WATERVILLE, MAINE, 12/15/2022 – Thomas College is pleased to announce a partnership with the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) to extend graduate education to all employees of MMA member municipalities in the state of Maine. The partnership, which offers a generous reduction in tuition for selected Thomas online graduate programs, is intended to attract and support the professional growth of the next generation of municipal leaders.
As a member services organization, MMA and its Educational Services department cultivate opportunities for member municipalities to build a well-trained workforce. With a focus on opportunities to deliver training and education virtually, MMA appreciated the flexible, online format and accelerated timeline of Thomas’s graduate programs.
“One of the major drivers of this partnership is its appeal to a broader audience of members, in terms of both geography and types of professions,” explains Peter Osborne, Director of Educational Services at MMA. “We strongly believe there is a place in municipal government for individuals of varying professions. The structure of the program, which allows people to jump in at multiple points throughout the year to complete a degree at their own pace, provides the risk-free opportunity to explore municipal government service as a first or even second career option. Plus, it offers a real financial reward for potential and current municipal professionals throughout Maine.”
The breadth of Thomas College degree programs also reflects the diversity of municipal government roles. Professionals interested in finance, social work, law enforcement, human resources, and other fields could all enjoy a career in municipal government. Regardless of specialization, all municipal professions share a focus on helping people; interpersonal communication and critical decision-making skills form the foundation of municipal careers and of Thomas College graduate degree programs.
“We are incredibly pleased to continue strengthening our relationship with the Maine Municipal Association and municipal governments throughout the state,” states Mikaela Ziobro, Senior Director of Graduate and Professional Studies at Thomas College. “We understand the opportunities that careers in municipal government offer – our College President Laurie Lachance enjoyed an accomplished career in state government – and we look forward to supporting municipal employees in their professional growth.”
Maine Municipal Association and Thomas College will offer a series of outreach education to inform municipal employees about this partnership in 2023. For more information on Thomas College’s graduate degree programs or becoming an employer partner, please visit Thomas.edu/gps.
For more information, visit www.thomas.edu/gps or contact Kristin Bishop at grad@thomas.edu or 207-859-1255.