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SBA Awards $5 Million to Maine Community College System to Expand Manufacturing Training

Auburn, ME – Central Maine Community College hosted the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SBA Deputy Administrator, Bill Briggs, Wednesday as the Maine Community College System received a $5 million award to expand hands-on manufacturing workforce training across Maine.

The award, presented during a ceremony at CMCC’s Precision Machining Technology Center, will support SMART-ME, a 12-month initiative funded through the SBA’s Empower to Grow (E2G) Grant Program. The initiative will provide training for workers in Maine’s shipbuilding, aerospace, industrial machinery, metal fabrication, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

CMCC is one of three Maine community colleges participating in SMART-ME, along with Southern Maine Community College and York County Community College. Across the three campuses, the initiative will offer eight training programs and is expected to train 612 individuals.

At CMCC, the initiative will support Manufacturing Technician Training, Advanced Manufacturing Technician Training, and MIG/TIG Welding. Manufacturing Technician Training and Advanced Manufacturing Technician Training will be offered through both CMCC and Southern Maine Community College, while MIG/TIG Welding will be offered at CMCC.

“This investment will allow CMCC to expand the important role we play in preparing Maine’s workforce and supporting the manufacturers that drive our economy,” said Dr. Susan Rogers, President of Central Maine Community College. “Our students benefit when education and industry work closely together, and our employer-partners benefit from having access to the skilled workers they need to grow and innovate. The direct impact of this training will be more men and women in careers that pay a thriving wage, a strengthened manufacturing sector, and stronger communities right here in our region.”

During Wednesday’s visit, Briggs and other SBA officials toured CMCC’s Precision Machining Technology Center and spoke with students and instructors. The event also brought together representatives from Maine’s manufacturing and workforce development community, including industry partners and local manufacturers.

“Our workforce training is most effective when it starts with listening to employers and understanding the challenges they are facing,” said Dr. Dwayne Conway, Dean of Workforce Development at Central Maine Community College. “This investment will give CMCC additional capacity to work directly with manufacturers, develop training around their specific needs, and bring that training to both new and existing employees. Whether a company is adopting new technology, developing its current workforce, or preparing for future growth, we want CMCC to be a resource that can respond quickly and effectively.”

“Advanced manufacturing is changing rapidly, and employers need training that can evolve just as quickly,” said Dr. David Lewis, Dean of Academic Affairs at Central Maine Community College. “CMCC has strong programs, experienced faculty, and hands-on training in areas such as precision machining, metal fabrication, advanced manufacturing technology, automation, and robotics. This funding will allow us to build on those strengths, respond directly to the needs of Maine manufacturers, and provide students and incumbent workers with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven industry.”

SMART-ME is scheduled to run from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2027, with new training cohorts launching every four to eight weeks across the participating campuses. The initiative is designed to provide industry-recognized credentials and create direct employer pipelines into Maine’s small manufacturers and broader defense supply chain. Participants will also receive a $2,400 attendance incentive.

CMCC Honors National Champion Mustangs, Welcomes New Student-Athletes

Auburn, ME – Central Maine Community College kicked off the new academic year by celebrating championship achievements, welcoming a new class of student-athletes, and recognizing the coaches and staff who have helped build one of the region’s most successful small-college athletics programs.

Maine Senator Bruce Bickford, representing Senate District 20, and Representative Laurel Libby, representing House District 90, joined the CMCC community to formally recognize the Mustangs men’s soccer team with a Legislative Sentiment honoring their second consecutive USCAA Division II National Championship. The recognition provided an opportunity for state officials to honor the team on campus after the Mustangs were unable to travel to the State House for recognition last semester.

“It was great to see these student-athletes and a pleasure to present them with this well-deserved honor. Winning back-to-back national championships is an incredible accomplishment, and they have made CMCC and our entire community proud,” Bickford said.

“I’m honored to have CMCC and the Mustangs in my district, and proud to represent you in Augusta. Congratulations to the men’s soccer team on their national championship and continued athletic achievement! This recognition is well deserved, and I look forward to our next national championship,” Libby said.

The men’s soccer team completed an undefeated 2025 season with a 16-0-3 record, defeating Cincinnati-Clermont 2-0 in the national championship game in Pittsburgh. The victory gave the Mustangs back-to-back national titles under Head Coach Dalton Wing.

Members and coaches of CMCC’s 2025-26 women’s basketball team were also honored during the event, receiving their national championship rings. The Mustangs captured the 2026 USCAA Division II National Championship with a decisive 74-46 victory over Miami-Hamilton, finishing the season 29-1 under head coach Andrew Morong. The championship was the fourth national title in program history.

New CMCC President Susan Rogers welcomed returning Mustangs and this year’s incoming student-athletes, encouraging them to build on CMCC’s strong tradition of achievement both in competition and in the classroom.

“Our student-athletes are among our highest performers, on and off the field,” Rogers said. “You are joining a prestigious tradition of champions, and I have every expectation that you will continue that tradition with heart, dedication, and mutual respect for your teammates and coaches.”

Rogers also recognized CMCC Athletics Director Dave Gonyea, the Athletics staff, and Mustang coaches for building programs that consistently compete at the highest levels while supporting student success in the classroom and beyond.

“The success of our teams does not happen by accident,” Rogers said. “Our coaches and Athletics staff put tremendous energy into developing these young men and women as students, athletes, teammates, and people. Their commitment is a big part of what makes CMCC Athletics so special.”

With two national championship teams celebrated on campus and a new group of student-athletes beginning their CMCC careers, the event marked an enthusiastic start to a new year of academic and athletic opportunity for the Mustangs.

“Thank you for becoming part of what makes the CMCC Athletics program such a special and valuable part of who we are,” Rogers told the student-athletes. “I wish you all the best of luck this academic year. Go Mustangs!”

Central Maine Community College Welcomes Dr. Susan Rogers as Its Next President

Auburn, ME – Central Maine Community College is pleased to announce that Dr. Susan Rogers has been appointed as the college’s next president by the Maine Community College System (MCCS) Board of Trustees, following the recommendation of MCCS President David Daigler. Rogers currently serves as chief of staff and vice president for institutional effectiveness at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and will begin her new role at CMCC on August 10.

“I am honored to join Central Maine Community College and the Maine Community College System at such an exciting time. Community colleges create opportunity by design, and CMCC already has strong programs, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to students. I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students, employers, and community partners to build on that foundation and expand opportunity for the people and communities we serve,” Rogers said.

Rogers has served as chief of staff and vice president for institutional effectiveness at Dutchess Community College since 2022 and previously served as interim vice president of instruction and learning. Dutchess Community College is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

Before joining Dutchess Community College, Rogers was a faculty member and division chair in the Division of Social Sciences, Sustainability, & Entrepreneurship at SUNY Sullivan, where she earned the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service in 2014. During her time at Sullivan, she helped design and implement an innovative first-year experience program focused on student belonging, engagement, and success, oversaw the expanded community presence of the culinary program, and led institutional strategic planning processes for campus and community members.

At Dutchess, Rogers led strategic initiatives focused on student success, workforce development, and institutional effectiveness. She oversaw the development and opening of the college’s Mechatronics Lab, launched its professional microcredential program, and helped create a new Office of Workforce Development and Continuing Education to strengthen pathways into credit programs. She also led the cross-campus effort that resulted in successful institution-wide reaccreditation while strengthening the college’s culture of assessment, planning, and continuous improvement.

“It’s invaluable to have a college president with first-hand experience from the classroom to the leadership team,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System. “Her focus on student success, academic excellence, employer-focused workforce training programs, her coaching skills and collaborative approach, and her experience leading major strategic initiatives will all be tremendous assets to the CMCC community.”

“The Board of Trustees warmly welcomes Dr. Rogers. Her experience, success, and enthusiasm for many of our key priorities at Maine’s community colleges make her an outstanding choice to lead Central Maine Community College,” said Peter DelGreco, chairman of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees. “The Board of Trustees is very excited to see what new heights a great campus like CMCC will reach under Dr. Rogers’ leadership and vision.”

Rogers holds a doctorate and master’s degree in educational psychology and methodology from the University at Albany, New York, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY New Paltz. She also holds a graduate certificate in education research and multiple professional development certifications. In 2019, she was part of the first New York State Student Success Coaching Academy cohort, based on a national training program by Jobs for the Future and Achieving the Dream.

Rogers succeeds Betsy Libby, who served as CMCC president for more than five years and first joined the college in 2006. Libby now serves as Vice President and Chief Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Officer for the Maine Community College System.

Central Maine Community College serves more than 5,500 students from across Maine and beyond. Located in Auburn, with an off-campus center in Damariscotta, the college offers more than 50 degree, certificate, and advanced certificate programs, short-term workforce training opportunities, campus housing, and a vibrant student life and athletics program.

CMCC Announces Spring 2026 Dean’s List

Central Maine Community College proudly recognizes 908 students who earned Dean’s List honors for the Spring 2026 semester. Students achieving President’s Honors attained a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.9 or higher on a 4.0 scale. High Honors requires a minimum GPA of 3.6, while Honors requires a minimum GPA of 3.3. The full list of honorees is presented below.

President’s Honors

High Honors

Honors

CMCC Student Named 2026 New Century Workforce Scholar

Auburn, ME – Central Maine Community College (CMCC) is proud to announce that Business Administration & Management student Daniel Levis, from South Paris, ME, has been named a 2026 New Century Workforce Scholar. He will receive a $1,500 scholarship in recognition of this achievement.

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon completing a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. More than 2,300 students from nearly 1,400 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

“We congratulate Daniel for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”

CMCC congratulates Daniel on this accomplishment and is proud to see him represent the College as he prepares for a successful career in business. The New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Baltimore, March 26-28, 2026.

About The Coca-Cola FoundationThe Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit coca-colagivingback.com.

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.