In This Issue

WCCC graduate Alex Bradley celebrates with his mother.

Over 3,000 students are expected to graduate from Maine's community colleges this month. More than 90 percent of them are expected either to land jobs in Maine after graduation or continue their education. Among them are EMCC graduate Trevor Bowden, who has already landed his dream job (see story below) and Angel Freeman who decided to continue her education after her two daughters earned their degrees at EMCC. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families!

WCCC students make their way to graduation, the first community college students to graduate this spring.

Trevor Bowden, a student in EMCC's fine woodworking and cabinet making program, is one of the many MCCS graduates who will land jobs or continue their education after they graduate this month.

"I know going into high school and college that there's always the wonder, are you going to get a good job? And to get a dream job right out of college is an incredible feeling," he told WCSH/WLBZ.

He and a number of his classmates will start their "dream jobs" as boat builders with Hinckley Yachts, thanks to a partnership the company formed with the college in 2012.

"Our relationship with Hinckley through the fine woodworking and cabinet making program is illustrative of how EMCC prepares students for in-demand jobs," says Lawrence Barrett, Ed.D., president of EMCC. "Thanks to our strong partnerships with business and industry, EMCC graduates typically do not have to struggle to find employment post-graduation."

Dr. Barbara Finkelstein

Barbara Finkelstein, senior vice president of Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA, has been appointed president of York County Community College in Wells. She will begin her duties on August 11, 2014.

''I am excited about the opportunity to work with the faculty, staff, students, and greater YCCC community in expanding the college's academic and workforce programs and working on initiatives relevant to student success," said Dr. Finkelstein in an MCCS press release announcing her appointment.

Maine's seven community colleges are expanding the courses and programs they offer in information technology (IT) and offering free summer courses to eligible students interested in getting a jump start on their studies. Funded by a three-year, $13 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Maine is IT! is making it possible for the colleges to offer new and expanded programs and courses in areas ranging from computer forensics to information security to information systems integration. See what's being offered in your area.

The MCCS All-Maine Academic Team and the colleges' Students of the Year were recently recognized for their academic and personal achievements by the MCCS Board of Trustees. Meet a few of them:

	Heather Carnes, NMCC All-Maine Academic Team "I never thought that I'd be able to go to college and get a degree. To not only go but to exceed my goals and my expectations is just amazing." WAGM recently profiled both of NMCC's All-Maine Academic Team members
	Shelby Lynne Neuschwanger, CMCC Student of the Year "As I look forward to graduation I look back to see how far I have come on the path I started three years ago with the dream of going to college. This is a reminder of what you can achieve if you put your foot on a path, even if the way isn't always clear." See Shelby accept her award.
	Charles Feyler, KVCC All Maine Academic Team "Being able to get a degree in two years gives me the opportunity to start working when I graduate and work on furthering my education at the same time." Read more about Charles and the rest of the All-Maine Academic Team.

TD Charitable Foundation awards $100,000 grant to CMCC -- The TD Charitable Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to CMCC to fund expanded retention and student success initiatives at the college. TD Bank Maine Market President Larry Wold presented the award at the college's annual dinner on April 16.

MCCS welcomes new board members -- Five business leaders and educators were recently appointed by Governor Paul LePage to the MCCS Board of Trustees. They are: Shawn Moody, president, Moody's Collision Centers of Gorham; William Cassidy, WCCC president emeritus of Robbinston; Jane Sexton, a retired teacher and former state representative of Gorham; Beth Anne Lorigan, Greenville superintendent of schools of Brewer; and Patricia Duran, Hermon superintendent of schools of Hermon.

BIW looks to NMCC for skilled workers -- Bath Iron Works chose a unique way to let students at NMCC know about hundreds of potential job openings: It held a video conference to recruit NMCC job applicants. Read more.

SMCC students share their stories -- While most of Maine's community college students are local, a growing number started their journey halfway around the globe. Nine SMCC students from seven war-torn countries recently shared their personal stories in a Sacred Stories presentation at South Portland City Hall.

Strikes! Spares! MEREDA bowls for MCCS scholarships  -- The Maine Real Estate and Development Association (MEREDA) will award $7,000 in scholarships next fall to MCCS students enrolled in building trades, architecture, engineering, construction, or business programs. The group recently held its 2nd Annual "Strikes for Scholars" fundraising event to support Maine students as they prepare for careers that promote MEREDA's mission of responsible development and ownership of real estate throughout the state.