For Southern Maine Community College, May is when we say farewell to students who graduate and embark on their careers or continue their education at four-year institutions.

May is also the month when we welcome prospective and accepted students to our Midcoast Campus Spring Open House and expose them to all the great things we have to offer. For many, the Open House is the first time they see our campus at Brunswick Landing.

The Midcoast Campus has grown up a lot since it opened in the fall of 2011 as the sister campus to our main campus in South Portland. Back then, we had 79 students, three buildings and a limited number of classes. We didn’t have a residence hall, a learning commons or food service.

We are now a comprehensive college campus with a residence hall, student clubs, advisors, state-of-the-art health science labs, modern classrooms, a café, and tech-infused learning space. Our L.L.Bean Learning Commons and Health Science Center serves as the hub of campus and a one-stop student support center.

You are invited to take a look for yourself from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 3. You’ll be able to tour our campus, meet faculty and staff, learn more about our diverse academic offerings, and ask questions. You can register for the Open House at www.smccme.edu/openhouse, or simply drop on by. We’ll waive your application fee if you apply that night.

Maeve Shea will be among our students leading tours at the open house, two years after she first visited SMCC’s Midcoast Campus at an open house as a prospective student.

“I received a tour from a student who was able to answer my questions with a student perspective, which helped to ease my worries and made me excited about attending SMCC,” Maeve said. “I remember thinking how friendly the campus was — there’s an energy of potential here that I think stems from both the nature of a newer, ‘offshoot’ campus and the motivated student body.”

Maeve tells prospective students that the professors, advisors and staff are always here to help students achieve their goals. With small tight-knit classes, students develop personal connections with fellow classmates, professors and even the campus dean, she said.

At our open house, we’ll have representatives from our Admissions, Advising, Career, Student Activities, Counseling, Disability Services, Financial Aid, Learning Commons, Residence Life, Transfer and TRIO Student Support Services offices. You can also meet faculty from our Business, Composite Science & Manufacturing, Human Services, Liberal Studies, Medical Assisting, Nursing and Pre-engineering academic programs.

Whether you’re straight out of high school or looking to change careers, SMCC has a lot to offer. We can expand your opportunities and brighten your futures whether you’re preparing to enter the workforce, planning to continue your education or building a business.

When Maeve Shea first came to SMCC in 2016, she majored in biotechnology. She later changed to liberal studies and, after exploring a variety of classes, decided that she wants to study engineering. This fall, she’s transferring to the University of Maine to study civil engineering.

Her message to those considering SMCC? “Something I always try to impress upon prospective students is that you get back double what you put in.”

Ron Cantor is the president of Southern Maine Community College.