NMCC, Husson to host public info night for prospective students at NMCC

    PRESQUE ISLE – Residents of Aroostook County and neighboring western New Brunswick interested in pursuing higher education to advance in their career will have the opportunity to learn how two area colleges can help during an upcoming informational evening at the beginning of the New Year.     Northern Maine Community College and Husson Graduate and Professional Studies in Presque Isle will co-host an info night Thursday, Jan. 3 between 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Christie building on NMCC’s Presque Isle campus.
    The evening is designed for members of the public who want to learn more about either or both institutions and the various offerings delivered on the Presque Isle campus and at NMCC’s distance education centers throughout Aroostook County. Officials from both colleges will be on hand to discuss opportunities for enrolling for classes.
    It marks the first time the two institutions have held a joint information session for prospective students since the August 2006 agreement between NMCC and Husson was signed which established a Husson presence on the County’s Community College campus. The precedent-setting partnership included provisions for space for Husson’s evening and weekend courses and programs at both the baccalaureate and master’s level, as well as an on-campus office location that serves as the administrative center for Husson in northern Maine.
    Especially significant to the agreement is Husson’s guarantee of admission into one or more of its baccalaureate programs to any NMCC student who graduates from an associate degree program with a grade point average of 3.00 or above. Husson also accepts all credit hours awarded from NMCC.
    “We are pleased to be able to include representatives from Husson’s Presque Isle branch with us at the upcoming NMCC info night. Many individuals wanting to pursue post-secondary education locally are unaware of the many transfer opportunities that now exist within our Aroostook County service area,” said William Egeler, NMCC dean of students. “Representatives from both institutions are able to help prospective students develop a plan and pathway that ultimately leads them to an associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree.”
    In addition to information on programs offered through NMCC and Husson and the ease of transferability between the two co-located colleges, info night attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss financial aid opportunities.
    “It has made it really convenient for me to work toward my bachelor’s degree in accounting at the same time I have been working to complete two associate degrees in accounting and business administration,” said Kristina Kenneson of Presque Isle, who will graduate from both NMCC and Husson in May. “Both schools are good schools with great instructors and programs. NMCC and Husson provide the personalized and hands-on education I was looking for, and it was the most cost affordable arrangement possible.”
    It is Kenneson’s experience and the many other possibilities afforded by both institutions that officials from both schools are hoping members of the public will come learn more about Jan. 3.
    “The programs delivered at the Presque Isle campus offer individuals the opportunity to further their education without having to leave Aroostook County. An information night such as this allows prospective students the opportunity to explore the various options they have, as well as see firsthand the ease at which you can transition through the educational system, ultimately leading to a graduate degree,” said Carolyn Dorsey, Husson’s director of graduate and professional studies. “Husson is very excited to be a part if this event.”
    NMCC and Husson representatives are also issuing a special invitation to the event to prospective Canadian students as the value of the U.S. and Canadian dollars are about at par.
    As a further incentive, both NMCC and Husson will waive application for admission fees for all individuals attending info night. For part-time students not enrolling in a program but wanting to pick up a class or two, the registration fees will be waived.
    NMCC spring semester courses begin Jan. 14. Husson will begin its winter term Jan. 7 for undergraduate programs and its graduate program spring term Jan. 15.
    For more information on info night, contact NMCC at (207) 768-2787 or Husson at (207) 760-1177.