Ariell Halsey’s journey to become a licensed professional counselor just got easier.

Ariell is studying Human Services at Southern Maine Community College’s Midcoast Campus, located at Brunswick Landing. After she graduates in the spring of 2017, she plans to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Thanks to new transfer agreements between SMCC and the University of Maine at Augusta’s University College, she’ll have a smooth and seamless transition when she transfers.

University College and SMCC signed four new agreements last month that ensure graduates from select academic programs at SMCC have clear and trouble-free transfer paths to correlating programs at University College.

Just days after the agreements were signed, Ariell met with staff at University College — which is located on our Midcoast Campus — to learn more about transferring to their baccalaureate program.

These new transfer pacts allow our students to preplan their college careers and save time and money because they’ll know up-front which class credits will transfer directly to University College.

Ariell ultimately hopes to work in a residential living facility that supports military veterans who are in need of help.

“That’s my dream — to eventually own and operate a facility that is just for Maine veterans,” she says.

SMCC and UMA’s University College have a long history of collaboration, sharing facilities, faculty, tutors and support services. We have leveraged our partnership through these transfer agreements, contributing to student success at both institutions.

Ariell is among those who will benefit. Now 30, she has a bright future ahead after deciding to come to SMCC after her two children reached school age.

She says staff at both SMCC and University College are doing all they can to make her education as seamless as possible.

“They’re there to make the transfer process easy for you,” she says. “I’m thankful.”

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Ron Cantor is president of Southern Maine Community College.