County leaders begin work to support Mitchell Institute’s regional efforts
PRESQUE ISLE – A group of Aroostook County business and community leaders has been tapped to serve as regional advisers to the Sen. George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute to assist the statewide organization’s mandate to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine aspire to, pursue and achieve a college education.
The Mitchell Institute’s newly formed Aroostook Advisory Committee came together for the first time recently at a luncheon meeting at Northern Maine Community College. The organization includes representatives from various sectors of the county.
Committee members include Ray and Sandy Gauvin of Mapleton, Jason Parent of Caribou, Larry Shaw of Presque Isle, Gregg Collins of Caribou, Jane Towle of Presque Isle, Nancy Thibodeau of Fort Kent, and Dara Kidder, a graduate of Ashland High School, who now lives in central Maine and is also a former Mitchell Institute scholarship recipient. The inaugural meeting was led by Ray Gauvin, who also serves as a member of the statewide board of directors for the Mitchell Institute and Colleen Quint, executive director of the Mitchell Institute.
At the meeting, it was decided that the three main focus areas will be 1) raising awareness of the Mitchell Institute, 2) creating networking opportunities for Mitchell Scholars, alumnae, and employers from “The County,” and 3) raising funds for the scholarship program.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Mitchell Institute is looking to increase its profile in Aroostook County and other parts of the state through the work of regional advisory groups. In its first decade, the Institute has been extremely supportive of students in Aroostook County.
Since the inception of the Mitchell Scholarship Program, a total of $7.1 million has been committed in scholarship support for 1,650 Maine students. A total of almost 200 Mitchell Scholars have been selected from Aroostook County to date (1995-2009). The total commitment to those scholars from Aroostook is nearly $900,000.
The specific challenge of outmigration also received some attention. It was suggested that as the committee works with the Mitchell Institute to raise funds in the region, it would be beneficial to look at directing some of those funds to stipends for job training for students in and from Aroostook. This would provide the Mitchell Scholars with something they need and want, while providing a concrete benefit to local employers.
According to Larry Shaw, president of Maine Mutual Group, “Efforts and programs that encourage people to stay in or return to Aroostook to work and raise families, and which provide opportunities for a spouse’s employment, all help strengthen the region.” The general theme of higher education and job creation is a strong one. The committee discussed parallel efforts through Mobilize Maine and other such initiatives to be aware of and to work with in a complementary fashion.
Each year, a Mitchell Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from every public high school in Maine who will be attending a two- or four-year postsecondary degree program. Selection is based on academic promise, financial need and a history of community service.
Mitchell Institute support programs create ongoing scholar involvement in leadership and professional development, as well as community service and mentoring activities. Mitchell Institute officials believe that through participation in these activities, Mitchell Scholars will be more inclined to remain in Maine to live and work after graduation.
“The Mitchell Institute strengthens the involvement of a new generation of civic-minded and committed citizens, all the while creating educational opportunity for Maine’s young people,” said Quint.
MEMBERS of the Sen. George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute’s newly formed Aroostook Advisory Committee include, front row, from left: Sandy Gauvin, Colleen Quint, executive director of the Mitchell Institute; and Jane Towle. Back row: Ray Gauvin, Gregg Collins, Larry Shaw and Jason Parent. Absent when the photo was taken were advisory committee members Nancy Thibodeau and Dara Kidder.
