Central Maine Community College Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Bob Kirchherr, third from left, explains some key features of the electromechanical technology lab to legislators participating in the Maine Development Foundation’s Policy Leaders Academy.

State legislators tour central Maine college

AUBURN – A large group of state legislators recently visited Central Maine Community College as part of the Maine Development Foundation’s Policy Leaders Academy.

They were led by campus staff members and students on a tour of the campus, with a special focus on the electromechanical and machine tool technology labs followed by a working lunch in the automotive lab featuring local fare provided by area vendors.

Angela Faherty, deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, addressed the group about the statewide secondary reform agenda. She was followed by Jean Mattimore, executive director of the Maine Community College System’s Center for Career Development, who discussed initiatives that relate to education and economic development, such as the Early College for ME Program and the Maine Quality Centers.

The legislators were then off to visit other campuses in Maine as well as some businesses that employ electromechanical and machine tool graduates.

The Policy Leaders Academy is a nonpartisan educational program designed specifically for Maine legislators to help them gain a greater understanding of the connection between their policy work and the economic health of Maine. The curriculum includes policy forums and bus tours to educational and economic centers of the state.