Adult Transitions, Learning, and Success (ATLaS) Scholars Project
ATLaS Mission
ATLaS helps adults in their first- or entry-year of university feel strong, balance the work, and return in their sophomore year.
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.
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 helps faculty learn about adults and their learning.
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 has 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 to 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.
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
ATLaS Activities
Lunch ‘n Learn Series
ATLaS Guiding Principles
Inclusion
ATLas commits to the success for first- and entry-year adult learners without discrimination against any of the six types of barriers that can impede equitable access or participation. Students selected for ATLaS will experience equity regardless of gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age insofar as the project addresses the success of adult learners typically identified as a nontraditional student ages 25+. Outreach, marketing, and enrollment activities will target all eligible students who are a.) attending a participating UMS institution, b.) enrolled in a first or entry year, and c.) demonstrating need for support. ATLaS will use funds to employ student support staff and provide stipends to students to support their educational success through auditable and equitable disbursement protocols.
ATLaS Partnerships
ATLaS Advisory Council
| Member | Role | Institution |
| Betty McCue-Herlihy, EdD | Interim Director of TRIO Scholars | University of Maine at Augusta |
| Bonnie Fortini | Adult/Distance Learner and Academic Skills Support Advisor | University of Maine at Machias |
| Juyoung Shim | Assistant Professor of Biology | University of Maine at Augusta |
| Lester French Jr. | Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics | University of Maine at Augusta |
| Liz Powers | Associate Professor of English | University of Maine at Augusta |
| Lori McBrine | Student Success Coordinator | University of Maine at Machias |
| Lorien Lake-Corral | Associate Professor of Sociology | University of Maine at Augusta |
| Matt Dube | Associate Professor of CIS | University of Maine at Augusta |
| Nikolas Lallemand | Director of TRIO Student Support Services | University of Maine at Fort Kent |
| University of Southern Maine | ||
| Sara M. Flowers, PhD | Director of ATLaS Scholars | University of Maine at Augusta |
| University of Southern Maine | ||
| Valerie Rubinsky | Assistant Professor of Communications | University of Maine at Augusta |
ATLaS Advisory Council Schedule
| Focus | Date | Time |
| Fall Enrollment | ||
| Fall Persistence | ||
| Spring Retention | ||
| Spring Persistence | ||
| Entry-year Completion |