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University of Maine at Fort Kent

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Enrollment & Advancement Center • University of Maine at Fort Kent • 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743

UMFK's Rural U Program Collaborates to Open Career Pathways for Young Mainers

March 6, 2020

Note: this is an archived news release. As such, the information provided may no longer apply.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to announce the endorsement of their Principles of Coaching class by the Maine Recreation & Parks Association.

“The Maine Recreation and Parks Association is excited to support and endorse the Principles of Coaching class that UMFK will be offering to high school students who have an interest in coaching,” said Deb Smith, the executive director of the Maine Recreation & Parks Association (MRPA). “This collaboration will benefit Maine communities, as well as the students who complete the course, because Maine's Recreation Departments are full of youth sport coaching opportunities.”

The collaboration came about when Scott Voisine, UMFK’s Dean of Community Education, noticed the growing numbers of students talking the Principles of Coaching class. Through discussions with athletic directors and educators, Voisine sought out the MRPA for their review of the course and endorsement so as to attract more students and bring awareness to the MRPA and recreation in Maine.

“Rural U is successful because it responds to early college student needs and interests,” said Voisine. “The endorsement of Principles of Coaching class by the MRPA not only encourages students to take a class on a niche interest, but it can help students attain summer jobs in a field they enjoy.”

“The Principles of Coaching class is offered online and is accessible to Maine high school students in the Rural U program,” said UMFK’s interim Athletic Director, Matt Dyer. “We are excited to partner with Rural U and the Maine Recreation & Parks Association to provide this great learning opportunity to high school students with a passion for sport and recreation!"

The Rural U program will begin reaching out to State high schools to promote this class and other recreation or athletics-related courses in order to increase access to niche areas of education for high schools students with the goal of retaining Maine’s future workforce.

For more information about UMFK’s Rural U program or this class, please call 834-8644 or go to https://ruralu.umfk.edu/