Admission Counselors

Don Emerson
Senior Assistant Director
Education: B.S. / B.A. Accounting, New England College
M.Ed., Salem State University
M.B.A., Suffolk University
demerson@nec.edu
603.428.2341

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!

Valerie Salyer
Associate Director of Admission
Education: B.A. Public Relations, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
vsalyer@nec.edu
603.428.2412

Recruiting Territories
New Hampshire

Tell us about your family.
My family includes my husband, Charlie, and our
daughter Samantha. 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!

Jeffrey H. Pruyne, Sr.
Associate Director/Transfer Coordinator
Education: B.A. Theater Management and Administration,
New England College
M.Ed. Counseling and Psychotherapy, Notre Dame College
jpruyne@nec.edu
603.428.2225

Recruiting Territories
New York State, Transfer Students, military 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!

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.

Tim Whittum
Admission Counselor
Education: B.A., Psychology,
Stetson University
twhittum@nec.edu
603-428-2341

Recruiting Territories
Eastern and Central Massachusetts, Maine

Where did you grow up?
I was actually born in Tennessee, but my family only lived there for about three months. We then moved to New Hampshire, where we lived for about ten years. From there we moved to Arizona, and then finally to Daytona Beach, Florida, where I attended high school and college. I only recently decided to move back to New England.

Tell us about your family.
My fiancée and I have been together for four years, and we are planning on getting married in December 2009. We have two Siberian Huskies; Hobbes and Misha; who are constantly getting into trouble and keeping us on our toes.

What would surprise most people about you?
I am absolutely obsessed with popping/locking/goofing/breaking/freak dancing. No joke!

What impresses you most about the students at NEC?
Being new to this area, I was immediately impressed by the camaraderie and sense of unity that exists on NEC’s campus. Despite the fact that the student body is comprised of unique and diverse individuals, there is an overwhelming sense of friendship and community that one immediately picks up on when setting foot onto the campus.

What are your life goals for the future?
I plan on continuing as an admissions counselor and hopefully someday becoming VP of enrollment management at a university. Right now, I am just focusing on learning as much as I can and enjoying the interaction with the students, parents, and my fellow counselors.

Being new to the area, what stands out the most to you?
Having lived in Florida for ten years, I had completely forgotten about the charm of small New England towns. The atmosphere and environment is unlike anywhere else in the United States and I am greatly enjoying it! It is also very cold…and seeing as how I haven’t seen winter in almost fourteen years, I am both excited and hesitant about this winter.

Kibar Moussoba
Admission Counselor/International Student
Coordinator
Education: B.S., Business Administration, Southern New
Hampshire University
M.S., Marketing, Southern New Hampshire University
kmoussoba@nec.edu
603.428.2392

Recruiting Territories:
Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, International

Interesting name, where are you from?
Originally I’m from Beirut, Lebanon. My family moved to the U.S. when I was just a toddler and have lived in Southern New Hampshire ever since. My name in the other hand is quite unique, even in Lebanon. My last name, Moussoba, (pronounced M’saou-ba in Lebanese), literally means webbed fingers. I told you it was unique. As for my first name, Kibar (pronounced Kee-bar in English); it means ‘big and strong’. So if you call the admission office looking for me, feel free to ask for ‘Big and Strong Webbed Fingers’… they won’t know what your talking about, but you can try!

What impresses you the most about NEC Students?
I think it would be the general kindness of the NEC community that impresses me the most. As I walk through campus, there’s not a single student that doesn’t look up and smile or say hello. The faculty and staff go above and beyond to make sure questions are answered, concerns are addressed, and life on campus is the best that it can be.

What are your hobbies and interests?
This could take a while. I’ll start with music: I’m a Pro DJ. I work for the agency Main Event Disc Jockey Service specializing in weddings, dances, and other private functions. This is by far the most profitable hobby. I also enjoy singing with Manchester Choral Society. My music interest began with playing piano some 16 years ago; I’ve been playing piano ever since! Other than music, I really enjoy Billiards, Golf, technology, and traveling.

What would surprise most people about you?
I speak three languages and am working on a fourth.

What is the best book you’ve ever read?
I have to 'kick it' old school with the classic Gary Paulsen books. My favorite are the "Hatchet" series. I guess I’m still a kid at heart.

What are some of your goals for the future?
I see myself staying in higher education for the rest of my life. It is unbelievably fulfilling knowing that you help students find the right fit for college. With the right amount of experience and education, I see myself eventually becoming president of a college or university.

Office of Admission		Office of the Registrar
Cynthia Lewis OfficeManager Clewis@nec.edu 603.428.2265		Frank Hall Registrar fhall@nec.edu 603.428.2203
Muriel Loiselle Receptionist/Coordinator of Campus Tours Mloiselle@nec.edu 603.428.2223		Joanne Rice Assistant Registrar jrice@nec.edu 603.428.2206
Mary Moritz Application Specialist Mmoritz@nec.edu 603.428.2474		Christine Zotto Administrative Coordinator czotto@nec.edu 603.428.2188
Linda Reinert Data Entry Operator Lreinert@nec.edu 603.428.2223
Office of Student Financial Services
Russell Stein Director of Student Financial Services rstein@nec.edu 603.428.2226
Rita Magoon Associate Director of Student Financial Services rmagoon@nec.edu 603.428.2226		Yvette Lareaux Financial Aid Counselor ylareaux@nec.edu 603.428.2226
Shannon Carroll Assistant Director of Financial Services scarroll@nec.edu 603.428.2226
Nancy Humphrey Financial Aid Assistant/Work Study Coordinator nhumphrey@nec.edu 603.428.2226

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Admission Counselors