The Maine Compact for Higher Education is sponsoring the second annual Maine Symposium on Higher Education on Thursday, August 10, at the University of Maine in Orono.

The symposium is a unique gathering of educators, community leaders, policy makers and business people who are committed to increasing higher education enrollment and attainment. This year’s symposium will feature:

· Gubernatorial Forum.  Each candidate for Governor has been invited to discuss his/her higher education policies and positions; several have confirmed their attendance.

· Maine’s Readiness Campaign.  This is a new media and grassroots campaign, to be launched in the fall, to prepare all high school students for college, career, and citizenship.

· Higher Education Challenges and Opportunities.  A distinguished panel of business, education and government leaders will examine higher education issues in Maine.

· Best Practices.  Concurrent sessions will showcase programs to increase degree attainment.

To register, please print, complete, and return the registration form.  Pre-registration by August 1 is required. 

If you wish to say overnight, the Black Bear Inn (located at 2 Godfrey Drive in Orono) will provide conference participants a rate of $79.95 per night for Aug. 9 or 10.  Reservations may be made by calling the Inn at 207-866-7120.  When making your reservation, you should reference the “Maine Higher Education Compact”; rooms will be held on a space available basis.

The Compact for Higher Education was founded by the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Development Foundation.