About 2,000 Nashua Community College students returned Monday to a new selection of programs, schedule variety and streamlined student services.

New programs this fall include the computer engineering technology associate degree and data analytics certificate program. Data analytics classes are either online or on Saturdays to accommodate working professionals. Demand for data analytics skills is high, with a need across industries from health insurance and e-commerce to nonprofit organizations.

Saturday classes also debut this fall, and aside from data analytics, students can take general education requirements such as English composition, or early childhood education core classes. The new Saturday hours were inspired by the number of working professionals taking classes at NCC to finish degrees or develop new skills for their careers.

On the workforce development side, the selection of Microsoft Imagine Academy trainings at NCC is due to expand beyond the Excel core module to include digital literacy and Word core in fall. The spring 2020 semester will add even more options with Word Expert, Excel Expert, Access, and PowerPoint. Trainings will be available on weekends as well. For more information and to sign up, visit nashuacc.edu/admissions/continuing-education/microsoft-imagine-academy.

As an official Microsoft “Certiport” testing center, NCC currently offers all Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Technology Associate tests. Students who train elsewhere can still take the test and earn their Microsoft Imagine Academy badges at NCC.

Another major workforce development program, the Microelectronics Boot Camp, graduates its 13th class Aug. 30. A new cohort of 16 students will begin the 10-week program Sept. 16. Approaching its three-year anniversary, the advanced manufacturing training has held a high success rate for graduates, with 95 percent of alumni finding work in the industry.

The most recent graduating class accepted jobs with BAE Systems, Monzite, Lockheed Martin, and more. Contact Jon Mason at jmason@ccsnh.edu to learn more about the boot camp or to sign up.

A major gathering space for students has undergone major changes to prepare for fall. We have redesigned the student space in the Walter R. Peterson Library to become a hub for student study groups, tutoring sessions, and created space for quiet reading and research. The Academic Success Center also has been moved into the library, with staff available for tutoring services.

Fall also brings opportunities for students and members of the public to get up close and personal with candidates for the 2020 presidential election. NCC has welcomed several presidential candidates since May, and we’re preparing for many more before Election Day. So far, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Sen. Corey Booker and Sec. Julián Castro have hosted town hall-style events at NCC – informal gatherings where attendees have been welcome to get engaged and ask questions.

There’s always something going on at NCC. Visit Nashuacc.edu or tune in to our social media channels on Facebook and Twitter @nashuacc and Instagram @nashuaccgram, to hear about the latest campaign stops on campus, and other NCC news.

Lucille Jordan is president of Nashua Community College, located at 505 Amherst St., Nashua.

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