NASHUA – By overseeing significant academic development, facility improvements and institution name changes over her 25 years as the president of Nashua Community College, Lucille Jordan has led the way turning what was a technical institution into a modern community college.

“President Jordan took 25 years of visionary leadership for NCC, and has not simply expanded the footprint of the building, but expanded the reach of the members of this community to achieve great things,” Community College System chancellor Mark Rubinstein said Tuesday during a surprise 25th anniversary tribute to Jordan.

Jordan, who was unaware of the celebration or the new fund created in her name until just before the event got underway, recalled advice she received from her mentor, the late former Gov. Walter R. Peterson: “When you become a college president, you often forget you have a responsibility to the public good. Don’t you forget that. We do serve the community in which we reside.

It is important we’re here as a resource,” Jordan remembered Peterson telling her.

The fund created in Jordan’s name in conjunction with her 25th anniversary is an endowed fund named “The Lucille Jordan Fund for Student Needs,” which got off to a good start with pledges surpassing $25,000 donated as of Tuesday from donors across New Hampshire.

The inspiration for the creation of the fund stemmed from Jordan’s often behind-the-scenes work in making sure students’ needs were met and the spirit of service and giving that she fostered.

Lucy Jenkins, Jordan’s assistant, said Jordan often assisted students at her own expense with emergency needs like food, housing, childcare, and transportation.

(Contributions to the fund can be made by going to https://givenhcc.org/where-to-give/statewide-giving).

Under Jordan’s leadership, the NCC campus housed new student programs and amenities, including the Walter R. Peterson Library, Wellness Center, Judd Gregg Hall and Gregg Auditorium. She also championed the naming, in 2018, of the campus’s main building for the late Bernie Streeter, former Nashua mayor and longtime Governor’s Councilor who was known for his work in establishing the Community College system and bringing a college to Nashua.

Jordan also led expansion projects to existing spaces, such as the machine tool lab and automotive buildings.

CCSNH Board of Trustees member Bob Baines lauded the longevity of Jordan’s time as president, and said her commitment to the role has paid off. “If you find the right niche and make a commitment, you can really transform an institution,” he said.

Jordan made sure that the academic options kept pace with the times, and reflected the needs of the local economy and community, United Way for Greater Nashua President Mike Apfelberg said.

“This college is not just a place for learning, it’s a place that’s used to magnify the voices of those in need,” he said, noting that Jordan has supported numerous United Way events such as the Sleepout to End Homelessness, which took place on the NCC campus, and the Community Baby Shower. “The college is a place that brings people together,” Apfelberg added.

Jordan debuted new programs including Honda PACT, Computer Engineering Technology, Data Analytics, Mazda-Automotive Technology, and Nursing, among others.

Registered nurse Danielle Smith graduated from the college’s first nursing class in 2005, and has since gone on to complete three masters degrees. In brief remarks, Smith thanked Jordan for her contributions as president, and said, “I received a strong foundation to start my nursing career.”

As president, Jordan also championed workforce development initiatives to provide short-term career training opportunities, including the 10-week Microelectronics Boot Camp in partnership with BAE Systems.

Retired NCC Vice President of Academic Affairs William McIntyre served with Jordan for 20 years, and returned Tuesday to celebrate her milestone event.

“You have really moved this place forward from 25 years ago, and now it is so amazing,” he said. “You have rebuilt, reconstructed, reengineered, reimagined, and revamped this entire campus. One question overarches every question you ever had – ‘what is best for students?’ That question guided us from where we were, to where we are now,” McIntyre said.

To the audience of colleagues, board members, community and business partners, Jordan said it takes everyone working together to be successful.

“I could not have done this on my own. Everyone here today is a part of that,” she said.

“We, together, have accomplished this.”

For more about Nashua Community College, its history, programs and course offerings, go to nashuacc.edu.

Submitted by Tina Forbes, Nashua Community College Campus Communication Specialist.