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SMCC receives 2023-24 Military Friendly® School designation

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) is pleased and proud to announce that we have been awarded the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School designation, given to institutions for their commitment and dedication to students who have served in the military.

SMCC received a Silver Award designation from Military Friendly®, which grades colleges and universities on student retention, graduation, persistence, loan default rates and other measurements for all students, with an emphasis on student veterans. This is the third consecutive year we’ve been named a Military Friendly® School, and the second consecutive year we had our designation elevated to the Silver Award level.

Over 1,800 schools participated in the 2023-2024 survey. Five hundred thirty schools earned awards level designations in Gold, Silver and Bronze. Two hundred fifty were selected for Gold status for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs.

SMCC offers priority registration, a Veterans Resource Center and an official College Veterans Medallion at graduation. We were the first college in Maine to install Purple Heart parking spaces on our campuses, and we hold a Veterans Appreciation breakfast and a September 11 Remembrance ceremony each year.

The newly furnished Veterans Resource Center located in 301 Howe Hall provides a much-needed quiet space for Veterans to study as well as the supportive environment of meeting their peers and sharing experiences. Visits from the Portland Veteran Center and the Greater Portland Career Center bring outside resources to offer assistance in transition from the military in various areas.

If you know of a Veteran who has not connected with Amy Lainoff, SMCC’s Director of Veteran and Military Student Services, please reach out to her 207-741-5926 or alainoff@smccME.edu.