The mission of the North Central Educational Opportunity Center (NCEOC) is to be an educational access resource to north-central Massachusetts adults who are motivated to change their lives through college enrollment and to inspire and engage them in thinking beyond limitations and obstacles as they strive to achieve their educational and career goals. The NCEOC has been providing free college planning services to adults throughout north central Massachusetts since 2002, and is currently funded through 2022. The NCEOC is a five-year, $1,150,000 TRiO grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by Mount Wachusett Community College. Most NCEOC students are low to moderate-income adults (age 19 +) who may be the first in their families to attend college. Many seek education or training to begin their careers, re-enter the workforce or simply to increase their earning potential. The NCEOC staff understands adult learners and their concerns. Education Specialists work individually with each student to create a realistic student learning plan that includes choosing a major, choosing a college or program, applying for admission and applying for financial aid and scholarships.
NCEOC Hours & Contact
Leominster Campus
100 Erdman Way
Room 124
Leominster, MA 01453
P: 978-630-9823
F: 978-534-6533
Staff
Valerie LaPorte
Director
As a former non-traditional adult student, Valerie understands what it takes to be a successful student while working and raising a family. She graduated from Mount Wachusett Community College with an A.S. in Early Childhood Education. She went on to earn a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Non-Profit Management from Worcester State University. She joined the staff of the NCEOC as Assistant Director/Education Specialist in 2002 and was promoted to Program Director in 2005.
Sandy Tavares
Assistant Director
Fernando Garcia-Rodriguez
Community Outreach Counselor
Yong Saddler
Clerk II
As a former ESL and non-traditional adult student, Yong understands the many struggles of adult learners and has experienced many of their problems and frustrations while attending college. She holds an A.S. in General Studies and a Microsoft Office Specialist certification. She has been with the NCEOC since it opened in 2002.
NCEOC Partners
The NCEOC works with many different agencies and programs to assist students in successfully meeting their educational goals. Agencies and programs play an important part in the process either by referring people interested in continuing their education, or a NCEOC counselor may refer a participant to a particular agency for assistance. Either way, it is all about student success!
| Battered Women’s Resources
Corporation for Public Management Department of Transitional Assistance Fitchburg Adult Learning Center |
Literacy Project, North Quabbin
Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Making Opportunity Count (MOC) North Quabbin Community Coalition
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