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Campus Connections, Top Stories, March 23

Students learn new cultures, earn credit in Spain, Ireland

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Thirty-six SMCC students spent their spring breaks learning new cultures and earning college credit in Europe.

Twenty-seven students – most from Criminal Justice but from other programs as well – spent a week in Killarney, Ireland, learning about the country’s history, culture and criminal justice system. Criminal Justice Professor Bill McClaran has been leading the trip annually since 1999.

Students also took part in excursions to Blarney Castle (home of the famous Blarney Stone) and beautiful Dingle Peninsula, and took a boat ride on Lough Leane (Loch Lein), the largest lake in the Killarney area. A small group also traveled to Dublin for a day.

Another nine SMCC students spent their spring break in Spain, for an art class led by Art Instructor Jeff Badger focusing on the art and architecture of Barcelona. The trip included guest lectures by local experts, cultural excursions outside of Barcelona and visits to local sites such as the Picasso Museum, Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia and Magic Mountain.

Advising Month helps students save time, money

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There’s no better way for you to save money, save time and reach your academic goals than by using SMCC’s advising services.

SMCC faculty and staff are bolstering efforts to encourage students to take advantage of advising services during Advising Month, which kicks off March 30 and runs through April.

Students are encouraged to meet their faculty advisor or stop by the Advising Services Kiosk or the Advising Office to review their degree audit, figure out which courses they need to take, create a schedule and register for classes for next semester.

A full slate of advising sessions with faculty and staff advisors has been scheduled throughout the month at both the South Portland and Midcoast Campuses.

Registration for the Fall Semester begins Monday, April 6, for students who have earned at least 30 credits, and Wednesday, April 8, for current students who have earned less than 30 credits.

Leader of the Pack nominations sought

Nominations are being accepted for SMCC’s annual leadership awards.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to make their nominations for the awards, which recognize students, faculty and organizations for their accomplishments during the year. The winners will be announced at the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership’s Leader of the Pack awards ceremony on April 29.

Award nominations are due by 5 p.m. Friday, April 10. Full details and requirements can be found by clicking on the links below.

The awards are:

  • Leader of the Pack Awards. These students actively participate in campus and community events, exemplify positive qualities, are role models to other students and have done something outstanding that has impacted the campus or community.
  • Emerging Leader Award. This award honors a student who is new to the college or taking on leadership roles for the first time and has positively influenced a program or organization with a positive attitude and commitment to excellence.
  • Outstanding RA. This award honors a Resident Assistant who is a role model, has strong leadership skills, and who has had a positive impact on resident halls and the college community.
  • Organization of the Year. Student organizations can nominate themselves for this award, which comes with $250 credited to the organization’s account.
  • Advisor of the Year. Student organizations can nominate their advisor for this award. The winner receives lunch for two at the Culinary Arts dining room.
  • Program of the Year. Student organizations are encouraged to nominate an event, trip or other project for this award. The winning organization will receive $250 credited to its account.

Food pantry to open at Midcoast Campus

Plans are in the works to open a food pantry on the Midcoast Campus to offer assistance to students in need.

Phi Theta Kappa opened the Captain’s Cupboard on the South Portland Campus in late 2013 to provide food and other items to students. Since its opening, the pantry has distributed nearly 20,000 pounds of food along with home goods products and school supplies to more than 500 students and their families.

Seeing a need in the Midcoast region, student volunteers are now planning to open a similar food pantry on the Midcoast Campus. There’s support for naming it the Pilot’s Pantry in recognition of the campus’ location on a former naval air base.

Volunteers say they know of at least 10 Midcoast Campus students who use the Captain’s Cupboard, and that there are at least a dozen students from Brunswick interested in volunteering.