Edlink

Northeastern Massachusetts’ five public higher-education institutions, including UMass Lowell, have formally joined forces in a partnership to advance the economic and cultural growth of the region.

The alliance, edlink, announced in 2006 by the presidents or chancellor of North Shore Community College, Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Salem State College and UMass Lowell, will combine the resources of the five institutions—which together enroll more than 40,000 students and employ roughly 5,000 people—to address the region’s opportunities, problems and challenges. Since each of the five already boasts a long history of academic training and achievement, as well as a background of collaborative ventures with the region’s school systems and employers, the new partnership cannot help but benefit the area and its workforce.

Back row from left, President David Hartleb, NECC; President Wayne M. Burton, NSCC; Chancellor Martin Meehan, UMass Lowell; front row, President Carole A. Cowan, MCC; President Patricia Maguire Meservey, SSC

The leaders of the five institutions — Presidents Wayne M. Burton (NSCC), Carole A. Cowan (MCC), David Hartlebb (NECC), Nancy D. Harrington (SSC) and Chancellor Meehan — will personally form the leadership of edlink, whose mission, they say, will be advanced through a blend of collaborative forums, targeted educational programs, research initiatives and public higher-education advocacy.

The individual and collective efforts of the five institutions are already impressive — including partnerships and initiatives in the areas of business planning, healthcare, commercial development, mental retardation, literacy, service learning, technology advancement and literally scores of others — and were cited by the five leaders in their formal announcement of the partnership.

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