35th Annual Conference

2025 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Lane Glenn
President of Northern Essex Community College

Dr. Lane A. Glenn is President of Northern Essex Community College (NECC), with campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Dr. Glenn is focused on student success and is passionate about finding ways to help students achieve their educational goals, especially students who are underprepared for college. In addition, he is a strong advocate for colleges and universities as engines of economic and workforce development-particularly in Massachusetts Gateway Cities.

Dr. Glenn has been responsible for significant expansion of NECC's Lawrence campus, including the opening of the college's new $27 million El Hefni Allied Health and Technology Center, "The Hub," and the recently renovated Dimitry Building. He has led expansion efforts of partnerships with area high schools and four-year colleges and universities to expand educational opportunities in downtown Lawrence.

He was the visionary and founding board chair for the "Lawrence Partnership," a coalition of businesses and organizations committed to economic development in the city of Lawrence. In its first few years, the partnership has launched a multi-million-dollar venture loan fund for small businesses, formed a training consortium to improve workforce development, created a "revolving test kitchen" for aspiring restauranteurs, and developed a citywide leadership program with the Harvard Business School.

As a researcher, author and consultant, Dr. Glenn has also helped advance community colleges through his involvement on numerous regional and national boards. He is the chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education"s Task Force on Statewide Assessment; was appointed to the STEM Advisory Council by the Massachusetts governor; and chairs the International Advisory Board of the Chair Academy, an organization that provides leadership development programs for college and university leaders around the world.

Dr. Glenn has been described as "optimistic thought leader" who actively promotes the community college mission in a number of publications, on social media, and through his blog, "Running the Campus." In 2018, he was named the "Pacesetter of the Year" for his higher education advocacy efforts by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Theater from Michigan State University, a master's degree in Speech from Oklahoma State University, and a bachelor's in English and Speech/Theater from Northeastern State University (OK). He is proud to say he started his education at Rose State College, a community college in Midwest City, Oklahoma.