CCSNH STEM Programs in the Spotlight

The Community College System of New Hampshire played a high-profile role in two popular events this fall to increase awareness of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.

On Saturday, September 20, Nashua Community College, Lakes Region Community College, Manchester Community College, and NHTI-Concord’s Community College collaborated to create a crowd-stopping booth at the annual Wicked STEM technology festival in Manchester. CCSNH representatives shared information about STEM degree programs while children and parents lingered at the booth to watch one robot roll and pick up dice and another draw pictures.

The New Hampshire Union Leader created the annual Wicked STEM event four years ago to inspire innovation and create connections between youth and STEM-related career opportunities in New England.

Just two weeks later, CCSNH participated in the 8th Annual Governor’s Cup robotics competition for high school teams on October 4 at Plymouth State University. The Governor’s Cup is an off-season event that has become essential preparation for FIRST Robotics Competition for teams preparing for the official season. Thirty high school teams from across the Granite State competed for awards and scholarships based on robot performance and judged elements.

2025 Career Day at MCC Inspires Future Automotive Professionals

More than 800 middle and high school students from across New Hampshire gathered at Manchester Community College for the 2025 Automotive Career Day. The event, hosted in partnership with the Community College System of New Hampshire, gave students the chance to explore degree-based automotive technology programs and connect directly with industry leaders.

Automotive instructors, representatives from the NH Automobile Dealers Association, and manufacturer representatives joined forces to showcase training opportunities, demonstrate the latest vehicles, and highlight career paths available in today’s evolving automotive industry. 

“New Hampshire’s auto industry is full of opportunity,” said Dan Bennett, President of NHADA. “We have the programs, instructors, and technology in place. What we need now are the students ready to step in and build their careers. Career Day is about sparking that interest and showing young people the possibilities in front of them.” 

GBCC and Lonza Partner for Apprenticeship Program

Initially announced in April of this year, the partnership between ApprenticeshipNH, the workforce training program of the Community College System of New Hampshire, and Lonza is creating opportunities for area students to enter careers in biotechnology.

Charlie Leland and Noah Ford were among the first cohort of apprentices this year. "No matter what your background is, this is a great opportunity," said Leland. And Ford noted: "Given how competitive STEM jobs are right now, this program is amazing. It teaches us everything we need to know and is a great opportunity to build a foothold in the industry." The students' experience was recently highlighted in NH Business Review.

The program combines eight weeks of classroom instruction at Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth with 12 months of paid, on-the-job training at Lonza’s manufacturing facility, also located in Portsmouth near GBCC's campus on the Pease Tradeport. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices have the opportunity to interview at Lonza for open full-time roles. Eleven new apprentices recently completed the classroom training and will now continue their apprenticeship onsite at Lonza.

“Lonza was familiar with our outstanding Biotechnology certificate and associate degree programs – and knew that we were right around the corner from its Portsmouth site. Combining resources for a biomanufacturing technician apprenticeship program offered a powerful means of training Lonza’s future workforce while preparing students for careers in a fast-growing field,” said Dr. Cheryl Lesser, GBCC president.