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Campus Connections, In the Spotlight, May 18

Student Spotlight:

Breeanna Zoidis, future in firefighting

zoidis-optimized_smA stint as a volunteer firefighter in her hometown of Casco convinced Breeana Zoidis to make a career in firefighting.

When Breeanna first came to SMCC, she majored in business. But she changed to Fire Science after discovering her passion when she joined the Casco Fire Department as a volunteer.

She earned an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science this spring, and she now plans to continue her studies to earn a degree in Paramedicine.

Through the “live-in program,” Breeanna has been working and living at a Kennebunk fire station while going to school. She also works on a per-diem basis for the Casco Fire Department.

“I have a thorough understanding of what this career is all about. At SMCC, you learn to apply yourself both inside and outside the classroom.”

Alumni Spotlight:

Matt Araujo, SMCC serves as springboard to success Matthew-Araujo-optimized_sm

Matt Araujo used his schooling at SMCC as a springboard to a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a promising career.

Matt graduated this month from the University of Southern Maine and begins a full-time job June 1 at Texas Instruments, where he’ll work as a test engineer in the product development group.

When Matt first entered college out of high school in 1997, he struggled academically and left before earning a degree. But he excelled years later after enrolling in SMCC’s Architectural and Engineering Design program, graduating in 2009, and later entering USM’s electrical engineering program.

He graduated Magna Cum Laude from USM and was the student speaker at USM’s commencement this month.

“The technical experience I gained in AEDD gave me an edge in engineering. There’s overlap between engineering and design and electrical engineering, so when I went to USM I already had experience with modeling and CAD.”