51黑料网 / 51黑料网 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:56:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/10/favicon1.ico 51黑料网 / 32 32 51黑料网 Marks 80 Years Transforming Lives /great-bay-community-college-marks-80-years-transforming-lives/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:56:50 +0000 /?p=37914 Eighty years ago, the New Hampshire Trade School that would later become 51黑料网 (51黑料网) was established primarily to provide a path to a new life for veterans […]

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Eighty years ago, the New Hampshire Trade School that would later become 51黑料网 (51黑料网) was established primarily to provide a path to a new life for veterans returningDr. Cheryl Lesser- President of 51黑料网 from World War II. Since then, 51黑料网 has educated more than 90,000 students and has expanded from a handful of programs in 1945 to more than 50 today. Yet as we prepare to celebrate our 80th anniversary, that bedrock commitment to changing lives remains unchanged.

Each year, 51黑料网 serves thousands of students whose paths to higher education are as varied as their ambitions. Our students include high school learners earning early college credit, traditional aged college students and adults finding an affordable way to obtain the degrees they need to launch their careers or further education, employees learning new skills, and adults returning to school to pursue new paths. More than 70% of our students attend college part-time while they work or raise a family.

As president of 51黑料网, I have the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of education every day. I see students who once questioned whether college was possible proudly crossing the commencement stage. I see employer partnerships opening doors to meaningful careers. I see students acquiring new skills to meet the evolving demands of industries that were unimaginable just 80 years ago.

The path to a new life often takes unexpected detours. I think of one Nursing program graduate who began her education at 51黑料网 in 2014 as an Early Childhood major. She discovered a passion for healthcare when she worked as an assistant educator serving a young student with accessibility issues. She applied to the Nursing program, but challenges in life kept getting in the way of her studies.

Throughout her 10-year academic journey, she experienced homelessness, lost a loved one, survived a toxic relationship, experienced health challenges and raised a daughter. Through it all, she never gave up. With the help of the academic and nonacademic supports at 51黑料网, she graduated with her degree in Nursing and is currently working at a Seacoast area hospital as a medical-surgical nurse.

This individual, like so many others, achieved her goals through her own hard work and dedication, but also because she had 51黑料网 faculty and staff supporting her in her journey. I am proud to lead an institution filled with superheroes who go above and beyond to find solutions that enable our students and community to transform and grow. In some cases, this might mean finding a little funding for a car repair so a student can get to class. In others, it may mean holding roundtables to listen to Seacoast-area workforce needs and designing programs to address those needs.

Increasingly, students are turning to community college to achieve their goals. Enrollment at Great Bay continues to grow, attracting students across the Seacoast, southern Maine, and northern Massachusetts. Associate degrees, certificates, and short-term workforce programs help fast track careers or provide a cost-effective way to obtain a bachelor鈥檚 degree. 51黑料网 offers more than 50 programs ranging from liberal arts to welding, surgical technology, business, early childhood education, biotechnology, and many others.

Many of 51黑料网鈥檚 programs are developed in close collaboration with the community. We regularly meet with community members and local employers, learn about changing needs, and develop programs to address those needs. For example, we work closely with healthcare providers such as Wentworth Douglass Hospital (part of Mass General Brigham), Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and Exeter Hospital (part of Beth Israel Lahey Health) to prepare the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals. We also collaborate with advanced manufacturers and technology companies to support training in manufacturing, biotechnology, and other high-demand fields.

Great Bay has been an essential part of the fabric of New Hampshire鈥檚 Seacoast Region since 1945 legislation established State Trade Schools in Portsmouth and Manchester. We celebrate our milestone 80-year anniversary in concert with Manchester Community College and we share the distinction of being among the longest established community colleges in New England. As we celebrate 80 years serving the Seacoast Region, we remain focused on our central mission: opening doors, creating opportunity and serving our communities.

Please join us on campus on April 22 as we celebrate our milestone 80th anniversary and recognize the Stebbins family with the Walter R. Peterson Award for Public Service & Higher Education. 聽Visit greatbay.edu/about/80anniversary/ for details.

Dr.聽Cheryl Lesser resides in Dover, N.H. and is the president of 51黑料网.

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Meet 51黑料网 Student Ashley Vatcher /meet-gbcc-student-ashley-vatcher/ Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:32:36 +0000 /?p=37697 鈥淏efore, studying felt like a tiring activity鈥.But now, with my improved study habits, I actually enjoy it.鈥

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The exam results tell the story of Ashley Vatcher鈥檚 success at 51黑料网.51黑料网 Vet Tech Student Ashley Vatcher

First exam: 96; mid-term: 100; second exam: 102.

For a student who struggled with her grades during her early days at Great Bay, Vatcher鈥檚 good grades 鈥渇eel amazing. I went from getting Cs and Ds and barely passing, or not passing, to maintaining a 98 average,鈥 said Vatcher, who is majoring in Veterinary Technology. 鈥淚t was a big struggle for me at first, but eventually something clicked. It鈥檚 a surreal experience going from a C or D average to As.鈥

That 鈥渟omething鈥 was taking advantage of the academic support offered by Great Bay鈥檚 Center for Academic Planning and Support, or CAPS. CAPS offers one-on-one tutoring, academic coaching, and study space, among other services.

鈥淭his year, I just started putting in more effort, I started going to CAPS and I began asking for help. My professors have been super understanding, and they have all been there for me. I appreciate Great Bay because the professors really do care about their students and they want to see us succeed.鈥

She singled out Deborah Discher, who serves as the director and chair of the Veterinary Technology Department and has taught at Great Bay for 15 years. 鈥淒eb has seen me struggle, and she has stayed with me since year one.鈥

Vatcher also attributed her turnaround to spending more time on campus, which has immersed her in an academic environment and helped her develop better study habits. 鈥淚 never expected I would say something like this, but I like studying and I like learning. Before, studying felt like a tiring activity, like it was work. But now, with my improved study habits, I actually enjoy it. I put on my headphones and just go for it.鈥

Vatcher, 22, expects to graduate from Great Bay in three years. During that time, she hopes to build her experience at a vet clinic and is especially interested in emergency veterinary medicine. Long term, she imagines going back to school to study zoology. 鈥淢y final goal is work in a zoo as a vet tech or an animal handler. I have always been passionate about animals, and I am glad I am on track with my goals and dreams.鈥

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The Gateway Gallery Presents Creole Soul – Zydeco Lives /gateway-gallery-presents-creole-soul-zydeco-lives/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:40:09 +0000 /?p=37674 Gateway Gallery at 51黑料网 Presents 鈥淐reole Soul 鈥 Zydeco Lives鈥 Photographs by Gary Samson The Gateway Gallery at 51黑料网 is honored to present 鈥淐reole […]

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Gateway Gallery at 51黑料网 Presents 鈥淐reole Soul 鈥 Zydeco Lives鈥 Photographs by Gary SamsonBook cover Creole Soul Zydeco Lives

The Gateway Gallery at 51黑料网 is honored to present 鈥淐reole Soul 鈥 Zydeco Lives,鈥 a solo exhibition of photographs by renowned photographer Gary Samson. The exhibition runs from February 13 through April 10, 2026, and is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Fridays from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 51黑料网 is located at 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH.

Curated by Thomas Devaney, 鈥淐reole Soul 鈥 Zydeco Lives鈥 features photographs from the book of the same name, a fifteen-year collaboration between folklorist Burt Feintuch and photographer Gary Samson. The exhibition presents original images from the publication, offering an intimate look at the musicians, traditions, and communities that sustain the vibrant zydeco music culture of Louisiana and Texas.

Published in 2022, 鈥淐reole Soul: Zydeco Lives鈥 brings together Feintuch鈥檚 interviews with contemporary zydeco musicians, including Sean Ardoin, Nathan Williams Jr., and Leroy Thomas, alongside Samson鈥檚 compelling photographs. The book explores the evolution of zydeco music, its cultural roots, and ongoing conversations within the community about tradition, innovation, and the role of instruments such as the accordion.

Through Samson鈥檚 lens, visitors encounter the expressive energy and deep cultural heritage of zydeco. The photographs capture performances, portraits, and everyday moments that reveal the music鈥檚 close ties to community life and identity.

About the Artist

Gary Samson is a fine art photographer and photo educator who has received numerous awards, grants, and fellowships over a career spanning more than four decades. He currently serves as the Artist Laureate of New Hampshire and is Professor Emeritus of Photography at the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA).

Please visit the contact page with any inquiries or to schedule a studio visit.

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CAPS Writing Center Specialist Erik Hinnov /caps-writing-center-specialist-erik-hinnov/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:01:20 +0000 /?p=37627 The Writing Center is more than a "fix-it" center for mechanical-grammar "problems."

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CAPS Writing Center Specialist Erik Hinnov has a special relationship with the students he tutors. He goes above and beyond to help, from writing to revising to brainstorming and creatingWriting Specialist tutoring a student in CAPS. resources for students. He visits classrooms, provides mini-class workshops, mentors other tutors鈥攁nd even brings snacks to some sessions.

Erik recently reflected via email on his commitment, his personal style, and why his work matters.

What do you enjoy most about tutoring?

What’s not to love about seeing and working with students acquiring, organizing, preserving, and communicating new knowledge, and connecting it to their own lives?

Why is tutoring (the tutoring space) such a vital component of college life?

The Writing Center is more than a “fix-it” center for mechanical-grammar “problems.” Whether it’s a small group or an individual, one-on-one session, tutoring is an extension of the classroom learning experience. A tutorial session can provide clarification, solidification, and extension of the initial knowledge shared in a professor’s lecture.

I am told that you visit classrooms and even provide snacks. How do these personal touches help students feel more comfortable seeking help?

Professors often take me up on the offer of a visit to a classroom, while others bring their students to the Writing Center or 鈥淲C.鈥 We’ve also hosted classes in the WC for writing-related workshops. Still others visit the Writing Center to refer students, get advice, and ask for resources they can bring to their students.

As a community of scholars, we鈥檙e in this together. We work as a community. We鈥檙e interdependent on one another. We ask questions. We鈥檙e working for the same end.

Snacks are an icebreaker. We marvel about how “UNREAL” a coconut-chocolate bar is, then we pivot to the writing task. A mango chew helps de-escalate a tense problem, a Kind Bar eliminates the “hangry,鈥 and then “easy-peas-y,” an assignment gets submitted on time.

聽What is the biggest difference between high school writing and the type of support students receive at the 51黑料网 Writing Center?

The most enduring remark about the difference between high-school writing and college-level discourse came early in my own college experience: “we don’t write book reports in college; we want to know what you think and why.” We focus on the second part of that statement, particularly in the early stages of the writing process. Even editing and proofreading support can be about clarifying what a writer thinks and why.

How do you help a student who feels “stuck” during the brainstorming or early drafting phase? What is one tip you share most often with students?

Writers often want to begin their essay “at the beginning,” and with a perfect sentence (perfect structure, perfect spelling, perfect punctuation). I suggest to a writer that an essay starts with notes, phrases, and fragments, and to ignore punctuation and grammar (for the time being: edit later!).

I shift the focus from: “I don’t know how to start!” and away from “writing.” I encourage the writer to talk about their topic, sometimes while I transcribe (shout-out to Field Notes pencils and Steno Pads!) what the writer says, or I’ll encourage the writer to jot it down (no typing!) themselves. At the end of a session, the writer has enough material to shape into sentences and paragraphs, which they will typically start doing in the Writing Center.

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51黑料网 Opens New Welding Technologies Facility /new-welding-technologies-facility/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:31:21 +0000 /?p=37577 鈥淭he new equipment has significantly enhanced our ability to teach more students in-demand skills such as plasma torch cutting and carbon arc gouging, and in the future, we will add short-term training options."

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In March, students enrolled in the Welding Technologies certificate program at 51黑料网 (51黑料网) were welcomed into the brand-new welding lab at the college鈥檚 Pease Tradeport campus in Portsmouth. Great Bay's New Welding LabThe 3,500- square-foot lab offers the latest technology and equipment in ample space that accommodates increasing demand and enrollment for the welding program.

鈥淲e began making plans in 2024 to expand our capacity for the Welding Technologies program to meet strong demand for skilled welders from area employers and are very excited that our students now have this amazing new learning environment,鈥 said Dr. Cheryl Lesser, president of 51黑料网.

Previously, 51黑料网鈥檚 Welding program operated out of leased space in Rochester. The new facility was built to maximize air quality and sound suppression to ensure a safe, comfortable learning and teaching environment. The lab鈥檚 design supports efficient handling of metal, gas, equipment and consumable deliveries.

The new lab features 18 welding stations and a range of new equipment, including Miller Dynasty 300 Multi-Process Welders, a W-60-20 Straight Pipe Cutter, a broad range of pipe holding fixtures and a new Piranha tungsten grinding unit that provides complete containment of excess tungsten electrode dust.

鈥淭he new equipment has significantly enhanced our ability to teach more students in-demand skills such as plasma torch cutting and carbon arc gouging,鈥 said Paul Guiliano, 51黑料网鈥檚 Welding Technology program coordinator. 鈥淎nd in the future, we will add short-term training options.鈥

The Welding Technology program teaches students how to set up and use welding equipment to complete the five major welding processes 鈥 MIG, TIG, Stick, Oxy-Fuel, and Plasma 鈥 as well as many auxiliary processes. The curriculum also incorporates welding theory, blueprint reading, electricity, and fabrication techniques. Students attend evening classes over three consecutive semesters and are prepared for the American Welding Society (AWS) certification testing that is required by most employers.

AWS projects that 320,500 more welders will be needed by 2029 in response to high demand and vacancies left by retiring workers. The growing manufacturing sector in New Hampshire鈥檚 Seacoast Region has fueled particularly high demand for skilled welders in the region and created a strong job market for Welding Technology program graduates.

The Welding Technology program credits may also be applied toward an associate degree in Technical Studies at 51黑料网. The Early College program offering dual high school and college credit offers another opportunity to reduce the cost and time to completion for a post-secondary certificate or degree. Students at many of the Seacoast鈥檚 high schools may attend Welding Technology and general education classes through this program.

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A Legacy of Impact: The McCourts鈥 Gift to 51黑料网 Students /legacy-of-impact-the-mccourts-gift-to-gbcc-students/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:11:03 +0000 /?p=37499 鈥淭he McCourts鈥 investment eliminates financial barriers for our students and moves them forward on their chosen pathways to meaningful careers."

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When Emerson McCourt passed away in 2006, he left behind an extensive tool collection, meticulous instructions and a commitment to 51黑料网 (51黑料网) students thatGreat Bay CC 80th anniversary logo continues today. The Emerson and Ruth McCourt Charitable Trust provides tuition assistance to students attending 51黑料网 and Keene State College, the two institutions that played a significant role in his life as well as that of his wife, Ruth.

Although the McCourts never had children, they could be considered the founding parents of 51黑料网. In 1945, the State of New Hampshire passed legislation establishing a vocational training institution in Portsmouth. The goal was to teach new skills to veterans and adults returning to the workforce after World War II. Emerson was appointed the first principal of the State Trade School of Portsmouth, housed at the Morley Button Factory. He oversaw the inaugural class of 130 veterans. Under his leadership, the State Trade School of Portsmouth expanded its programs and became known as New Hampshire Vocational Technical Institute 鈥 Portsmouth. In 1967, the N.H. Board of Education authorized the institute to grant an associate degree in Applied Science. Emerson was named the first director of what was now officially a college that later became 51黑料网.

Emerson graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1928 and met Ruth when they both attended Keene State College. He and Ruth spent their life together in a house he built on land his parents owned in their beloved Portsmouth. He dedicated his professional life to ensuring that Seacoast-area students had opportunities to improve their lives through vocational education.

The McCourts鈥 legacy lives on through the charitable trust they established to support 51黑料网 and Keene State students. Their entire estate passed into this trust to provide tuition assistance in perpetuity. Portsmouth attorney Alec McEachern worked with Emerson toward the end of his life and recalls his commitment to community college. 鈥淓merson and Ruth were ordinary people who had opportunities through education to build a good life. They chose to give back to others like themselves,鈥 he said.

As 51黑料网 celebrates its聽80th anniversary, we are honored to highlight Emerson and Ruth McCourt鈥檚 lasting contributions, both in shaping what the college is today and supporting students for generations to come.

鈥淭he McCourts鈥 investment eliminates financial barriers for our students and moves them forward on their chosen pathways to meaningful careers,鈥 said Cheryl Lesser, 51黑料网 president.

51黑料网 will be celebrating this milestone anniversary on April 22 at the college.聽.

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Meet Business Administration Student Madelyn Hardy /meet-gbcc-student-madelyn-hardy/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:13:27 +0000 /?p=37382 鈥淚 didn't expect how much a thoughtful professor really can impact your education.鈥

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Madelyn Hardy knows a good deal when she sees it. She enrolled at 51黑料网 during her junior year of high school and is on track to graduate this spring鈥攆rom both her high51黑料网 Business Administration Student Madelyn Hardy school and from Great Bay.

The best part about it: She鈥檒l get her college degree for free.

鈥淪omething that surprised me about the program is that there are no strings attached and it鈥檚 literally free schooling, and one less year of high school,鈥 said Hardy, who enrolled through a partnership between the Community College System of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Career Academy.

NHCA is a chartered public school that integrates high school, college, and career preparation. Through a collaboration with the Community College System of New Hampshire and partnerships with local employers, students learn on college campuses, earn two degrees, and build the skills that open doors to higher education and meaningful careers.

Hardy is studying business administration because of her interest in the hospitality industry, and she hopes to be part of the event industry or continue her career working with luxury hotels.

Through a close collaboration with the Community College System of New Hampshire and partnerships with employers across the state, NHCA aligns education with opportunity. Students complete high school requirements while earning college degrees or industry credentials. They gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional confidence, preparing them to thrive in whatever comes next.

Hardy values her education and experience. The role of community at Great Bay has made a positive impression and impact on her life.

鈥淭he most useful 鈥榬eal-world鈥 skill I didn’t expect to get in a classroom was how much community really means and how much thoughtful professors really can impact your education,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 really felt 鈥榬ooted鈥 for by a professor when I was struggling in a specific class and the teacher took many hours of their time and devoted it to helping me truly understand the curriculum outside of class.鈥

Why did you choose Great Bay? When do you anticipate graduating?

I chose to continue my schooling at Great Bay because it offered early college and free tuition through the NHCA. I plan to graduate Spring 2026!

Specifically, what attracted you to Great Bay? Did you know what you wanted to do and decided it was your best option compared to other schools?

Great Bay has a beautiful campus and was the closest community college to me that offered the program I was interested in. I didn鈥檛 even need to look at other schools, this automatically made sense for my situation.

Did you apply and enroll right out of high school? If so, what year did you graduate high school?

I enrolled my junior year of high school and started my freshman year of college early through the New Hampshire Career Academy my senior year. Through this program I graduate this year from high school and college!

What educational pathway are you pursuing at 51黑料网 and why did you choose that path? In other words, what is your major and why?

I鈥檓 studying Business Administration with a big interest in the hospitality industry. I鈥檝e taken many Hospitality courses as well as business courses. I hope to be a part of the event industry or continue working at luxury hotels.

What is something that surprised you about the program?

Something that surprised me about the program is that there are no strings attached and it鈥檚 literally free schooling, and one less year of high school.

What advice do you have for other students considering it?

Some advice I have for other students considering this program is to at least check it out. Everyone鈥檚 situation is different, but if you are willing to give up your senior year to get a kickstart on a career path, this is definitely a great option for you.

What is the most useful ‘real-world’ skill you鈥檝e learned that you didn’t expect to get in a classroom?

The most useful 鈥渞eal world鈥 skill I didn’t expect to get in a classroom was how much community really means and how much thoughtful professors really can impact your education.

Can you tell us about a time you felt like a professor or staff member was truly ‘rooting’ for your success?

A time I really felt 鈥渞ooted鈥 for by a professor was when I was struggling in a specific class and the teacher took many hours of their time and devoted it to helping me truly understand the curriculum outside of class.

Are there any other opportunities at 51黑料网 that have been especially helpful to you?

The fitness center has been super nice to have as an option if you like to workout!

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51黑料网 to Offer Series of Culinary Workshops Taught By Top Chef /gbcc-to-offer-series-of-culinary-workshops-taught-by-top-chef/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:30:51 +0000 /?p=37201 Topics include Homemade Pasta, Seafood Cookery, Bread Making Basics and More

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51黑料网 is offering a series of culinary workshops, each taught by Chef Instructor Jerome Picca, throughout the spring semester. The stand-alone workshops will run fromHomemade pasta 5:30-9:00PM on Thursdays in March and April, and each will be dedicated to an individual culinary specialty useful to people who love to cook and entertain.

Students will learn kitchen tips and skills from one of New England鈥檚 most celebrated and entrepreneurial chefs. Chef Picca is a Culinary Institute of America graduate with experience as a chef and owner, in catering and event creation, culinary management and consulting, and education and mentoring. He has owned multiple restaurants, taught at the Culinary School of Washington D.C., and appeared on the Food Network and in numerous high-profile culinary publications and mainstream media outlets.

He teaches at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and recently joined Great Bay as a chef-instructor in the Culinary Arts & Sustainable Foodways program.

Topics include Soups, Stocks & Sauces (March 5); Hors d’oeuvres March 12); Poultry and Egg Cookery (March 19); Creative Meat: Vegetable & Grain Cookery (March 26); Homemade Pasta and Pasta Dinners (April 2); Seafood Cookery at its Finest (April 9); Basics of Bread Making (April 16); and Regions of France (April 30). Great Bay will provide knives, cutting boards, towels, aprons, kitchen supplies, and ingredients.

For information and details about cost and registration, visit:

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51黑料网鈥檚 Analytics Associate Degree Program Ranked in Nation鈥檚 Top 10 /analytics-program-ranked-top-10/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:23:38 +0000 /?p=37196 51黑料网鈥檚 (GBBC) associate degree program in Analytics has been recognized as the sixth best Data Analytics associate degree program in the U.S. in the 2026 rankings published […]

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51黑料网鈥檚 (GBBC) associate degree program in Analytics has been recognized as the sixth best Data Analytics associate degree program in the U.S. in the 2026 rankingsJohn Mannarini, department chair for Mathematics, Engineering, and Technologies at 51黑料网 published by TechGuide. The recognition marked the second consecutive year that GBBC鈥檚 Analytics program appeared in TechGuide鈥檚 top 10 rankings. Nashua Community College鈥檚 analytics degree program also appeared on the 2026 list.

TechGuide is a national online resource that helps students and professionals learn about analytics and computer science education and careers. Its rankings are based on data from the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) via College Navigator. Key factors are evaluated, such as tuition, student-to-faculty ratios, admission and graduation rates and alumni success.

In an article announcing the top associate in Data Analytics programs for 2026, TechGuide pointed out that 鈥渢he increasing demand for data-savvy professionals has prompted the development of associate degree programs that provide a solid foundation in data analytics principles.鈥

Analytics education teaches students how to work with raw data to process, analyze, and make conclusions using predictive modeling. 51黑料网鈥檚 Analytics program combines foundational learning with hands-on lab work. All courses are offered online since essential skills are software-based. Small classes with an 11 to one student-to-faculty ratio ensure personal attention.

鈥淥ur program opens doors for students just beginning their careers, as well as those launching a second career in the fast-growing data analytics field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 34 percent job growth rate for data scientists from 2022 to 2032, which is far higher than most other occupations,鈥 said John Mannarini, department chair for Mathematics, Engineering, and Technologies at 51黑料网.

Students who complete 51黑料网鈥檚 Analytics program can enter the workforce directly in a variety of professions such as a junior data scientist or they can apply their learning towards the Analytics and Data Science B.S. program at the University of New Hampshire through a Transfer Pathway.

鈥51黑料网鈥檚 outstanding Analytics program equips students to enter the field directly or provide a cost-effective, flexible approach to earning advanced degrees in data analytics,鈥 said Mannarini.

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Top Chef Jerome Picca Joins 51黑料网 as Chef Instructor in Culinary Arts & Sustainable Foodways Program /top-chef-jerome-picca-joins-gbcc-as-chef-instructor/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:22:53 +0000 /?p=37143 聽鈥淚 love the camaraderie, the creativity, and I love the frenetic energy of a busy kitchen. I also love the quiet times when no one is in the kitchen and I have it all to myself.鈥

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Top Chef Jerome Picca Joins 51黑料网 as Chef Instructor in Culinary Arts & Sustainable Foodways ProgramChef Instructor Jerome Picca

Program Offerings Expand to Include Culinary Evening Workshops

Chef Jerome Picca began working in kitchens at age 15, as an apprentice at a hotel in Pennsylvania. A few years later, he earned a scholarship to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

While studying to become an artist, he continued working in restaurants. 鈥淎nd that is when I realized I could apply my art skills to cooking,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd that was my driving force to stay in the food business.鈥

Picca has achieved status as a top-flight chef, restaurant owner, and teacher. He recently joined 51黑料网 as a chef-instructor in its acclaimed Culinary Arts & Sustainable Foodways 12-week training program.

The next course begins Feb. 17. Led by award-winning chef-instructors, the holistic curriculum integrates farm-to-fork sustainability, advocacy, and critical thinking about the role of chefs in food systems, while providing on-the-job training opportunities in the kitchens of Seacoast restaurants. Aspiring chefs learn foundational techniques while exploring food systems and how food choices impact personal health and the environment.

In addition to real-world experiences, the course includes field trips, guest lectures from professionals in the field, and career counseling to help students find the jobs they want.

For those looking for a shorter culinary experience, Great Bay is also offering a series of , each taught by Chef Instructor Jerome Picca. A sample of the classes which each run from 5:30-9:00PM include: Soups, Stocks & Sauces, Hors d’oeuvres, Creative Meat, Vegetable and Grain Cookery, Homemade Pasta and Pasta

Dinners, Bread making and more. Courses are offered Thursdays March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, and 30th. For Course information and registration visit

Picca is a Culinary Institute of America graduate with years of experience as a chef and owner, in catering and event creation, culinary management and consulting, and education and mentoring. He has owned multiple restaurants, taught at the Culinary School of Washington D.C., and appeared on the Food Network and in numerous high-profile culinary publications and mainstream media outlets.

He teaches at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and has served as a culinary specialist for the New England Patriots.

A way of giving back

鈥淭his is my way of giving back. I have been working in the industry for 51 years, and I love sharing my experiences and knowledge,鈥 Picca said. 鈥淭here are not many opportunities to teach the culinary arts at the professional level in New England, and I love teaching. I fell in love with teaching culinary arts in Washington and have not stopped teaching, on and off, ever since. I found my passion for teaching early on, and once bitten by this bug, I never retired from it.鈥

In addition to teaching at the Culinary School of Washington, he developed a summer immersion program in the culinary arts at Wellesley College and has taught professional and recreation-level courses at every stage of his career. His first business, the catering company the Seasoned Chef, grew to five restaurants. He opened Small Plates, Tapas & Wine Bar in Harvard Square, and owned and worked as culinary director of Mighty Love Food in Boston.

He was executive chef at Sebastian鈥檚 Catering at the World Trade Center, executive chef and vice president at City Fresh Foods in Boston, and executive chef at Edson Hill Inn in Stowe, Vt. Early in his career, he was the executive chef for Harvard Dining Services, where he developed an informal culinary course and a popular workshop class.

鈥淐hef Picca is a rare find in this industry because he has worked in every facet ranging from the rigors of the Culinary Institute of America to his entrepreneurial endeavors, and the high-pressure kitchens of professional sports as a culinary specialist more recently,鈥 said Culinary Program Coordinator Jennifer Guptill. 鈥淢any chefs can cook, but Chef Picca is passionate about clean, plant-based cooking and functional foods that will be a great advantage to our program. Our program is rooted in sustainability and his commitment to farm-forward meals and his passion about the 鈥榳hy鈥 behind the food will provide a solid foundation for our students.鈥

Wealth of experience

Picca has a wealth of teaching experience and knows how to work with students at all levels, Guptill said. 鈥淗e doesn鈥檛 just teach recipes, he teaches the science behind the food and shares his deep understanding of the science and chemistry of cooking. This high-level thinking provides a unique and sophisticated foundation that is rare in a 12-week intensive program,鈥 she said. 鈥淪ustainability is no longer niche in our industry鈥攊t鈥檚 the future of food. Jerome provides a fresh perspective that will help our students stay connected to an industry that is demanding health, ethics, and environmental responsibility.鈥

He will serve as the lead instructor, and other instructors will focus on speciality areas. Chef Evan Mallett provides a master class in Whole Animal Butchery and the ethos behind nose-to-tail restaurant models, while Chef Matt Louis shares a wealth of business and first-hand knowledge associated with owning and running restaurants in the seacoast area.

Guptill said Picca鈥檚 technical training was particularly appealing to the search committee. 鈥淗e shared that he could talk for hours about the science of food and has a deep passion for nutrition, all of which is a cornerstone of our program. When students see a chef of his caliber get excited about where our food is coming from, how to make it delicious, what these choices do to our bodies from a nutritional standpoint, it will have a serious impact on their future choices as thoughtful culinary leaders.鈥

Picca has witnessed many changes and evolutions in restaurants. It鈥檚 a different world today, he said. It鈥檚 intense, challenging, creative, and satisfying.

鈥淚 love the camaraderie, the creativity, and I love the frenetic energy of a busy kitchen. I also love the quiet times when no one is in the kitchen and I have it all to myself.鈥

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