Adult education is a lot more than earning a GED. There are multiple facets to today’s world of adult education, and our own local program is prepared to meet those ever-changing needs. Houlton/Hodgdon Adult and Community Education is located at the Houlton Higher Education Center, and a completely new office team is ready to serve the community.
Director Joe Fagnant brings 22 years of educational experience in working for both RSU 29 and SAD 70 school districts, and his experience working for Jobs for Maine’s Graduates is valuable for new workforce development requirements.
Ken Ervin is the assistant director and has a wealth of experience in helping students succeed in postsecondary programs due to his past work with Franklin Pierce University, and his work with the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s TRIO Talent Search Program.
Administrative Assistant Patti Sloat joins us from her previous position at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and has an excellent understanding of programs and services in the Southern Aroostook area. She is a great asset to have as the center of communication.
Major areas of programming for adult education continue to evolve. The GED is no longer the test to earn high school equivalency in Maine; it is now called the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test).
A new federal law, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, went into effect in July 2014 and has repurposed the way adult education programs all over the nation operate. The law encourages alignment of the workforce, economic development and educational systems to provide comprehensive, coordinated services that reflect the needs of the 21st-Century economy. There is also a bigger effort statewide to provide college transition services to adults of all ages, by helping an individual to either start college or return after not completing a degree.
Houlton/Hodgdon Adult Education offers multiple layers of programming for the Southern Aroostook area. Its office serves as the local contact point for Northern Maine Community College. Potential and current NMCC students can receive assistance with applications, come in to sign up for courses, fax forms up to the Presque Isle campus, and receive guidance on financial aid, degree attainment, or academic planning. The Houlton Center offers 10 or more NMCC courses locally each semester. Local high school juniors and seniors are also encouraged to take free NMCC classes through the Aspirations program.
The long-standing partnership with Region Two School of Applied Technology allows for workforce educational programs for adults such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Personal Support Specialist, EMT, and CPR/First Aid training.
The bulk of the effort for HHACE is still in two traditional areas, the area of high school completion and enrichment courses. Whether through the HiSET process or completing missing credits for an adult education diploma, our open learning centers are currently staffed during the day (Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.) and two evenings (Monday and Wednesday, 6-8:30 p.m.) to help individuals attain their high school completion goals. These learning centers are also available for college transition help. HHACE offers a wide variety of enrichment courses in the arts, technology, and hands-on classes such as woodworking and welding, while also providing educational opportunities in the Aroostook County Jail.
The newest area of growth is programming that meets the needs of our local senior population. ACESeniors is a day enrichment program for seniors that provides educational and wellness programs, along with an opportunity for seniors in the region to get together in a fun learning environment. The program is growing and is looking to partner with other organizations to bring support to our senior population. Current courses that have been successful include Tai Chi, A Matter of Balance, stained glass and card making.
All of these courses make for a busy schedule, and our staff is ready to assist in the needs of our learners. If you are interested in any of our programming, you can stop by the Houlton/Hodgdon Adult & Community Education program, visit our web site at www.rsu29-70.maineadulted.org, find us on facebook, or call 521-3100, ext 5.
