Research Guides: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice: Center for Equity and Social Justice

Contact Information

Francellis Quiñones

Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

fquinones@necc.mass.edu

978.738.7411

About the Center for Equity and Social Justice

As the focal point for NECC's commitment to ending racial disparities in education, the Center for Equity and Social Justice (CESJ) is a dynamic, comprehensive one-stop hub for NECC's educational equity programs, community partnerships, and social justice initiatives. The CESJ serves as a vital resource to supporting our students and communities includes:

Working closely with community organizations with missions that serve the needs of our students and support their academic, social, and economic progress and success
Serving as an educational resource for immigrants in our communities
Providing education and training for police, public safety, and correctional officers
Expanding access to civic engagement, service learning, and volunteer opportunities for students
Providing support and resources to students experiencing housing and food insecurity
Expanding access to English language instruction
Recognizing accomplishments in community service and social justice
Supporting leadership development opportunities focused on equity, inclusion, and social justice

(Glen & Custodia Lora, 2020)

NECC Press

NECC Welcomes its First Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
"After a nationwide search involving many highly qualified candidates, Haverhill’s Francellis Quiñones has been selected as the first Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Northern Essex Community College.

Quiñones has been dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work in the Merrimack Valley for nearly 20 years. She comes to Northern Essex from Unity Teen Equity Center (UTEC) in Lowell, where she was the Organizing Program Manager. She is also the co-founder and president of Quiñones Culture Consultants. Previously, Quiñones worked as an educator in the Boston Public Schools, Weston Public Schools, and Greater Lawrence Technical School."
NECC Celebrates Juneteenth with Free Webinar
"Northern Essex Community College is proud to present the upcoming webinar “Reclaiming Black Identity on Juneteenth” on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 6:30pm. Free and open to the public, this event will feature Edward Carson, the dean of multicultural education and a member of the History Department at the Governor’s Academy."
The NECC Center for Equity & Social Justice [Running the Campus]
Pres. Glenn Lane wrote in his blog, Running the Campus, about the Center for Equity and Social Justice
NECC Welcomes its First Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
"Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (July 5, 2022) – After a nationwide search involving many highly qualified candidates, Haverhill’s Francellis Quiñones has been selected as the first Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Northern Essex Community College."

The Center for Professional Development, Center for Instructional Technology, and Academic Innovations hosts various workshops that address issues of race and antiracism, accessibility, and social justice every semester. Check their website and register for one of the following workshops this semester.

CESJ Repository

30-60-90 Day Plan for the Chief Officer of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Plan for the 1st year for the Northern Essex Community College Center for Equity and Social Justice

Center for Equity and Social Justice at NECC
Communication by Pres. Lane Glen, Noemi Custodia-Lora, Allison Dolan-Wilson,
Bill Heineman, Mike McCarthy, and Jennifer Mezquita.
Date: April 1. 2021

English Language Learners Task Force

About the Task Force

The English Language Learners (ELL) Taskforce is formed by the NECC faculty and staff. Each of the members meets every week to discuss and work on projects that address the gaps and needs of the ELL community.

The goal of this task force is to build a community by breaking down silos. Along with this goal, the ELL task force's mission is to retain and increase the enrollment of ELL students at NECC. The projects that the team works on and proposes are rooted in a strong sense of equity and social justice.

Members of the Task Force

Arlen Gargagliano, ESL Professional Coach/Consultant, and Chair of the ELL Task Force
Amy Cameron, Chair of Academic ESL
Vanessa Desani, Academic Advisor and Community Referral Counselor
Sandy DeVita, Program Coordinator/Transition to College, Accounting & QuickBooks
Meredith Gunning, Professor of Philosophy
Kathy Hudson, Interim Dean/Division of Health Services
Rick Lizotte, IT Staff Member/Faculty Coach
Alejandra Méndez Irizarry, Instruction and Research Librarian
Heather Mores, Director of Compliance for Student Affairs
Francellis Quiñones, Chief Officer of Justice Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Sandra Zappala, Assistant Director, English Language Success Program

The following documents and recordings are activities and presentations hosted by the Task Force.

ESOL Teacher Training [Fall 2022]
An ESOL Teacher training offered by Arlen Gargagliano and Vanessa Desani during the Fall semester of 2022.

The following documents are slide presentations or recordings of the Task Force meetings with the NECC Board of Trusties.

ELL Task Force Presentation to the BOT [May 4, 2022]
The ELL Task Force slide presentation shared during the meeting with the NECC Board of Trustees, on May 4, 2022.

The following documents and recordings are professional development resources curated by members of the Task Force.

Advising and Coaching for ESOL Students [August 25, 2022]
Slides from orientation offered by Vanessa Desani to advisors and coaches at NECC.
Helping Enhance the Experience of Our English Language Learners [March 3, 2022]
Slides from a presentation offered by Amy Cameron and Vanessa Desani. The presentation was offered on March 3, 2022.
Equity of Practice [December 3, 2021]
Slides for Equity of Practice presentation shared on December 3, 2021.