Aroostook News

This fall Northern Maine Community College welcomes six new full-time faculty members and two staff members to the team. “We are excited to be starting this year with some incredibly talented new additions to our team,” stated NMCC President Timothy Crowley. “We’re also thrilled to celebrate some internal promotions as well.”

Faculty additions include two electrical construction and maintenance members and four new nursing faculty.

Jake Chouinard joins NMCC as one of the new electrical construction and maintenance instructors. Jake graduated from NMCC’s electrical construction and maintenance program in 2018. While a student, he competed in the SkillsUSA residential wiring electrical competition, where he finished 1st in the state competition and went on to the national competition in Louisville, KY, where he finished 10th in the nation. After graduation, he worked as an Industrial Electrician at Twin Rivers Paper in Madawaska, Maine. Jake says, “The electrical construction and maintenance program at NMCC was able to completely change my career path for the better and it was one of the best life decisions I have made.”

Tom Barnes joins NMCC as the other new electrical construction and maintenance instructor.  Tom is an alumna from NMCC, graduating in 2006 with his associate’s in electrical maintenance and instrumentation.  He is currently working on a bachelor’s of business administration majoring in management and leadership from the University of Maine at Presque Isle.  Tom has many certifications and practical work experience.  He worked over 15 years at Huber Engineered Woods, LLC.

The nursing program is excited to welcome the following new faculty members. Kacey Hammond, RN, BSN, will be teaching Level 1 nursing students. Kacey graduated with a BSN from the University of Maine at Fort Kent and is currently matriculating towards her MSN in clinical education. Her work experience includes Medical/Surgical, Day Surgery, Geriatrics, and Management. Kacey says, “I hope to be a great guide and resource to students as they begin their careers in Nursing.”

Allison Folsom, RN, graduated from NMCC with an associate’s in nursing, completed her BSN from the University of Maine at Fort Kent, and her MSN from the University of Southern Maine. She joined the NMCC full-time faculty team in March. She is the practical nursing (PN) lead instructor and will soon transition into the PN coordinator. Allison has worked as an RN at Northern Light A.R. Gould and as an adjunct instructor for NMCC since 2020.

Tara Taggett, RN, BSN, will be teaching both level 1 and level 2 nursing students. She is an alumna of NMCC where she completed her nursing education and then went on to complete her BSN at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Tara is currently enrolled in Capella University working on her MSN. Her work experience includes multiple roles at Cary Medical Center, where she worked in acute care, the operating room where she became an RNFA (registered nurse first assists), as well as a certified operating room nurse (CNOR). Finally, she assisted the anesthesia department.

Sara Carr, RN, BSN, graduated with an associate degree in nursing as well as her BSN from The University of New England; she is currently working towards her MSN in education at the University of Maine. She has spent most of her career in obstetrics as a labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum nurse. Sara will primarily be working in the Houlton nursing classroom, where she will be teaching both level 1 and level 2 nursing students. Sara says, “I am excited to be part of preparing students for the field of nursing.”

Joining the administrative staff Malerie Buck began as the administrative specialist serving nursing and allied health and the trade and technology department.

Malerie is an alumna of Northern Maine Community College where she graduated with an associate degree in business administration. Malerie worked previously as a hemodialysis technician and is a current instructor for The Maine Dance Academy, where she can teach her love of dancing to young people across The County. Malerie grew up on a potato farm and understands the importance of the trades and the value of hard work. She is excited to be part of the NMCC community and make a difference in people’s lives and futures.

Clayton Endy, Accountant II, graduated from Husson College in 2008 with a master’s degree in business and a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He has most recently worked at Cary Medical Center and previously held positions at ACAP and the Aroostook Band of Micmac. Clayton lives in Mars Hill with his Alaskan husky named Honey. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hiking, canoeing, and camping.

Newly promoted staff included Julie Edgecomb-Clark to the senior administrative coordinator and Holly Grant to the administrative coordinator, continuing education.

“We enthusiastically welcome and celebrate these members of the NMCC team,” said President Crowley.

NMCC offers over 30 programs of study and works closely with business and industry to meet the challenges facing today’s workforce. To learn more visit nmcc.edu.

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