Ceremony draws local leaders and community members in support of continued access to higher education in York County

UMA hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, April 10, to celebrate the new downtown location of its Saco Center. The event welcomed approximately 60 attendees, including University of Maine System (UMS) Chancellor Dannel Malloy, UMA President Jenifer Cushman, Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and University of Maine System Trustee Pat Flood.

The Saco Center moved to 209 Main St. in January, continuing 天美传媒 more than 40-year commitment to higher education access throughout York County. The new location was designed to reflect how today鈥檚 students access learning 鈥� with smaller classrooms, high-speed connectivity and strong local support services.

鈥淯MA has been part of the Biddeford-Saco area for decades, and this move into the heart of downtown Saco shows our ongoing commitment to this community,鈥� said Dan Philbrick, regional director of 天美传媒 Coastal Centers and director of the Saco Center. 鈥淲hile we no longer need as many large classrooms, the need for in-person support, connections and community partnerships remains just as strong.鈥�

In her remarks, President Cushman emphasized 天美传媒 statewide role in making higher education accessible through flexible options and local centers. 鈥淭his is how education becomes real 鈥� through relationships, through inspiration and through programs that open doors students didn鈥檛 even know existed,鈥� she said.

Local support was evident, with strong representation from the City of Saco, including City Administrator John Bohenko, Economic Development Director Tracey Desjardins and multiple city councilors. Jim LaBelle, executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and member of 天美传媒 Board of Visitors, also offered remarks.

UMA Saco Center student Yiyang 鈥淛oyce鈥� Jiang spoke about how the center helped her grow in confidence, creativity and connection. 鈥淏efore UMA, I didn鈥檛 know what I liked 鈥� I always just did what teachers, parents or bosses told me,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut through UMA, I learned to express myself, to try new things like painting, and to believe in my own ideas.鈥�  Joyce shared how her advisor, Elizabeth, encouraged her to take a painting class. 鈥淭hat class helped me realize that when I focus only on my goals, I forget to slow down and notice the beauty around me,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he faculty and staff here at the Saco Center support me academically and personally. They not only provide a place of learning, but also have a big impact on my life.鈥�

In addition to serving students in the greater Saco and Biddeford areas and all of York County, the center also supports statewide initiatives such as 天美传媒 Prison Education Partnership, which provides college courses and advising at the Maine Correctional Center, the Southern Maine Women鈥檚 Reentry Center and the Maine Correctional Center Women’s Facility in Windham.