Capital Association’s Hack.Diversity Fellowship.

As part of the eight-month fellowship program, the two will have access to mentors, professional development workshops, an expansive alumni network, and full-time, paid, summer internships with Boston’s fastest growing technology companies.

UML Honors 2021 MLK Distinguished Service Award Winners

Members of the UMass Lowell (UML) community whose work exemplifies the ideals advanced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were recognized by the university at a ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 28.

UML’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards honor recipients for their commitment to social change, community service and engagement. Participants came together during the virtual event to celebrate MLK’s legacy and the achievements of the honorees. The award winners were Benedicta Agyemang-Brantuo and Yahayra Michel.

Agyemang-Brantuo of Worcester, an Honors College student enrolled in the bachelor’s-to-master’s program, is a chemistry major with a minor in public health. Agyemang-Brantuo founded Advocates of Health Equity for Minorities, a UML student group that works toward improved health outcomes for underserved populations. Agyemang-Brantuo is a senator in UML’s student government association, a mentor in one of the university’s living-learning communities, a student staff member in the UML Career and Co-op Center and a participant in UMass Lowell’s DifferenceMaker student entrepreneurship program.

Michel (pictured above) of Lawrence, is an assistant teaching professor in UML’s School of Criminology and Justice studies. Beyond her classroom instruction, Michel is a volunteer mentor in UML’s River Hawk Scholars Academy. Michel also serves as an advisory board member for UML’s Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies program. A first-generation college student and military veteran, Michel is a “triple River Hawk,” who holds UML undergraduate degrees in psychology and criminal justice, along with a UML master’s degree in criminal justice and criminology.

Holy Family Named Top Hospital

Holy Family Hospital has been named a 2020 “Top Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit that focuses on quality and safety in health care, for the third time in 4 years. Holy Family Hospital is one of only two hospitals in the commonwealth to be named a Top General Hospital, and one of only 29 community hospitals in the entire nation to receive this award.

Enterprise Bank Ranked as National Top Workplace

Enterprise Bank has been named among the top workplaces in the nation by Energage, the company that conducts the annual Boston Globe’s top places to work survey.

Our Enterprise ranked #2 among employers with 500–999 team members in the national top workplaces USA 2021 category. Among employers with 500–999 team members, they were also ranked #1 in the top leaders category and #2 in the clued-in leaders category. The rankings were determined by employee surveys conducted in 2020.

Click on the link for the full list of companies recognized by Top Work Places USA.

In November 2020, Enterprise Bank was named the #1 top place to work among large-sized companies by The Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work program. It was the bank’s second consecutive year in the #1 spot and third time in four years. It also marked the ninth consecutive year that Enterprise Bank was named a top workplace.

UML Criminology Researcher Studies New Sexual Abuse Prevention Program

A UMass Lowell (UML) criminology researcher will share in a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study a new intervention program aimed at preventing sexual abuse.

Ryan Shields (pictured above), assistant professor in UML’s School of Criminology and Justice Studies, will assess the effectiveness of “Help Wanted Prevention Intervention,” the interactive online program he developed with researcher Elizabeth Letourneau of Johns Hopkins University in the hope of averting sexual abuse, which he described as a “significant public health problem.”

An estimated one in four girls and one in 13 boys are victims of sexual abuse at some point in childhood, according to the CDC.

The four-year grant will allow the team to examine the psychological and social stressors behind offending behaviors and to evaluate whether the “Help Wanted” website is an effective intervention program. The platform does not collect or save any identifying information about users who log on, Shields said.

The “Help Wanted” website underscores the critical need for prevention strategies before abuses are committed. Although information on the website is tailored to adults, there is also a great need to offer interventions for younger people who need help, according to Shields. He hopes that this “opens the door to a larger national investment in prevention.”

New Hampshire Launches Statewide Marketing Campaign

New Hampshire’s governor, along with economic development and tourism officials, is launching a statewide marketing campaign in an effort to boost the state’s local businesses as they navigate through the devastating economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Entitled “Support Local: Go the Extra Mile,” the integrated campaign launched this month and will run through March via advertisements on billboards, television spots and social media.

The campaign stresses the importance of shopping, dining and staying locally and encourages residents to patronize small businesses. A dedicated website with comprehensive listings of N.H. businesses as well as other resources will be available upon the launch.

MCC and UML Online Programs Receive High Marks in National Rankings

The online programs of Middlesex Community College (MCC) and UMass Lowell (UML) have been distinguished by national ranking sites.

MCC was one of the 2021 Best Online Associate Degrees, according to a new report by OnlineU that ranks Middlesex as no. 18 in the country for highest return on investment for students.

A recent report by Emsi — a labor market analytics firm — shows that in 2018–2019, MCC students paid $28.6 million to cover costs of tuition, fees, supplies and interest on their loans. Taking into account the amount of money they would have made working versus going to school, students who choose Middlesex earn on average $5.70 more for every dollar — a total of $324.5 million in increased earnings and a rate of return of 20.9%.

UMass Lowell’s (UML) online education programs are again ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, which assessed more than 1,000 programs nationwide.

UML’s online graduate program in criminal justice is No. 4 in the nation and No. 2 among all public colleges and universities, offering the lowest price among New England-based programs appearing in the new ranking. UML’s online graduate program in information technology is No. 16 in the nation and is the highest ranked among all public institutions in New England. UML’s online graduate programs in education are ranked No. 23 nationally and highest among New England colleges and universities.

Online graduate programs in business, including the MBA, offered by UML are also among the highest-ranking in the nation and the region. Nationally, UML’s online MBA is No. 35. Among the top 50 in the nation, UML’s program is the most affordable. The university’s online graduate programs in accounting, business analytics and finance are No. 29 in the nation and are the highest-ranked public programs in Massachusetts.

UML’s online graduate program in engineering management is the highest-ranked among public institutions in New England with the lowest tuition cost and is No. 50 in the nation.

The university’s online bachelor’s degree programs — which include subjects from business and English to liberal arts, information technology and criminal justice — are ranked No. 31 in the nation overall and second-highest among New England public institutions.

City of Lowell Public Murals Feedback

The city of Lowell is looking for residents to complete a survey to gather feedback from the Lowell community regarding the city’s proposed murals guidelines. The intention is to create an application process for interested artists and/or commercial property owners.

Currently, Lowell does not have a formal mural policy or ordinance. The city intends for the mural ordinance to provide a clear, transparent process for artists and / or commercial property owners with the financial resources to undertake a mural project with streamlined review and permitting from the city. Click here to complete the survey.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Lauren Brousseau Promoted to Director of Development and Corporate Communications at Lawrence-Based Home Health Foundation

Lauren Brousseau has been promoted to director of development and corporate communications at Home Health Foundation, a Lawrence-based nonprofit organization which provides home health, palliative and hospice care in all the places patients call home. Brousseau joined Home Health Foundation in 2010 as development associate.

Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra Bestows Principal Oboe Chair as the Jeanette Clemons Chair

The Jeannette Clemons Chair for Principal Oboe has been named honoring Jeannette Clemons, a member of the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra who passed in Dec. 2020. A fund will be created in honor of The Jeannette Clemons Chair.

Clemons was a professional flute player and was proud to be one of the first female musicians in the U.S. Navy band. She and her husband, Peter, played in the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra — she an oboist, and Peter a bassoonist. She also served as the personnel manager for many years.

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Check Out the Latest Episode of The 495 Podcast!

This week on The 495, we’re joined by very special guest U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan. We discussed the Jan. 6 siege on the Capitol, as well as forthcoming internet legislation and the recently passed Great American Outdoors Act. Listen to the podcast here.

A Way Forward

September 20, 2019 by Cindy Cantrell Leave a Comment

Behind the Custom MMIC Women in Engineering Scholarships

Throughout last year’s application process, Lillian Geller of Westford looked forward to becoming a college student while mindful of the possibility that her first choice, Tufts University, wasn’t going to be financially feasible.

As one of three recipients of a 2019 Custom MMIC Women in Engineering Scholarship, however, she was able to enroll this fall as a chemical engineering major at Tufts with a focus on environmental sustainability. Geller was awarded a four-year scholarship totaling $96,000, while Ananya Srinivasa-Gopalan of Chelmsford and Lina Abu-Absi of Groton each received four-year scholarships totaling $72,000 to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern University, respectively.

The scholarships were presented in partnership with Greater Lowell Community Foundation, which enhances the quality of life in the Merrimack Valley through charitable gifts, grants, legacy donations and scholarships from private and corporate donors and other foundations.

The impetus for Custom MMIC’s extraordinary gesture has roots in a previous time and place. Founder, President and CEO Paul Blount, a naturalized U.S. citizen who lives in Groton, grew up in a middle-class family in England, where his own dreams of higher education would have remained unfulfilled without a government scholarship.

At a December 2017 holiday party for the Chelmsford-based firm, which designs and manufactures radio-frequency and circuit devices, Blount announced his intention to fund a women’s engineering scholarship as a way to give back while also doing his part to diversify the predominantly male engineering ranks. After determining that the legal fees and tax implications of operating a scholarship would be cost-prohibitive, Custom MMIC partnered with Greater Lowell Community Foundation to oversee the process in March 2018.

MMIC group photo — L-r: MMIC’s president and CEO Paul Blunt; Lina Abu-Absi; Ananya Srinivasa-Gopalan; Lillian Geller; Jay Linnehan. Photo by Kevin Harkins.

Although Custom MMIC’s request for assistance wasn’t unusual, according to Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO Jay Linnehan, the value and focus of the academic scholarships are special.

“It’s a significant grant, and also extremely timely,” Linnehan says. “Data shows that women are woefully underrepresented in science, so having a company invest in female engineers is a great story that hopefully inspires someone else to follow their lead.”

Geller, in fact, is already thinking about paying the generosity forward to another female engineering student in the future. The struggle, she says, is real.

“In high school, there [were] only two girls in my AP physics class, and I do feel intimidated sometimes when I hear how difficult [working in a male-dominated field] is,” she says. “That’s why scholarships like this one are so important, to give more girls the means to pursue STEM fields.”

The original intention was to provide full tuition and to one female student from Westford Academy or Groton-Dunstable Regional High School who had been accepted into an engineering school. After interviewing three finalists last spring, however, the Custom MMIC scholarship committee unanimously voted to divide the money among them.

Emma Fournier of Groton, who is studying chemical engineering at Tulane University, was awarded a full scholarship totaling about $112,000 over four years. Grace Remillard of Groton, who is pursuing electrical engineering at UMass Lowell, and Sarah McKinley of Westford, who is studying mechanical engineering at Clarkson University, were each awarded partial scholarships totaling $40,000 over four years.

In 2019, the scholarship application was expanded to include students from Chelmsford High School. In addition, Blount awarded internships at Custom MMIC to all three original scholarship recipients this past summer.

Noting that the students “vastly exceeded expectations,” Custom MMIC Chief Scientist Charles Trantanella says he and his colleagues are proud to play a part in their ongoing education — and perhaps in the thinking of the wider business community.

“Whether it’s women in engineering or other societal issues,” he says, “we hope to inspire entrepreneurs in other avenues of giving.”

Science! Nature! Cooking! Concept Camps in the Merrimack Valley

March 16, 2019 by Jaden Mendola Leave a Comment

Summer camps and classes are a great way for youths to continue taking part in constructive activities during school vacation. Active Science, designed by Merrimack College professor Kyle McInnis, is a nationwide program that promotes physical fitness and STEM skills for kids. Several Merrimack Valley YMCA branches, including the Andover/North Andover location, serve as national testing centers for the project. During Active Science sessions, kids spend about 45 minutes engaging in physical activity while wearing devices that monitor their steps and the distance they travel. They then take their data to apply it to a STEM lesson. Active Science is open to kids in kindergarten through fifth grade and is among the summer camps offered by the YMCA.

For the fifth year, the Francis College of Engineering at UMass Lowell is hosting two weeklong summer camps for high school students in July. The Future Engineers Camp is offered to students entering the 10th, 11th or 12th grade. These overnight sessions introduce participants to engineering through projects, guest speakers and field trips.

Students learn about different types of engineering and related concepts, from the internet, to sustainability, to infrastructure and more. There is a second session for women only.

During the summer STEM program at Code & Circuit in Amesbury, participants delve into computer science, engineering and technology. Participants will be introduced to the Scratch 3.0 programming language, robotics, 3D printing and more during the four-day sessions. The camp is open to students in grades K-8 and participants are given the flexibility to focus on a specific area or subject. “Each student can choose to work on what they are the most interested in,” says Ken Aspeslagh, owner of Code & Circuit.

Merrohawke Nature School is a year-round nonprofit organization that connects children to land and sea. Fishing, tracking, building and boating are among the skills taught here. The school’s summer offerings include a weeklong Coyote Overnight program that introduces young people ages 12 and over to nighttime navigation, advanced fire making and the ability to identify poisonous plants. At Merrohawke, children as young as 4 may register for a range of earth- and sea-based programs.

Nestled within Harold Parker State Forest of Andover, Camp Evergreen has maintained a firm commitment to nature-based education for 55 years and offers an eight-week summer camp for children ages 6 and up. Activities and skills offered at Camp Evergreen include animal tracking, fort-, shelter- and fire-building, archery, swimming, maple tapping, horseback riding, wild edible foraging and learning about Native American history and culture.

“We’re committed to introducing our campers to nature in a way that is fun and bolsters their independence,” says Program Director Jim Loscutoff. “Oftentimes we think of nature as our backdrop, but we try to bring it front and center.”

Closing in on their 50th anniversary, Roudenbush Community Center is an integral part of the Westford community and offers children of all ages a place to take part in pottery classes, gymnastics and preschool. Roudenbush also offers a collection of culinary events for aspiring chefs ages 4 and up. Special themed activities for young children include “Harry Potter Dessert Decorating,” “Patriotic, Handmade Treats,” and more.

Cheryl Holbert, owner of Nomad Bakery, was raised enjoying the traditional bread-making of her Polish grandmother. After teaching herself how to bake, Holbert discovered a passion for producing delicious breads and now wishes to share her knowledge with others. Holbert offers students of all ages an opportunity to prepare and decorate their own delicious breads, all in the same kitchen where she produces her own striking loaves. [Sound interesting? You can learn all about Holbert and area bakers in the January/February 2019 issue of mvm]. Classes are twice a month and discounted for family members.

Kaleidoscope is a nonprofit enrichment program that has engaged Merrimack Valley children with cultural and educational activities for nearly 40 years. Their curriculum is varied — from video game design to music to language skills. Want more? How about geology, mindfulness, dance and robotics? However, for aspiring kitchen wizards, their popular “International Young Chefs” course is perfect. That is, if you can snag a seat — they fill up fast so reserve early. Perhaps your child is interested in nutritional science? “Rainbow Food Fest” fuses edible artistry with organic foods. Sounds like a feast fit for Instagram.

Summertime Science

May 8, 2017 by Katie Lovett Leave a Comment

Camp isn’t just for swimming, hiking and crafts anymore. This summer, youths around the Merrimack Valley can learn how to write code, program a robot, design a model solar home, enhance their STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills, or even try their hand at designing a “smart” shirt or a “smart” car.

ACTIVE SCIENCE

Walking into the Active Science room at the Andover/North Andover branch of the Merrimack Valley YMCA, you can instantly see why kids love it. The colorful room features fun decals, “smart” walls and a turf floor.

The decor is just one way that the Active Science program ensures that kids learn and have fun without realizing they’re completing a STEM lesson.

Active Science is a nationwide program designed by professor Kyle McInnis at Merrimack College to promote physical fitness and STEM skills for kids. Several Merrimack Valley YMCA branches, including the Andover/North Andover location, serve as national testing centers for the project.

During Active Science sessions, kids spend about 45 minutes engaging in physical activity while wearing devices that monitor their steps and the distance they travel. Then they take their data and, using the Active Science app and a Kindle Fire tablet, apply it to a STEM lesson. The app offers kids an incentive to be active by turning the experience into a bit of a game, letting them earn points, unlock achievements and compete against others.

Active Science is open to kids in kindergarten through fifth grade and is among the summer camps offered by the YMCA.

Breanne Dowdie (center top) is the active education coordinator for the Merrimack Valley YMCA. Here, she leads a group of young learners in an Active Science session. L-r: Olivia Horvath, Savannah Tran, Vivienne Tran, Aiden Tran, Max Su and Josiah Mercedat. Photos by Kevin Harkins.

FUTURE ENGINEERS CAMP

For the third year, the Francis College of Engineering at UMass Lowell is hosting two weeklong summer camps for high school students in July.

These overnight sessions aim to introduce students to engineering through hands-on projects, speakers and field trips. Students entering the 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall are eligible.

The first session, “Engineering for a Connected World,” will teach participants about the role engineering plays in designing and building “smart” technology.

Potential projects include designing a “smart” shirt that monitors health/activity, designing a system to track ridership on buses in order to improve service, or building a system that allows cars to “talk” with one another.

The second session, “Engineering for Sustainability,” is for females only. Possible projects for the session include building an inexpensive water purification system, developing and building a wind turbine to generate electricity, or building a model solar home.

The College of Engineering created the program to expose students to engineering at a younger age and to offer a glimpse into a field they may not have considered, says Hunter Mack, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UML and a faculty mentor for the camp.

Last year’s two sessions drew about 50 participants, he says. While most hail from New England, some of the students have traveled from states such as Iowa and Maryland.

At the start of each session, faculty members pitch a project to the students, and they choose the group they want to work with. At the end of camp, projects are presented to friends and family members. Mack says 80 percent of previous summer camp students have indicated that they would want to major in engineering in college.

Josiah Mercedat participates in Active Science. Although a nationwide program, it was pioneered by Kyle McInnis, an associate dean and professor of health sciences at Merrimack College. Photos by Kevin Harkins.

CODE & CIRCUIT

During the summer STEM program at Code & Circuit in Amesbury, participants delve into computer science, engineering and technology topics through hands-on learning.

Participants will be introduced to the Scratch programming language, robotics technology, 3-D printing and more during the four-day sessions. Sessions are divided into age groups, and the camp is open to students in all grade levels.

Code & Circuit owner Ken Aspeslagh began the summer camp in 2014 as an extension of the after-school classes that are offered. “It’s been very popular,” he says. Students are excited to practice with the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robotics construction set, which allows them to build a robot and then program it to move and talk, he says.

Participants are given the flexibility to focus on a specific area or subject. “Each student can choose to work on what they are the most interested in,” Aspeslagh says.

The camp, which draws participants from the Merrimack Valley and the North Shore, goes beyond the STEM lessons taught in school, Aspeslagh says, adding, “Some kids would never get that exposure otherwise.”

A computer programmer by trade, Aspeslagh says he was introduced to the field by a friend’s father, who became his mentor. “If I hadn’t had that, I would’ve had a completely different career,” he says.

Active Science
Andover, Mass.
(978) 685-3541
Mvymca.org/ActiveScience

Future Engineers Camp
Lowell, Mass.
(978) 934-2573
Uml.edu/Engineering/Stem-Pipeline/Engineering-Summer-Camp

Code & Circuit
Amesbury, Mass.
(978) 386-3800
CodeAndCircuit.org/stem-programs