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A season and a reason to celebrate
Maine's seven community colleges honored some 3,000 graduates at ceremonies around the state this month.
Some of these graduates will transfer on for additional education having saved thousands of dollars in college costs. Others will bring their impressive skills to the Maine workplace as nurses, precision machinists, firefighters, computer specialists, and other highly trained professionals.
As these graduates know, and several Maine newspapers have noted this spring, Maine's community colleges offer a high quality, low cost pathway to a more prosperous future.
A
Portland Press Herald editorial this spring singled out Maine's "robust" community college system for its impressive track record of training and placing workers.
Read more.
The May issue of
Mainebiz highlighted the work MCCS is doing to provide education and training to meet the changing needs of the Maine economy and help individuals find jobs.
Read more.
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New programs and partnerships designed to strengthen Maine's workforce
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MCCS President Derek Langhauser.
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In his
biennial update to the Maine Legislature in March, MCCS President Derek Langhauser detailed the work Maine's community colleges are doing to create an educated, skilled, and adaptable labor force that is responsive to the changing needs of the Maine economy.
Langhauser said the MCCS continues to expand program delivery models so that Maine people and businesses are able to get the skills they need, when they need them.
New academic programs and partnerships across the state help illustrate his point:
- SMCC and the University of Southern Maine have signed agreements that will allow graduates of SMCC's engineering program to seamlessly enter USM's mechanical and electrical engineering programs. Read more.
- A new water treatment technology program is under development at NMCC. The first of its kind in the state, the program is expected to launch this coming fall and is being designed to meet the need for qualified personnel to operate the complex equipment in water treatment facilities across Maine.
- Under a new agreement with UNE, SMCC students who earn an associate degree in health science can continue their education and work towards a doctoral degree at UNE's College of Pharmacy. Read more.
- SMCC is also adding five new certificate programs in construction technology, automotive chassis and powertrain systems, precision machining, and advanced education to address demand for workers in these fields. The college worked with business leaders over the past year to develop the programs, which will give students new ways to build discrete skills and enter the workforce as quickly as possible. Read more.
- KVCC's Institute of Workforce Training and Professional Development has announced its summer and fall schedule. A range of courses are being offered in business and information technology, healthcare, and the trades. Offerings range from a 120-hour solar hot water design and installation course to an 8-hour CPR course for healthcare providers. To learn more about the professional and technical training available in the coming months at KVCC, go to the Institute's summer/fall schedule.
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NMCC's diesel program goes green with new technology
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Mitchell Pelletier checks the gauge on NMCC's "kidney" machine as it processes hydraulic oil.
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Green technology is not something usually associated with diesel hydraulics. But thanks to the addition of two new pieces of equipment, NMCC is reducing its carbon footprint and keeping up with trends in the industry.
The new equipment will allow students to remove, filter, and clean fuel from diesel machines, producing a contaminant-free, reusable fuel.
"Our students will have the opportunity to simultaneously participate in responsible green solutions and utilize new technology methods," says NMCC diesel hydraulics instructor, Bob Rice, of the new equipment.
Read more.
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A winding road leads to national recognition for YCCC scholar
Bryanna Smith of Sanford was recently recognized by the national Phi Theta Kappa organization as Maine's 2017 Coca-Cola New Century Scholar.
Her journey to becoming a national scholar was not a traditional one. She left high school in the 10th grade. At 17, she earned her GED, scoring in the top two percent of test takers nationwide. Even so, she didn't think she had the time or money to tackle college. Instead, she worked for two and a half years in the food service industry. Only then did she discover YCCC where she was able to commute to classes, continue to work, and gain confidence.
After earning her first degree in digital media with a concentration in animation, Bryanna is now working on a second degree in information technology. She graduated from YCCC in May and will take one final class this summer before continuing her education to study animation and illustration.
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Did you know?
Students who have not yet met all of Maine Maritime Academy's (MMA) rigorous academic requirements can complete necessary coursework at a Maine community college and then enroll in the Academy. Currently 27 students who were not originally accepted through the Academy's regular admissions process are now enrolled at MMA thanks to the Maine Maritime Academy Prep program.
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TRIO Student Support Services help MCCS students excel
All seven of Maine's community colleges have received federal TRIO grants to fund Student Support Services (SSS) programs.
This year, the programs' staff have served over 1,100 low-income and first-generation Maine community college students, providing them with academic tutoring, personal and career counseling, and assistance with course selection, financial aid, and transfer. The goal of each of the programs is to increase the academic success, retention, and graduation rates of participants.
This spring, the success of the programs was on full display. Of the seven students recognized as MCCS Students of the Year for their academic achievement and contributions to the college community, four are SSS participants, at CMCC, EMCC, KVCC, and YCCC. They have not only benefitted from the program and its services, they have also contributed to their college communities by serving as tutors, mentors, and role models to others who are just starting their college careers.
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| The 2017 Students of the Year and John H. Lapoint Leadership Award recipients (l to r): Robyn Rawle, CMCC; Amanda Jean Eivers, NMCC; Glenna Washburn, EMCC; Jaycie T. MacArthur, WCCC; Elizabeth Lynn Hansen, YCCC; Natasha Manson, KVCC; Devyn Vermette, SMCC. |
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News Briefs
Seven MCCS students awarded full tuition scholarships in honor of Leon A. Gorman
Seven Maine community college students have been awarded scholarships in honor of Leon A. Gorman, the longtime president and CEO of L.L.Bean. This is the second year the scholarship has been given and marks the first time the award has been expanded from one recipient to seven, one from each of Maine's community colleges. The expansion of the scholarship was made possible by the generosity of Lisa Gorman, who last year announced an additional gift to the scholarship fund in her husband's name. The scholarship was established in 2014 by the children of Leon and Lisa Gorman in honor of Mr. Gorman's 80th birthday. The students each received a scholarship equal to a full year of tuition at a Maine community college.
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Seven Maine Community College students were recently awarded the Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship. The students were joined by representatives of the Gorman Family, L.L.Bean, the Maine Community College System, and The Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges.
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A whole lot of hoopla at CMCC this spring
The CMCC Mustangs are the first women's college basketball team from Maine to win a national championship in any division or league. Members of the team were recently recognized by the Maine Legislature for winning the 2017 USCAA National Championship.
Representative (and CMCC automotive instructor) Lester Ordway of Standish welcomed members of the CMCC women's basketball team
to the State House.
Students look to KVCC to prepare for a career in sustainable agriculture
Slade Emery studies sustainable agriculture at KVCC. He is also raising Highland cattle and exploring breeds for the farm he hopes to start in the next few years in the Maine town of Detroit. Elizabeth Napolitano is a KVCC-bound, high-school senior from Limington who is helping to restore an abandoned apple orchard near her home. Both students were awarded the Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Award, which they plan to use towards their studies at KVCC. Read their profiles in a recent issue of the
Portland Press Herald.
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MCC honored for excellence
Representatives from the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) recently recognized EMCC with the organization's 2017 Excellence Award. In making the award, NEBHE highlighted EMCC's Student Success Center, Summer Success Academy, and the college's work with Student Veterans of America.
Pictured here: Wanda Lincoln, NEBHE Maine Delegate; Elizabeth Russell, EMCC Academic Dean; Lisa Larson, President of EMCC; Michael K. Thomas, President & CEO of NEBHE; and Karen Pardue, Chair, NEBHE Maine Delegation.
Hussey Seating provides 140 YCCC students with a place to take a seat
Hussey Seating Company is donating state-of-the-art seating for the 140-seat lecture hall in YCCC's new academic building. "We have many employees who have graduated from YCCC or taken courses to further their education," says Gary Merrill, President and CEO of Hussey Seating. "We're proud to support an educational institution that continues to be the picture of community involvement and higher education in Southern Maine."
Read more.
Pictured with a sample seat that will be installed in the new building are: Jim Chadbourne, Director of Dealer Sales, and Gary Merrill, President and CEO, of Hussey Seating; Kathy Baker, YCCC Foundation Chair; and Dr. Barbara Finkelstein, President of YCCC.
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Michael Marino and Max Lorber.
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Two SMCC students named George J. Mitchell Peace Scholars
Michael Marino, of Freeport, and Max Lorber, of Portland, will attend Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland for a semester during the coming academic year as
2017 George J. Mitchell Peace Scholars. Marino is enrolled in SMCC's construction technology program, and Lorber is enrolled in communications & new media studies. The scholarship was created as a tribute to former U.S. Senator George Mitchell for his efforts to facilitate peace in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The scholarship covers tuition and fees, books, room and board, a living expense stipend, and a travel grant.
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