Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) will recognize five individuals and organizations for their contributions to the College, its students and the broader community during the SMCC Foundation’s annual A Light on the Point celebration Friday, Nov. 6.

 

The 2026 honorees are Michaela McVetty, Outstanding Alumnus Award; Jessica Conley, Outstanding Faculty Award; Jim Whitten, Outstanding Staff Award; Bring Back the Trades, Outstanding Business Award; and Dr. John Fitzsimmons, President’s Award.

 

A Light on the Point will take place from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on SMCC’s South Portland Campus. The annual fundraising event celebrates alums, faculty, staff and members of the business community while raising funds to support scholarships, emergency assistance and other resources that help SMCC students succeed.

Michaela McVetty earned her Business Administration degree from SMCC in 2014 and began her entrepreneurial career while still a student, opening Sister Gourmet Deli in Portland’s Monument Square.

 

She later earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern Maine and, in 2019, relocated Sister Gourmet Deli to Bath.

 

In 2025, McVetty expanded her entrepreneurial ventures by launching pop-up Pilates fitness classes in the Brunswick area. She continued building on that effort by opening Routine Fitness, a brick-and-mortar studio, in March 2026.

Jessica Conley began teaching Mathematics at SMCC as an adjunct faculty member in 2012. She later became a full-time faculty member and recently assumed duties as Mathematics department chair.

 

An accomplished meteorologist who has worked at NEWS CENTER Maine and WMTW, Conley is also a strong supporter of STEM education and training, highlighting opportunities across the state.

 

At SMCC, Conley is a dedicated advocate for students and works to foster an encouraging learning environment focused on student success. Beyond the classroom, she is an active member of the College community, supporting campus programs and Student Life events while serving on multiple committees.

 

Conley also regularly uses her significant social media following to highlight the work of SMCC students, faculty, programs and the broader campus community.

Jim Whitten has served Maine’s community colleges for 30 years, including more than 23 years at SMCC.

 

During his career, he has held several leadership positions, including Assistant Dean of Business and Industry Training, Dean of Midcoast and Satellite Centers and, most recently, Dean of Workforce Development.

 

Under Whitten’s leadership, SMCC’s workforce development efforts have expanded to include a broad range of workforce-aligned programs, including leadership development, internships and industry-specific training.

 

In 2026, SMCC received $2,236,600 in federal funding to create a dedicated heat pump training laboratory and expand its plumbing training facilities as part of the College’s Education and Training Accelerator Lab initiative. The investment will increase SMCC’s capacity to provide hands-on training aligned with high-demand jobs in Maine.

Bring Back the Trades Inc. is a national nonprofit organization based in Rye, New Hampshire, that promotes careers in the skilled trades while providing scholarships, mentorship and community engagement opportunities for the next generation of tradespeople.

In 2026, the organization brought its Bring Back the Trades Skills Expo to Southern Maine Community College.

 

The event offered attendees hands-on opportunities to explore careers in construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, automotive, cosmetology and other skilled professions through interactive demonstrations, vendor showcases and conversations with field experts.

 

More than 3,000 prospective students and visitors attended the event at SMCC, which also included more than $22,000 in scholarships awarded to students.

SMCC President Kristen Miller will present the 2026 President’s Award to Dr. John Fitzsimmons in recognition of his decades of leadership and advocacy on behalf of Maine’s community colleges and their students.

 

Fitzsimmons served as president of the Maine Community College System from 1990 to 2015 and has served as president of the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges since 2019.

 

During his tenure leading the System, he played a central role in the 2003 transition of Maine’s technical colleges into the Maine Community College System. He also oversaw significant enrollment growth and the expansion of educational and workforce opportunities throughout the state.

 

A longtime supporter of SMCC and Maine’s community colleges, Fitzsimmons continues his work through the Foundation, which raises resources to support students, programs and the seven colleges of the Maine Community College System.

A Light on the Point will be held Friday, Nov. 6, from 5:30-8 p.m. on SMCC’s South Portland Campus.

 

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.smccME.edu/lotp.