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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 and UMM Pilot Rural U Partnership

April 13, 2016

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

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Rural U Down East logo for its partnership with the University of Maine at Machias

The University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Maine at Machias announce they are piloting a new, online Early College partnership. This pilot brings together two University of Maine System campuses in collaboration to expand the number of course choices for Early College students throughout the state of Maine.

The partnership, titled Rural U Down East, builds on UMFK's successful Rural U Early College and Dual Enrollment Program that currently partners with an extensive network of over ninety high schools around the state. UMM has a long established Early College program as well and by working with Rural U, the campus will be marketing its early college offerings to high school juniors and seniors in more schools. UMFK and UMM offer a different menu of online course offerings so this partnership expands opportunities and options for juniors and seniors throughout the Rural U high school network.

Scott Voisine, Dean of Community Education at UMFK and the administrator responsible for Rural U states, “Rural U is very excited to be working with UMM. Both our campuses serve rural communities and are dedicated to a high level of student service and quality programs. We hope this is the beginning of further collaborations in the future.”

Early college and dual enrollment programs are growing in Maine and in the country. These programs allow high school students to experience college learning while still in high school, thus better preparing them for future higher education pursuits. Programs like Rural U and Rural U Down East provide a more affordable pathway to college and can have a very positive impact on post-secondary aspirations. National studies show that high school students who participate in such programs are more likely to attend college and stay in college until graduation.

“UMM is pleased to collaborate with UMFK on this project,” says Interim Provost, Dr. Kay Kimball of the pilot. “We already offer high quality Early College experiences to our participating schools and this arrangement will allow us to serve a greater area. We look forward to working with Scott and his staff as the partnership develops.”

For further information contact Scott Voisine, UMFK's Dean of Community Education at 207-834-8644 or at voisine@maine.edu or Christy Alley, UMM's High School Transitions Advisor at 207-255-1268 or at christy.alley@maine.edu