Division of Lifelong Learning

The Division of Lifelong Learning provides experiences that enhance quality of life, empower individuals and organizations and improve professional practice. The Division promotes learning as a continuous and lifelong process and provides a broad spectrum of innovative and alternative educational programs and services primarily for the ongoing needs of adult learners and organizations. Enabling educational access and equality of opportunity, the Division extends University resources to non-traditional and non-matriculating constituencies, and serves as an important linkage between the University of Maine, the people of Maine, and Maine’s work force. By offering tailor made, instructional delivery systems for external constituencies (e.g., off-campus, on-site instruction; Web-based courses; interactive television; video conferencing; computer conferencing and other forms of electronic instruction) the Division provides lifelong learning opportunities that reflect the University’s outreach mission and land-grant heritage. Established in 1996, the Division of Lifelong Learning is composed of the Bureau of Labor Education, the Conferences Services Division, the Continuing Education Division and Summer Session, the Franco-American Centre, the Hutchinson Center, the College Success Programs, the Peace Studies Program, the Wabanaki Center and the Women’s Resource Center. dll.umaine.edu/

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

Bachelor of University Studies
Interdisciplinary Curriculum in Peace Studies

Bureau of Labor Education
The Bureau of Labor Education (BLE), established in 1966 by the 102nd Maine Legislature and the Trustees of the University of Maine, is guided by the principle that education is a necessary and vital component of a democratic society, as well as a lifelong process. The BLE conducts educational programs, presentations and research on labor and labor-related issues of interest to workers, students, educators, leaders of employee organizations, and public policy makers. General topics include employment law, labor management relations, leadership development, and labor economics. Through the publication of briefing papers, the Bureau also analyzes important public policy issues such as the US health care system, occupational health and safety, workforce demographics, and economic development. Essentially, through teaching, research and public service, the Bureau helps Maine workers and others assess their own situation in relation to the global economic, political and social environment. For more information on the Bureau, or to request a program, call (207) 581-4124. Fees, charges, and program costs are determined by arrangement. dll.umaine.edu/ble.

Conference Services Division
The Conference Services Division furthers the academic mission of the University of Maine by bringing together groups of participants and qualified resource people to share information and ideas, to develop new skills and insights, and to find solutions to current problems. It accomplishes this by professionally coordinating a varied and rich selection of conferences, meetings, seminars and symposia annually, thereby showcasing the University’s facilities and resources through its research and educational endeavors. The Conference Services Division is also responsible for the administration of CEUs for all externally initiated non-credit programs. www.umaine.edu/conferences.

Continuing Education for Maine Businesses
The University of Maine provides customized educational programs on the latest topics and techniques for companies, institutions and organizations. These programs address specific needs in content, delivery method and timing. For example, non-credit certificates currently offered by the Continuing Education Division include: Certificate in Supervision, Certificate in Human Resource Management and Advanced Human Resource Management. All instructors are professionals in their fields selected for their knowledge, teaching effectiveness and training expertise. For more information call (207) 581-3414. visit the web page at dll.umaine.edu/workplacelearning/

Franco-American Centre
The Franco-American Centre stimulates the development of Academic , Community, and Commerce initiatives relevant to the history and life experience of this ethnic group in Maine and New England. It promotes bilingual, bicultural and multicultural models of delivery of services using Franco-American cultural/language resources; provides work experiences for university students; and maintains a collaborative network of resources in Maine and North America to assist students, faculty, administrators, and agencies with their research and programming needs relative to Franco Americans and other Maine cultural communities. The Centre also publishes a bi-monthly, bilingual, socio-cultural journal, Le Forum, publishing articles, essays, poems, and short stories of a diverse ethnic and cultural nature. The Centre works closely with its Conseil Communautaire/Community Council and collaborates closely with the University of Maine Franco-American Studies Program http://www.umaine.edu/francoamericanstudies/ For further information please contact the Franco-American Centre, University of Maine, Crossland Hall, Orono, Maine 04469-5719. Telephone: (207) 581-3764. Please visit our web based atlas of Maine French communities at www.francomaine.org, and our virtual Franco-American Resource Centre at www.francoamerican.org also at www.farog.org

The Wabanaki Center
The Wabanaki Center serves as a resource to the University community, with special efforts directed to the personal, professional and academic achievements of the Native American student population. The Center offers academic and career counseling for students, and works closely with Native American students and alumni organizations. Through advocacy, mentoring and internships, the Wabanaki Center supports students in preparing for positions of leadership and service. For more information, please contact: Native American Programs, University of Maine, 5724 Dunn Hall, Room 308, Orono, Maine 04469-5724. Call (207) 581-1417 or e-mail: www.naps.umaine.edu/Wab_Home.html

Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) promotes and maintains a close relationship between the women on the University of Maine campus and women in the larger Maine community. Located at 101 Fernald Hall, the WRC works with women of all ages and offers mentoring opportunities with women activists, support for women in non-traditional career fields, and gender equity programs for pre-college girls and educators. Leadership, skill development and research opportunities are available to University of Maine undergraduate and graduate students who are work-study and work-merit eligible. The WRC assists women who have specific needs and special concerns and brings together women with similar values and goals. Each year, the WRC embarks on new initiatives that reflect the interest and needs of the campus community. The Center serves as a resource for individuals and organizations, offering information and referrals for women’s programs and services, on and off campus in order to create a broader understanding of the diverse experiences of all women. In addition to an extensive collection of books, periodicals and videos of interest to women, the Center provides an accessible meeting space for small groups, a dedicated office and meeting space for the Student Women’s Association, information about events of interest to women. To find out more about the WRC, go to our web site: www.wrc.umaine.edu/ or call (207) 581-1508.