Faculty Spotlight – Cindy Moholland

We are excited to spotlight Cindy Moholland, Business Management Instructor at Washington County Community College. Cindy has been an essential part of the WCCC community for 25 years, including time in administration before transitioning to teaching 14 years ago. Her passion for course development, student engagement, and real-world learning makes her a vital part of the faculty and an inspiration to her students.

 

A Day in Cindy’s Role 

Cindy’s favorite part of teaching is designing engaging learning experiences that truly connect with her students. She enjoys working with motivated and curious learners, creating lessons that are meaningful and relevant to their goals.

She values the relationships she builds in the classroom and finds great satisfaction in helping students grow both academically and personally. Her approach encourages confidence, curiosity, and practical skill development.

 

What Makes Cindy’s Program Stand Out

Cindy’s Business Management program emphasizes real-world, hands-on learning. She takes the time to understand each student’s background and interests, using that insight to personalize assignments and discussions. This approach helps students stay engaged while seeing the direct connection between their education and real-life business situations.

Internships are a key component of the program and a graduation requirement, giving students valuable professional experience. Cindy also creates unique learning opportunities through business visits, guest speakers, and workshops. Recent experiences have included a TikTok for Business workshop, a hiring practices panel, and a visit to the Machias General Store to explore their point-of-sale system.

Program Outcomes and Opportunities

The Business Management program prepares students for success in establishing, managing, and growing small businesses. Students develop practical skills in management, communication, finance, and technology, empowering them to become confident decision-makers and intelligent risk-takers in today’s business environment. Graduates are prepared for careers in management, supervision, and small business operations, with the ability to pursue roles in existing organizations or launch their own ventures.

Small businesses play a vital role in the economy, representing 99.7 percent of all employer firms, employing about half of all private sector workers, and generating 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to that growth.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to apply effective management and supervisory skills; demonstrate strong oral and written communication; use technology to analyze and solve business problems; evaluate financial information; and apply critical thinking to plan, manage, and operate a small business.

In addition, the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship certificate provides focused training for those interested in starting or managing a business. Students gain experience in working with lending institutions, understanding business laws, managing payroll and finances, and developing marketing strategies. Graduates are prepared to create business plans, understand the entrepreneurial process, and successfully operate and grow their own ventures.

Cindy’s Journey with Education

Cindy’s connection to WCCC runs deep. She is an alum who earned two associate degrees and a certificate from the college before continuing her education with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Machias and a master’s degree from Thomas College.

Her journey reflects a strong commitment to lifelong learning, which she brings into the classroom to inspire her students.

Outside of Work

Cindy is a proud baseball mom and enjoys spending time watching her son play. Baseball is an important part of her family life. She also enjoys playing pickleball and gardening, hobbies that reflect her active and hands-on lifestyle.

Three Words to Describe Cindy

Loves to Laugh, Kind-Hearted, Knowledgeable.

Looking Toward the Future 

Cindy is excited to continue expanding opportunities for her students beyond the classroom. She plans to incorporate more field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on workshops to connect students directly with the business community.

Her goal is to create transformative learning experiences that help students bridge the gap between theory and practice while preparing for successful careers.

Thank You, Cindy! 

Thank you, Cindy, for your long-standing dedication to WCCC and for making the Business Management program a dynamic and engaging environment for students to grow, learn, and succeed!