Last month over 240 Region Two CTE students participated in a new adventure at the Houlton Higher Education Center. Over six days, students from East Grand, Greater Houlton Christian Academy, Hodgdon, Houlton, Katahdin, and Southern Aroostook traveled throughout the building in teams on a scavenger hunt searching for and discovering career options for classes through UMA, UMPI, and NMCC. Our FAME FAFSA tree greeted them in the front lobby as a reminder to complete their financial aid application for college. They learned from UMaine’s Cooperative Extension staff, Emily Dow and Megan Cook, about their Tick Project, soil testing and 4H opportunities. Students visited the Houlton-Hodgdon Adult & Community Education’s office and learned about their College Transitions Program. The UMPI HHEC soap box derby car was on display in the lobby as a reminder of the importance of community involvement. The adventure wrapped up with Ken Ervin HHEC Director / UMPI TRIO-ETS Advisor exploring with them educational opportunities for each CTE program.

Hodgdon Middle School Exploring Opportunities at HHEC

Recently, sixty 7th and 8th grade students from Hodgdon Middle School visited the Houlton Higher Education Center. UMA/UMPI, UMaine Cooperative Extension/4H, and Houlton-Hodgdon Adult & Community Education staff enjoyed a fun and interactive morning with the students. After touring the Center, Jean Henderson & Ken Ervin, along with UMaine Cooperative Extension, facilitated hands-on activities relating to communication and pathways to future careers.

FAFSA Information night with FAME at HHEC

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) held a FAFSA Information Night last month at the Houlton Higher Education Center. Nikki Vachon from FAME as well as Jean Henderson, UMPI & UMA Professional Advisor, Ken Ervin HHEC Director, Melissa Ivey the County’s MEOC Advisor, and Jennifer Deschene from University Credit Union were all on hand to meet with families and help them complete their FAFSA.

Community Program Exploring Opportunities at HHEC

The Community Living Association clients visited and learned about the opportunities for furthering their education at the Houlton Higher Education Center. Jean Henderson, UMPI & UMA Professional Advisor, provided an informational tour of the building In addition Jean talked about community events and classes offered by UMA, UMPI, NMCC, UMaine Cooperative Extension/4H, and the Houlton-Hodgdon Adult & Community Education.

A celebration was held on Thursday, May 11th at the Houlton Higher Education Center to recognize University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) and Â鶹APP (UMA) graduates who had a connection to the Houlton Center. Family, friends, and staff were in attendance to honor seven graduates. The ceremony recognized each of the graduates and their educational accomplishments.

Fred Grant, owner of WHOU, WHOU.live, and Market Pizza, was the guest speaker, offering words of inspiration and congratulations. Grant also encouraged the graduates to be proud of themselves and their accomplishments of “finishing the race”.

Dr. Ray Rice, UMPI, also spoke providing words of congratulations on behalf of UMPI, as well as UMA and the University of Maine System. Rice spoke to the importance that the graduates remember that the Houlton Higher Education Center will always remain a place to feel like home for them and will always assist them with community connections.

Graduates in attendance included UMA graduate, Whitney Bridges (BS – Mental Health & Human Services) and UMPI graduates, Carla Sawyer (AA – Criminal Justice), Heather Carmichael (Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Early Childhood Education), Heidi Coleman (BS – Psychology), James Dobbs (BS – Environmental Studies), and Timothy Youngfellow (BA – Psychology). Additionally, Bridges and Youngfellow earned Certifications in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Technician (Bridges) and Social Media (Youngfellow), both from UMA.

After the gift presentations for the graduates, refreshments were served for all to enjoy.

Sarah Silliboy graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Management. She began her career with Katahdin Trust Company in 2003, while attending college at the Houlton Higher Education Center.

She started her career at Katahdin Trust Company as an Operations Clerk in 2003 and was promoted to Electronic Banking Supervisor in 2011. In 2013, she moved into the position of Assistant Vice President, Electronic Banking Manager. In 2017, she advanced into her current role of Assistant Vice President, BSA Officer.

Sarah has furthered her banking education through the Center for Financial Training & Education Alliance with earning the following: Bank Operations Diploma, General Banking Diploma, Banking & Finance Diploma, Advanced Financial Services Diploma, Supervisor Certificate, Team Leader Certificate, Certificate in BSA and AML Compliance and Certificate in Fraud Prevention. She also received an accreditation in 2016 for being an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) and maintains this accreditation to this day through continuing education requirements.

She volunteers with Girls Scout of Maine and resides in Hodgdon with her husband, Ron, and their daughter, Mariah. Sarah is very grateful for the opportunity to receive her college education locally at the Houlton Higher Education Center.

Ronald Silliboy, Jr also graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Management. With a year left of college and while attending the Houlton Higher Education Center, Ron started his career with Ward Cedar Log Homes in 2005.

He has worked his way up at the Ward Cedar Log Homes. At the start of his career, he was a Sales Coordinator, then was promoted to Corporate Sales in 2007. His current role is Director of Sales & Marketing. In 2009, Ron was selected for a national award as one of the top 30 under 40 individuals in the systems-built housing industry.

Ron can’t thank the Houlton Higher Education Center enough for being part of the Houlton community and providing an opportunity for those that wish to continue their education locally, like he was able to do. He serves on the MSAD 70 School Board, is on the Border Little League Board, and volunteers his time coaching sports.

Chelsea Henderson began working for the F.A. Peabody Company as a receptionist in 2004. She was promoted to Administrative Assistant to the President in 2006 and, in 2008, she was promoted to Human Resources Manager. At that time, she was also appointed as Corporate Secretary and Clerk for the corporation and its subsidiaries. In 2010, she was promoted to her current position of Vice President of Human Resources.

Henderson is a graduate of Hodgdon High School. Attending classes at Houlton Higher Education Center, she received her Associate of Arts degree in Business from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 2007. She completed her Human Resource Management Certificate in 2009 from the Â鶹APP and, in 2010, received her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation from the HR Certificate Institute. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2012, magna cum laude, from the Â鶹APP through HHEC. She recently completed her Retirement Plan Associate (RPA) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) from Troy University.

“The Houlton Higher Education Center was pivotal in allowing me to pursue my educational goals close to home, while affording me the ability to start a career at a young age,” Henderson said. “The opportunities I gained personally and professionally from using the Center have been substantial and the facility has proven to be an essential part of our community. I looked forward to the continued success and positive impact the Center has and will continue to have in our community.”

Henderson is a former President of the Insurance Association of Greater Houlton and a current member of the Northeast Society for Human Resource Management (NESHRM).

She resides in Hodgdon with her husband Josh, and their daughter, Kinsley.