LEWISTON – This year’s recipient of the University of Southern Maine’s Distinguished Professional Staff Award is Roger G. Philippon, of Lewiston, assistant dean of student and community affairs at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.
The award is presented annually and recipients are nominated then judged by a committee of their peers. Winners must demonstrate commitment to the university and the community in which they live.
Philippon’s career at USM started in 1995 when he came to Lewiston-Auburn College as an enrollment services adviser. He learned the ropes of the department and soon moved to coordinating the enrollment services activities.
He took the initiative in improving the financial aid advising services, coordination with the Portland and Gorham campuses, and outreach into the Lewiston-Auburn area.
Under Philippon’s leadership, the college developed a marketing and recruitment plan, improved on-site registrar services, initiated regular career services workshops and on-site personal and career counseling services for students.
He has continued to take on additional job duties. In his current position of assistant dean he is responsible for, among other programs, community outreach, the Franco-American Heritage Archival Collection, the arts and exhibition program, the writing lab and the L-A chapter of USM Corporate Partners.
Philippon has also been instrumental in negotiations between the college and Central Maine Technical College on articulation agreements between the two institutions’ programs.
Philippon has improved relations between student services and faculty; improved LAC’s visibility in Androscoggin County; improved the amount, availability and visibility of testing, financial aid and scholarship information; and taught several courses and workshops. He has taken an active role in the USM Advising Workgroup and the Professional Staff Senate.
“It is wonderful that Roger’s dedication to USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College has been recognized by his coworkers in this very special way. This award could not have been presented to a more deserving person,” said USM President Richard L. Pattenaude.
Philippon was elected to the Lewiston City Council a year ago, is an active member of the Androscoggin County Chamber’s Education Committee, a member of the board of the L-A Community Little Theater, a member of the Forum Francophone des Affairs organizing committee, a member of the steering committee of L-A Excels, and on the board of Great Falls TV, the local community access television station.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
