LYNN — North Shore Community College (NSCC) announced Wednesday that Dr. William Heineman, provost at Northern Essex Community College (NECC), has been selected as the college’s next president.
Heineman was the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees to become the fifth president of NSCC, which has campuses in Lynn, Danvers and Middleton.
The board’s recommendation of Heineman is pending affirmation by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, but if the hire is approved, Heineman would likely begin his new position on July 1.
Heineman has “decades-long” experience as a faculty member, administrator in academic affairs and student affairs, and more at NECC, according to a statement from North Shore Community College.
Heineman said he is honored by the support of the trustees and the constituent groups of North Shore Community College.
“What I saw during the interview process is a strong institution with a deep commitment to its students and its community,” he said. “What I heard was a passionate desire to meet the challenges facing North Shore together, collaboratively and that is what we will do.”
He acquired his Doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, a Master’s in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Rochester, N.Y., where he graduated magna cum laude.
“Dr. Heineman is already known as one of the finest academic leaders in the Massachusetts public higher education system,” said NSCC Board of Trustees Chair Dr. J.D. LaRock. “But his analytical and business acumen impressed us as well. He understands that American higher education is facing immense pressures, and that to thrive, all colleges — including NSCC — will need to innovate.”
Heineman also participated in the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Leadership, the American Association of Community Colleges Future Leaders Institute, and the Massachusetts Community College Leadership Academy.
“The challenges that our rapidly changing world pose to North Shore and its community are significant enough that only a team effort can meet them and I am fully committed to leading that team,” Heineman said.
Heineman beat out four other finalists: Joel Frater, the former executive dean of Monroe Community College in New York; Gloria Lopez, the vice president for student affairs at Westfield State University; Matthew Reed, the vice president for learning at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey; and Dione Somerville, the executive vice president at Hawkeye Community College in Iowa.
NSCC interim President Nate Bryant also applied for the position, but was not selected as a finalist.
Heineman said he looks forward to the remaining steps in the presidential appointment process and getting to know NSCC and its community.
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].
