Business grad and current COO returns to NCC

NASHUA - Nashua Community College business professors John Carlisle and Trish DiLorenzo hosted NCC alumnus Kevin Clemons as a guest lecturer for Intro to Business classes shortly before winter break.

Professor Carlisle said having a guest lecturer from industry made a big impression, “What an impact this had on our students. It can change their whole perspective,” he said, adding that some students who hadn’t joined discussion all semester opened up with questions for Clemons during his talk.

Intro to Business student Zander Johnson sat in on the second lecture and said he learned a lot, “It was really cool. I especially liked hearing about how he interviews candidates; he talked about how he focuses on the person, and looks to see how they answer the basic questions versus getting super in-depth.” Johnson said the best part was when Clemons offered his support to students, “At the end of the talk, he offered to have mock interviews with us, if we ever wanted to get in touch through our professor.”

Clemons said he recalls being in the same position as the students; he earned his Business Management associate degree in 2013, and his Human Resources certificate in 2014 at NCC, “This is a second home, I spent a lot of time here - I remember all the professors and the staff.”

After graduating from Nashua Senior High School in 1996, Clemons served as Alderman for Ward 4 in Nashua, and as a NH State Representative in his early post-high school years. He also worked in Tennessee as a regional director of ophthalmology, and at a local ophthalmology practice in Nashua.

After spending time in the workforce, Clemons enrolled at NCC as an adult learner, “It took me a few years to get to college,” he said. But once he hit the books, he never stopped. He took a mix of classes both online and in the classroom to complement his work schedule. After NCC, he transferred to Granite State College for his bachelor’s, then earned his MBA as well as an MA in organizational leadership from SNHU in March 2019.

“Now I’m the Chief Operational Officer of a Massachusetts-based ophthalmology group,” Clemons said. While visiting business students, Clemons drew a direct line between his success and his time at NCC, “I told one student; ‘I sat in that chair right next to you.’ And it meant something to them. It means something when alumni can come talk and talk to them.”

Professor Carlisle agreed, “It means there is real opportunity that’s waiting for them when they finish college.”

NCC classes are available during the day, evening, on weekends, and online. The spring 2020 semester begins Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Check out the course schedule online <<hyperlink “online” with http://nashuacc.edu/images/PDF/course-schedule/SP20-SCHEDULE-ONLINE.pdf >> or contact the Admissions Office at 603.578.8908, or nashua@ccsnh.edu.

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