SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Dozens of recent high school graduates are participating in Southern Maine Community College’s fifth annual Summer Academy student success program allowing them to get a jump start on their college careers.
Fifty-five students are enrolled in Summer Academy, a three-week intensive prep program that introduces students to college life, prepares them for college-level coursework and guides them in setting career and academic goals. The program kicked off Tuesday and runs through July 25.
Participating students come from across Maine, with one student coming from Rhode Island. Maine residents are eligible for free tuition and priority consideration for scholarships based on financial need.
“SMCC is committed to ensuring that students succeed once they enter college,” said President Joe Cassidy. “Summer Academy provides each student a dedicated advisor and the guidance and support to help them make a successful transition from high school to college. Students learn valuable skills that will serve them through their college careers and beyond.”
Ahmed Hameed, of Portland, decided to enroll in Summer Academy to improve his writing and his English, as well as to make friends and get a feel for SMCC, before the Fall Semester starts on August 26. Hameed is originally from Iraq and plans to enroll in SMCC’s Respiratory Therapy degree program.
“I said if I want to start something, let’s start it right,” he said about coming to SMCC. “This will allow me to start right at SMCC.”
Summer Academy is one of several programs at SMCC that provide support and academic guidance aimed at student success.
SMCC’s Path to Graduation program (P2G) helps first-year college students connect with their college peers, set their education and career goals, and build the plans to achieve them. The program brings students together in supportive learning communities and connects them with dedicated success coaches who support each student and guide them to success in their first year of college.
The College’s TRIO Student Support Services provides support for low-income, first-generation or disabled students from the first day of college through graduation. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the program provides individualized advising, peer mentoring and other support services aimed at student success.
More than 50 students, shown here, signed up for SMCC’s annual Summer Academy, now in its fifth year.