UMA welcomed 75 high school students to its Bangor campus on May 12 for a Rural Workforce Medical Bootcamp, a day designed to give students a closer look at healthcare and human services careers in Maine.

Students from the Katahdin and Washington County regions spent the day with UMA faculty and staff discovering opportunities in nursing, veterinary technology, dental health, medical laboratory technology, and mental health and human services. They rotated through hands-on activities, asked questions, and learned more about the kinds of careers that support Maine communities every day.

The program gives students an up-close look at different career options, with the hope of one day helping fill workforce needs in some of Maine’s most rural communities.

“If you think about the healthcare team, it’s the whole team. It’s not just about getting a provider to an area. It’s about helping secure professions for students who want to stay in their rural communities but granting them the access to really explore what their options are,” said Shannon Gauvin, director of nursing at the Â鶹APP, in a WABI TV5 story about the event. 

The Bangor event followed a recent Medical Bootcamp in Augusta, where approximately 40 Oxford County high school students explored health care programs through hands-on demonstrations in nursing, medical laboratory technology, mental health and human services, and dental programs. The Augusta event was offered in partnership with through a grant.

Together, the two events show how UMA is working with partners across the state to introduce students to healthcare and human services fields earlier, and in a more hands-on way. For many students, a day like this can make these careers feel more real and more within reach.

UMA is grateful to the students, schools, faculty, staff, and partners who helped make the Bangor event possible, including and Executive Director Korah Soll, whose collaboration helped bring students to campus for the experience.

JUS 306: Free Speech in American Law, History, and Culture traces the history and legal foundations of free speech, from landmark court cases to the free speech controversies of today.

Topics include:

Taught by Phillip Buckley, JD, PhD, UMA Justice Studies faculty and First Amendment scholar.

Prerequisite: ENG101 or equivalent (Haven’t completed it? Email phillip.buckley@maine.edu to discuss your options!)

Thursdays, 4-5:45 pm. in person at the UMA Rockland Center or online via Zoom.

For more information, visit the Bangor Fitness Center web page.

Allison Simpson, MS, LVT, a long-time staff member of the Â鶹APP Bangor Veterinary Technology Program, was recently awarded the inaugural Maine Veterinary Technician of the Year award. Nominated by peers across the state, the award was voted on by members of the Maine Veterinary Technician Association.

Ally has been part of the UMA Bangor Veterinary Technology Program since ’08 and is also a graduate of the program, earning her AS in veterinary technology degree in ’06. She is incredibly proud of the program’s growth over the past two decades. She remains committed to supporting the next generation of veterinary technicians through education, mentorship, and hands-on clinical training.

Her dedication to veterinary medicine, technician education, and the professional community continues to make a meaningful impact on students, colleagues, and the veterinary field throughout Maine. Congrats Ally!

Annually, the Bangor campus recognizes individuals who have exemplified academic scholarship, service, governance, overcoming personal hardships, and contributions to campus life.

In addition to these, we are also accepting applications/nominees for the Bangor Rotary Scholarship and the UMA Bangor Scholarship.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations for any (or all!) of these awards before 12:00 PM on Friday, April 3, 2026.

In addition to these scholarships, the Bangor campus also recognizes individuals who have exemplified academic scholarship, service, governance, overcoming personal hardships, and contributions to campus life at their annual Graduate & Awards Banquet.

Nominations for these awards are solicited from students and employees with recipients being determined by the designated entity. Please review the information below and nominate anyone you feel should be considered before 12:00 PM on Friday, April 3, 2026.

Questions about any of these awards or the nomination process may be directed to Alissa Gervais at alissa.gervais@maine.edu.

Spring in Maine can make people eager to get outside, even when the weather is still cold and muddy. At the Â鶹APP’s Bangor campus, community members have found a bright, welcoming way to stay active and connected: pickleball.

Every weekday morning, the fitness center hums with the sound of paddles tapping and sneakers moving across the gym floor. Laughter and friendly exchanges fill the air as people of all ages gather to play, building friendships and finding a sense of belonging along the way.

Pickleball’s appeal goes beyond the rules of the game. It is approachable, social and continually engaging, blending movement, coordination and strategy in a way that keeps bodies and minds active. For many players at UMA Bangor, the biggest draw is not just the sport itself but the community that forms around it.

Joy Steward, Â鶹APP coordinator of student life for wellness and co-curricular enrichment, has watched that community grow. “It started with just a few players,” Steward said. “Now it’s the most popular activity we offer. People love it because it’s welcoming, fun, and as competitive as you want it to be. There’s no pressure, just a great way to move and connect.”

Retired Newburgh resident Shirley Shannon treats pickleball as a lively part of her new routine. “I’m up at five every morning,” she said. “I play three times a week. If I were still working, I would resent my job,” she said. “This is my job now, and I love coming here. It gets my morning going, keeps me active and I feel great afterward.”

After years of full-time work, Shannon says pickleball gives her something to look forward to. For regulars like her, the game brings structure, motivation and a strong start to the day.

The energy on the courts is contagious. Newcomers are welcomed with smiles, helpful tips and lighthearted banter. That open atmosphere turns a simple game into a shared experience where neighbors, students and visitors become friends.

For Kim Johnson, the joy of pickleball is found in what players give and receive. “We’ve been playing for just over a year, and it’s amazing how inviting everyone is,” Johnson said. “We have players from 14 to 80, and everyone’s included. I usually play on Thursdays when beginners come in. Someone once did that for me, and now I get to do that for someone else.”

Those shared rallies and small moments of encouragement create bonds across generations and help everyone, regardless of age or skill level, feel that they belong.

Cheryl Dubois, who discovered pickleball in Florida, was glad to find that same spirit in Bangor. “Everyone here is so kind and encouraging. The staff is wonderful, the facility is spotless and I’ve made new friends,” she said. “We even go out to dinner sometimes. It’s great exercise and a wonderful way to stay active while spending time with some great people.”

Travis Wood, a documentary filmmaker (pictured at the top), first tried pickleball with his aunt’s encouragement and quickly became a regular. “The players here are top notch,” Wood said. “Everyone shows up ready to play, no matter their age or skill level. You’ll see teenagers and seniors on the same court, smiling together. It’s the mix of focus and fun that makes it so great. You play hard, and you leave happy.”

Together, those moments of challenge and camaraderie show what makes the courts at UMA Bangor a true community gathering place.

By opening its doors to players of all backgrounds, UMA Bangor’s fitness center helps strengthen community connections in the region. The public is invited to join, with memberships starting at $25 a month or $5 a day. Each morning, new and returning players fill the gym with activity, encouragement and connection. Whatever the season, pickleball offers a welcoming place to stay active, build friendships and enjoy being part of the community. 

Information about the fitness center, pickleball, membership, and more is available on the UMA Bangor Fitness Center webpage.

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are welcome to stop by and use the facility during regular operating hours.

For more information, contact Joy Steward at joy.steward@maine.edu.

At UMA, learning does not stop at the classroom door. It travels into schools, community events, and neighborhoods across Maine.

Â鶹APP Dental Club is a student-led example of what that looks like in action.

Throughout the year, club members volunteer at local outreach events, connect with families about oral health, and represent Â鶹APP dental programs in the community. Whether they are sharing preventive care tips with children, supporting local organizations, or collaborating with dental professionals, students are building skills that matter while making a difference that is felt.

For many members, the club is where confidence grows. It is where classroom concepts become real conversations. It is where future dental professionals begin to see themselves as leaders and educators, not just students.

Their work reflects what defines UMA: education that meets students where they are and prepares them to serve where they are needed most. Through hands-on service, Dental Club members strengthen their clinical knowledge, communication skills, and commitment to community health, all while reinforcing the importance of accessible, preventive care across Maine.

This kind of engagement embodies Â鶹APP mission to transform lives through high-quality education, student support, and civic engagement. It also reflects Â鶹APP belief that progress happens when we work together, building partnerships that make education more connected, relevant, and valuable.

In every photo, there is more than a moment. There is preparation for a career, connection to a community, and the steady growth of students who are already making an impact.

Forty children received free preventive dental care at Â鶹APP Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic during this year’s Give Kids a Smile® Day, a program that continues to make a meaningful difference for Maine families. Hosted by Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene program, the one-day clinic connected children ages 5 to 19 who do not have a regular dentist with cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments and sealants. Each child was also seen by a dentist, ensuring comprehensive care in a supportive setting designed just for them.

For many families, the clinic offered more than an appointment. It provided reassurance, answers to questions and practical guidance to support healthy habits at home.Under the supervision of licensed professionals, dental hygiene students provided care while gaining hands-on clinical experience that prepares them to service communities across Maine.

Under the supervision of licensed professionals, dental hygiene students delivered care while gaining hands-on clinical experience that prepares them to meet Maine’s growing oral health workforce needs. The event reflects Â鶹APP commitment to accessible, community-centered education that meets real needs across the state.

By the end of the day, students had strengthened their clinical skills, families left with helpful  guidance, and 40 young Mainers went home with healthier smiles. Events like Give Kids a Smile® Day highlight the powerful role UMA students play in supporting the health of communities across the state.

See our video from Give Kids a Smile® Day.

The one-day clinic is part of a national initiative led by the American Dental Association and responds to a documented access gap in children’s oral health care. In Maine, many families face barriers to routine dental visits, particularly those covered by public insurance.

During the clinic, students in Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene program will provide cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral health education under the supervision of licensed professionals. The event combines hands-on clinical training with direct community impact, helping prepare students to meet ongoing oral health and workforce needs across Maine.

The clinic will be open from 8 to 5 p.m. at the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic, located at 201 Texas Ave. on the Bangor campus.

Appointments are required.

For more information or to schedule, contact Valerie Clotts, administrative specialist, at 207-262-7872 or umadental@maine.edu