NMCC to hold sessions

    PRESQUE ISLE – To reflect its expanded presence and offerings in all regions of Aroostook County, as well as help area residents save on fuel, Northern Maine Community College will host informational sessions in northern, central and southern Aroostook County during the week of Aug. 11.
    The College Info Nights are planned for Monday, Aug. 11 at Madawaska High School; Tuesday, Aug. 12 on the NMCC campus in Presque Isle; and Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Houlton Higher Education Center. All three sessions will run from 5-7:30 p.m.
    The Info Nights are designed for people interested in learning more about the College and the various certificate and associate degree programs offered on the Presque Isle campus and at sites throughout northern and southern Aroostook County. The three evenings are also open to individuals uncertain about their future, who would like to learn about the higher education and training opportunities available in the region.
    In addition to information on programs offered at the College, Info Night attendees will be able to learn more about financing their education and about financial aid that is available to many students. A recent cost comparison affirmed that NMCC offers the lowest tuition rates in the state of Maine. At $82 per credit hour, NMCC is less than half the cost of the state’s smaller public universities ($190 per credit hour) and one-third the cost of Maine’s larger public universities ($151 per credit hour).
    As a further incentive, NMCC will waive the standard application fee for individuals who attend the Info Nights and apply for a specific program of study, and registration fees will be waived for those who do not enroll in a program but sign up for individual courses.
    “Info Night provides a wonderful opportunity for community members to learn what the college has to offer and see for themselves how convenient class offerings can work into most schedules,” said Jason Parent, director of development and college relations. “Over the years, many individuals have found success at NMCC, and subsequently in the workforce, because they took the first step and attended Info Night.”
    One such individual is Robert Gagnon of Madawaska, who was one of the individuals impacted by the downsizing at Fraser Papers in the St. John Valley last summer.
    “Having been in the workforce for years, I was worried about returning to school, but I took the first step by attending NMCC’s Info Night in the Valley last summer. A year later, I can truly say that it has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I would recommend it to anyone who is uncertain of whether or not they will succeed going back to school after many years. NMCC made it both easy and very pleasant,” said Gagnon. “Taking classes in the St. John Valley through NMCC’s local center saves travel time and costs. The small, informal classes are great.”
    Gagnon, a plumbing and heating major, will graduate in May 2010. Fellow non-traditional student Denise Sock of Ashland, who will complete her degree in medical office administration next May, visited an Info Night at NMCC in the summer of 2006.
    “I attended Info Night and was very unsure and quite nervous about being a non-traditional student and starting a new path in life. I got all of the information I needed to get started and was reassured and encouraged that everything would be OK,” said Sock. “Everything has been great. I encourage others to attend Info Night. College has been an awesome experience, and I’m glad I took that first step.”
    For more information, visit the College Web site at www.nmcc.edu or call the Presque Isle campus at 768-2787, the St. John Valley Center at 551-5781, or the Houlton Higher Education Center at 521-3100.