RUMFORD — The University College Center at Rumford/Mexico will celebrate the opening of its new site from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The center will be open to the public all day. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m.

The college is in the River Valley Technology Center at 60 Lowell St. and uses 25 percent of the 16,000 square feet on the third floor of the former International Paper bag mill.

The college moved from 13 Brown St. in Mexico earlier this month. 

“Ironically, the size of the new space is only about half the size of the old center,” center Director Lisa Cooper said. “But from a usability standpoint, it’s far more usable. We have much better flexibility in the use of the spaces than we did in the older center.”

The new facility includes a student lounge, a quiet lab for testing, a computer lab, a cafe and two video rooms. 

According to a news release from Mark Tardif, executive director of marketing and public relations for the University of Maine at Augusta, UMA President James Conneely will attend the celebration, along with local community partners.

Conneely said Tuesday that the investment in opening a new center is important, and allows the school to better serve the community.

“The Rumford area has been very supportive,” he said. “This new center will allow us to meet the needs of their workforce. This center is newer and more up to date. We are committed to be available to all Mainers.” 

Conneely added that Cooper has done a great job working with the community, reaching out to the community leaders and identifying the needs of local students.

The University College Center at Rumford/Mexico has been part of the River Valley for nearly 30 years, serving an average of 275 students each semester and graduating about 30 each year, Tardiff said.

University College is the University of Maine System’s distance education organization which offers access to courses and programs from the seven universities at more than 40 locations and online. University College’s mission is to provide centralized services to students and faculty.