SACO — Elizabeth Eisenstadt of Biddeford and Diana Burton of Saco will be among those today receiving a diploma through the University of Maine system.

And though both will be marching at the University of Maine Augusta graduation, they think of University College at Saco as their school.

University College at Saco, or Saco College, is one of eight distance education centers in the University of Maine system. The small college center is located at the Saco Valley Shopping Center, offering a number of classes through video conferencing and interactive television in addition to classes taught at the center by university faculty.

Both Eisenstadt and Burton will be receiving degrees in business administration: Eisenstadt will receive a bachelor’s degree, and Burton an associate degree.

Eisenstadt, 26, started her college career in the University of Maine system. With her mother’s health declining, Eisenstadt wanted to make sure her mother would be able to see her graduate from college, so she transferred to Eastern Maine Community College and received an associate degree.

Her mother’s health took a turn for the better, and Eisenstadt moved to her hometown of Biddeford from the middle of the state to take care of her parents and found Saco College conveniently located.

“I was able to finish my degree here, which was really nice,” she said.

Burton, 55, said when she was a teenager she was, “one of those kids who knew it all.” She quit high school and later got her GED. She and her husband raised three children, and are now grandparents. Burton works full-time at liquid handling quality assurance company Artel. A few years ago, when she decided she wanted to go to college, she decided on Saco College.

“I was very excited it was right here, it’s so close,” she said.

Eisenstadt previously worked full-time at TD Bank and now works full-time at Unum. Burton, in addition to her other responsibilities, has guardianship of her teen-aged niece.

Both women are juggling careers and family responsibilities with school, and have found the flexibility of options that Saco College and the university system offers critical in their ability to complete degree programs.

Both have used the whole spectrum of ways to take classes, including some online classes. They said the online classes were a good option to complete some of their credits with their busy schedules, adding it was also nice to have some live classes.

Burton said the interactive televised classes were a good way to view live classes in other parts of the state and participate.

Both women have found the staff at Saco College supportive and willing to offer help when needed and the small college atmosphere welcoming.

“At other places you’re just a student number,” said Eisenstadt. “Here my name is Elizabeth. It’s a huge difference.”

University College at Saco Director Daniel Phillips said the majority of students at the school are enrolled as University of Maine Augusta students. In the spring semester, there were 282 students UMA students enrolled through the center.

University of Maine Augusta President Glenn Cummings said the University College centers are good options for students with family or work obligations that need to stay close to home.

“Not everyone can just pull up roots and go to University of Maine Orono,” said Cummings.

Some students who may find bigger university environments intimidating may feel more at home at the small centers, said Cummings. Staff at University Colleges provide a “concierge service” of guided support, he said.

The university colleges help bring in students to the university system who otherwise wouldn’t go to college, said Cummings, and for the majority of students who enroll through the centers, the University College center was their only choice for school.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].