By Kevin Robbins

Staff Writer

Maine’s summer season is full of tourists lounging around the picturesque beaches of coastal Maine and enjoying the outdoor adventures that Maine has to offer. However, Saint Joseph’s College in Standish has a whole different league of tourists this season – those who are participating in the Distance Education program the college has to offer.

Saint Joseph’s College Distance Education program gives non-traditional students the chance to come to campus to study at the college for two weeks while enjoying summer activities found in Maine. There are two sessions, one from June 9 to 20 and another from July 14 to 25.

Students can choose from a variety of courses including, but not limited to, “America and the Film World of John Ford,” “Evidence-Based Practice in Family Care and Health Promotion,” “Theology of the Body,” “Limnology: The Study of Lakes,” “Population Focused Care,” and “History of the Modern Middle East.”

In addition to the variety of the courses offered in the two sessions, the college offers a symposium entitled “The Management and Business of Healthcare” from July 15 to 19.

The symposium has about 30 students enrolled in the program and features many speakers discussing various topics including “Human Behavior in Organizations,” “Culture Change – New Leadership Models,” “Ethics and Advocacy in Acute and Long-Term Care Settings,” Improving Physician / Hospital Relations,” “The Challenges of Developing and Maintaining Interdisciplinary Teams,” “Getting Ready for the Baby Boomers,” “The Changing Health Care Scene,” “Informatics for the Long Term,” and “What Nursing Directors and Administrators Need From Each Other.”

Saint Joseph’s Coordinator of Continuing Education and Training Suzanne Murphy said there are currently 158 students enrolled in the program, which is typical. The most popular program is the Advance Summer Institute with 125 enrolled participants.

“One of our more popular programs is the Masters of Education because these teachers have the summer off,” Murphy said. “They come to accelerate their careers.”

Students come from all over the U.S.  and other countries. The program also boasts a wide age-range, with the youngest students in their 20s and the oldest student is  75.

Wayne DiMatteo is a Boston native who is currently enrolled in the Distance Education program. He is taking Research Design offered by the Master of Arts in Education program. During the college school year he teaches in a physician assistant program and he practices as a physician assistant year-round.

   “The program allows me to study when I have the time, do the homework when I have the time, and work at my own pace. I love the program. I found that whether online or on campus, the faculty is very engaged in student’s learning. They are very open and willing to help in any way they can in order for you to succeed. They never lower the bar or level of education,” DiMatteo said.

Nance Eaton from Brooklin,  who is an administrator for an assisted living and retirement community, is studying toward her health care administration degree. She is only four courses away from getting her bachelor’s degree. Eaton took ethics and statistics during this session.

“Ethics is very challenging in the debate. Saint Joseph’s College does make the learning accessible,” Eaton said.  

Laura Brazell is another student enrolled in the Distance Education program. She is from the Tallahassee area in Florida. She is on schedule to graduate in December with a degree in health administration from Saint Joseph’s College.

“I absolutely love the program. It is a good place to be. It is geared toward the adult worker. They do not make it easy, but accommodating. They go to the airport and pick you up,” Brazell said.

One advantage of taking summer courses at Saint Joseph’s college is that students are able to partake in extracurricular activities during the weekends. Students can join the Sisters of Mercy for tea where they discuss how much it means to them to be able to come to Saint Joseph’s College to study. The Sisters of Mercy operate the college.

Students can choose to live off campus or they can live in on-campus housing. There are traditional residential halls and suite-style resident halls are offered to students. Students can choose to bring their spouses or children if they desire.

“Some of these people have never been to Maine,” Murphy said. “We try to get them out to Portland, Freeport, and Bridgton during the weekends.”