Beatrice Downs is a native of Portland, Maine. She went to school in the Greater Portland area and graduated from SMCC in 2000. She tried her hand at USM, but life happened, and she dealt with some adversities. It wasn’t until 2015 that she went back to USM, after a few courses at Portland Adult Education (PAE) to prepare for her return and, in doing so, became a College Transitions alumnus. With her dedication and support from PAE, she received many scholarships, including the Rockefeller scholarship from the Maine Community Foundation, to graduate with her undergraduate degree in Tourism & Hospitality in 2017. Presently, with the continued support of the Rockefeller Scholarship, she is pursuing her graduate degree in Leadership Studies at USM. She currently lives and works two part-time jobs in Portland, so she can focus on her degree. She is excited to be part of PAE again!
