New England College Awarded $775,000 to Strengthen Community Mental Health Workforce Preparation in New Hampshire

New England College (NEC) has been awarded $775,000 in federal funding to support its four-year cooperative bachelor’s degree program in Community Mental Health, expanding academic facilities and hands-on training capacity to address critical mental health workforce needs across New Hampshire.

The funding, secured through a bipartisan federal appropriations package championed by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, will support continued renovation of the Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs Science Center. These renovations will enhance instructional spaces and training infrastructure essential to preparing students for careers in community mental health, human services, and related fields.

New Hampshire, like much of the nation, faces ongoing shortages in the community mental health workforce. NEC’s cooperative bachelor’s degree program is designed to meet this need by preparing graduates with the academic foundation, applied skills, and experiential learning required to serve individuals, families, and communities immediately upon entering the workforce.

“This investment represents more than expanded facilities; it’s an investment in the well-being of communities across New Hampshire,” said Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of New England College. “By strengthening our Community Mental Health program, we are preparing students with the hands-on experience, professional skills, and sense of purpose needed to step directly into critical roles in the workforce. NEC is proud to help address the state’s mental health workforce shortage while creating meaningful career pathways for our students and expanding access to care for the individuals and families who need it most.”

Facility enhancements within the Science Center will directly support the program’s four-year curriculum, reinforcing NEC’s commitment to providing students with modern learning environments that reflect professional practice and real-world expectations.

“At the heart of this funding are real people—children, families, and individuals—who all deserve accessible, high-quality mental health care,” stated Kathy Simon, Associate Faculty of the Practice in Psychology and Community Mental Health at NEC. “This funding strengthens both our New Hampshire community and the New England College community, and it serves as a powerful affirmation of the importance of community mental health. It will allow us to expand training opportunities, strengthen partnerships with local agencies, and better prepare the next generation of mental health professionals to serve where they are needed most.”

The Community Mental Health program reflects New England College’s mission to foster student success through transformative education, critical thinking, civic engagement, and career development, while helping graduates build a foundation for a meaningful life. It also advances the College’s vision to lead in the Northeast by integrating a strong liberal arts education with focused career preparation.

This funding aligns with New England College’s five-year strategic plan by strengthening high-demand academic programs, modernizing learning spaces, and responding directly to workforce and community needs across the state.

Learn more about NEC’s cooperative bachelor’s degree in Community Mental Health.

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