On November 13, 2024, representatives from Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Northern Essex Community College (NECC), and the District’s member communities formalized a collaborative effort to continue exploring a potential shared campus model between the two institutions.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), submitted alongside Whittier Tech’s Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), outlines a shared commitment to studying innovative and cost-effective solutions for the future of vocational and higher education in the Merrimack Valley.
According to the document, the proposed shared campus model is intended to:
Create a new, modern facility for Whittier Tech
Expand access to postsecondary education opportunities
Increase enrollment capacity at both Whittier Tech and NECC
Improve affordability and operational efficiencies through shared space utilization
Explore additional state and regional funding opportunities beyond local municipal contributions
The MOU also established the “WT and NECC Shared Campus Working Group,” which includes participation from all 11 member communities:
Amesbury
Georgetown
Groveland
Haverhill
Ipswich
Merrimac
Newbury
Newburyport
Rowley
Salisbury
West Newbury
The agreement emphasizes that the working group is intended to support continued collaboration, planning, and exploration of shared campus opportunities, while acknowledging that any future proposal would still require additional review and approval processes.
The letter accompanying the MOU noted that the initiative is also being informed by regional workforce studies and national experts in vocational and higher education collaboration models.
You may download a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding by clicking here.
Additional community and state collaboration efforts have continued throughout the planning process. According to Northern Essex Community College, the shared campus concept is intended to provide a “first-of-its-kind” educational model that could expand career and technical education opportunities while increasing access to higher education and workforce pathways throughout the Merrimack Valley. The initiative has also included research conducted by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, along with public listening sessions, stakeholder meetings, and collaboration with workforce development experts and state agencies.