Testimonials

Erika Govoni

Early Childhood Education Graduate
I always knew that working with children was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I've always had dreams of owning my own daycare someday. I knew that college would be the only thing that could make my dream come true. However, the thought of college was frightening and overwhelming.

Growing up in Cutler, Maine (an extremely close-knit, small town), I received personalized attention throughout my schooling, due to the low student-teacher ratios. That was something I wanted to continue to experience throughout college to ensure I would get a good education. I looked at many different colleges throughout Maine that offered small classes and personalized attention. Beal College was the only college that guaranteed me that need.

After my first visit to the school I was convinced that Beal was right for me. After observing the classroom sizes and talking with some professors I felt confident that I would leave Beal in two years, ready to take on the responsibility of owning my own daycare.

Here I am, almost two years later, with no regrets. Going to Beal College was the first big decision I have had to make in my lifetime, and so far it's the best decision. I couldn't have asked for a better variety of professors who actually care about how well you do. They strive to make sure their students comprehend and excel along the way. I've also made some really close friendships throughout my experience. We have had the opportunity to share a few laughs, learn from one another, and grow together. While attending Beal College, I've also had the opportunity to work part-time due to the convenient class schedules. Being a full time student, I attend class two days a week and can work the other three days as I wish.

I feel blessed that I will receive my Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education very soon. I will leave Beal College and take with me new knowledge, friendships, and an experience I will never forget.

If living in Maine is the way life should be, then going to Beal is the way college should be!

Corey Leighton

Criminal Justice Student
I started attending Beal College in March of 2007 studying Criminal Justice. I didn't know much about the school when I first began but I had heard good things about the programs. The first meeting I had with admissions confirmed what I had heard. The people were friendly and seemed to truly care about your experience at their school.

The first people I met at the school were Erin and Jen (admissions). They were very friendly and both were able and willing to answer any questions I had. Once I was accepted to the school it was time to fill out my financial aid. I must say, it was easier and much more pleasant than other schools, thanks to Maggie (Director of Financial Aid).

Alright, enough introductions to the school—lets get down to the real fun! Beal is great, I couldn't be happier. It was the best career move I have ever made. Admissions, Business Office, library, bookstore, and especially the instructors are all wonderful. The classes are small and the instructors are able to focus attention on all students. They care about their students and they take time to get to know you as individuals— and some as friends. They treat students as equals and value their feedback. The courses are very hands-on and are aimed towards real life situations. They focus on getting you ready for what’s really going to happen to you once you graduate. They know what they are doing because they have all been there or still are. Every instructor at Beal is well educated and experienced in the field they teach, which is more helpful than I can put into words.

The best thing about Beal (that I have seen) is the President, Allen Stehle. How many schools do you go where the President actually knows the students’ names and really cares about them? I can tell you from experience that he does. He will help you in any way that he can and in ways that will leave you speechless. He's helped me tremendously and best of all he will believe in you, and that motivates you like nothing else can.

So come to Beal College and let someone believe in you!

Cynthia Moss-Solomon

Medical Coding Student
I have worked in the medical field since high school. Being in the medical setting helped me to decide my career. I wanted to expand my knowledge of billing and coding. After hearing great success stories from former Beal College students I made the decision to apply. It was one of the best decisions I have made for myself.

The size of the classes works well for me. They are small enough that everyone can get the one on one help that they need. It is also a huge help that so many classes are offered at night. I work full-time during the day and like many other people I need to work to make a living. I am already able to take some of what I learn in school and apply it to my job. When I finish with my program, I will be confident that it will make me a better coder for the medical office.

I have also met some wonderful instructors and classmates. Soon after I started school I was involved in a car accident that caused other medical problems for me. My instructor at the time was so understanding. She was always checking on me and making sure I had everything I needed when I had to miss a class. I eventually had to leave school on medical leave and everyone was so helpful. They really took the time to assist me with my leave and then to make sure I had everything in order to return. I truly feel that the staff and faculty at Beal College care about their students. They want you to succeed. My experience at Beal has been wonderful. I have recommended the school to friends and family and I will continue to do so!

Kris Young

Accounting/Business Management Student
When I finished my military career, I didn't have much of an idea about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life (which was one reason I joined the Air Force in the first place). I was only 22 and I didn't have anyone else to take care of. Soon that would all change. I took a job that I thought would just be something temporary until I could find a new, better paying job. Almost eight years later I'm still working for the same company.

In the time I have been working for this company, I have gotten married to the most wonderful woman (you're welcome, dear) and we have a handsome little boy. I realized that if I wanted to provide for both of them in the future, I needed an education. I took some time and thought about what I could see myself doing in the future and decided on accounting. My next step was to figure out how I was going to go to school and work a full-time job. My wife suggested I stop by Beal College and talk to the folks in the Admissions Office.

My first visit to Beal was quite a pleasant experience. Erin and Jen (admissions staff) were very friendly and answered all of my questions. So I decided that day I was going to take advantage of my G.I. Bill and enroll at Beal.

I had a little bit of trouble with Veterans Assistance and I couldn't understand how the timing of my payments would work out. Maggie Magee (Financial Aid Director at Beal) answered all of my questions in a very timely fashion, which was a great relief to me, and I started taking classes in September of 2007.

I was very nervous about going back to school after being out of the classroom setting for more than ten years. After my first class, my fears were put to rest. The teachers at Beal are wonderful. They take the time to explain and make sure that you understand what is being taught and they answer any questions you might have.

Going back to school and deciding to attend Beal College has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I'm going to get a good education and line myself up for a better paying job in the future. If you are like me and are a bit apprehensive about going back to school, call Beal, talk to Erin and Jen, make use of the wonderful financial aid staff and get the education that you and your family deserve.

Andrea Cutler

Medical Coding Graduate
As a newly graduated member of the Beal College 2008 class, I am fortunate enough to share a few words of wisdom.

I graduated high school ten years ago, and needless to say, college was not financially in the cards for me. Years passed and the feeling of wanting more overwhelmed me. In January of 2007 I went home and said to my husband, “Honey, I want to go back to school.” The first words out of his mouth were, “When do you start!”

There were a few requirements I had in mind. First, I wanted a school where the instructors knew my name—I didn't want to be just another member of a seating chart. Secondly, I wanted instructors with hands-on experience and knowledge of their field of work. This would aid in answering any questions or fears I might have. Lastly, it was important that I feel at home. An open door policy was imperative in case I needed some advice or a shoulder to lean on.

Through intense searching I realized the above qualifications described Beal College perfectly. My first walk through the doors at Beal College was met with smiles, open arms, and a world of knowledge. They took this nervous, shy girl and helped mold her into a confident and intelligent professional. I finally had a school with instructors that cared about my future. How many schools can you find where your teacher knows your dogs' names, or even remembers that you had a big presentation at work that day and asks how it turned out?

I honestly feel that without my new friends—and yes, I consider them my friends and allies—I wouldn't be able to say I've graduated with a diploma from the Beal College Medical Coding program. They shared my frustrations, my accomplishments, and even my coffee breaks!

I certainly hope that if you are considering Beal College as your school of choice, don't look any further. You won't find another school with their professionalism, love for teaching, and caring admissions staff. If I did it while working full-time with a family, they can help you do it too!

Rebecca St. Louis

Medical Administrative Specialist Student
When I graduated high school in 1990 I told everyone I was never going back to school. I immediately joined the working world at a local corporation assembling and machining ball joints. I was happy with this job and actually enjoyed it!

There I met my wonderful husband and soon after we had a beautiful little boy who completed our life, along with my two step-daughters.

I always thought that I would be there until I either retired or the place closed. Never in a million years would I have thought that the call for automotive parts would slow down, but because of the rising cost of oil, and gas prices sky rocketing, and foreign competition, I found myself being laid off after 17 years of service.

The hard part of all this was that I had no other working experience and I really didn't want to stay in that line of work knowing that this could happen to me again at some point in my life. It was then that I decided maybe it would be a good idea to go back to school. I was really interested in becoming a medical receptionist and with the help of the Career Center I decided I would attend Beal College.

I went in and talked with Jen (admissions) and with her help we found the program I needed to enroll in. I am now in my second MOD and loving it. The teachers and staff at Beal are so helpful and will do anything and everything in their power to make your learning experiences enjoyable. Beal was also willing to help me plan my classes around my son's school schedule. The one thing I don't want to do is have to put my son into daycare or find a babysitter—money is tight enough—and that is one thing I'll never have to worry about because there is such a wide range of times that I can take my classes—even at night!

I would like to thank everyone at Beal for making my transition back to school an easy one. If you think going back to school is what you would like to do, please go talk to the staff at Beal. They will make it very easy for you.

Melaina Laura, OQMHP

Social and Human Services Assisting Graduate
I spent a great deal of time trying different majors at a few different colleges. The truth was that my personal life was far too turbulent and unstable for me to be able to concentrate on a four year degree, but I knew I needed something in order to put myself in a better financial situation. I knew that I wanted to be in a field where I would be helping people. My sister had just graduated from Beal College the year prior and had found success in attaining a job in the Bangor area. It seemed to me that if she could do it, so could I.

I applied to Beal College for the August Mod of 2005. I originally decided to major in Law Enforcement. I took one Mod and realized that it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Just at the time when I thought Beal didn't have what I was looking for, they introduced a brand new program—Social and Human Services Assisting. I was so excited! It seemed like fate that just as I was about to look for other options they introduced a new two-year degree program which provided me the type of "helping" work I wanted to do!

It was now or never. I took the bull by the horns and really sank my teeth into human services. The schedule that Beal offered fit well with my personal life and I soon found that I was able to balance school, work and family—which was something I had always worried about. Not only did the schedule really meet my needs, so did all of my instructors.

Every instructor went above and beyond the call of their job. When I needed help with anything they were quick to make time for me, usually in the same day.

During the middle of my year and a half at Beal, I had a life crisis. My instructors all worked with me so that I could turn in assignments late if need be, or restructured projects to really relieve the stress I was going through. Not only did they go above and beyond academically—they also provided a listening ear and the peer support I really needed at the time.

Because Beal's staff and instructors were so supportive and went above and beyond in my greatest time of need—I soared. In 2007, I graduated from Beal’s Social and Human Services program. Not only did I graduate sooner than expected, I also graduated at the top of my class with the highest GPA.

My degree has taken me far. After Beal set up my externship, I was hired at the same place. A month after being hired (working with unaccompanied youth), I was promoted into managing a day program at a local homeless shelter for teens.

I worked with that company for a little over a year and gained the experience needed to move on. Now I am a mental health professional working with children with autism. I get paid even more, and yet again am provided with another opportunity.

Because of the education, support, and family-like environment I had at Beal, I have become a successful professional in the field of Social and Human Services. I have also gained the confidence and stability to go back to school and get my four-year degree in the same field. Thanks to Beal, I now have a full-time career that I have a passion for, as well as an opportunity to move even higher in my education. I am proud to be an alumnus of Beal College and know that Beal will continue to turn out many successful graduates.

To everyone at Beal: Thank-You.

Logan Clark

Law Enforcement Student
Beal College has a great reputation, as well as a popular Criminal Justice program. When the representative from Beal came to my high school, she seemed knowledgeable, excited, and was able to answer all of my questions. The program seems to have everything I need for my educational goals, as well as everything I am looking for as a preliminary to the Criminal Justice Academy.

Byron Oakes

Conservation Law Enforcement Student
Beal College was not something I found, Beal College found me. Your academic courses caught my eye, while cleaning a table at a friend's house. Opening the first page and seeing the highlighted words, "YOU can do this!” made me want to attempt to do something I always enjoyed.

Jennifer Collins

Executive/Legal Secretarial Science Student
Beal is the right college for me because it's like going home when I walk through the door, and home is where I'll always belong.