Age of learning

DeAngelis, 66, like thousands of other older folks who are now displaced workers, is reentering academia after working nearly five decades as a machinist. Although retired, he continued to work part time in his trade.

Last December, DeAngelis got his walking papers when the Waltham-based company where he worked closed its doors and moved out of state, one of the latest casualties of a struggling economy.

"I had a choice," DeAngelis said. "I could just collect unemployment or I could enhance my knowledge."

DeAngelis opted to expand his horizons.

He begins classes next month at the community college to obtain a certificate in AutoCAD, a computer software application, through a program funded by the federal government.

DeAngelis joined nearly 125 others, young and old, for the first College for a Day event on April 22 at Northern Essex Community College's Haverhill campus. The program was designed to give prospective students a glimpse into the school day on the sprawling 106-acre campus nestled in the lower Middlesex Valley just off Interstate 495.

Class offerings run the gamut at Northern Essex, ranging from entrepreneurship to the arts, to criminal law, to the health sciences. The college has always had a strong dance program, said Charles Diggs, director of enrollment services, and it appears that popularity continues, given the dozens who stopped by the jazz dance class in the school's gymnasium.

Northern Essex offers an associate's degree in dance as well as a one-year certificate, and many of those who enroll in either program go on to dance professionally or open their own studio, said Diggs.

While community colleges such as Northern Essex always have attracted students of different ages and financial status, recent years have seen an increase in students such as DeAngelis who are learning new skills funded through the federal Trade Act, said Elizabeth Goguen, manager of trade programs for the state. The federal program is administered in Massachusetts by Goguen through the Division of Career Services.

"We are only halfway through the [federal] fiscal year [October through September] and we are already at 85 percent of where we were last year as far as customers participating in the trade programs," Goguen said.

Employees who lose their jobs because of increased imports or foreign competition may be eligible under the act, Goguen said. The agency has seen a steady increase during the past three years, with 3,006 participants qualifying for educational funds last year.

In 2008 the program was funded at $220 million nationwide, but that amount will increase to $575 million this year through part of the federal stimulus plan, Goguen said.

The textile industry in particular has seen a steady decline during the past decade or so because of foreign competition, Goguen said.

Students entering college at the traditional age also are affected by tough financial times and are turning to more creative ways to foot the bill for a two- or four-year degree. Those who apply through the joint admissions program at a community college who go on to graduate with a 2.5 grade-point average or better have guaranteed admission to four-year state schools and some private colleges, said Carrie Kutny, enrollment/academic adviser at Northern Essex.

Kutny visits about 60 high schools every year within an hour's commute of Northern Essex to tell students about the programs and financial alternatives offered by the college.

Jayke Walker, 19, of Haverhill, a sophomore at Northern Essex, started out with a money-saving plan in mind as he works toward a bachelor's degree in computer science.

While completing his first two years at Northern Essex, Walker paid only $3,000 per year in tuition. He is transferring to Merrimack College in North Andover this fall, which costs $29,000 in annual tuition. But he has been awarded a $13,000-per-year transfer merit scholarship based on the 3.5 GPA he earned at Northern Essex, so his tuition costs will drop to $16,000 per year.

Noting that finances factored into her plans for a college education, Jessica Dick, a senior at Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, sat in on a learning community course at Northern Essex. Learning community courses are taught by two instructors from different disciplines who integrate the courses.

Students earn credits for each class, which typically runs two hours, such as the World Civilization 1 and World Literature 1 class that attracted a handful of prospective students during College for a Day.

"I've never heard of two teachers in one class teaching two different subjects," Dick said. "It's very unique and makes the class more interesting."

Dick consulted one of the college's career advisers to plot her future, and plans to transfer to Salem State College after two years at Northern Essex to earn a bachelor's degree in English and social work.

In addition to the Haverhill campus, Northern Essex has a second campus in Lawrence, with a combined total of 7,000 students. While many attend with plans to move on to a four-year college, others come simply to complete a two-year degree or a one-year professional certificate. Still others sign on for just a course or two, Kutny said.

The college is already planning ahead for a second College for a Day event next year, Diggs said, given this year's turnout and feedback.

The event coincided with Earth Day 2009 festivities on the quad, where music played, refreshments were served, and faculty staffed information stations on the variety of educational opportunities the school offers.

Whatever financial times lie ahead, the spectrum of options at Northern Essex will stay on course.

"We are all things to all people," Diggs said.

Bella Travaglini can be reached at bellatrav@gmail.com.