ROCKLAND — The American Foundation recently provided a gift of $150,000 to support a science faculty position at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA). The funding will support a fixed length full-time position with a focus on teaching online science and biology classes beginning in fall 2019.

Marta Frisardi, a lecturer inbiology and specialist in online science pedagogy, will be based on the Augusta campus and will teach classes in person from the UMA Rockland Center with online availability at other UMA locations.

Frisardi has taught various online science courses at UMA on a part-time basis; she earned her doctorate in biology from Brandeis and a MS in genetics from Cornell.

Science classes, especially those taught online, further UMA’s goal to support degree completion for Maine’s adult learners regardless of their location, according to UMA Rockland Center, in a news release. The focus on science classes will also begin to expand opportunities for individuals wishing to obtain a nursing degree in rural Maine.

“This very generous gift from The American Foundation supports UMA’s online and distance learning opportunities for Mainers who want to attend college without uprooting their lives,” said Rebecca Wyke, UMA president, in the release. “Expanding STEM options for students, especially through distance education, is critical to meet the needs of adult learners.”

“The American Foundation supports donors seeking to make a difference in very specific areas and where they have a particular interest,” said Jan Corning, with The American Foundation, in the release.  “This is true of this gift and the opportunities it provides to students not only in Rockland, but across the state.”

The UMA Rockland Center is one of UMA eight centers in Maine where students can take courses, pursue degrees, and receive all the support needed to earn a university degree close to home, taking classes that fit into busy family and work life. Courses are taught by faculty on-site, online, via interactive television, or two-way videoconferencing.  

UMA Rockland has served the Midcoast area for more than 30 years, providing access to more than 30 university degree and certificate programs with small class sizes, personalized support services, tutoring in math and writing, and local scholarships.  

Students may choose from more than 40 university courses offered each fall and spring semester, morning, afternoon and evening in a face-to-face format. In addition, more than 500 courses are offered through distance education technologies.

For more information about UMA, visit https://www.uma.edu/

For additional information about The American Foundation, visit: www.americanfoundation.org/about-us/