Lawmakers come away impressed
A group of state legislators came away impressed after meeting with SMCC administrators, business partners, and current and former students during the College’s annual legislative breakfast meeting.
Lawmakers from Portland and surrounding towns and cities came to SMCC’s Construction Technology Center on Saturday morning, January 26, to learn about SMCC’s workforce development programs and initiatives. They heard from SMCC President Joe Cassidy, Maine Community College System President David Daigler, SMCC Workforce Development Dean Jim Whitten, business and community partners, students and former students.
The legislators who attended the event Representatives Ed Crockett, Dick Farnsworth, Allison Hepler, Chris Kessler, and Lois Reckitt.
Supporters in the business community who utilize our workforce training programs who were present were Andrew Bond and Jon Mason of Bath Iron Works and Nate Schools, chief of Buxton Fire & Rescue and an SMCC alumnus.
Rep. Farnsworth said SMCC’s workforce development programs are vitally important to Maine employers, residents and the economy.
“Keep up the good work,” he said.
Photo: Legislators, business partners, and current and former students pose with SMCC President Joe Cassidy (10th from left) and Maine Community College System President David Daigler (fourth from right) inside the SMCC Construction Technology Center.
Financial Awareness Month focuses on smart money management
SMCC has launched a new financial literacy tool to help with money management as part of the College’s focus on educating students on being smart with their finances.
During Financial Awareness Month in February, SMCC is encouraging students to fill out the FAFSA, sign up for the new iGrad financial literacy tool, and learn about new partner, ECMC Solutions, a nonprofit organization that helps students manage federal student repayment.
As part of Financial Awareness Month, SMCC is:
- Offering financial aid support via Chat from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during February.
- Holding an iGrad launch with an information table (and swag) in the Campus Center from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 11 and 12.
- Extending the Financial Aid Office hours to 7 p.m. on February 12 for FAFSA completion assistance.
The Financial Aid Office is also encouraging students to fill out the FAFSA by February 28 to be entered to win 12 free credits of tuition in the 2019 Fall Semester. The FAFSA can be filled out online by visiting FAFSA.gov.
SMCC evidence suggests that students who complete the FAFSA experience greater success at SMCC than students who don’t complete their FAFSA.
The SMCC Achieving the Dream Student Financial Health Team has taken on the goal of increasing student awareness of the FAFSA and will be launching a campaign to inform, educate and direct students to seek additional financial health support.