We’re Here to Help You Succeed

Advising is one of the most important keys to success at SMCC. As a student at the College, both dedicated faculty and staff advisors are available to meet with you to ensure you stay on track and achieve your goals. We highly encourage all students to meet with an advisor every semester. We even have two months during the year, November and March, that are designated as advising months. Learn what advising can do for you!

On this page:

Benefits of Advising

  • Save time, money and stress!
  • Set your career and education goals and build a plan to achieve them.
  • Select the right courses and course sequence to meet your degree requirements.
  • Gives you access to veteran and international student resources.
  • Guides you to a successful graduation, transfer and more.

What Advisors Will Do for You

As an SMCC student, you will work with advisors in your designated Pathway. Your initial point of contact will be your staff advisor, who will eventually connect you to your faculty advisor.

A staff advisor will:

  • Answer questions about specific courses and course requirements.
  • Connect you with helpful college resources and find ways to improve your success.
  • Help you choose your program of study, manage your courses and maintain your academic standing.
  • Get the answers to any questions you have.

Your faculty advisor will:

  • Give you advice about your career path.
  • Tell you what skills and courses will help you succeed.
  • Plan your course schedule for the next semester and future semesters and review your degree requirements.
  • Help you identify potential internship opportunities and establish professional connections.

Where You Can Get Advising

New Students

As a new student we offer you a variety of ways to get ready for your first semester. This includes meeting with your Pathway Advisor individually, attending small New Student Advising Session for your Pathway, or attending a larger New Student Advising session open to all new students, regardless of Pathway. Please visit our accepted student webpage for details and to sign up for a New Student Session.

Current Students

Once you have registered for classes and become a current student, you can contact your staff or faculty advisor to get your questions answered. If you have general questions, or aren’t sure who to talk with, stop by one of the offices below for assistance.

Advising FAQ’s

To view a list of helpful questions and answers around Advising, visit our Advising FAQ webpage.

Midcoast Campus
L.L.Bean Learning Commons
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

South Portland Campus Advising & Admissions Office
Campus Center – 1st floor
Drop-in advisor available Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Meet the Advising Team


SMCC pathway advisors are here to help! See our staff below, they are listed by which pathway and majors that they serve.

Arts, Humanities, Digital Media & Communications

Chris Anderson: Book an appointmentchris anderson
Email: canderson@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Liberal Studies, Liberal Studies: English, Liberal Studies: Music, Undecided
Amanda Gagnon: Book an appointmentamanda gagnon
Email: agagnon1@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Communications & New Media, Liberal Studies, Liberal Studies: Art, Undecided

Business & Hospitality

AJ Burton: Book an appointmentaj burton
Email: aburton1@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Business Administration, Business Administration: Sports Management, Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management

Computer Science & Information Technology

Darby Simpson: Book an appointmentdarby simpson
Email: dsimpson@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Cyber Security, Information Technology, Computer Science

Education, Human Services, & Social and Behavioral Sciences

Savannah Leighton: Book an appointmentsavannah leighton
Email: sleighton1@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Early Childhood Education, Education, Human Services, Liberal Studies: History focus, Liberal Studies: Political Science focus, Liberal Studies: Psychology focus, Liberal Studies: Social Work focus

Health Sciences

Michele Pavitt: Book an appointmentmichele pavitt
Email: mpavitt@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Nursing
Kalena Brady: Book an appointmentkalena brady
Email: kbrady@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Cardiovascular Technology, Health Sciences, Medical Assisting, Nutrition & Dietetics, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology

Industrial Technology & Transportation

Jen Gresley: Book an appointmentjen gresley
Email: jgresley@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Architectural & Engineering Design, Automotive Technology, Building Construction, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrician’s Certificate, Horticulture, HVAC, Plumbing, Precision Machining & Manufacturing

Public Safety

Sandra Lynham: Book an appointmentsandra lynham
Email: slynham@mainecc.edu
Staff Advisor – Majors: Criminal Justice, Fire Science, Paramedicine/EMS

Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

Darby Simpson: Book an appointmentdarby simpson
Email: dsimpson@mainecc.edu
Pathway Advisor – Majors: Biotechnology, Liberal Studies: Science focus, Marine Science

Veterans and Dependents of Veterans

Amy Lainoff: Book an appointmentamy lainoff
Email: alainoff@mainecc.edu
Director of Veteran and Military Services

International Student Services

Jodie Lane: Book an appointmentjodie lane
Email: jlane@mainecc.edu
Director of the Intercultural Center & International Student Services

Midcoast Campus

Vicki-Rose Porter: Book an appointmentvicki rose porter
Email: vporter@mainecc.edu
Midcoast Campus Coordinator