Chomba Kaluba

SMCC, Liberal Studies
Some people come from down the street to attend a Maine Community College. Others come from around the world. Chomba Kaluba came to Maine—and Southern Maine Community College—from Zambia in Central Africa. At SMCC he found a supportive community that encouraged his dream of becoming a lawyer and making a difference in the world. Chomba majored in liberal studies at SMCC and contributed to his new community in important ways, serving as a member of the SMCC student senate and helping out at the Boys and Girls Club in South Portland, where he was named volunteer of the year. Having laid a solid foundation for himself at SMCC, Chomba transferred to Bates College on a full scholarship, where he is majoring in sociology and anthropology

Lisa Patton

CMCC ’08, Early Childhood Education
It wasn’t until Lisa Patton volunteered in her daughters’ Head Start program that she discovered her true calling. Fascinated by her work with young children, she decided, at age 33, to enroll at Central Maine Community College to study early childhood education. In spite of a 90-minute commute, she found a way to balance a full academic load, family responsibilities, and even some extracurricular activities. In 2007, Lisa was named CMCC’s Student of the Year.When she graduated in the spring of 2008, she was the first in her family to achieve a college degree.

“I could not have asked for a more comfortable, nurturing, and supportive educational environment. The faculty and staff have been the wind in my sails. CMCC is lucky to have them, and so am I.”

Nicholas Johnson

YCCC ’07, Web Development
Nick Johnson came to York County Community College for a fresh start. Nick had spent two semesters at a large university and although he had the ability to do the work, he admits he didn’t have the discipline. He left school, and after spending the next year and a half doing manual labor, he realized he needed to set new goals and start over. He enrolled at YCCC where he flourished, serving as vice-president of the student senate and earning a 3.84 GPA. Having graduated from YCCC in the spring of 2007, Nick’s back on track to earn a BA degree, this time in Web Architecture. A student at the University of Advancing Technology in Arizona, he holds a 3.89 GPA and plans to graduate in Summer 2009.

"YCCC gave me the opportunity to stop being a face in the crowd and to become a leader.”

Mandy Fountaine

EMCC '07, Culinary Arts
Mandy Fountaine is co-owner, Calypso Restaurant, Ellsworth Mandy’s passion for international travel and food come together at her new restaurant. After graduating from EMCC’s Culinary Arts program in 2007, Mandy and a business partner opened the popular restaurant and started offering job opportunities and internships to other culinary students.

Rob Gordon

WCCC, Adventure Recreation and Tourism
Rob Gordon, a Calais native, always loved the outdoors, but it wasn't until he was 27 that he decided to enroll in Washington County Community College's adventure recreation and tourism program. He is now a licensed Sea Captain and Registered Maine Guide. Most recently he was captaining boats out of Eastport. His associate degree from WCCC has led to a BS in Recreation Management from the University of Maine at Machias.

Scott Morgan

NMCC '08, Electrical Construction and Maintenance
It was a long journey for Scott Morgan to earn his two-year degree. The 28-year-old, husband, father of two, and squad leader in the 488th Military Policy Company, had to put his education on hold not once, but twice, while he served his country in Iraq. Six years, and two tours in Iraq later, he was finally able to finish his degree. Morgan says it was "tough" coming back to school, but not only did he adjust, he excelled, and was honored with the department's academic achievement award.