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September 17, 2021

SMCC opens language learning center

By Jessica Hall

Southern Maine Community College opened the newly created Lisa Gorman Language Learning Center to offer individual and small group tutoring sessions and access to support to improve writing and math skills.

The center was established thanks to a collective gift to the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges in honor of Gorman’s 70th birthday. Gorman is a founding member and vice chair of the foundation.

The gift from Gorman’s family and friend, Elaine Rosen, will support SMCC’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. Since 2016, more than 1,500 students have participated in the ESOL program.

“English acquisition is the single greatest barrier to immigrants as they seek to enter the workforce and to participate in the American dream,” said Joseph Cassidy, president of SMCC.

Cassidy said the college recently started a new approach to teaching English beyond the traditional classroom setting to include one-on-one support and regular contact with the English language learners.

The new center is housed in the Campus Learning Commons and integrates ESOL programming with other support services provided to SMCC students.

“Lisa has been one of the greatest champions of New Mainers. She believes they are an integral part of Maine’s new economy and that they embody the American dream,” said John Fitzsimmons, president of the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges.

The foundation works to ensure the state’s seven community colleges have the resources they need to provide quality, affordable education for Maine people.

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