school students who are serious
about getting the best comprehensive
Criminal Justice education available
in the region. Students will be able to
take advantage of the college credit
option starting this spring.
The University also has
joined forces with two private sector
businesses focused on technology
and communication to offer a unique
certification course. UMPI is working
with BalanceBPO, a premium
business process outsource service
provider, and TxVia, a New York Citybased digital payments company, to offer the 75-hour
course. The Business Process Outsourcing Certification
Course is set to begin in January 2012 and will be taught
on campus. It will prepare participants for the highly
skilled work underway at the two companies, which
have operations in Presque Isle. Governor Paul LePage
has praised the partnership for providing members
of the workforce with the tools needed for enhancing
their careers in Maine. The three organizations hope
their collaborations will help to serve as an important
economic driving force for the region.
In addition to
these partnerships, a
The University of Maine
new academic program
at Presque Isle has
is in the works as the
focused its attention
University
develops
on
educational,
a Physical Therapist
economic and cultural
Assistant
program.
opportunities
by
The Associate degree
establishing
two
program would create
exciting
community
a new option for local
partnerships, working
residents who want
to develop a brand
to pursue healthcare
new degree program,
careers close to home.
and offering a unique
University officials are
cultural event that
moving through the
involved
bringing
two-year accreditation
nationally renowned
process right now, and
basket-makers
to
hope to have the first
campus.
cohort of students graduate in August 2013. Program
UMPI has partnered with the Caribou Regional
Technology Center to give high school students a head Director Christopher Rolon is developing the program
start on their Criminal Justice degree from the University. and bringing it through the accreditation process with
The two organizations signed an articulation agreement the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
that allows Aroostook County students to earn college Education [CAPTE]. The PTA program will allow the
credit for the high school level Criminal Justice classes University to offer more instruction in the STEM areas;
they take at CRTC and apply those credits to their UMPI careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
degree. The agreement creates a clear pathway for high are the largest growing job sector in Maine.
University focuses
on community
partnerships, cultural
opportunities
76 UMPI WINTER 2012