Hillsboro-Deering Teacher Earns Running Start Advocate Award

Concord – Marc Payeur, a business teacher at Hillsboro-Deering High School, was honored by Governor John Lynch and the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) for his advocacy on behalf of Running Start.

Under Payeur's advocacy, 42 senior students at Hillsboro-Deering High School earned college credits at NHTI, Concord's Community College during the past academic year in four classes he taught, including Accounting, Introduction to Marketing, PC Applications, and Web Design and Development. Running Start gives New Hampshire high school students the opportunity to earn college credits.

"Marc constantly looks to mentor and support students in taking classes that will assist them in improving their next and future steps upon leaving high school; either in the world of work or with their future learning," says Mary Snyder, Running Start Coordinator at NHTI. "Marc is always speaking with students and staff about the opportunities afforded them through the Running Start program at NHTI."

NHTI courses are taught at the high school during the regular school day by high school faculty members whose courses and teaching expertise have been certified by NHTI. About 1,000 students statewide each academic year enroll in one or more NHTI courses at their high school campuses through Running Start. The cost to the students is only $100 per course, compared to $500-700 had the students enrolled in the same course at the college campus.

Payeur has been involved with the Running Start since its inception in 1999 as a liaison between the high school and NHTI, and as a member of the statewide advisory board.

"Without this wise counsel, many students who were not motivated to continue their learning, or did not believe they should or could, may not have pursued a college career where they were able to blossom," said Snyder of Payeur's impact on students. Marc was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife, Heather Payeur, and Hillsboro-Deering High School Principal Christian Elkington.

NHTI, Concord's Community College, is a fully accredited, public community college serving students, businesses and the community by providing excellent academic, technical and professional education. NHTI offers 62 academic programs to more than 4,000 students. NHTI is a member of the Community College System of New Hampshire.