Dr. Jennifer V. Mezquita currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at Northern Essex Community College. During her college undergraduate years, Jennifer was introduced to the higher education professional field. She developed a passion for addressing issues of social injustice, equity and access. Prior to joining Northern Essex Community College, Dr. Mezquita worked at the College of the Desert Foundation, Valencia College Foundation, Valencia College and the University of Central Florida where she held leadership roles within alumni relations, student services, assessment, academic advising, and post-secondary transition programs. Jennifer has over 14 years of higher education experience and eight years of business and industry experience in banking and sales.

Jennifer was born in the Dominican Republic where she was raised by her grandparents until the age of 10 when she and her siblings joined their mom in Orlando, FL. She lived in southern California prior to becoming a resident of Haverhill, MA. Her greatest joy and most important title is Mom, to her 14-year-old son, Charles.

The first in her family to attend college, Jennifer is a proud graduate of Valencia College, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida where she earned her AA degree, B.A. degree in Food and Resource Economics, master's degree in Educational Leadership: Student Personnel Administration and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Higher Education and Policy Studies.