Student Profile
Elliott Gagnon, tapping his creative side
Elliott Gagnon thought he wanted to become a music teacher when he completed high school. After discovering that wasn’t his true calling, he came to SMCC to learn about graphic design, video production and scriptwriting.
Elliott first enrolled at the University of Southern Maine following his 2012 high school graduation. He ended up transferring to SMCC because it was convenient and affordable and he had friends who had had a good experience here. Besides, his father had also attended SMCC years ago.
Elliott is in the Communications & New Media program, where he enjoys tapping into his creative side. For his Senior Portfolio project, he created a YouTube video of himself reviewing different 10 tech gifts for $25; the project demonstrated his skills in graphic design, scriptwriting, film production, film editing and social media.
He’s not exactly sure what he’ll do when he graduates next spring, but he’s confident he’ll be using skills he learned at SMCC.
“Right now I’m trying to find my way without a set destination. But I’m enjoying the ride, and I’ve got skills that are marketable.”
Faculty Profile
Geoff Boardman, teaching future chefs
Geoff Boardman has worked at restaurants in England, Gibraltar, Bermuda and Maine. Since 2009, he’s been training future chefs at SMCC.
At a young age, Boardman took his first cooking job in Gibraltar — a tiny British territory on the south coast of Spain. He later worked at other far-flung places before moving to Maine and working at the acclaimed White Barn Inn in Kennebunk.
As the Culinary Arts chairman, Boardman is known for his constant grin and British humor. He’s proud that so many of his former students have gone on to bright careers as chefs.
“I tell students to do it once, do it right and have fun. If you’re enjoying it, it’ll show in the food preparation and presentation. If you’re not enjoying it, you’re in the wrong profession.”