SACO — One of Daniel Philbrick’s goals as the new director of University College at Saco is to maintain a friendly, inviting and comfortable atmosphere for students who use the center.
“I want this to be a home away from home,” said Philbrick in an interview Thursday at the school, a local branch of the University of Maine system, located at the Saco Valley Shopping Center.
Philbrick, 48, began as director on March 23. Philbrick is no stranger to the University of Maine system. Prior to his new position, Philbrick worked for the University of Southern Maine for 26 years, beginning in the library at the Gorham campus and most recently as director of communications for the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College.
Philbrick said the new job is a good opportunity to use the skills learned in his career and through a Master of Arts degree in Leadership Studies he earned five years ago.
Saco College offers on-site classes as well as classes through video-conferencing and interactive television. Some students may take the majority or all of their classes for a degree program through the center, while others go to the center to complete their core classes. The center also serves as a testing site for students taking online classes at home who need to take proctored exams, and provides advising and assistance with financial aid. There is also a volunteer math tutor who meets with students, and Philbrick is working to secure a writing tutor.
The college moved last year from its long-time location in a former mill building at Saco Island. When the center moved from the mills, some people lost their connection with the college, and there are still others who do not know it exists.
“I want people to know we’re here and we’re truly part of the community,” said Philbrick.
York County Senior College and Women, Work and Community use the center, and Philbrick said he would like to get other groups to use the center as a meeting place as well.
“I want to really make sure the community knows this is a resource for them,” he said.
Philbrick and his wife, Lyn, live in Auburn and have two adult daughters.
Philbrick is also the station manager and webmaster for Internet radio station WQRY106.com. He hosts a 1980s music show on Friday nights under the stage name Kevin Daniels.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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