Archives: News

Culinary Group Endows Scholarship Fund at CMCC

Members of the Maine Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) donated over $10,000 to the CM Education Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship fund for Culinary and Restaurant Management students at CMCC. Left to right are Dan Caron, LRTC instructor and past president of the Maine ACF Chapter; Roger Philippon, dean of planning and public affairs at CMCC; Don Rossignol, retired culinary chair at CMCC; Austin Perreault, chair of the CMCC Culinary and Restaurant Management programs; Charles Izzi, past president of the Maine ACF Chapter and chef instructor at the Capitol Area Technical Center in Augusta; and Fern Langlois, food service manager at CMCC.

The Maine Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) presented a check for over $10,000 to the CM Education Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship fund for Culinary and Restaurant Management students at Central Maine Community College. The presentation was made recently at The Green Ladle, home of the culinary arts program at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center.

Comprised of Maine-based professional chefs and culinary educators, the ACF Chapter promotes the growth of the food service industry through culinary competitions and events, certification, publications, and an apprenticeship program. Now the largest professional chefs’ organization in North America, the organization promotes the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.

New Backup Generators at CMCC

Powerful generators are now in service on the campus of Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Manufactured by Generac of Waukesha, Wisconsin, the generators ensure continuous power to the campus at all times, even during major power outages. The power generated by the units also means that online course delivery can continue uninterrupted in the event of a power outage. The College can utilize the generators during peak consumption periods or to power the lights on the new athletic complex, which will result in significant savings. The generators also enable CMCC to become a fulling functioning disaster safety shelter for the local community.

CMCC Announces New Staff Members

Central Maine Community College (CMCC) Interim President Betsy Libby has announced the following staff appointments:

Michelle Bourne, JMG College Success Specialist. Bourne has joined the Learning and Advising Center team as the JMG (Jobs for Maine Graduates) college success specialist. She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a minor in Communication. A Portland native who now lives in New Gloucester, Bourne worked previously at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center.

Jennifer Cabral, Director of Learning and Advising. Cabral started in this position in the spring.  A member of the CMCC Class of 2004, she went on to earn a bachelor’ degree from USM and her MBA from the University of Phoenix. She also graduated from the Kennebec Leadership Institute in 2014. Prior to joining CMCC, Cabral worked at Andover/Kaplan/Purdue for 11 years, working her way from her way from admissions advisor to Center Director. She makes her home in Greene.

Kristen Huntress, Financial Analyst. Huntress recently graduated from CMCC with President’s Honors, earning degrees in Accounting and Business Administration and Management. She is now pursuing her a bachelor’s in Accounting at USM. The winner of the 2019 CMCC Female Student Athlete of the Year Award, Huntress was a member of the 2019 national championship basketball team and was named a USCAA Academic All-American. She lives in her hometown of Harrison.

Matthew Poorman, Facilities Maintenance Specialist. On the job at CMCC since June, Poorman is a native of Wauseon, Ohio. He has enjoyed a varied career working as a mechanic, a heavy equipment operator, and a welder, for which he holds a number of certifications. Poorman’s skills also extend to pouring and finishing concrete.

 Dustin West, Admission Representative & Esports Coach. West joined the Admissions staff in April. A former student athlete at CMCC, he then transferred to the University of Maine at Augusta where he recently earned his degree in Justice Studies. Dustin is also serving as coach of the Mustang esports teams. A competitive esports athlete since he was eight, he currently competes professionally in Fortnite.

Amanda York, TRIO Retention and Transfer Advisor. York worked previously as a talent acquisition specialist for the University of Maine System, where she supported the campuses in Orono and Machias. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maine, and will be completing a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Southern Maine in December. A native of Milford, ME, she currently resides in Lewiston.

Featured in Toggle Magazine: Preparedness helps CMCC to pivot during COVID-19

“Bob Boucher and his team have never had to go back to school to learn how to guide IT at Central Maine Community College because they’ve never really left the campus for very long. “I have four people reporting to me who were previously in work-study programs and are graduates,” says Boucher, a CMCC grad who’s now dean of IT and chief information security officer. Combine those experiences with enthusiastic leadership, and what results is a college that’s been a forerunner in introducing and integrating tech—from providing free Microsoft Office products to giving students technology to both continue learning and make equipment to fight COVID-19 . . . .”

-David Harry, Toggle Magazine –
Read the full article at Toggle Magazine

Passport Office Reopens at Central Maine Community College

The U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility at Central Maine Community College (CMCC) is now open by appointment only. All passport applicants must schedule an appointment online at  calendly.com/cmcc-passport-services. To speed up processing, citizens should also complete their application in advance at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html.

Since the Passport Acceptance Facility at CMCC has gone cashless, all facility fees must be paid by check, money order, or credit/debit card. Department of State fees must be paid by check or money order (credit cards are not accepted for State Department fees).

Due to COVID-19, all visitors to the campus must stop briefly at the safety checkpoint upon entering the campus. The Passport Acceptance Facility is located in the CMCC Central Services Office, Room J115, on the ground floor of Jalbert Hall. Hours of operation are:

Monday           8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday           8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday     8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday         8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Friday              8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

CMCC’s Passport Acceptance Facility includes application and photo services. Passport forms and information on fees and how to apply can be found on the State Department website at travel.state.gov. For more information, please contact Kellie Morris, passport program manager at CMCC at (207) 755-5294.

CMCC awarded $597,000 grant to help at-risk students succeed Federal Student Support Services grant awarded every five years

The U.S. Department of Education announced that Central Maine Community College (CMCC) will receive two federal Student Support Services (SSS) grants totaling $597,000 per year to help more students succeed in and graduate from college. The grants will amount to almost three million dollars for the five-year grant period and will serve 295 students every year.

While the TRIO program at CMCC has held a Student Support Services grant since 1998 and has since helped 3850 students to graduate, this is the first time the college has received a second SSS grant. The new grant focuses on helping STEM majors (students majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics related degree) to graduate or transfer to a baccalaureate program.

SSS helps college students who are low income, first generation (those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree) or students with disabilities. The grant funds comprehensive services such as academic advising/tutoring, financial aid advice, and career and college mentoring. Such services enhance academic success and make it more likely that students will graduate or transfer with the lowest possible debt.

Started in 1968, SSS recognizes that students whose parents do not have a college degree have more difficulties navigating the complexity of decisions that college requires for success; it bolsters students from low income families who have not had the academic opportunities that their college peers have had, and helps students with disabilities remove obstacles preventing them from thriving academically.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the systemic inequality and financial hardship which keep promising students from succeeding in college,” said Maureen Hoyler, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C. “These funds will help make certain that deserving students at CMCC will experience increased success,” noted Terry Charlton, director of the TRIO Success Center at CMCC. “Finally something good has happened in 2020!’”

CMCC names basketball court after longtime coach Dave Gonyea

The newly refurbished court in the Kirk Hall Gymnasium at Central Maine Community College now bears the name and signature of Dave Gonyea, who has been the men’s basketball coach since 1993.

“I specifically wanted to get this done before I retired,” noted CMCC President Scott Knapp. “Somebody else could have done it, but Dave and I have been very close for 23 years. He was literally the first person I met when I came here. He really made the athletic program here . . . He is the reason why the school is where it is.”

Gonyea, who also serves as director of athletics, housing and security, was characteristically humble as he accepted the honor. “This is not a job for me; this is a lifestyle. I love the people I work with. I love the kids that go to school here . . . I love the community. It is not work to me. I enjoy every bit of it.”

Former players, coaches, and rivals participated in the dedication held at the gym on August 13. A small group of friends and co-workers, masked and socially distanced, were in attendance at the gym while many others joined remotely.
“I think Dave’s impact obviously goes far beyond the basketball court,” noted women’s head basketball coach and director of admissions Andrew Morong. “I think if you ask alumni, he has impacted their lives in ways that maybe they didn’t realize at the time when they were players, but now have learned to appreciate it.”

Under Gonyea’s leadership as men’s basketball coach, the Mustangs have won nine league championships, three New England championships, participated in 12 NSCAA/USCAA national championship tournaments, and won the prestigious USCAA national championship in 2002. In 2012, he led the Mustangs to a Yankee Conference record of 18-0, a Yankee Conference championship, and a trip to the USCAA National Tournament. He holds a career record of 514-234 over 26 seasons, and has won numerous coach of the year honors.

“This is very cool and I so appreciate it,” Gonyea said. “What I like best though is what it represents . . . all those people who contributed to the program and all those kids who were here. They were a part of it as well.”

Photo: CMCC President Scott Knapp looks on as long-time basketball coach Dave Gonyea removes the covering of his name and signature that are now inscribed on the newly-refurbished basketball court in the Kirk Hall Gymnasium.

Preparing Labs for the Fall Semester at CMCC

Science instructors at Central Maine Community College have been busy preparing videos with step-by-step instructions to enable students to continue their lab work remotely in between their actual on-campus labs. Most lab science courses will be hybrid, combining online work with alternating on-campus labs. Safety protocols will be strictly observed at all times. Pictured here are Chemistry instructors Haley Bullecks (left) and Maureen Edgerton working on a lab that can determine how much certain solids dissolve in water involving two types of filtration, gravity and vacuum. The fall semester at CMCC opens August 31.

CMCC Announces “Return to Campus” Plan

Central Maine Community College has a plan for the fall semester.

In a message to students, President Scott Knapp and Vice President Betsy Libby outlined what they can expect on campus given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

On-campus instruction will be limited to those students whose courses require hands-on learning in a shop/lab or demonstrations on equipment located on campus. All courses that can be taught remotely will be. Shop and lab spaces will be set up to meet physical distancing needs, and parts of the class, such as lectures, will be online.

The College hopes that limiting access to campus, in addition to public health measures, will help expand the number of people who can be on campus in the spring semester. To minimize exposure to the virus, everyone on campus will be required to follow safety protocols, including wearing face coverings inside buildings and maintaining a safe physical distance from others. Details about those protocols are posted on campus entrances and on the Maine Community College System COVID FAQ page.

The colleges’ academic calendar will not change, with classes scheduled to start on Aug. 31 and end Dec. 18.

More information on CMCC’s fall reopening is available here. You can also read more in the Sun Journal.

CMCC President Scott E. Knapp to retire after 23 years of service

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine Community College System President David Daigler today announced that Dr. Scott Knapp, president of Central Maine Community College in Auburn, is retiring on August 31, 2020.

Dr. Knapp, who took office in August of 1997, has overseen a tripling of the college’s enrollment, the bolstering of technical programs offerings, and the addition of three new campus buildings and an athletic complex.

“Scott proudly regards CMCC as the crown jewel of the Maine Community College System. With strong financial stewardship, ever increasing enrollments, championship-caliber programs and a loyal and dedicated staff, his leadership has guided CMCC to an enviable place in Maine and in the country,” Daigler said.

“Maine, the community colleges, and I will miss Scott’s vision, wisdom, and calm, stable guidance,” Daigler said.

Dr. Knapp, the longest serving college president in the state, said some of his proudest moments have come in recent months.

“While the College has experienced tremendous growth over the past 23 years, none of this could have been accomplished without the contributions of our dedicated faculty and staff, as well as the generosity of the leadership of the state of Maine and her citizens,” he said. “I am especially proud of the nearly 500 students who overcame numerous obstacles and graduated this spring.”

CMCC Vice President Betsy Libby will serve as interim president for the 2020-21 academic year.

During his presidency, Dr. Knapp spearheaded the college’s expansion to a full community college and saw enrollment triple to more than 3,000 students. CMCC has more than 40 programs today, including offerings in network security/computer forensics, criminal justice, plumbing and heating technology and HVAC/R.

He oversaw the opening of the Lapoint Center, which houses classrooms and computer labs; the Rancourt Hall residence facility; a new nursing simulation lab; the renovation of Jalbert Hall to include the early childhood education area; a new, state-of-the-art criminal justice lab; and the renovation of the graphic communications classrooms.

In 2015, the college opened The Learning Tower, a four-story academic facility that houses case-study rooms, presentation and seminar rooms, and an organic chemistry lab. This lab was instrumental to the success of the college transfer agreement with the University of New England. Last year CMCC added an esports arena and a lighted, synthetic-turf, athletic complex.

“Scott has been a mentor, strong leader, and a person that people respect greatly,” said Bill Cassidy, the chairman of the MCCS Board of Trustees and president emeritus of Washington County Community College in Calais. “He did more than grow Central Maine Community College. He made it a place of excellence. He made every effort to bring in the best faculty and staff while working to make the facilities superior and adding programs that reflect innovation.

“I hate to see a friend depart, but I also celebrate his retirement for him and his family,” Cassidy added.

A search for the next president of Central Maine Community College will launch in the spring.

Dr. Knapp previously held leadership positions at Ivy Tech State College in Terre Haute, Indiana, and Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. He also served as interim president of York County Community College in Wells several times.

A native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, he holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Green Bay; a master’s degree from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania; and a doctoral degree in Higher Education from Temple University in Pennsylvania. Dr. Knapp also served as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of Defense and a Counterintelligence Agent with the U.S. Army.

Dr. Knapp, a resident of Scarborough, has long had an active civic life, including his role as chairman of the American Red Cross United Valley Chapter. He has also served as a member of the board at St. Mary’s Charity Healthcare System, the Auburn Business Development Corporation and at Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership. He also served as chairman of The Maine Higher Education Council and the American Council on Education Commission on Lifelong Learning.

Dr. Libby has worked at CMCC since 2006, and has deep ties to the students, faculty, staff and larger community. In addition to serving as acting president, she has been the dean of academic affairs, the dean of student services, the director of admissions and an adjunct faculty member.

“I am looking forward to my role as president of Central Maine Community College for many reasons. During my career at CMCC, I have been afforded an opportunity to learn from a visionary leader and work alongside an amazing and dedicated faculty and staff,” Dr. Libby said. “I am excited about continuing these relationships in a new role, as well as those with my colleagues across the state, to best serve the needs of Maine’s workforce.”

Prior to working at CMCC, Dr. Libby held administrative roles at State University of New York at Canton. Her dissertation was in Higher Education Leadership and her community service includes three 2-year terms on the LA Metro Area Chamber of Commerce, including as chair of the education workforce committee.