Admission Staff

Recruiting Territory
International

How long have you been at NEC? Where do you live, and tell us about your family?
I have been with New England College for three years.  I truly love promoting higher education. I am originally from New England and I grew up in New Hampshire. I live with my family in Manchester. We love the city! I am married to my best friend and we have two teenagers. Both my children are in high school. We will be experiencing the college search very soon with our daughter, Kate. Our family's favorite sport is basketball and it takes up most of our free time. I love to watch my children play basketball and we have traveled all over New England with their different teams.

How do you connect to the NEC community?

When I came to NEC I knew I had to learn about the mission of the College, absorb its culture and then immerse myself into the environment. I could not promote the College until I lived and breathed it! So, I earned my undergraduate degree in business administration from NEC, and I connected with the professors and students instantly. This approach has helped me truly connect with NEC’s mission to 'challenge individuals to transform themselves and their world'. Having such a connection helps me fulfill my goal to attract the right kind of students to New England College.

What is the best book you have ever read?
A great book must have an inspirational message that I can relate to. My favorite book is “EAT, LOVE and PRAY.” This was is about a woman's journey in life and it reminds me to live in the moment. And my most favorite children's book is “The Giving Tree.” This was my favorite book to read to my kindergarten class. This story's message is about giving unconditionally! That is a great message for us all to learn!

What is the most rewarding part of admission work?
The most rewarding part of admissions work is helping a student start their journey in higher education. This is one of the biggest steps a young person will make, and I love being a part of this process. I believe in the NEC community and how we make a difference in our students’ lives.

What is your favorite memento in your office?
My favorite memento in my office is my polished rocks. My daughter Katie got them for me for Christmas. Each rock has an inspirational word on them. My favorite ones are Confidence and Believe !

What music do you like to listen to in your office?
I love all types of music from James Taylor to Red Hot Chili Peppers. The only reason I listen to this type of music is because of my teenagers. I think music helps us find a common ground which is so important to have with your children!

What would surprise people about you?
I guess it would be that I started my career in Early Childhood Education. I taught kindergarten for 10 years and then I was the director of an early learning center for five years. I have truly enjoyed all of these positions! You really have to believe in what you do in order to be successful!

Having worked first in Early Childhood Education and then later on in higher education, what do you think is the most important lesson students can learn throughout the entire academic experience?
Never take your education for granted, this is your future! Life is not a dress rehearsal so make it count!

Recruiting Territories
Eastern Massachusetts and Maine

How many years have you been with NEC?
I've been here more than most. Thirty-seven years total.

Are you originally from the area, as well?
I was born in Lowell, MA and was raised in Lexington.

Is there a single NEC memory that stands out?
Every commencement day is special. I just love watching the kids walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. I've only missed a couple commencements in my three decades here.

Having been a successful lacrosse coach here, what advice do you have for student athletes?
Go for it! It does take discipline to juggle your schedule, yet that is also one of the benefits. I always said that if you don't shoot, you can't score. You can't make the team if you don't try. Being a part of a team sport is just as educational as the classroom.

What do you see as NEC's biggest strength?
There is a cordial atmosphere at NEC, where learning and teaching meet on equal terms. I see students being just as driven as the professors to teach and learn. NEC also does a great job in giving students the confidence they need to succeed.

You have seen many generations of NEC graduates. What are the most impressive careers of alumni that you know?
Where do I begin? They are across the board! Alums include the CEO of a leading financial firm, a successful IRL driver, one of the world's leading gem cutters, a NH State Senator, a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, a NH Superior Court Justice, a Broadway stage manager, a coach in professional ice hockey, an Academy Award winning actress, and a former White House Chief of Staff.

What will you do if you ever decide to retire?
I've always wanted to drive the zamboni at Clement Arena!

Recruiting Territories
New Hampshire

Tell us about your family.
Right now my immediate family includes my husband, Charlie, my daughter Samantha and our cat Maggie. We love being new parents and enjoy our daughter's every little move! I have a brother that is a third year student at NEC, a sister who is an alumnus, and three other siblings scattered across the country from Seattle to Wisconsin!

What was the best book you have ever read?
Well, this is a hard one, because I love books. The one that always comes to mind when someone asks me this question is "Beach Music" by Pat Conroy. He is such a great storyteller. I have read this book many times.

What is the most rewarding part of admission work?
The best is when I see the students after a week or so of being here and loving the school and enjoying their classes and the friends they have made. To me there is no greater gift than that of an education.

What impresses you most about the students at NEC?
I have been very impressed by the students' overall interaction with their professors. I have heard students over and over again comment on how important their professors are to their overall success at NEC. I love that! I can speak from experience that having a great teacher makes all the difference in the world, and we have some really great ones here at NEC! 

What music do you like to listen to during your late nights in the office?
I would have to say for those late nights, nothing is greater than a little "Dave." I am a big fan of the Dave Matthews Band, but I also love country music and anything with a great melody.

What would surprise most people about you?
That I love baseball and football games. Oh, and I enjoy cooking!

Recruiting Territories
New York State, Transfer Students, and NEC Plus

Are you originally from New England?
Yes and No. I was born just outside New York City but grew-up in Ridgefield, CT, which was a small New England town then.

What was your major at NEC and when did you graduate?
I majored in Theater Management and Administration graduating in 1985.

What was the best book you ever read?
"Gods and Generals", by Jeff Shaara, he captures the personalities of many civil war leaders as they fight for individual beliefs. The reason for the war disturbed me, but I gained a deeper appreciation for each individual's reasons for supporting the war.

Most rewarding part of Admissions work?
Having worked in Higher Education for 18 years, I continue to enjoy the feeling that I have helped many people grow and prosper. I am in touch with many students that I recruited over the years and enjoy learning about their lives today. College is so important to one's personal and academic growth, that the correct environment is key to success. New England College has that environment for so many.

Impression of NEC students?
NEC students are diamonds in the rough. Through the growth that takes place at NEC, they gain the polish that they need to prosper.

How do you answer the question, "Why NEC?"
NEC is about people growing. When you come to NEC, you plunge into an environment that will nurture your abilities. Assisting your growth to become the leader you want to be. The key thing is, you are such a large part of your own education you cannot help but grow.

Music during late nights?
My taste in Music is all over the place. At this stage in life, I listen to Jazz, Blues, and Rock-n-Roll mostly. I center my music selection around my mood. If I am feeling energized then I want up beat, feeling tired I want soothing, so you just never know.

What would surprise people about me?
Many people are surprised when they learn that I like sports. Baseball, Lacrosse, and Hockey are great. However, I also enjoy Art and the Theater as well. It is all good!

Jaclyn Elber
Admission Counselor
Education: B.A., Business Administration, New England College
jelber@nec.edu
603-428-2392

Recruiting Territories
Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Western States

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Salem, NH.

What was the best book you have ever read?

The best book that I have read would have to be Something Borrowed, by Emily Griffin. This book always keeps you on your toes wondering what is going to happen next. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down! I just bought the sequel; Something Blue...I can’t wait to start reading it.

What was your major at NEC and when did you graduate?

My major at New England College was Business Administration and I graduated in 2006. 

What would surprise people most about you?
Lets see!  Most people probably wouldn’t know that I am a political science and management information systems minor.  I never really enjoyed or for better word understood politics until I took a few classes here at NEC then I grew to really appreciate the dynamics of it all!  I am also a die hard Pats and Soxs fan!  I enjoying watching and attending almost any sporting event!

Is there a single NEC memory that stands out?
Being a student at NEC for four years and now an employee I have created many memories. The memories that I will hold most dear are the friendships I have made. I have become friends with people that I never thought imaginable. I have friends from all over the United States, and all over the world! I will hold the memories that I share with all my close friends close to my heart!

How has NEC prepared you for the real world?

Over the course of my four years at NEC I had the opportunity to work closely with the admissions department as a student tour guide.  As those four years were coming to an end, and with graduation right around the corner, I realized a career in higher education was right for me. I worked closely with the career development department to go over interview tips and job search skills.  When I was notified of the opening at NEC, I thought what better place to work than the place I believe 100% in!  Being an alum and now working for New England College has been the best decision for me.

Matt Kelly
Admission Counselor/ Assistant Men's Basketball Coach 
Education: B.A., Physical
Education, Lyndon State University
mkelly@nec.edu
603-428-2287

Recruiting Territories
Connecticut, Vermont, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, Southeastern, Southern and Midwestern states.

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Thetford, VT.

What would surprise most people about you?
Perhaps the thing that people are most surprised about is that I played soccer in college, but now I am coaching basketball. That usually makes people do a double take.

What is your favorite music?
I bounce all over the music spectrum. I will listen to whatever is on the radio, no real rhyme or reason-just the luck of the draw!

What is your impression of NEC students?
I think that NEC students really value their education and are extremely motivated to do what is necessary to achieve their goals. They work hard to be successful in both their professional and social lives.

What are your life goals for the future?
My dream is stay in the college coaching circuit and become a head men's basketball coach.

Being new to the area, what stands out the most to you?
I truly enjoy the vibe that NEC and Henniker give off. Everyone is friendly and willing to lend a hand when needed. It is a community that one can feel safe and proud to be a part of.

Yvette Lareaux
Financial Aid Counselor
ylareaux@nec.edu
603.428.2226