In This Issue

A $500,000, three-year grant from the KeyBank of Maine Foundation is providing support for a new student success program that will help students complete their degrees on time.

The program -- Path to Graduation -- gives students access to success coaches, scholarships, and other services. Ninety students are enrolled in the program this year, and the college expects to serve 150 next year.

"This is the largest donation ever by the KeyBank of Maine Foundation," noted MCCS President John Fitzsimmons at a press event announcing the gift. "It's an investment that will help many hardworking and talented students achieve their educational goals." Read more>>

EMCC has been named a "Leader College" by Achieving the Dream, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping more community college students stay in school and earn their degrees.

The designation of Leader College is awarded to community colleges that have shown significant commitment to improving student success and closing achievement gaps. EMCC was recognized in particular for doubling its success rates for students who are referred to developmental math, from 27% in 2008/09 to 50% in 2011/12.

EMCC was the only college in New England to be honored and one of only two on the East Coast. Read more on EMCC's Website and in this recent Bangor Daily News article.

A new academic building at CMCC and a new wellness center at NMCC will offer students and the public more opportunities for learning and social interaction.

The MCCS Website has recently been updated and offers several new features for students, educators, and businesses. Want to find a program and where it is offered? Check out our new program search. Are you a business and want to post a job for a student or graduate? Go here>>

When Jennifer Libby graduated from Falmouth High School, she had no plans for college and no idea what to do next. She enrolled in SMCC's liberal studies program, hoping it might help her figure out her next steps. It did.

In her first semester, she found that she enjoyed studying business and within two years had graduated and found part-time work as a finance clerk at CIEE in Portland. She also enrolled in a four-year degree program at the University of Southern Maine, transferring many of the credits she earned at SMCC.

Today, she has a bachelor's degree and a challenging job at CIEE where she has been promoted twice and is now the organization's treasury manager. Because CIEE is a world leader in international exchange programs, her job includes foreign travel and managing money in 41 different currencies. She credits SMCC and the supportive staff for keeping her career goals on track.

"There were so many opportunities to become overwhelmed and give up on the college process, but SMCC never turned its back on me and offered me guidance every step of the way," said Libby. "At SMCC I got the individualized attention I needed as well as the confidence and skills to continue on to a four-year school."

A total of 18,160 students are enrolled in Maine's community colleges this fall, a 79% increase in headcount enrollment since the transition from technical to community colleges in 2003. Enrollment across the System has remained virtually unchanged from last fall, when 18,198 students were enrolled. York County Community College had the largest percentage increase, a 7.3% rise to 1,699 students, a record enrollment for the college, which has nearly doubled in size over the past decade.

SMCC and YCCC are the recipients of a $496,000 grant from NASA to pilot a project that aims to increase the number of community college students that complete their degrees and pursue aerospace science and technology careers, or continue their studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The grant will fund scholarships and research internships and infuse NASA content into a number of programs at the two colleges, including SMCC's Capstone Research courses and YCCC's biology, computer technology, and microbiology courses. Read more>>

WCCC helps train prospective mill workers -- WCCC has partnered with St. Croix Tissue to help the company find and prepare workers to expand its operations in Washington County. Forty individuals have been selected to participate in a training program that runs from October to May. Those who complete the program will have the skills necessary to work at the pulp mill and will be guaranteed an interview for a job in the spring. Learn more>>

KVCC awarded grant to expand programs -- KVCC has received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop a new sustainable timber frame program and expand its academic offerings in medical assisting and mental health. Read more>>

Presidential welcome --The presidents of Maine's community colleges welcomed Barbara Finkelstein to her new post as president of YCCC. Pictured below at a recent meeting at YCCC are (l-r) Joe Cassidy, WCCC; Larry Barrett, EMCC; Ron Cantor, SMCC; Barbara Finkelstein, YCCC; Tim Crowley, NMCC; Scott Knapp, CMCC; and Rick Hopper, KVCC.