Higgins Becomes Director of Gallaudet at Northern Essex

Todd Higgins begins working Feb. 21. (Courtesy photograph.)

Todd Higgins was named Thursday director of the Gallaudet University Regional Center (GURC)-East Region at Northern Essex Community College.

Higgins most recently served as a deaf community advisor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and has extensive experience working with individuals with a wide spectrum of disabilities. He also spent a decade working as a deaf and hard of hearing specialist and outreach coordinator at San Francisco State University, and prior to that was a deaf and hard of hearing consultant for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability. His appointment was jointly announced by William Heineman, NECC vice president of academic and student affairs, and Lisa Jacobs, director of the Office of National Outreach at Gallaudet University.

“Northern Essex Community College values its partnership with Gallaudet University and is proud to host the East Regional Center,” said Heineman. “We are extremely excited to welcome Todd Higgins to his new role as Director of the Center and begin work with him as he starts to write a new chapter in its history,” he added.

“Todd Higgins is a passionate advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing community and his many years of experience in advocacy and outreach will greatly help us in our mission of sharing resources with thousands of people across the country’s eastern region,” said Jacobs.  “Gallaudet University is thrilled to welcome him and we look forward to his leadership of the regional center.”

Higgins begin working Feb. 21. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from Miami University in Ohio and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from San Francisco State University, where he also worked and received awards for academic excellence and achievement.

“I am truly honored and excited about joining one of the longest-serving Gallaudet University Regional Centers in the nation and continuing the extraordinary work for which the Center is known,” said Higgins. “I look forward to building on many of the existing partnerships that the Center has developed over the years, as well as creating new ones, as we all work together to meet the educational, transition, and professional needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, their families, and the professionals who work with them.”

Established in 1980, Gallaudet at Northern Essex addresses the educational, transition and professional development needs of deaf and hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood, their families and the professionals who work with them.