Adult Transitions, Learning, and Success (ATLaS) Scholars Project

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ATLaS Mission

ATLaS helps adults in their first- or entry-year of university feel strong, balance the work, and return in their sophomore year.

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ALPinE

Adult Learning Passport in Engagement

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ATLaS

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ATLaS
Brightspace

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Scholars Brightspace

Contact
Sherrie

Coordinator of
ATLaS Scholars

Workshop
Schedule

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Contact
Sara

Director of
ATLaS Scholars

ATLaS Vision

ATLaS works to reduce the barriers for Maine people and envisions that 60% of Maine’s adults will have a bachelors, associates, or employable certificate by 2025.

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ATLaS Guiding Principles

The ATLaS Program addresses the feelings of impostorship.

As an adult learner, you have so many things going on in your life other than school. ATLaS wants you to feel like you belong here. You are not nontraditional: you are not alone and you are the new traditional college student.

The ATLaS Program employs the cohort model.

Whenever we expose ourselves to new challenges, we experience better results when we have good relationships with the supports around us as well as with the other people doing the hard work. Even when we cannot be physically together, being part of a cohort that can meet asynchronously and at a distance can have a powerful impact.

The ATLaS Program uses a high-contact coaching model.

There are many departments at your university that are ready to help you with all of your questions and concerns. Sometimes adult learners feel like they should already know the answers to their questions or that when they ask questions they are taking up somebody’s time. Know that your support departments want to hear from you and ATLaS wants to have frequent contact with you to guide you through your first- or entry-year.

The ATLaS Program focuses on adults and how they learn.

Adults learn differently than children. You are more self-directed, have more life experiences, you want to learn in order to be your best and most capable self, you like to solve problems, and you’re motivated to learn the things most important to you. ATLaS teaches you with these things in mind and coaches you in your relationships with faculty to make your classroom experiences meaningful.

The ATLaS Program helps you understand your financial aid and other financial resources.

The financial aid process is complicated. Because ATLaS knows that financial challenges are among the top reasons why students do not persist in higher education programs, we are here to help answer questions and advocate for you when unexpected things come up. We assist you in understanding your economic picture and help you connect your higher education successes to your financial situation for after graduation.

The ATLaS Program helps you understand the important technologies you need for success in university.

So many of us are taking online classes. Understanding how to use Brightspace™, Zoom™, and other technologies for learning is important to your success. ATLaS helps scholars learn about these tools and to problem solve when challenges arise.

Department of Education Badge

ATLaS is 100% funded by an FY23 $945,000 Congressionally Directed Spending Grant through the U.S. Department of Education Secured by Maine Senators Collins and King at the request of the University of Maine System

Adult serving programs and departments throughout the University of Maine System are invited to submit ideas to host 2025-2026 adult events and activities funded by ATLaS Mini Grants. ATLaS has budgeted $21,000 to fund 21, $1,000 projects in the 2025-2026 school year.

University of Maine System

All UMS institutions are eligible to apply for funding with a goal to support three event/activities per institution. For eligibility purposes, Machias is considered separate from Orono.

Application Information

The application is designed to be a straightforward process that reduces barriers between the funding and the student opportunities. The application form will be released on September 2, 2025. Please stay tuned. In a maximum of 500 words, please explain;

  • What will your program do?
  • When will the activity/event be held if it is event-based? When will the work be completed?
  • How does this proposal center adult learners?
  • How does this proposal center first- and entry-year learners?
  • How many students do you expect to reach?
  • What outcomes do you expect?
  • What outputs do you expect?

Important Dates

  • Application opens September 1, 2025
  • Application soft deadline September 30, 2025
  • Application hard deadline October 15, 2025
  • Decision date October 31, 2025
  • Project Completion April 30, 2026
  • Outcomes & outputs report due May 31, 2026

Outcomes & Outputs Deliverables

Upon completion of your ATLaS funded adult first- and entry-year learner activities and events, we ask that you submit a few low barrier artifacts to help us celebrate the work.

  • 3-5 photos or images of project artifact(s). Please ensure that identifiable people have completed the proper releases.
  • At least 1 (one) Thank You letter addressed to Senators King and/or Collins, who have made this funding possible. The letters will preferably be authored by student participants. Please submit the text of this letter only.
  • A 100-150 word blurb explaining the completed project. What was the project? Why was it significant? What more will your program do now that it is complete?
  • Include any relevant branded images (e.g. logos, official school/program colors) you want to include if applicable.
  • Events sponsored by Student Support Services (e.g. TRIO or other targeted programs)
  • Resource creation by any adult serving department (e.g. Interview & Business Attire Free Closet)
  • Award creation for adult learners (e.g. Outstanding Adult Scholar award)
  • Discipline area events, resources, and awards.
  • Activities within degree programs awarding credentials in Maine’s High Wage In-demand Jobs list found at https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/dashboards/high-wage-in-demand-jobs)
  • <= 25% of budget for food/catering
  • Supplies and materials associated with events or resources
  • Relevant mileage and/or tolls
  • Stipends to student employees
  • Software/digital access
  • Membership fees to adult learner organizations
  • Student Scholarships. We have a separate budget area for these awards. Please contact sara.flowers@maine.edu if you have an adult participant that you would like to nominate for a grant aid award.
  • Travel lodging
  • Salary/wages for full- or part-time institutional employees
  • Fringe benefits for full- or part-time institutional employees
  • Budgets for food in excess of 25% of the total budget
  • Rental fees for event space