Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle is in the process of finding ways to better serve underrepresented students on campus, thanks to a grant from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.
In a recent release, the Foundation stated UMPI had been selected as “one of six New England public, postsecondary institutions to participate in Project Compass, the Foundation’s new multi-year initiative aimed at increasing the number of underrepresented populations graduating with four-year degrees.”
Under the grant, UMPI will receive an initial sum of $100,000 to “support a year of planning and capacity building.”
“The first year will be spent answering questions. It gives those involved an opportunity to think deeply, read up on and talk to people to shape a plan for the next four years,” said Don Zillman, president of UMPI. “This news is very big.”
Zillman said this was wonderful news as UMPI strives to better serve its Native American population and learn lessons that will impact teaching and mentoring work taking place at the university.
“As one of the smallest campuses selected for participation in Project Compass, and the only one from Maine, we are truly honored to be included in this innovative group of colleges and universities, and we’re excited about the potential to invest nearly $1 million in grant funding to shape our students’ educational experience during this five-year process.”
UMPI is in the process of working with the local Native American tribes – the Maliseets of Houlton and Micmacs and Presque Isle, as well as members from New Brunswick – as well as students deemed in need of help, financially or otherwise. The goal is to increase retention numbers.
The launch of the initiative comes at a time when college retention is a major issue for institutes of higher learning, especially for low-income students and those of ethnic origin who are now the fastest growing segments of New England’s population, according to the Foundation. The project will support innovative, institutional programs and strategies that strive to eliminate achievement gaps and significantly increase academic success, retention and graduation rates for minority and low-income undergraduate students.
“The thing that excites me most about Project Compass is it’s small enough to implement at all levels – study services, curriculum – everything can be touched by this,” said Zillman.
Zillman said this was part of the educational mission at UMPI to better serve first-generation students. He also noted how important the project was on an international level.
“This is international. It crosses the border – reaches beyond Maine’s border and touches the lives of Canadian students, Native American or otherwise,” said Zillman. “I’m hoping this will be something that will touch every member of this facility, from students to staff. I hope this reaches everyone.”
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation tries, through programs like Project Compass, to reach a broader student base, making it possible for disadvantaged students to pursue higher education.
“With Project Compass, we’re continuing the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to college success for underserved students,” said Foundation President and CEO Nicholas Donohue. “We’re excited to work with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and hope that, in doing so, we’ll help inspire and nurture the type of bold thinking around postsecondary education that will be necessary if we want to ensure that the majority of all learners acquire the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.”
The Foundation’s release indicated the new initiative will be administered by the New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE) at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and will create a learning community of colleges and universities that will measurably improve academic outcomes for underrepresented students, while at the same time change institutional policies and practices to sustain and expand those efforts.
“NERCHE looks forward to working with these six campuses to shape institutional responses that increase the retention and academic success of underrepresented students,” said John Saltmarsh, director of NERCHE. “The Foundation’s investment in Project Compass is critically important for exploring and creating effective models for institutional change.”
At UMPI, attention will focus on developing culturally responsive strategies to improve retention for Native Americans, especially for Micmac and Maliseet students, a unique group within the university’s student population. These individuals face the challenges of many UMPI students who come from low-income backgrounds and are the first generation in their families to come to college. Project Compass will lay the foundation for efforts to improve retention and graduation rates for Native Americans, as well as other underserved students.
“A joint educational collaboration of this magnitude between UMPI, the Houlton Band of Maliseets and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs is both welcomed and desired,” said Victoria Higgins, chief of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. “It is a clear signal that the university realizes the educational aspirations of all Native Americans, and Micmacs particularly, are a priority for the tribe as we continue our quest to self-determination.”
Brenda Commander, chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, also voice praise for the project. “The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians is pleased to collaborate with UMPI and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in recognizing the cultural needs of Native Americans when pursuing higher education,” she said.
Five other public colleges from New England have also been selected to join UMPI in the initiative. They include: Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Mass.; Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Conn.; Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, Vt.; the University of Massachusetts, Boston; and Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, Conn.
“The initiative will involve two phases. The first phase will provide funding for the six institutions to put together ideas and come up with a plan to address needs – find out what works, what doesn’t and where we can make improvements. During the second phase, the Foundation will award grants to help each facility put programs and services into play to meet student needs,” said Zillman.
A recent gathering in Worcester, Mass., provided the first opportunity for those involved in the project to air their views, share ideas and begin working on ways to improve services to underserved students.
For up to four years, the Foundation will award annual implementation grants of up to $150,000 to $200,000, with second phase grants contingent upon the institutions’ yearly progress on objectives developed during the planning year.
“UMPI could conceivably benefit to the tune of $1 million. That’s money that doesn’t come out of our budget. Any time we can get funding that we don’t have to cut spending somewhere else or hold fund-raisers to obtain, we’ll take it,” said Zillman. “Since we received word on Project Compass and what it will mean to UMPI, response has been great. There’s been considerable excitement since summer. This will be a great opportunity for the campus. I’m quite enthusiastic about it.”
