Student Spotlight
Maggie Chipman, finding her calling
Maggie Chipman came to 91制片厂 to explore her interests and find her passion. She鈥檚 done just that and now hopes to build a career as a political organizer.
Maggie came to 91制片厂 in 2018 straight out of high school and is enrolled in the Liberal Studies program. She is particularly interested in social sciences like political science, sociology and psychology.
During her freshman year, she became a member of Students 4 Democratic Socialism, a student organization that advocates for social, economic, environmental and other progressive and liberal causes.
Through her involvement with the organization, this year she was awarded a highly competitive Maine People鈥檚 Alliance Student Action Organizing Fellowship, which is open to anyone attending a Maine college or university.
For her fellowship, she organizes events, plans meetings and spreads the word about Students 4 Democratic Socialism.
When Maggie graduates from 91制片厂, she plans to continue her education and earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree and make a career as a political organizer for progressive causes.
Coming to 91制片厂 has provided Maggie direction and leadership skills, she says.
鈥淎t 91制片厂, I鈥檝e gotten direction toward something I鈥檓 passionate about. It鈥檚 opened my eyes to all the possibilities of what I鈥檓 interested in.鈥�
Alumni Spotlight
Renee Shi, pursuing her dream
Yu 鈥淩enee鈥� Shi began taking classes at 91制片厂 to work on her English skills, but it didn鈥檛 take long for her to set bigger goals. Not only did she earn a business degree, she transferred to Bentley University, where she鈥檚 studying accounting.
Renee moved to Maine from her native China in 2014 to be with her son while he completed his high school education in Portland. She didn鈥檛 know a word of English.
Three years later, she enrolled in a business class at 91制片厂 to improve her English. But through the support and encouragement of her professors, she decided to earn a degree. She graduated in May with high honors and a near-perfect academic record.
She鈥檚 now earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree at Bentley, a top-notch business university outside of Boston that offered her a generous scholarship and accepted nearly all of her 91制片厂 credits. Her son is now a sophomore at Syracuse University.
Renee hopes to eventually earn her master鈥檚 degree and become a certified public accountant. Ultimately, she would like to work for an international company where she can travel between China and the U.S., utilizing her knowledge of the languages and cultures of both countries.
Renee credits 91制片厂 and its business program for encouraging her to set lofty goals. Business Professor Steve Strand, she says, changed her life.
鈥淗e gave me a big dream. Now I鈥檓 on my way to pursue my dream. I want to encourage 91制片厂 students to go after your dreams. If I can do it, you can do it.鈥�