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USM / Lewiston-Auburn’s newest building, shown here, will be home to LearningWorks, a higher education collaborative initiative of College for ME-Androscoggin. The public is invited to attend an open house and dedication on Sunday, October 28 from 2 p.m – 4 p.m. |
October 2007
Nasma Abdi’s is a story of how our Maine system of higher education is supposed to work. Leaving Somalia as a refugee, she traveled through Ethiopia before reaching the United States. Sent first to California, Nasma moved to Columbus, Ohio and then Boston before finally settling in Lewiston to seek a place to make a living and pursue her studies. “I learned about USM’s Social and Behavioral Sciences program on-line,” Nasma says. “In most of my classes (both at CMCC and USM), I was the only one for whom English was a second language, and that’s still true today.” Although she began taking classes at the University before she had even completed her associate’s degree, Nasma found the transition to baccalaureate education to be another challenge. At USM she was expected to speak regularly in class, participate in group projects in the community, and complete writing assignments that required more research and analytic thinking. “What I like about USM is that most of the teachers are willing to help and give extra time to students who need it. As well, the writing center is the place that helps everybody who needs help for their assignments.”
Through most of her college education, Ms. Abdi has worked full or part-time. “You must be patient and work hard to fulfill your educational goals. In today’s world, you need at least a college degree to earn the best jobs.”
Nasma Abdi’s story is just one of several you can hear when the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College (USM/L-A) hosts a grand opening celebration and dedication of their new building on Sunday, October 28 from 2 p.m.– 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend and light refreshments will be served. The event will also highlight the opening of LearningWorks; the new home for the higher education collaborative known as College for ME-Androscoggin and a hub for activities carried on throughout the county by College for ME-Androscoggin partners.
In addition to students sharing their success stories, the event will feature tours of the facility and “opportunity door prizes” for those who want to pursue their education.
Collaborators of the event include K-12 schools, Adult-Ed., and all four area college education partners, together with business, community and government representatives. Partners of the initiative will be on hand to provide information on the various educational opportunities available locally. Participants are encouraged to bring a guest who would like more information on educational opportunities or help with overcoming barriers to a higher education. Joan Macri of Lewiston High School, a College for Me-Androscoggin Steering Committee member and longtime college advocate, notes that LearningWorks is an ideal place for entire families to come to visit in order to explore their individual career and college dreams. “Imagine the power of a teen and a parent doing the needed work to enroll in college at the same time,” she says.
USM’s new building also houses Senior College, which provides a curriculum of intellectually stimulating learning opportunities and special events for persons 50 years of age or older, and a Writing Center, which provides writing support for students on campus. The unfinished upstairs portion of the building will eventually will provide space for additional classrooms and faculty offices.
USM’s Lewiston-Auburn campus is located at 51 Westminster St. in Lewiston. For additional information on LearningWorks and College for ME-Androscoggin partners go to www.collegeformeandroscoggin.org.
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