Author's acknowledgements
The birth of Northern Essex Community College
First steps: choosing a director and finding a campus
Early governance, organization and staff
Expansion and facilities problems
Curriculum development to 1971
The faculty and internal governanace to 1975
The creation and growth of DCE
Recognition: Self studies and accreditation
A permanent campus: Elliott Street
Meeting the needs of the nontraditional student
Reorganization of governance: 1975-1985
New challenges, opportunities and discoveries
Epilogue: A brief summary of NECC since 1985.