Our Partners
University of Maine System Student Success Center
The UMS Student Success Center is concentrated on connecting with students interested in coming to one of the institutions of the University of Maine System, even if they’re not sure which one or how to do it. The center has full-time success coaches who help students start the process of getting a degree by helping them find a program that best fits their needs. One of these coaches is based at the Houlton Center, supporting students statewide and connecting them with important contacts on the UMS campuses. By representing all of the UMS campuses, this coach assists prospective students in finding the right program and UMS campus for them. The coach also helps students find resources (financial, academic, career, etc.) that allow them to be successful in their college journey. For more information, visit www.maine.edu/learn.
University of Maine at Augusta
UMA at Houlton offers distance learning courses and degrees, including Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts, Liberal Studies, Mental Health & Human Services, Business Administration and Financial Services, and Library and Information Science. It also offers Bachelor Degrees in Applied Science, Liberal Studies, Business Administration, Library and Information Science, and Mental Health & Human Services. Courses are taught by faculty on-site, online, and via two-way video conferencing. Current and prospective students receive assistance in the areas of admission requirements, academic advising and planning, financial aid, and student success.
Northern Maine Community College
Since 1963, Northern Maine Community College has been a statewide and county-wide leader in this type of off-campus partnership. Online classes are offered in the areas of business, nursing and allied health, and liberal studies.
Liberal Studies – The Houlton Center provides southern Aroostook citizens the opportunity to enroll in an affordable, part time college program while retaining local employment and living at home. Many liberal studies students advance to the registered nurse program, to another full-time major on the Presque Isle campus, or to a four-year University program.
Early College for ME and Aspirations – These college programs are available to qualified high school students at little or no cost to the student.
Houlton/Hodgdon Adult & Community Education
The RSU 29/MSAD 70 Houlton Hodgdon Adult and Community Education program has been serving the area with high school completion, HiSET, vocational, and community education since 1966. They also offer senior enrichment programs.
Diploma and HiSET– Annually, more than 30 students graduate from RSU 29/MSAD 70 Adult Education. The program also partners with Literacy Volunteers of Aroostook to offer basic literacy instruction.
College Transitions Program – CT assists adults in the transition to college level courses at any Maine institution of higher education. CT builds math and writing skills as well as the self-confidence needed to succeed in college.
Vocational Training – This includes Certified Nurse Assistant classes at local nursing homes and Qualified Logging Professional training in sustainable logging practices.
Agricultural Winter Schools – For nearly 20 years, the program has partnered with Cooperative Extension and the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District in these programs.
The Local Workforce Investment Board – This program cooperates with RSU 29/MSAD 70 Adult and Community Education to offer the WorkReady program. Participants complete a 60-hour course focusing on the “soft skills” that are important in today’s workplace.
Family Literacy – This involves partnering with Head Start programs to provide books for the First Book program and outreach to parents of First Book students. The program recognizes the value of the parent as the child’s first teacher and commits to helping the parent fulfill that role.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension office in Houlton provides local residents access to the resources and expertise of the University of Maine right here in Aroostook County, and specifically the greater Houlton area. Through educational programs, publications, news, and events, the Cooperative Extension delivers unbiased, research-based information–from nutrition and agriculture to natural resources for homes, businesses, and farms. The Cooperative Extension also conducts the state’s most successful 4-H program. The 4-H program has been a leader in positive youth development providing hands-on educational and leadership programs for nearly 30,000 youths in Maine.
TRIO (Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, Maine Educational Opportunity Center)
The mission of TRIO’s Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search (ETS) programs are to generate, in eligible participants, the skills and motivation needed for success in school and beyond. The services include academic advising, tutoring, college visits, cultural events and a residential summer program on the UMPI campus. TRIO serves students in all 16 Aroostook County high schools and is present in most County middle schools. The Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) is also a part of the TRIO program and is designed for adult learners, and has a mission to increase awareness of the post-secondary educational opportunities available to Maine’s low income, first generation adults who desire to pursue a post-secondary education. MEOC also assists eligible adults in successfully matching career goals to education pathways with the goal of ultimately earning a college degree.