This year, North Shore Community College is celebrating six decades of building futures and changing lives.
“For 60 years, this has been a place of opportunity,” said William Heineman, who has served as president of NSCC, one of the oldest community colleges in Massachusetts, since 2021.
A lot has changed since 1965 when NSCC first opened its doors, operating out of modest, borrowed space in Beverly. Today, the college has two state-of-the-art campuses in Lynn and Danvers, offers more than 80 academic programs, and creates infinite social and economic opportunities based on the evolving needs of its neighbors – and the demands of the workforce.
“As the North Shore has grown and changed over the last 60 years, North Shore Community College has grown and changed with it,” said Heineman. “That’s our job, right? To meet the needs of the community.”
And while community need is always evolving, one thing that has never wavered is NSCC’s commitment to accessible, affordable, quality education that empowers students – from all backgrounds – to achieve their goals, while strengthening the region.
First-generation college students, parents seeking better opportunities, veterans, English language learners, career changers and many other traditional and non-traditional students: they have all found a home – and opportunities for success – at NSCC.
“The population served by NSCC represents a mix of urban and suburban, a diversity of ethnic and racial groups, white- and blue-collar, middle- and low-income groups, as well as growing numbers of recent immigrants,” said Heineman. “NSCC has touched the lives of more than a quarter million residents on the North Shore in its 60 years of service.”
NSCC delivers post-secondary education to more than 8,800 credit students in an academic year, and an additional 3,000 noncredit students.
In addition to two-year associates programs, North Shore Community College also partners with the business and corporate sectors, and with community organizations like ECCF, MassHire and many others, on innovative workforce development programs that meet multiple needs in the community.
“Through strategic partnerships, employers can help shape training programs that align with real-time industry needs, creating direct pathways for individuals to enter high-demand fields such as healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing and recovery services,” said Heineman. “These collaborations not only address the region’s skills gaps but also ensure that companies have access to a well-prepared talent pipeline, improving productivity and competitiveness.”
The Advanced Manufacturing Training Expansion Program (AMTEP) is one such example of a collaborative that NSCC participates in to help train residents for lucrative, living-wage careers in welding, machining, robotics and more – while supporting the hiring needs of local employers.
“We believe in building pathways that not only transform individual lives but also contribute to the vitality and resilience of our broader community,” said Heineman. “Collaboration can be a powerful force for sustainable community impact.”
North Shore Community College is an institution that has been built for and by the community. The school’s combination of a rigorous curriculum, extensive resources and holistic support services are designed to help students succeed academically and professionally, while avoiding unnecessary student debt. And with a strong emphasis on equity, inclusion and real-world skills, NSCC prepares graduates to thrive as both professionals and engaged citizens.
The institution sees itself as inseparable from the culture, spirit and drive of the communities it serves. And it is this partnership, Heineman believes, that has shaped their legacy.
“As we celebrate 60 years of learning, service and impact, we remain committed to strengthening connections, advancing opportunity and ensuring that our community continues to thrive for generations to come,” he said.
