HOULTON, Maine — The newly appointed president of the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), James Conneely, will continue his tour of University College (UC) centers when he visits Houlton on Monday, March 21 at 2:30 p.m.
During his recent meetings with students, faculty, staff and guests at Centers, Conneely has shared his vision for the future of UMA and UC, the latter of which is an administrative unit of UMA.
“President Conneely’s lifelong commitment to ensuring access to higher education for non-traditional students is inspiring,” noted Lisa Cooper, Director of the Centers at Norway / South Paris and Rumford / Mexico. During his visit to Rumford / Mexico, Dr. Conneely will review plans a new site slated to open over the summer, and tour the facility under construction.
Conneely has repeatedly underscored the role of University College as a critically important economic engine for Maine’s rural communities, training the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators, many of whom will answer the “what’s next” question concerning how Maine will flourish as its manufacturing sector recedes.
University College prides itself on empowering its students in ways that transcend age, family or economic circumstances.
“University College provides exceptional advising support for students who are often working while they study for their degree,” said Tracy Rockwell, Director of the Center at Houlton.
Degrees are awarded by the individual institutions of the University of Maine System, such as UMA, with instruction delivered at Centers, online or through other distance learning modalities (models) by faculty from those institutions.
“Thanks to University College, which delivers degree programs from each campus of the University of Maine System, Maine is in the process of reframing its current workforce to flourish in the 21st century global marketplace,” Rockwell said. She added that financial assistance from the University of Maine System is readily available.
Conneely assumes the presidency as UMA celebrates its 50th anniversary year and continues to gain national attention for the quality of its online programs.
For the fourth year in a row, U.S. News & World Reports has selected UMA for inclusion in its national rankings of the best colleges and universities. The recently released 2016 rankings listed UMA as 30th best in the nation for universities offering online bachelor’s degree programs.
Providing access to a college education for scores of Mainers is an endeavor that has attracted federal support.
In January, United States Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, both of Maine, announced in a joint news release that UMA had been awarded a grant of nearly $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to help low-income students.
The grant will be used to help students build stronger connections to their majors, embedding student support in classes, and making student support services available through mobile devices, Conneely says.
Conneely’s extensive experience in higher education includes serving as president of Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, Maryland. He has also held leadership positions at both Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Arkansas. Throughout his career President Conneely has provided leadership to expand access and service to non-traditional and first-generation college students.
“We are eager to welcome President Conneely to our Center,” noted Debora Rountree, director of the Center at East Millinocket. “Through his leadership University College will continue to provide supportive, affordable access to higher education for Mainers in their local communities, while continually adapting the means of instructional technologies so that we become a model of leading-edge distance education for the entire nation.”
UMA and University College welcome Conneely with a sense of hope for the future and a deep, ongoing commitment to providing support and access to higher education while addressing the needs of a global 21st Century economy.
