Officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Prometric joined with area business officials at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10 in South Hall for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Prometric Testing Center that has been established on campus.
This new testing center will allow University students and community members to take important computer-based tests – such as exams for admittance to graduate school as well as a wide range of business licensure exams – at a facility that is close to home and that is able to accommodate test-takers on fairly short notice. Previously, area residents had to travel at least 150 miles south to reach a Prometric Testing Center and, because of the distance, had to schedule tests far in advance.
“We are pleased at what this means for our students who need to complete important tests to continue their education now and beyond their bachelor’s degree, but we also think this is especially exciting for the area’s professional business community,” President Don Zillman said. “This will provide people in the region – in northern Maine, western New Brunswick and surrounding areas – with a convenience they haven’t experienced before. We are so pleased that the University is able to serve our community in this way.”
Donna Stieglitz, Prometric District Manager, was on hand as the company’s official representative for the morning’s event and talked about the significance of opening this new testing center.
“Prometric test centers are known throughout the world as being reliable, convenient and secure places for candidates to test,” said Stieglitz. “We’re happy to welcome the University of Maine at Presque Isle to the ranks in filling this prestigious and valuable role for its community.”
Dean of Students Chris Corsello, discussed the behind-the-scenes work that she and others – including Dr. Reginald Nnazor, Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike Sonntag and Vice President for Administration and Finance Charles Bonin – have done to help in establishing this facility on the UMPI campus. The University signed a contract last year with Prometric, the leading global provider in testing services, to open a 5-seat testing site at UMPI. Dean Corsello explained that much logistical and renovation work had to be done through the fall and winter to prepare a location – on the ground floor of South Hall – and to install all the equipment for the secured testing facility. The Dean pointed out that, because the center is a secured facility, officials would not able to provide tours of the space.
Some of the tests that will be offered at the facility include the Praxis, which students are required to take in order to become certified as teachers; the MCAT, LSAT and GRE, which generally are required for admittance to graduate programs; and licensure exams for those in a wide range of career fields, including healthcare, veterinary medicine, accounting, investment management, construction work and law enforcement.
Following an enthusiastic ribbon cutting ceremony, officials enjoyed refreshments and had the chance to ask questions about the new testing center at an information desk staffed by UMPI’s Director of Testing John Harrington. Officials also announced that with the ribbon cut, the testing center would begin operations immediately, in terms of offering tests, examinations, continuing education, practical exams and assessments on a scheduled basis. The first test was scheduled to be given at 11 a.m., immediately following the ceremony.
Prometric, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETS, is the recognized global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services and the winner of CLO Magazine’s Learning in Practice 2007 Customer Service Award. Its comprehensive suite of services, including test development, test delivery and data management capabilities, allows clients to develop and launch global testing programs as well as accurately measure program results and data. Prometric reliably delivers and administers more than nine million tests a year on behalf of 450 clients in the academic, professional, healthcare, government, corporate and information technology markets. It delivers tests flexibly via the Web or by utilizing a robust network of more than 10,000 test centers in 163 countries. For more information, please visit www.prometric.com.
To learn more about the tests offered through the Prometric Testing Center at the University of Maine at Presque Isle or to register for a test, call 768-9589.