SOAR (Seize Opportunities, Aspire to Rise)

About the Program:

SOAR staff, in collaboration with participating students, will promote increased persistence of academic and career goal completion by creating a trusted, familial, community through forming connections, empowerment, and holistic, individualized, support.

Students are encouraged to join SOAR at Northern Essex Community College (NECC) through targeted outreach that follows a hybrid approach. Current students who are continuing their enrollment with NECC may reach out directly for more information and opt-in to join SOAR if they are eligible. Newly enrolled students at NECC who are eligible are automatically enrolled in SOAR unless they request to opt-out and not participate. All SOAR students at NECC are supported by the program until they earn their certificate or degree. By design, students are aware that they are receiving services through SUCCESS. Other units that support SOAR at NECC include Academic Coaching, Advising, Career Services, and Tutoring.

Student Eligibility

To participate in SOAR, students must be matriculated into a degree or certificate program, registered for credit, and fit the legislative language. Additionally, SOAR prioritizes students with any of the following:

HS GPA Below 2.7
HiSet/GED
Developmental needs in English and mathematics
MassReconnect
TOP Program
Faculty/staff referral

Cohort Focus Population

In line with the legislative intent to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable student populations, the use of SUCCESS services at NECC among the following populations is actively tracked and encouraged:

Economically disadvantaged students
First-generation college students
Minoritized students (i.e., Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Cape Verdean, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and multi-racial students)
LGBTQIA+ students

Support Services

The following supports are available to SOAR students at NECC:

Academic Advising

Career Advising

Case Management

Coaching

Transfer Advising

Scholarship Advising

Assessments

Community Events

Discussion Groups

Mentoring

Publications

Tutoring/study groups

Affinity Groups

Field trips to 4yr schools

Student Planning

Summer Programs

Workshops

Support Network

SOAR at NECC is supported by a director, two assistant directors, a data manager and analyst, an administrative assistant, an engagement and logistics assistant, two academic and transfer advisors, one student support coordinator (formerly known as case managers), three academic coaches, two half-time writing tutors, and one part-time math course support tutor. Additionally, four part-time subject tutors, six SOAR peer mentors, two student program assistants and two social media student employees help support the SOAR program.

SUCCESS receives funding through the Massachusetts legislature and is supported by the 15 state community colleges, the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC), the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), and the SUCCESS Leadership and Coordinating Committees.

SUCCESS at Northern Essex Community College