Southern Maine Community College: A Comprehensive Overview

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) is a public community college with campuses located in South Portland and Brunswick, Maine. It offers a variety of academic programs, workforce training, and extracurricular activities to meet the diverse needs of its students. Whether your goal is a college degree, a better job, or a new direction, SMCC aims to meet you where you are.

History and Evolution

The institution's roots trace back to Augusta. Having outgrown its space in Augusta, the Maine Vocational Technical Institute (MVTI), along with its 156 students, relocated in the summer of 1952 to the site of the decommissioned Fort Preble in South Portland. Over the years, the institution evolved from a technical institute into an accredited college. A significant milestone was reached in 1968 with the enrollment of the first Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree students. In 1998, the college further expanded its academic offerings by introducing an Associate in Arts degree in liberal studies, marking a major step in its evolution towards becoming a comprehensive community college. In 2011, SMCC opened a second campus at Brunswick Landing in the nearby town of Brunswick, Maine, home of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station.

Campuses and Facilities

SMCC operates two campuses:

South Portland Campus: Situated on an 80-acre site on the South Portland waterfront, this campus houses over 50 buildings, including classrooms and administrative offices. The McKernan Center, originally officers' quarters from the Revolutionary War through World War II, was renovated in 1993 into a conference and lodging facility for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students. Spring Point and Surfsite Residence Halls accommodate approximately 450 students per semester.
Midcoast Campus (Brunswick Landing): Opened in 2011 at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, this campus features four primary buildings: the L.L.Bean Learning Commons and Health Science Center, Orion Residence Hall, the Maine Advanced Technology and Engineering Center (MATEC), and the Academic Building.

Academics and Programs

SMCC offers a wide range of programs, including degree programs, classes, and job training. Students can earn degrees and certificates in 37 different fields. Popular programs include Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Business Administration and Management, General. The college utilizes a semester-based academic year and has an open admissions policy, offering credit for life experiences. SMCC also provides 12- and 8-week subterms, offering a variety of in-demand courses on a schedule that works for you.

Workforce Training

SMCC provides workforce training programs designed to help individuals skill up and scale up.

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Student Life

As of Fall 2022, SMCC had a total enrollment of 5,789 students, with 1,993 full-time and 3,796 part-time students. The student-faculty ratio is 16-to-1. SMCC's student body is diverse, representing various ethnicities, genders, and age groups.

Athletics

Southern Maine Community College has seven sports teams that are members of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC), the New England regional league of the USCAA. The college offers men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, baseball, softball, and coed golf.

Shoreway Arboretum and Spring Point Shoreway

The Southern Maine Community College campus also has an established arboretum which was created and is maintained by the college, named the Shoreway Arboretum. The arboretum runs along the shoreline of Willard Beach. The Southern Maine Community College campus is situated within the Spring Point Shoreway. This shoreway comprises 21 scenic acres (85,000 m2) and includes Willard Beach, Fort Preble, the Spring Point Ledge Light, and the Old Settler's Cemetery, and runs through the Shoreway Arboretum. Also in the college's grounds is the Old Settlers Cemetery, which is South Portland's oldest landmark.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Applying to a degree or certificate program is free. For the academic year 2020-2021, in-state tuition and fees were $3,874, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $6,754. A tuition calculator is available to help estimate individual costs. In 2022-2023, 61 percent of undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid, with the average award being $4,455. Books and supplies are estimated to cost $1,400.

Historical Significance of Fort Preble

The South Portland Campus is located on the site of the historic Fort Preble. During the Revolutionary War, a temporary fortification known as Fort Hancock was built on a point of land on the eastern shore of South Portland, Maine (then part of Cape Elizabeth). In 1808, under direction of Henry A. S. Dearborn, Fort Hancock was acquired by the federal government and was expanded, partly to enforce a trade embargo that President Thomas Jefferson enacted against Great Britain and France. Fort Prevel was established as a Second System Fort in 1808 by Henry A. S. Dearborn to defend Portland Harbor. Modifications to upgrade it to a Third System Fort were started but never reached completion. Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Four Endicott Period batteries were installed after the Spanish-American War. An additional battery was constructed during World War II. On July 15, 1863, Billy Laird, a private in the 17th Maine Regiment, was executed by firing squad at Fort Preble after being charged with desertion.

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