The women�s volleyball team at �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College is charging toward regional competitions with multiple winning streaks and individual player awards. Starting the 2026 season 8-0 matched the 2012 team�s record for best start in the college�s available history for the sport.

Following the September 30 win over Great Bay Community College, the Lynx move into second place in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) East Region with a 7-2 record. The team stands at 11-2 with 10 out of 11 wins being straight-set sweeps. The Lynx hope to make 2026 a YSCC Championship-winning season, which was last achieved in 2017.

�We are incredibly proud of this team�s hard work and dedication,� said �鶹��ý athletic director Annie Mattarazzo. �The energy is high as we head into matches on October 4 and 8.�

During their impressive fall season, the Lynx have celebrated multiple individual player awards. Esther de Souza Quina (Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil) earned a pair of weekly honors following the YSCC Volleyball Crossover Weekend on September 20. The first-year setter was named United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II Specialist of the Week and YSCC Player of the Week.

Earlier in the season, sophomore captain Brooke Kelly (Nottingham, NH) was named the YSCC Player of the Week.

The Lynx are led by third-year Head Coach Toni Bailon (Manchester, NH). Bailon served as an assistant in 2023 before taking over as head coach and has guided �鶹��ý to the YSCC Final Four in each of her first two seasons at the helm, including a YSCC Championship appearance last year.

�鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College offers the full college experience with 14 athletic teams that compete for New England and national championships as part of the YSCC and USCAA.

�鶹��ý alumni and their family and friends are invited back to campus for Homecoming Weekend October 2-4.

The weekend begins at 1 p.m. on Friday with a 9-hole golf tournament at Beaver Meadow Golf Course in Concord. Sign up at .

On Saturday, there will be�� full afternoon of athletics and activities on campus, including an alumni soccer game, food trucks, and games for the whole family.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday with a complimentary breakfast at 10 a.m. in the Student Center, followed by afternoon athletic games.

Samuel Habib, co-director of the full-length Emmy award-winning documentary �The Ride Ahead�, returned to his alma mater on September 15. As keynote speaker at �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College�s fall convocation event, he spoke to 350 students about his work as a filmmaker, advocate, and member of the disability community.

“While we were filming �The Ride Ahead�, I got great advice from one of my mentors, Maysoon Zayid. She said, �You are not alone. Find your community.���That was powerful advice. I found a community at �鶹��ý, where I felt accepted and supported,� said Habib.

While studying at �鶹��ý, Habib served on the Student Senate and received the President�s Leadership Award�the college�s top honor�in 2024. He balanced studies with filmmaking, releasing the 22-minute documentary �My Disability Roadmap� in 2022.

Habib played this short film for the crowd of students crammed into chairs and bleachers in the college�s gym. In just a few minutes, the movie shared glimpses of living with a disability balanced with the normal experiences of early adult life�getting a tattoo, dating, and starting a new semester of college.

After watching with rapt attention, hands shot up after the movie with questions for Habib. He answered each one using a communication device connected to his wheelchair. When a student shyly asked if Habib had found a girlfriend since making the film, he added a fist pump to the air as punctuation to the computer-generated �yes�. The audience broke out into cheers.

After the keynote speech, �鶹��ý students filed onto the quad for a BBQ and club fair. While eating burgers and cups of ice cream, they weaved between the tables of over 20 student-run organizations, following Samuel Habib�s example to get involved on campus.

�鶹��ý offers the full college experience through its vibrant clubs and activities, a beautiful 240-acre campus, and the only on-campus housing offered at a community college in the state. Learn more at nhti.edu.

The 2026 Manhattan Short Film Festival, which features 10 films from around the world, will be playing at �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College September 25-27. The event kicks off �鶹��ý�s 27^th annual Friday Night Film series.

The collection of films from each festival is shown in over 500 venues worldwide, with many of the features going on to win Academy Awards.

2026�s films come from 10 countries: Small Talk (USA), Mary is Missing (Ireland), Candy Bar (Australia), Vultures (South Africa), Life Goes On (United Kingdom), Hai Davai (Moldova), Pickup (Russia), Norheimsund (Cuba), When the Sea was Calm (Georgia), Never Give Up (Mexico).

��鶹��ý has a rich history of showing films to the community and region,� said �鶹��ý film instructor, Steve Ambra. �We were the original host of the Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival and hosted New Hampshire�s Young Filmmaker�s Festival for several years.�

Film lovers are invited to the Sweeney Hall Auditorium on the �鶹��ý campus to enjoy the Manhattan Short Film Festival and cast their votes for Best Film and Best Actor. Each screening includes all 10 finalist films and runs for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

�鶹��ý�s Manhattan Short Film Festival screenings are on Friday, September 25 at 7pm; Saturday, September 26 at 2pm and 7pm; and Sunday, September 27 at 2pm. Admission is $10 and free for �鶹��ý students. Tickets are sold at the door with cash or check. Learn more at nhti.edu/events.

�鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College is proud to announce their Summer 2026 Dean�s list for academic excellence.

• Maryam Azada, Business Administration, Concord, NH
• Tahmina Azada, Business Administration, Concord, NH
• Camille Baxter, TECP Certificate for ESOL, Ashland, NH
• Emma Brasher, General Studies, Bradford, NH
• Cinthia Burlock, Accounting, Concord, NH
• Shawn Carrier, Business Administration, Hooksett, NH
• Angela Castro, Early Childhood Education, Manchester, NH
• Julia Chenard, Radiologic Technology, North Hampton, NH
• Emilee Donahue, Education, Rochester, NH
• Jillian Foley, Addiction Counseling, Salem, NH
• Ashlyn Gilchrist, Medical Coding, Pelham, NH
• Angel Glennon, General Studies, Belmont, NH
• Cynthia Guiler, Radiologic Technology, Colebrook, NH
• Grady Marunowski, General Studies, Plymouth, NH
• Aliza Michaud, General Studies, Rumney, NH
• Jennifer Miskovic, Accounting, Pembroke, NH
• Brooklyn O’Brien, Healthcare Apps – Pre-RN, Plymouth, NH
• Joshua Pare, Education Manchester, NH
• Brandy Parnell, Addiction Counseling, Nashua, NH
• Kristen Reilly, Liberal Arts, Concord, NH
• Faida Sayidali, Liberal Arts, Manchester, NH
• Natasha Sharma, Accounting, Windham, NH
• Grace Stark, Business Administration, Canaan, NH
• Tia Sullivan, Paramedic Emergency, Medicine Middleton, NH
• Jenn Waterhouse, Human Services, Barnstead, NH
• Blake Westerhaus, Business Administration, Manchester, NH
• Lexus White, Paralegal Studies, Hooksett, NH

The Community College System of New Hampshire was named the best in New England and sixth best in the nation by����based on individual-school level analysis across 613 institutions and 18 key metrics. This is the second consecutive year CCSNH has ranked among the nation�s best.

�CCSNH is proud to be recognized as one of our nation�s best community college systems,� said Dr. Chuck Lloyd, CCSNH chancellor-elect. �These rankings are based on quality, outcomes, and affordability. That is what we strive to provide for New Hampshire students and to support the state�s skilled workforce and economy. Time after time we hear from graduates who praise the quality education they received at our colleges, the doors that were opened thanks to their experiences with us, and the positive impact it has made on their lives. New Hampshire is our mission, and we are committed to doing our best for the Granite State.�

�鶹��ý was ranked second among New Hampshire�s community colleges in the same WalletHub report. White Mountains Community College, which serves a smaller student population, earned the top spot.

�鶹��ý is the only community college in the state with on-campus housing and an extensive campus, providing a complete college experience to students who are looking for an alternative to a four-year institution.

�I�m proud that New Hampshire�s community colleges are once again the best in New England and top ten in the nation,� said Governor Kelly Ayotte, who announced the ranking. “Our CCSNH students, faculty, and staff are talented, hardworking, and dedicated to building a stronger future for our state. We will continue to ensure our community colleges are affordable, innovative, and responsive to the needs of growing businesses in New Hampshire.�

The New Hampshire Army National Guard has opened a new recruitment office on the campus of �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College. The office marks the first National Guard presence at a NH community college.

�This partnership is about our students,� said �鶹��ý president, Patrick Tompkins. �By working with the National Guard, we can provide our campus unbeatable access to all the opportunities that this avenue of military service has to offer.�

The National Guard office on �鶹��ý�s campus will be centrally located in Little Hall�the same building that hosts a bustling cafeteria, 24/7 Campus Safety department, and the college�s engineering labs.

�We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with �鶹��ý,� said NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities. �Establishing a presence on campus allows us to share the career options and benefits of serving in the New Hampshire Army National Guard directly with students. They have access to extensive education assistance, including full tuition waiver, GI Bill and credentialing programs, scholarships, and options to transfer benefits to spouses. We can be another resource for them as they pursue their calling.�

Fall semester classes have started at �鶹��ý, and the new National Guard recruitment office is open for students Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more and plan a tour of �鶹��ý�s campus by visiting nhti.edu/admissions/events.

�鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College is creating opportunities for students to enter high-demand healthcare careers with the launch of a new Associate Degree and certificate in Healthcare Management. This new area of study will open doors to jobs in the business and operational side of healthcare.

�For people who are interested in getting in healthcare, but they really don�t want to have that direct patient care involvement, there are so many opportunities on the operational side,� said faculty member, Diane Davis.

Students can complete the new Healthcare Management coursework in convenient eight-week blocks. The program focuses on experiential learning and includes foundational courses on leadership, healthcare finance, quality patient experience, management, and more. It was developed collaboratively by �鶹��ý faculty and industry professionals.

�This program will prepare students with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage healthcare organizations, lead teams, and navigate the complex and evolving healthcare environment,� said Hector Iweka, �鶹��ý�s vice president for academic and workforce education.

�We know there�s such a big need for this program of study,� said Deborah Remillard, department chair of business & professional studies. �We�ve had a lot of verbal interest in this, because we�ve been putting it together for a while, and now students can apply and get started this fall.�

The new Healthcare Management programs are expected to appeal not only to recent high school graduates, but also to working professionals looking to change careers and enter one of NH’s fastest-growing industries.

Learn more about �鶹��ý�s 70+ academic program offerings at nhti.edu/programs. Students are encouraged to contact the Admissions department at 603-230-4011 or �鶹��ýadmissions@ccsnh.edu to enroll in fall classes.

This summer, �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College will kick off a new nursing aid certificate program. After just eight weeks, participating students will be prepared to take a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) exam and join one of the state�s most in-demand careers.

�No matter which area of the field interests you, you’ll find job opportunities in convenient locations everywhere,� said LNA program coordinator, Katherine Moore.

Moore explained that LNAs can pursue careers in nursing, long-term care, and rehabilitation facilities as well as hospitals, schools, and home care. A wide variety of schedules and hours are often available.

�鶹��ý�s LNA certificate program includes five days in the college�s learning lab on the Concord campus, and eight days of hands-on learning in a nearby clinical facility. The inaugural summer program features clinical days at Merrimack County Nursing Home.

The remaining reading and writing portions of the course can be completed online, allowing for a high level of flexibility for students. Instructors and �鶹��ý staff will be available to support students during the entire eight-week training.

To remove additional barriers, �鶹��ý has planned a special Basic Life Support class to kick off the LNA program. Rather than requiring students to complete this three-hour training before enrolling, it is offered the same afternoon as orientation.

�I don�t think there is a career better suited to someone who wants to help others,� said Moore. �I honestly feel like LNAs make the biggest difference for someone in care.�

To enroll in �鶹��ý�s first LNA certificate program, students must register by August 14. Learn more and sign up at nhti.edu/healthcare-training-programs.

All 35 recent graduates of the Radiologic Technology program at �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam on their first attempt. �鶹��ý�s 100% first-time pass rate far exceeds the national average of 84%.

Students sit for the ARRT exam after completing �鶹��ý�s 24-month program, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience in operating X-ray equipment, positioning patients, selecting technical factors and providing safe patient care. Once they pass the exam and obtain a state license, graduates can work as radiographers anywhere in the country, caring for patients in hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms and operating rooms. Nearly all graduates have a job lined up before graduation.

Program Director Kate Marcouillier said, “I’m incredibly proud of this cohort for achieving a 100% pass rate on the ARRT exam. This group holds special meaning for me as the first students I had the privilege of teaching through all their positioning courses. Watching their growth, dedication, and commitment to excellence has been truly rewarding. I’m excited to welcome them into the profession as registered radiographers – and even more excited to call them colleagues.”