In This Issue

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Fall 2012

Maine citizens have the opportunity this fall to support a bond that would increase the capacity of the state's seven community colleges to meet strong student and employer demand for occupational training. Question 2 would direct $3 million to expand and strengthen community college degree programs that prepare Maine people for highly skilled, good paying jobs in such key Maine industries as manufacturing and health care. Last year, the colleges were unable to fully serve over 4,000 qualified applicants because of a lack of capacity.

The $11.3 million bond includes the following investments that are all designed to build, create, and protect Maine jobs: 

• $7.8 million for a new animal and plant diagnostic facility at the University of Maine.
• $3 million for capital improvements and equipment at Maine's community colleges.
• $500,000 for capital improvements and equipment at Maine Maritime Academy.

Read more about how the bond would support the community college in your area.

Question 2 includes funds to enable CMCC, KVCC, and YCCC to strengthen and expand their precision machining technology programs.

Charles Lyons

Maine's higher education community has lost a strong advocate and leader with the passing of YCCC President Charles M. Lyons. President Lyons -- or Charlie as he was known to most everyone -- served as a university and college president in Maine for 17 years and held various other leadership positions in higher education for 22 years. In a statement announcing his death in August, MCCS President John Fitzsimmons said, "Charlie was recognized as an advocate for students and a cheerleader for the importance of higher education in the lives of the people of Maine. Today, a family lost a husband and a father, and the state of Maine lost a great leader. We will all miss the energy and joy he brought to anyone in his presence."

During President Lyon's six-year tenure at YCCC, enrollment increased 77 percent, the college added eight new programs of study, and it was twice named one of the fastest growing community colleges in the country. President Fitzsimmons discussed President Lyons' impact on YCCC and the future of the college in a recent interview.

It just got a little easier for students in southern Maine who are interested in obtaining a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Southern Maine Community College has announced a partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington's Early Childhood Education Off-Campus Bachelor's Degree Program. Under the agreement, students enrolled in the UMF program will be able to take classes at SMCC's South Portland campus beginning next fall. The program will allow SMCC students to complete a four-year degree while living and working in southern Maine. According to Terri Petnov, chair of SMCC's Early Childhood Education Department, the demand for professionals in the field with bachelor's degrees is growing.

"Working with children and families requires a combination of knowledge and skilled practice. We started our associate degree program 18 years ago and have been teaching students how to provide a high-quality education ever since," said Petnov. "Through our collaboration with UMF, students can continue to live and work in their home community while working on their bachelor's degree."

Ten or 12 years ago, education was more or less a hindrance to me working and trying to support myself. And now education is the only way I'm going to be able to support myself.

The University of Southern Maine and Southern Maine Community College have signed an agreement that eases the way for students to move from a two-year to a four-year degree in the field of hospitality and tourism. The agreement is another step in aligning Maine's university and community college programs to prepare skilled graduates in areas key to Maine's economic future. Under the agreement, eligible students who complete an associate's degree in hospitality management at SMCC will be able to apply those credits toward a bachelor's degree in USM's new tourism and hospitality program, making it possible for community college students to complete a four-year degree in only two additional years of study.

"This is an important collaboration for Maine's visitor industry," said Steve Hewins, vice president of travel products and services at AAA New England. "With SMCC providing the practical hospitality skills and USM the broader educational options, we'll be graduating well-rounded students capable of helping to advance our industry to a true world-class level."

This month's cooking tip comes from Michelle Goldman who teaches popular culinary arts classes through SMCC's Continuing Education Department. Try out her recipe for Haddock in Parchment Paper and see what other continuing education courses are on the burner at SMCC this fall.

Cody Hand

Cody Hand took advantage of all the opportunities available to him while he was studying medical radiography at EMCC. And even though he graduated in May, he's still seeking out new opportunities and adventures. Shortly after being chosen EMCC's 2012 Student of the Year, Cody was picked to participate in the George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship Exchange offered by MCCS. The scholarship, now in its 14th year, has enabled more than two dozen MCCS students to participate in an international exchange, an experience not commonly available to community college students. Students chosen for the program study at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT). Cody arrived in Ireland at the beginning of the fall semester and recently sent this update:

 

I have met a terrific group of people here and one of my roommates has taken me in like a brother and couldn't make me feel more welcome. Everyday has been an adventure for me whether I am walking around the city center, learning the public transportation system, joining societies here on campus, or even going to McCarthy's Pub for dinner and watching the football (soccer) games. Classes are going well, too. Everyone is enthralled with American culture and wants to know if it's just like the movies. Whenever I have a question I don't hesitate to ask someone on the street, and I am very quickly greeted with a warm smile and detailed directions.

 

SMCC student Shawn Veasey has also been named a 2012 Mitchell Scholar and will head to CIT in January for the spring semester. 

KVCC receives grant to boost solar energy training program -- KVCC has been awarded a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that will allow the college to transition its Northeast Solar Heating and Cooling Instructor Training Project (NSHCITP) to a new focus on photovoltaic (pv), or solar electric, training. The new grant will allow the college to hire a solar pv instructor, purchase new training equipment, and build a mobile training lab. The mobile lab will be used to provide training throughout the Northeast, making it easier for potential instructors to receive training without having to travel to KVCC's campus in Fairfield. Read more.

Foundation leaders recognized -- Two leaders of The Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges have been recognized for their professional achievements and civic involvement. Beth Newlands Campbell, president of Hannaford Supermarkets and a member of the Foundation's Leadership Council, will be honored as Spurwink's 26th Humanitarian of the Year in November. The award honors an individual who works to improve the lives of others within the community and state. Larry Wold, president of TD Bank, Maine and also a member of the Foundation's Leadership Council, has received the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Pine Tree Council Boy Scouts of America, which recognizes a leading citizen role model.

NMCC's new biomass boiler expected to help cut heating costs -- A new biomass boiler at NMCC will heat two of its largest buildings on campus and replace nearly 70 percent of the campus fuel oil consumption with local, renewable energy. The boiler will use local wood pellets and is part of the college's increased emphasis on green technologies. In recent years NMCC has added new programs in wind power technology, solar energy, and weatherization. Read more.

EMCC offers women's softball -- Eastern Maine Community College fielded an intercollegiate women's softball team for the first time during the Fall 2012 season. The Golden Eagles are members of the United State Collegiate Athletic Association and the Yankee Small College Conference. The squad played six games this fall season and earned its first win in a game against SMCC.

WCCC helps feed the hungry -- WCCC staff and students were the largest group of contributors to the 8th annual Turkey-A-Thon, a local food drive that raised enough funds to send 1,900 turkeys to food pantries from Baileyville to Jonesport.