Student Spotlight
Alysa Grindlinger, love of numbers
Alysa Grindlinger discovered her love of numbers — and of learning — after enrolling at SMCC. Following graduation this spring, she plans to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s and then a master’s in accounting.
Alysa went to art school after high school, but she left after a year and went worked for various Portland-area hotels and restaurants. She then came to SMCC in 2015 as a Hospitality Management student.
Taking business courses that were required of her major opened her eyes to her love for business. She earned her Hospitality degree last semester and will complete her Business degree this spring.
Eventually she hopes to become a controller at some large company, perhaps at a hospitality business like a cruise ship line, a resort or an airline. But first she plans to continue her education.
For her bachelor’s degree, she’s in the process of applying to some impressive schools, including the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Ohio Wesleyan University, the University of Notre Dame, Bryant University and Bentley University.
“I’m aiming high, but I think I can do it.”
Student Spotlight
Stephanie Hartley, third career ahead
Stephanie Hartley was once a hairdresser before running a successful fence company with her husband. She’s now studying for a new career as a dietician.
Stephanie worked as hairdresser for several years after graduating high school in 1991, but after getting married she helped her husband run a fence company while raising a family of five children, now ages 9 to 24.
Things abruptly changed in 2012, when her husband was seriously hurt in a car accident and could no longer run the company. That prompted Stephanie to look into a new career; she chose SMCC and is majoring in Nutrition & Dietetics.
Stephanie, who lives outside of Lewiston, was drawn to SMCC because of the campus atmosphere, its affordability, the academic programs and the support services that are readily available. She’s been taking her core classes at the Midcoast Campus in Brunswick and will take her nutrition and dietetics courses in South Portland.
“After I graduate, I hope to become a dietician for a hospital or for a school system. I’m very optimistic.”