Southern Maine Community College, based in South Portland, has announced a new partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington, as well as the winner of an annual scholarship provided by the Maine Real Estate and Development Association.

The new agreement between the community college and UMF allows graduates of the college’s early childhood education program to live and work in Maine while earning a bachelor of science degree from the university, which includes K-3 certification.

Under the newly launched partnership, UMF’s nationally accredited early childhood education program is being taught by university faculty at the community college campus. The initiative is made possible through a transfer agreement that allows graduates to move from the college’s associate in applied science degree to a bachelor degree program.

The hybrid program provides in-classroom course work, local school field study and virtual classroom experiences that prepare the students to teach in many early childhood settings, including kindergarten through third grade in public schools.

“This is another way we’re working across the community college and university systems to support students in meeting their educational and professional goals,” said Rachel Parse, chairwoman of the community college’s early childhood education program.

For more information, see the University of Maine at Farmington website at www.umf.maine.edu or contace Julia Jeremias at [email protected] or 778-7274.

Meanwhile, Coleman Costello of South Portland, a second-year  student at Southern Maine Community College, recently received a $1,500 scholarship from the Maine Real Estate and Development Association.

Costello works for a Portland-area biotechnology company and is enrolled in the community college’s business administration program. His goals include earning a bachelor’s degree in international business.

He is one of 14 Maine community college students to receive a scholarship from the real estate and development association. To qualify, students must be a Maine resident, have financial need and be enrolled in a building trades, architecture, construction, engineering or business program.

The Maine Real Estate and Development Association “has identified workforce development as critically important to the future of real estate development,” Paul Peck, president of the association, said in a press release. “The building trades and professions provide high-paying, lifelong opportunities for our residents and we are pleased to help these deserving students achieve their goals.”

– Kate Irish Collins