Your Bridge from High School to Community College

A program of the Maine Community College System
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"Advising has been the greatest part of ECforME. Being able to sit down and talk to someone about all the opportunities has made a huge difference in my college career."
Shanda Murphy(Sacopee Vallley'11) Liberal Studies YCCC
  
  
Central Maine
Community College
Auburn
 
Eastern Maine
Community College
Bangor
 
Kennebec Valley Community College
Fairfield/Hinckley
 
Northern Maine Community College
Presque Isle
 
Southern Maine Community College
South Portland/Brunswick
 
Washington County Community College
Calais
 
York County
Community College
Wells

  

           
  
"[ECforME staff] helped me make important decisions about where to apply and how to go about the process. Being a part of this program is the best thing I could have done for my academic career."
~Ansel Bryant (Maranacook'12) Electrical
Construction & Maintenance NMCC
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
"[ECforME is a] tremendous support system for students and parents. It made the transition for us much easier."
~Kelly Wright, parent of Megen Wright, (Oxford Hills'12) General Studies CMCC
  
  
    
  
  
  

  
  
"[In my first college year] I learned so much more than I was expecting. [ECforME] helped me set reasonable goals and start planning. They sat me down and explained the financial part about attending college." 
~Brandon Belcher (Medomak Valley'11) Welding-Pipe Fabrication Technology EMCC
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
 "This first [college] year definitely had a positive impact. I work harder to achieve my goals. Love, love, love this program."
~Hayley Strout (Bangor'11) Medical Radiography Technology EMCC
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
"[Early College for ME] has been a great partnership and benefit to our students." ~Mary Nadeau, Principal, Nokomis Regional High, Newport
  
  
 
  
  
  


 
 "Stay with it. The support is amazing."
~Samantha Belanger (CATC/Erskine Academy'11) Business Administration-Marketing/Management KVCC
  
Spring 2013 Volume 7, Issue 2
STUDENT TO STUDENT
 
JoelBrownSMCC Grad Going for
Electrical Engineering  
and Renewable Energy
  
After graduating from Mt. Ararat High School in 2008, Joel Brown earned an associate degree in 2011 at Southern Maine Community College in electro-mechanical engineering. In 2015, he'll have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology from the University of Maine, with a minor in renewable energy science and technology. Currently, he has a cumulative GPA of 2.9. "Not good enough," he says. "It won't be until it's above 3.0 and stays there." 
  Brown credits Early College for ME and Regional Director Christopher Ike with keeping him motivated. Brown went to Ike for advice even after completing ECforME. "He and the rest of the staff were friendly, generous, and genuinely seemed to be interested in where my education was headed."
 
Course Correction for YCCC Student
 
Shanda Murphy wanted to be a veterinarian, but after taking Anatomy & Physiology, switched to liberal studies. Now at York County Community College, she's aiming for a master's degree in social work, focusing on mental health and ShandaMurphysubstance abuse.
  Because she changed high schools, Murphy earned only 1.5 credits her first year at Sacopee Valley. Carl Landry, assistant principal, and Landry's wife, Laura, guidance director, helped Murphy graduate on time in 2011. "I'm incredibly grateful to both of them," she says. Say the Landrys, "Not only was Shanda intelligent and hard-working, she earned the utmost respect from her teachers and peers, due to her wonderful attitude and spirit. We miss her."
  Cait McGurty, Murphy's ECforME Regional Director, showed Murphy options. But, Murphy says, "I made the choices." A member of Phi Theta Kappa, Honor Society for the Two-Year College, Murphy will graduate in May. Her advice: "Go to a community college. You may think you know what you want [for a career], but that's probably going to change."
  
 
NZackdeMontignyMCC Student Made a
Head-Start on College 
 
For Zachary deMontigny, being
selected for Early College for ME meant taking a college course as a high school senior and having ECforME pay tuition, fees, and books. He graduated from Wisdom High School in 2012 with three college credits. During the summer he fought forest fires in Quebec Province, then went to Northern Maine Community College for diesel hydraulics. He earned Honors his first semester, while also taking a nights-and-weekends commercial driving course and going home to help on the family farm in Frenchville. He's just earned his commercial driving license and will have his associate degree in May 2014. According to ECforME Regional Director Ruth White, "Zach is good at setting priorities and managing time!"
 
EricVerrillCM 
CMCC Senior ASE Certified 
 
Eric Verrill is a senior at Central Maine Community College in the automotive program's Dealer Trax concentration. Before graduating from Edward Little High School in 2011, Verrill took two years of automotive training at Lewiston Regional Technical Center. At CMCC he's already passed the Master Automobile Technician certification of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). "That's eight tests of real-world diagnostic and repair problems plus work experience," says ECforME Regional Director Pauline Moreau. Dealer Trax students alternate eight weeks at college with eight weeks in the field, earning both a wage and college credit. On the Honors list himself, Verrill tutors automotive students informally. He'll have his associate degree in May and plans to join Charlie's Motor Mall in Augusta.
  
RyanTurcotte 
WCCC Student Sees Value in Connecting
 
 
Ryan Turcotte is a 2010 graduate of Poland Regional High School. In May 2013,  he'll have three certificates from Washington County Community College: heavy equipment maintenance, heavy equipment operations, and engine specialist. By May 2014, he'll have an associate degree in mechanical technology and another certificate as a power-sport equipment/small engine technician. Eventually, he wants to own his own business.

  The ECforME scholarship and being a dorm resident assistant helped him pay for college. He credits his college success to making connections and is active in the Student Senate. "WCCC is a good fit," he says, giving credit to Mary-Ann Urquhart, ECforME Regional Coordinator; WCCC staff; and his instructors. "All helped me make the transition into college easier."

 

From KVCC to Maine Maritime Academy
  

Zackary McManus (Lawrence High School, 2011) is now at Kennebec Valley Community College, where he'll graduate in May with an associate degree in electrical technology. Next, he's off to Maine Maritime Academy for a bachelor's degree in marine engineering operations. His mother, Karen McManus, credits the ECforME scholarship, Regional Director Pauline Stevens, and KVCC for giving him "a positive outlook" on college: "So much so, that he has decided to continue yet another four years." For his part, McManus is "relieved" by MMA's acceptance. With his MMA degree, McManus wants a position as 3rd assistant engineer and a path to chief engineer.

 

Brian Jipson EMCC  
  
EMCC Student is
Quick to the Rescue
 

Bryan Jipson attracts excitement. A senior at Eastern Maine Community College, he was waiting to meet with ECforME Regional Director Hope Holyoke for his mid-term check-in, when he heard a commotion in the lobby and ran to help. A student had passed out. Alyssa Downing, Director of Residential Life and Student Activities, was first on the scene. Because Jipson had worked with the Greenbush Volunteer Fire Department, he knew CPR, first-aid, and the right questions to ask. His diagnosis: low blood sugar. While others ran for juice and coffee, Jipson kept the student talking. When EMTs arrived, they could immediately administer a blood sugar test.

  Jipson will complete his associate degree in diesel, truck, and heavy equipment in May, then become a full time diesel mechanic at C B Kenworth in Hermon.

 
ECforME 1st- and 2nd-Year College Students
FALL 2012 HONORS LIST
*Honors 2 or More Semesters
ECforME 1st- and 2nd-Year College Students

 
HIGH HONORS

 

Cassandra Giguere* (LRTC/Edward Little'11) Criminal

   Justice CM

Jake Hall (Lewiston'12) Precision Machining Tech CM 

Naomi Heuer* (Mt. Ararat'11) Computer Tech CM 

Zachary McCarthy (LRTC/Lewiston'12) Accounting CM

Paige Nadeau (Caribou'12) Business Management EM

Sara Nichols (Edward Little'12) Liberal Studies CM

Amanda Travers (Nokomis'12) Education EM

Nicholas Weymouth (Lawrence'12) Diesel Hydraulics NM

 

HONORS

 

Rachel Ball (Ellsworth'12) Liberal Studies EM

Sarah Bailey* (Presque Isle'11) Medical Assisting NM

Rebecca Barnett* (Bangor'11) Liberal Studies EM

Mitchell Barton (Sacopee Valley'12) Liberal Studies SM

Samantha Belanger (CATC/Erskine Academy'11) Business

   Administration-Marketing-Management KV

Brandon Belcher* (MCST/Medomak Valley'11) Welding-Pipe

   Fabrication Tech EM

William Bombard* (Westbrook'11) Electrical Engineering

   Tech SM

Alexandria Buck (Westbrook'12) Early Childhood Education

   SM

Kyle Calvo (Winslow'12) Culinary Arts SM

Neal Cartonio (Sacopee Valley'11) Integrated Mfg Tech SM

Sara Cates (UTC/Old Town'12) Liberal Studies EM

Kody Chamberland* (SJVTC/Wisdom'11) Refrigeration, Air

   Conditioning-Heating EM

Richard Clark (Brewer'12) Electrician Tech EM

Samuel Clukey (Presque Isle'12) Accounting Information

   Systems NM

Kaylee Constable* (Winslow'11) Education-Early Childhood

   Education KV

Amy Corriveau* (Caribou'11) Early Childhood Education NM

Gabrielle Craig (Brewer'12) Liberal Studies EM

Shannon Crooker (Hampden Academy'12) Business Mgmt EM

Devan Cyr (SJVTC/Madawaska'12) Automotive Tech NM

Olivia Dahlbergh (Hampden Academy'12) Business

   Administration-Marketing-Management KV

Corey Daigle (SJVTC/Madawaska'12) Automotive Tech NM

Dominique Damron (Cony'12) Applied Marine Biology-

   Oceanography SM

Zachary deMontigny (SJVTC/Wisdom'12) Diesel Hydraulics

   NM

Karly Derby (Greely'12) Liberal Studies SM

Alphonso Dixon (Skowhegan'12) Business Administration-

   Marketing-Management KV

Demarre Doody-Corriveau (Caribou'12) Medical

   Radiography Tech EM

Tina Doucette (Hampden Academy'11) Early Childhood

   Education EM

Derek Dufour (Caribou'12) Welding-Metal Fabrication NM

Brittany Dunton (Nokomis'12) Liberal Studies EM

Chelsea Flye* (Winslow'11) Liberal Studies KV

Jonelle Foley (Scarborough'11) Liberal Studies SM

Kyle Frost (Cony'12) Refrigeration-Air Conditioning-Heating

   EM

Kurtis Gagnon* (SJVTC/Wisdom'11) Electrical Construction-

   Maintenance NM

John Gerald (UTC/John Bapst'12) Automotive Tech CM

Caleb Gerritsen (Central Aroostook'12) Diesel Hydraulics NM

Frederick Giordano III (South Portland'12) Criminal Justice

   SM

Daniel Grindle* (Bucksport'11) Liberal Studies EM

Christina Hathaway* (Presque Isle'11) Medical Assisting NM

Garrett Hemphill (Presque Isle'12) Business Admin NM

Hannah Higgins* (Portland'11) Early Childhood Education SM

Abby Hill (Nokomis'12) Business Management EM

McKayla Hinderks (Mt. Ararat'12) Liberal Studies SM

Mohamed Ibrahim (Lewiston'12) General Studies CM

Emily Jackson (Old Town'12) Liberal Studies EM

Aaron Jellison* (UTC/Home-Schooled) EMS Tech EM

Kaine Kingsbury* (Central Aroostook'11) Diesel Hydraulics

   NM

Kayla LaBrie (Winslow'12) Liberal Studies SM

Jacob LaBrie* (SJVTC/Wisdom'11) Diesel Hydraulics NM

Bryce Lambert (Sanford'12) Integrated Mfg Tech SM

Dayna Lambert* (Bonny Eagle'11) Early Childhood

   Education SM

Zachary Levesque (SJVTC/Madawaska'12) Diesel Hydraulics

   NM

William Marsh (Skowhegan'12) Diesel Hydraulics NM

Derek McIntyre* (Mattanawcook Academy'11) Welding EM

Abigail Merrill* (Ellsworth'11) Early Childhood Education EM

Lynsey Munroe (Windham'12) General Studies SM

Krysta Norris* (Kennebunk'11) Liberal Studies SM

Yves Nzigiye (Portland'12) Liberal Studies SM

Christopher Pelletier* (Waterville'11) Business

   Administration-Accounting KV

Ryan Plouffe (Bonny Eagle'12) Computer Tech SM

Daniel Poisson (LRTC/Edward Little'12) Fire Science SM

Samantha Post* (Lawrence'11) Liberal Studies KV

Cody Pratt (Bonny Eagle'12) Mechanical Tech WC

William Randall (Nokomis'12) Diesel Hydraulics NM

Marisa Standley (Telstar'12) Liberal Studies SM

Nicole Murphy* (UTC/Brewer'11) Liberal Studies EM

Hayley Strout* (Bangor'11) Medical Radiography Tech EM

Travis Sutherland* (Mattanawcook Academy'11) Business

   Management EM

Jared Sutton (Houlton'12) Liberal Studies NM

Matthew Till* (Caribou'11) Plumbing-Heating NM

Eric Verrill* (Edward Little'11) Automotive Tech CM

Ethan Vonderheide* (Messalonskee'11) Architectural-

   Engineering Design SM

Kristine Webber (Mt. Blue'12) General Studies CM

Mariah Weisman (Portland'11) Behavioral Health-Human

   Services SM 

 
Maine Community College System | 207-699-4899 | dfrench@mccs.me.edu |
Maine Community College System
323 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330

The Maine Community College System is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please call 207.629.4000.

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