Our Annual UMA Golf Tournament sold out with 30 teams and raised approximately $12,000 to help strengthen the student-athlete experience through team travel, equipment, athletic programming, tournament operations, and opportunities for students to compete, grow, and lead. Thank you to every player, sponsor, and volunteer who made it such a success.

We were glad to have The Big JAB 96.3 out with us, catching up with coaches, students, President Cushman, and Athletic Director Chris Hart throughout the day.
Congratulations to our winners:

• Low Gross ā€” Team Cowan
• Low Net ā€” Team Bailey
• Putting Contest ā€” Ted Rioux
• Closest to the Pin ā€” Dylan Elliott
• Longest Drive (Men) ā€” Erik Hall
• Longest Drive (Women) ā€” Katrina Label

Two shots we’ll be talking about for a while: Ted Rioux came inches from sinking a $2,500 putt, and Dylan Elliott’s swing at the $1 million prize was heading straight for the green before a tree branch knocked it wide. So close!

The Ā鶹APP congratulates Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies Robert Bernheim, Ph.D., on receiving a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Poland for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, is among the nation’s most prestigious international academic exchange programs. It supports faculty and researchers as they teach, conduct research, and build global partnerships, bringing new knowledge and perspectives back to their classrooms and campuses. Scholars are selected through a rigorous, multi-stage review process involving peer reviewers, Fulbright leaders, and representatives from the host country. 

Bernheim’s Fulbright research uses the bagel, a food that originated in Poland’s Jewish communities, to tell a larger story about culture, identity, and memory. His project examines the return of the bagel to Poland since 1989 to better understand the country’s evolving relationship with its Jewish heritage and the memory of the Holocaust and the German occupation. Through this work, he explores how the revival of a traditional food can create opportunities for dialogue, deepen understanding of shared history, and foster reconciliation across communities. 

While in Poland, Bernheim will teach a course at the University of RzeszĆ³w on the history of food, cooking, and flavors in America. The course complements his research by exploring food as a form of cultural expression, examining the histories, traditions, and human connections that shape societies. His research also draws on the idea of “bagel diplomacy,” using the shared history of the bagel to foster dialogue and mutual understanding between local ethnic Poles and the Jewish diaspora.  

Following his Fulbright, Bernheim hopes to help establish a recurring bagel festival in Poland, expand a digital bagel trail map highlighting the food’s historical and cultural significance, and begin creating a digital archive documenting Poland’s bagel traditions. He also plans to share the project’s findings through scholarly articles and a larger publication. 

“Professor Bernheim’s Fulbright award is a testament to both the strength and global-mindedness of his research,” said Lisa Botshon, Ph.D., UMA’s Fulbright liaison and a two-time Fulbright Scholar. “By fostering international collaboration through his unique project, he not only advances scholarship in his field, but also brings invaluable perspectives back to the classroom. His achievement underscores the excellence of UMA’s faculty and the impact of their scholarship in our classrooms and through collaborations around the world.” 

“I hope this project creates lasting opportunities for dialogue and collaboration long after my Fulbright concludes,” Bernheim said. “Whether through community partnerships, future scholarship, or new ways of sharing history, I hope the relationships built through this work continue to grow.”

Bernheim joins a distinguished group of UMA humanities faculty who have earned Fulbright awards, including Lisa Botshon, who completed fellowships in Slovenia and Portugal, Ellen Taylor in Slovenia, Rob Kellerman in Latvia, and Sarah Hentges in Denmark. Their achievements demonstrate UMA’s commitment to scholarship that expands opportunity, strengthens teaching, and prepares students to engage thoughtfully with communities in Maine and around the world. 

Prison Education Partnership (PEP) Director Dan McGloin has been selected to join the Corrections Education Leadership Academy, where over the next year he will work alongside 11 leaders representing corrections agencies, colleges, and education and reentry programs across the country. Together, they will build stronger connections among corrections, colleges, communnity partners, and employers, creating more opportunities for incarcerated students to turn their education into meaningful careers.

As one of the nation’s leading prison education programs, UMA continues to help shape what high-quality correctional education looks like. Dan’s participation creates new opportunities to bring proven ideas back to Maine, strengthen pathways from education to employment for incarcerated students, and ensure UMA remains an active voice in national conversations that influence the future of prison education.

Congratulations, Dan!

Every student in the Ā鶹APP’s 2026 Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology graduating class passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) on their first attempt, resulting in a 100% first-time pass rate.Ā 

First-time VTNE pass rates typically range from about 67% to 70%, making Ā鶹APP perfect pass rate a notable achievement, well above the national average.

UMA offers both an Associate of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology, and is the only institution in Maine to offer the B.S. degree in the field. The bachelor’s pathway prepares graduates for careers in veterinary practice, as Licensed Veterinary Technicians or veterinarians, biomedical research, and further education, with opportunities to tailor their studies through a self-directed concentration.

Based on UMA’s Bangor Campus, students learn in a modern teaching facility that includes a surgical suite, surgical preparation and treatment areas, modern laboratory facilities, separate feline and canine boarding rooms, and a digital radiology suite. A classroom and a large student area were renovated in 2023.

In addition to a variety of classes, ranging from Introduction to Veterinary Medicine to Surgical Nursing and Anesthesiology, students also complete two seven-week externships, one in a veterinary practice and another of their choosing which could be a research lab, wildlife rescue, large animal practice, or other speciality discipline. These experiences provide opportunities to apply classroom learning in professional settings, build relationships within the field, and prepare for a smooth transition into careers or further study.

ā€œVeterinary technology is a profession that asks you to combine science with compassion every day,ā€ said veterinarian Jennifer Freese, professor of veterinary technology at UMA. ā€œOur students graduate with the technical skills to care for animal patients, the critical thinking to support veterinarians, and the communication skills to work thoughtfully with clients and their animals.ā€

In veterinary practices, technicians are essential members of the animal healthcare team, working alongside veterinarians to provide patient care, perform laboratory testing, assist with surgery, administer anesthesia, and educate pet owners. As veterinary practices across Maine continue to seek qualified professionals, graduates who are ready to step into these roles help expand access to veterinary care for animals and the people who depend on them.

Seven of eight graduates have accepted positions in veterinary medicine, while one is continuing their education. Skilled veterinary technicians are in demand across Maine, and this graduating class enters the profession prepared to care for animals, support veterinary teams, and serve communities throughout the state. 

The Full-Time Presidentā€™s and Deanā€™s lists are issued once a semester and the Part-Time Presidentā€™s and Deanā€™s lists are issued once a year.

For questions about the Presidentā€™s lists, contact Tricia Dyer in the UMA Registrarā€™s Office at (207) 621-3144 or triciad@maine.edu.

Students are listed by county within the state of Maine, alphabetized by last name, followed by national and international students.

• Full-Time Presidentā€™s List
• Part-Time Presidentā€™s List
• Full-Time Deanā€™s List
• Part-Time Deanā€™s List

Full-Time Presidentā€™s List

Androscoggin

Yasmeen Al-Hoshan, Lewiston; Jessica Anderson, Auburn; Jamie Banta, Lewiston; John Barbioni, Livermore Falls; Wendy Bays, Greene; Andrea Bosworth, Leeds; Ethan Boucher, Auburn; Chelsea Buiniskas, Lewiston; Madelyn Castonguay, Livermore; Emily Chase, Lisbon Falls; Nicholas Clough, Lewiston; Alison Conner, Auburn; Ben Couillard, Lewiston; Crystal Cyr, Turner; Luke Enright, Greene; Alicia Fiori, Lewiston; Meghan Howe, Greene; Hailey Hughes, Lewiston; Ashley Jellison, Lisbon Falls; Jessica Johnson, Lewiston; Caleb King, Lisbon; Saadaq Mahamed, Lewiston; Katanyna Marston, Lisbon; McKenna Muldoon, Lewiston; Sarah Sterling, Auburn; Kaeli Strout, Leeds; Chloe Tremblay, Lewiston; Noah Warszawski, Greene

Aroostook

Lillian Cox, Madawaska; Jadon Gentle, Houlton; Mackenzie Joslyn, Monticello; Hannah Landeen, New Sweden; Nicholas Lavoie, Frenchville; Lauren Paradis, Frenchville; Tazz Pelletier, Saint Agatha; Lateefa Ronco, Monticello

Cumberland

Taylor Anderson, Portland; Savannah Banana, Portland; Benjamin Brown, Portland; Max Burns, Westbrook; Heidi Cox, Windham; Eloisa DeGroote, Brunswick; Amalie DeSantos, Falmouth; Renee Ferrazzuolo, Freeport; Neal Hurley, Windham; Sharon Kennedy, Windham; Micah LaSalle, Gorham; Danielle McQuarrie, Windham; Sam Mingo, South Portland; Isaac Mireles, Windham; Grace Miskin, Gray; Bella Napolitano, Portland; Cody Ryan Pepin, Gray; Jade Pierce, Windham; Isabella Puleo, Portland; Matthew Searway, Windham; Dorothy Stickney, S Portland; Kayla Taylor, Raymond; Kelsey Valeriano, Bridgton; Luke Vashon, Windham; Daniel Whitman, South Portland

Franklin

Dana Erb, Farmington; Maggie Gross, Farmington; Anne Harvell, Jay; John Howard, Wilton; Sierra Shirley, Wilton; Kayli Walczak, Chesterville

Hancock

Sulaymaan Alezzo Aljneid, Dedham; Robin Campbell, Trenton; Shae Carter, Otis; Brooke Dyer, Penobscot; Sarah Gilfillan, Hancock; Taylor Grant, Bar Harbor; Emily Hanscom, Orland; Gage Hardy, Ellsworth; Ken Hebert, Bucksport; Monica Mobley, Waltham; Vaughn Pottle, Bucksport; Chris Seavey, Ellsworth; Kathleen Soper, Blue Hill

Kennebec

Amany Albahadly, Hallowell; Camille Arkas, Randolph; Zainab Babar, Farmingdale; Bryana Barrett, Windsor; Elsbeth Bates, Litchfield; Lexis Bayne, Oakland; Hannah Benner, Waterville; Sadie Bibber, Pittston; Jasmine Bickford, Augusta; Jazmynn Boston, Waterville; Dylon Bouchard, Winslow; Phoenix Bouhuijs, Augusta; Lia Brann, Winslow; Gabriel Brents, West Gardiner; Abigail Bucknam, Augusta; Kyle Burris, Augusta; Rocco Chang, Monmouth; Justin Cobb, Readfield; Madi Cochran, Chelsea; Jenn Conrad, Augusta; Christina Corriveau, Chelsea; Nickolis Cote, Clinton; Jantsa Dansranbavuu, Augusta; Talan Davis, Augusta; Bri Dowling, Chelsea; Desmen Drinkwater, Winthrop; Bella Dunn, Winthrop; Hayley Epperson, Augusta; Jonathan Farr, Augusta; Abbie Fielding, Augusta; Devin Fitzgibbons, Winslow; Andrew Fortunato, Augusta; Gabrielle Galbreath, Winthrop; Matthew Gallant, Augusta; Spencer Gibson, Oakland; Alexis Gibson, Winslow; Arian Gilman, Waterville; Cassidy Gowen, Augusta; William Haiss, Oakland; Hakizimona Hawyarimana, Waterville; Olivia Heath, Litchfield; Cylie Henderson, Clinton; Liz Hollis, Winthrop; Avery Howe, Readfield; Hannah Ireland, Pittston; Bobby Johnson, Manchester; Sequora Kelley, Augusta; Esra Khan, Augusta; Geoffrey King, Gardiner; Lexi Kramer, Sidney; Aliyah LaCroix, Winslow; Maleah Manson, Gardiner; Collin McGuire, Manchester; Grace Meikle, Waterville; Sarah Melden, Readfield; Molly Mercier, Augusta; Jackie Millette, Augusta; Haley Montgomery, Augusta; Zara Morang, China; Ben Ouellette, Winthrop; Naomi Overstreet, Sidney; Shannah Parsons, Monmouth; Emily Pellerin, Oakland; Lila Pottle, Oakland; Ava Prickett, Vassalboro; Sara Qamar, Augusta; Jed Rampulla, Gardiner; Jessica Reeve, Readfield; Mikayla Rioux, Winslow; Emilie Robbins, Chelsea; Mackenzie Roberts, Clinton; Lindsay Romanica, Augusta; Daniel Ross, South China; Bark S, West Gardiner; Sierra Samowitz-Bellows, Augusta; Emmalee Sanborn, South China; Kieran Scanlon, Pittston; Codey Seavey, Sidney; Dan Simons, Vienna; Austin Sirois, Chelsea; Mekenzie Soiett, Pittston; Allyson Spencer, Winslow; Brittany St Amand, Pittston; Braedyn Stockmar, Gardiner; Caitlin Terrio, North Monmouth; Elizabeth Tibbetts, Augusta; Anthony Tompkins, Waterville; Hannah Weeks, Pittston; Charles Welles, Waterville; Melissa Weymouth, Augusta; Vanessa Wharton, Augusta; Myranda Wohlford, Sidney; Molly Woodford, Readfield

Knox

Kimberly Billings, Warren; Dana Clark, Rockport; F Daly, Warren; Katie Delano, Friendship; Amanda Fagan, Rockland; Kaylee Field, Warren; Ryan Flanders, Rockland; Jemima George, Rockland; Nelson Hayes, Warren; Alex Ingram, Warren; Shailey Johnson, Warren; Dylan Ketcham, Warren; Kaylee Kurr, Warren; Alexander Leber, Rockland; Lily Lincoln, Rockland; Ed Philbrook, Friendship; Hannah Potter, Rockland; Kevin Simpson, Warren; Jocelyn Tapley, Washington; James Taylor, Rockland; Keaonna Turner, Camden; Jomo White, Warren; Michael Willman, Washington; Craig Woodard, Warren

Lincoln

Ammie Aitken, Whitefield; Caitlin Chaousis, Wiscasset; Adri Ford, Boothbay Harbor; Alyssa Grindle, Waldoboro; Kayla Guenard, Whitefield; Blake Morrison, Somerville; Nathalie Paulino, Edgecomb; Zach Rollins, Edgecomb; Lyda Stewart-Libby, Wiscasset; Zoie Wells, Newcastle

Oxford

Sam Cochran, Rumford; Ashley Dux, Rumford; Krystal Eicher, Norway; Tori Harrington, South Paris; Deannaka Holt, Bethel; Alyssa Litchfield, Buckfield; Julianne McLaughlin, Porter; Ivy Miller, Waterford; Christine Paradis, Norway; Erin Pealatere, Peru; Colby Volkernick, Rumford; Alana Young, Rumford

Penobscot

Alaina Adams, Bangor; Simon Allen, Corinth; Georgiana Baker, Newburgh; AJ Beach, Lee; Christopher Bishop, Bangor; Mo Blais, Milford; Jessica Bouchard, Bangor; Addie Bourgoine, Bangor; Janet Bradberry, Bangor; Tamara Brain, Hampden; Jordyn Bray, Springfield; Skyler Brennan, Lagrange; Emilie Briggs, Orono; Madison Butterfield, Glenburn; Chuck Cawthron, Lincoln; Meg Clark, Kenduskeag; George Clark, Bangor; Landon Cyr, Bangor; Ryan Driscoll, Bangor; Evan Dubay, Milford; Jill Dunton, Corinth; Jack Duplain, Glenburn; Lily Finch, Bangor; Sarah Fitzgerald, Bangor; Chris Fontes, Hampden; Marissa Grindle, Medway; Kaden Hannan, East Millinocket; Amy Harriman, Hermon; KC Hepler, Bangor; Kari Hersey, Millinocket; Norra Idano, Hermon; Logan Jipson, West Enfield; Shayla Kelley, Etna; Noah Lattig, Lee; David Lezcano, Bangor; Linny Mann, Stillwater; Beth Marshall, Bangor; Danica Migliore, Corinna; Brittany Morales, Levant; Briana Murico, Old Town; Patrick Murico, Old Town; Makenzie Rushlow, Corinth; Allie Salinas, Holden; Molly Schultz, Hampden; Olivia Searfass, Bangor; Zach Searles, Bangor; James Sharky, Hampden; Gabe Shaw, Bangor; Michael Smith, Charleston; Morgan Stevens, Bangor; Esther Susen, Orono; Shain Taylor, Carmel; Molly Therrien, Bangor; Simon Thomas, Hampden; Deegan Tidswell, Lincoln; Britney Toner, Brewer; Sarah Walker, Greenbush; Katy Walsh, Old Town; Kyla Welch, Millinocket; Caitlin Whitehouse, Levant

Piscataquis

Ingrid Berling, Guilford; Mars Miles, Sangerville; Lily Pelletier, Greenville; Alyssa Redman, Atkinson; Zac Wilson, Sangerville

Sagadahoc

Carly Fuller, Woolwich; Tony Lewis, Bowdoinham; Bane Slocum, Topsham; Emily Snowden, Richmond; Lorelei Zoulamis, Richmond

Somerset

Josh Baker, Pittsfield; Alonna Battis, Fairfield; Chelcee Boivin, Saint Albans; Rosadee Bouley, Fairfield; Megan Campbell, Skowhegan; Laci Churchill, Saint Albans; Kiera Clark, Skowhegan; Rylie Clark, Canaan; Amanda Cole-Brown, Skowhegan; Victoria Copp, Madison; Raegan Cowan, Madison; Lydia Dore, Cornville; Dale Doucette-Carl, Canaan; Dale Furno, Norridgewock; Natalie Gilman, Canaan; Mae Goldsmith-Nichols, Norridgewock; Brooklyn Goodridge, Skowhegan; Jenn Hall, Madison; Emily Hersey, Fairfield; Katelyn Holt, New Portland; Victoria Huff, Fairfield; Terri Johnson, Madison; Arabel Linkletter, Athens; Lexi Moran, Fairfield; Kallie Richards, Fairfield; Ashlyn Sorel, Embden; Morgan Sumner, Skowhegan; Alivia Ward, Pittsfield; Amanda Welch, Cornville

Waldo

Corey Cole, Winterport; Cody Condon, Burnham; Ella Dudley, Unity; Faith Fogg, Troy; Tyler Hall, Islesboro; Molly Jerkins, Swanville; Maddie Mooers, Winterport; Haylee Moore, Searsmont; Dallas Richards, Searsport; Rachel Richards, Morrill; Pierre Surpris, Swanville; Misty Ward, Belfast; Kendra Wood, Swanville

Washington

Cat Carter, East Machias; Rachel Keeton, East Machias; Mary McDonald, Jonesport; Jackie Mills, East Machias; Brianna Peck, Lubec; Zoe Reynolds, Addison; Kaytie Scully, Harrington

York

Cody Briggs, York; Karen Campbell, Saco; Katerina Crowell, Limerick; Angela Daggett, Cape Neddick; Sarah Dayton, Sanford; Bill Diffenderfer, Hollis Center; Dave Glidden, Biddeford; Laurie Grant, Waterboro; Felicity Haller, Berwick; Kayla Hansen, Arundel; Destiny Noonan, Saco; Cassidy O’Dee, Berwick; Kaitlyn Regan, Limington; L Umber, Limington; Olivia Wattles, Berwick; Kennedy Webber, Cape Neddick; Kylie White, Sanford

National

Patrick Adams, North Las Vegas, NV; Chenille Allen, Gilboa, NY; Sofia Arredondo, Sacramento, CA; Shakib Bhuiyan, Orlando, FL; Arjun Dhanoa, Superior, CO; Patty Dillon, Swanzey, NH; Cory Dreyer, Detroit, MI; Elizabeth Goehner-Testa, North Syracuse, NY; Madeline Goldman, Fort Worth, TX; Inara Gountis, Tijeras, NM; Will Henderson, Chattanooga, TN; Crassandra Hoover, Jacksonville, FL; Jeff Jones, Cromwell, CT; Kristine Julian, Parma Heights, OH; Tina Lamontagne, Graysville, AL; Aviyon Matthews, Seaford, DE; Kiersten McAdams, Osgood, IN; August Mead, Newburyport, MA; Michael Meyers, Winter Park, FL; Caitlin O’Regan, Quincy, MA; Jacob Plamondon, Manchester, NH; Margaret Power, Quincy, MA; Sierra Proper, Lempster, NH; Eric Sarrafian, Waipahu, HI; Donte Sharp, Enfield, CT; Olivia Tripaldi, Santa Rosa, CA; Lisa Wege, Apo, AP; Cassandra Weittenhiller, Prairie Du Sac, WI; Keila Williams, Port Crane, NY

International

Mason Geen, Harrowsmith, CAN; Guillaume Le Merour, Gouesnac’H, FRA; Margaux Veillon, Sizun, FRA; Yangzhuoli Yu, Chiba, JPN

Part-Time Presidentā€™s List

Androscoggin

Abdullah Jashaami, Auburn; Amy Vallee, Poland; Caitlin Campbell, Auburn; Charlotte Mooney, Auburn; Danielle Hoppenbrouwer, Leeds; Haley Warden, Auburn; Michaela Higgins, Auburn; Molly Grant, Livermore; Nicole Belskis, Auburn; Tonya Burke, Lewiston

Aroostook

Angelica Crane, New Limerick; Deb Metzler, Mars Hill; John San Felice, Monticello; Miranda Foster, Houlton

Cumberland

Anna Drake, South Portland; Antonio Candelmo, Windham; Arthur Belanger, Windham; Brittany Moura, Westbrook; Christie Thetonia, Windham; Damjan Draskovic, South Portland; Dawn Brazalovich, Windham; Isabel Aguirre-Mutter, Westbrook; Jenny Whitter, Yarmouth; Jonathan Charron, Windham; Joshua Cridler, Portland; Joshua Shean, Brunswick; Krysten Townsend, Gorham; Leann Johnson, Windham; Letitia Locke, East Baldwin; Mike Potter, Windham; Miranda Moulton, Windham; Sarah MacMath, Portland

Franklin

Ashley Gowen, Weld; Walt Fails, New Sharon

Hancock

Andrea Kelley, Ellsworth; Chelsea White, Bar Harbor; Eliosandro Valencia-Jungo, Gouldsboro; Grace McEachern, Bass Harbor; Haily Hooper, Gouldsboro; Jaclyn Kane, Ellsworth; Katie Courchene, Bucksport; Nicole Austin, Lamoine; Payton Hicks, Franklin; Zachary Dow, Deer Isle

Kennebec

Alyssa Rovella, Farmingdale; Amber Michaud, North Monmouth; Aryn Marsella, West Gardiner; Ashley Dawson, Fayette; Ashley Russo, Waterville; Bill Milton, Gardiner; Cameron Santiago, Winslow; Camryn Elliott-Proctor, Augusta; Cassie Rich, Augusta; Chip Eastman, Augusta; Christie Duffy, Augusta; Cynthia Sullivan, Winslow; David Barron, Augusta; Diana Albanese, Augusta; Emma Perry, Hallowell; Faith Riddick, Waterville; Gabe Denbow, Oakland; Jake Shurman, Augusta; Jennifer Wehry, Oakland; Josh Stover, Augusta; Kara Greene, Waterville; Kendall Nelson, West Gardiner; Lauren Etter, Pittston; Lexi Perry, Oakland; Lisa Yankee, Vassalboro; Mariah Cobb, Clinton; Marianna Tremaine, Augusta; Matt Jandreau, Mount Vernon; Max Smith-Taylor, Sidney; Mindy Stitham-Brown, West Gardiner; Natalie Rohman, Augusta; Pam Smith, Monmouth; Regan Cote, Augusta; Sam Marshall, Clinton; Samantha De La Croix, Waterville; Sara Halsey, Augusta; Scott Bailey, West Gardiner; Scotty Harrod, Augusta; Shanley B, Farmingdale; Sharie Giguere, Readfield; Tiberious Bieker, Waterville; Trena Martin, Augusta; Wes Pease, Waterville; Yolanda Lane, Waterville

Knox

Abdihamit Ali, Warren; Adam Berkenbile, Rockland; Amanda Doubleday, Rockland; Andrew Freeman, Warren; Ashley O’Brian, Rockport; Charissa Boynton, Warren; Christopher Smith, Warren; Ciara Murphy, Rockland; Crystal Beverage, North Haven; Dana Craney, Warren; David Brown, Appleton; Desiree Heath, Tenants Harbor; Devon Hargrove, Warren; Dustin Dyer, Camden; Edgard Anziani, Warren; Evan O’Neal, Tenants Harbor; Gang Majok, Warren; Hillary Fales-Haynes, Warren; Jaclyn Counce, Rockland; Jacquelin Smollett, Warren; Jami Fowler, Hope; Jason Ibarra, Warren; Jeanette Knowlton, Rockland; Jody Dinsmore, Union; Judith Sagato, Rockport; Kelly Callahan, Appleton; Kiarah Fetteroli, South Thomaston; Lauren Pinkham, Warren; Michael Babineau, Warren; Morgan Grinnell, Washington; Ralph Tripp, Warren; Sarah Steele, Warren; Scott Waterhouse, Warren; Simone McDonald, Rockland; Sydney Barnhart, Tenants Harbor; Townsend Thorndike, Warren

Lincoln

Ashlynn Leeman, Damariscotta; Autumn Overlock, Waldoboro; Brittney Chapman, Wiscasset; Emilee West, Wiscasset; Ian Lewandowski, Jefferson; Michelle Banek, Wiscasset; Susan Fleck, Dresden

Oxford

Andrew Hamilton, West Paris; Coleen Heiser, Canton; Erica Hodge, Peru; Grace Connors, Bethel; Greg Pealatere, Peru; Jenn Poliquin, Oxford; Jessica Duguay, Rumford; Julie Bouchard, Norway; Katrina Adams, South Paris; Kevin Frost, South Paris; Kristen Patenaude, Hartford; Peter Chase, Rumford

Penobscot

Addie Bugbee, Bangor; Ashley Archer, Hampden; Carl Mazzarelli, Bangor; Crystal Bagley, Eddington; Dakota Flagg, Levant; Erin Buhler, Glenburn; Gina Niles, Corinth; Gwendalyn White, Bangor; Jacob Sinclair, Newport; Jess Fielder, Bangor; John Okie, Charleston; Joshua Mayo, Charleston; Lindsay Gordon, Bangor; Lindsey Ruggiero, Brewer; Makayla Hartsgrove, Patten; Mercedes Perzanowski, East Millinocket; Rachel Provencher, Newport; Sarah Lattari, Bangor; Victoria Davenport, Levant

Piscataquis

Alicia Estes, Williamsburg Twp; Hannah McGinley, Dover Foxcroft

Sagadahoc

Abby Utecht, Richmond; Brandon Hyde, Bowdoinham; Emily Wormwood, Bowdoinham; Erica Ackley, Richmond; Jasmine Thibodeau Habeeb, Woolwich; Maureen Craney, West Bath; Taylor Lund, Woolwich; Tristan Chandler, Phippsburg

Somerset

Sara Greenwood, Fairfield; Jarred Kelsey, Skowhegan; Jessica Cote, Fairfield; Kim Landry, Madison; Mary Papa, Moscow; Megan Blaisdell, Norridgewock; Olivia Clough, Skowhegan; Stacy Higgins, Waterville

Waldo

Angel Hathaway, Searsport; Daniel Coleman, Belfast; Faith Boynton, Morrill; Felisa Dorr, Searsmont; Jacqueline Campbell, Belfast; Jada Scharff, Frankfort; Janessa Connor, Lincolnville; Jessica Young, Winterport; Kara Ware, Palermo; Kathleen Seekins, Searsport; Kristen Lamanteer, Searsport; Lacey Blakesley, Brooks; Leila Morton, Liberty; Olivia Lovejoy, Belfast; Sonia Koenig, Northport

Washington

Christine Bunker, Columbia; Emily Smith, Columbia Falls; Kenneth Treadwell, Machiasport

York

Chad Tope, North Waterboro; Cheryl Giroux, Saco; David Shapiro, Biddeford; Julie Letendre, Saco; Kim Genestreti-Walsh, Kittery; Lisa Houde, Berwick; Mariah Lang, Kennebunkport; Yiyang Jiang, Old Orchard Beach

National

Alisa Ames, Glen Burnie, MD; Allyson Clark, Ware, MA; Ashley Tenhave, Merrimack, NH; Ashlyn Black, Dublin, VA; Brooke Price, Lititz, PA; Cindy Chapman, Oneco, CT; Claire Horn, Kalamazoo, MI; Corey Marrero, Spring Hill, FL; Danielle Weeks, Johnsonville, NY; Elisabeth Carruth, Dafter, MI; Elizabeth Fravel, Tallahassee, FL; Gina Gworek, Berlin, CT; Jennifer Birmingham, Kirkwood, MO; Katherine Such, Mundelein, IL; Katie Chowanski, Roscoe, IL; Katie MacMillan, Watertown, MA; Kelly Mitchell, Canaan, NH; Kim Butler, Cary, NC; Kristen Timms, Holiday, FL; Marina Magalang, Saint Charles, MO; Mary Ashbeck, Brownsville, MN; Mateo Mercurio, Encinitas, CA; Rob Gaber, Laguna Beach, CA; Sherry Perra, Wayzata, MN; Victoria Hays, Torrance, CA; Yuko Braden, Kapolei, HI

Full-Time Deanā€™s List

Androscoggin

Aidan Norton, Leeds; Alida Volpe, Lewiston; Asa Leavitt, Livermore; Aubrey Peer, Lewiston; Carlee Decker, Livermore Falls; Gunnar Winslow, Auburn; Hani Issack, Auburn; Haylee Cyr, Sabattus; Helen Barton, Auburn; Jamyah Nicolas, Lewiston; Judith Ross, Auburn; Koby Lafata, Wales; Kyla Conroy, Sabattus; Leonie Quimby, Turner; Lindsey Crawford, Auburn; Madison Merrill, Auburn; Noorto Hamsa, Lewiston; Olivia Servidio, Lewiston; Pauline Maloy, Sabattus; Peighton Theriault, Sabattus; Quina Nunes, Lewiston; Samantha Withee, Turner; Shanoy Brown, Auburn; Shelly Carver, Lewiston

Aroostook

Allie Cyr, Madawaska; Ellie Smith, Mapleton; Emilee Shaw, Houlton; Evan Alward, Woodland; Hannah Brown, Dyer Brook; Kevin Hodde, Caribou; Nicole Henderson, Houlton

Cumberland

Anna Wilson, New Gloucester; Cadence Hebert, Windham; Chase Hall, Brunswick; Emma Boulanger, West Baldwin; Jaida Arris, Freeport; KK Teel, N Yarmouth; Nathan Couture, Gray; Thomas Stratis, Scarborough; Yusra Mugorewase, Portland; Yvon Goma, South Portland

Franklin

Addison Decker, Farmington; Casey Franklin, Wilton; Emma Casavant, Industry; Hailey DiStefano, Farmington; Josh Goulette, New Sharon; Kaleb Bays, Jay; Katherine Blauvelt, Jay; Madilyn Cote, Farmington

Hancock

Andrew Clark, Bar Harbor; Crystal Roberts, Hancock; Emily West, Orland; Heather Bridges, Birch Harbor; Kasha Smith, Bucksport; Kyle Peters, Bucksport; Los Villarreal, Blue Hill; Maddy Eaton, Deer Isle; Oceana Stansel, Ellsworth; Paige Anderson, Dedham; Suzie Felix, Ellsworth

Kennebec

Addison Carter, Pittston; Alex Clark, Readfield; Alex Morris, Windsor; Alissa Michaud, Manchester; Alivia Bennett, Hallowell; Alyssa Bennett, Augusta; Anna Norris, South China; Asher Stephenson, Augusta; Ashley Dineen, Waterville; Benjamin Lucarelli, Augusta; Bethany Seger, Winslow; Brandon Carter, Randolph; Brian Tardiff, Waterville; Brittney Fortin, Waterville; Cailie Libby, Augusta; Cameron Morey, Augusta; Cameron Sawyer, Waterville; Cassidy Randle, Winthrop; Chloe Wilson, Winthrop; Davis Kibler, Augusta; Denise Williams, Mount Vernon; Destiny Teel, Readfield; Dixie Szabo, China; Edmond Somers, Vassalboro; Elio Olivo, Augusta; Elizabeth Crommett, Albion; Emilee Brown, West Gardiner; Emma Benner, Benton; Felistas Niyobuhungiro, Waterville; Fray Bennett, Winslow; Gabe Withee, Augusta; Gabrielle Sienko, Sidney; Garrett Bell, Belgrade; Hannah Daigneault, Winslow; Hannah Reilly, Randolph; Ian Dowling, Chelsea; Isabelle Greenleaf, Augusta; Isaiah Schleis-Hooyman, Augusta; Israa Albarghash, Augusta; Jace Short, Clinton; Jacob Hanscom, South China; Jade Brusoe, Augusta; Jasmine Brannon, Winslow; Jasper Champagne, Waterville; Joey Nadeau, Winthrop; John Nawfel, Waterville; John Polepole, Augusta; Jon Pinnette, West Gardiner; Josiah Fitzgerald, China; Julia Davidson, Oakland; Kaite Sechrist, Manchester; Kali Porter, Sidney; Karissa Heath, Pittston; Karysta Nickless, Belgrade; Kaylie Estabrook, Augusta; Kristopher Mank, Augusta; Lily Corrigan, Readfield; Lin Reed, Augusta; Maisaa Alhorani, Augusta; Marcelino Chavez, South China; Marshall Cash, Mount Vernon; Matthew Morey, Augusta; Meadow Laflamme, Vassalboro; Megan Grenier, Oakland; Miranda Charest, Manchester; Mohamed Dakkak, Augusta; Nate Cagnon, Waterville; Nate Dennison, Pittston; Nathan Reichwald, Winthrop; Olivia Olson, Augusta; Owen Henry Dickey, Augusta; Paige Owen, Winslow; Phoenix Gatlin, Waterville; Sage Fortin, Augusta; Sage Poussard, Monmouth; Sam Basselet, Chelsea; Sam Bonner, Litchfield; Sarah Dearborn, Augusta; Sarah Marcoux, Winslow; Stephen Babb, Augusta; Tofi Habib, Augusta; Travis Letourneau, Winslow; Trinity Chrissman, Chelsea; Tristan Bieling, Augusta; Tyler Foster, Augusta; Whitney Churchill, Benton; William Floyd, Hallowell; Zahraa Alsubaihawi, Waterville

Knox

Addy Ruggieri, Warren; Aileen Studd, Hope; Ashley Lindsey, Union; Avery Martin, Union; Bailey Lash, Camden; Brady Proctor, Cushing; Cara Johnson, Union; Chloe Longobardi, Saint George; Grace Morris, Warren; Hope Mason, Union; Howard LaFlamme, Warren; Jane Hayes, Washington; Jesi Keene, Rockland; Julie Vigue, Warren; Kaden Harrison-Billiat, Appleton; Lydia Gurney, Appleton; Maddy Wilshire, Union; Margaret Gleasner, Appleton; Shae Darton, Washington; Stephen Carleton, Warren; Travis Fallin, Warren
Lincoln;Brooke Thayer, Whitefield; Hannah Roberts, Southport; Kat Aitken, Whitefield; Katie White, Whitefield; Kayden Ames, Southport; Kurt McNeil, Jefferson; Lucas Paradis, Wiscasset; Madalyn Mercer, Nobleboro; Melissa Abbott, Whitefield; Michaela Lewis, Waldoboro; Olivia Brann, Whitefield; Sabrina Roman, Waldoboro; Samantha Lewis, Dresden

Oxford

Amalia Feliciano, Bryant Pond; Andre Stutz, Denmark; Caralee Coburn, Otisfield; Daniel Day, Brownfield; Isabella Lane, Brownfield; Jayden Langelier, Norway; Noah Marston, Buckfield

Penobscot

Alexis Sweeney, Bangor; Angie Lewin, West Enfield; Arianna Ward, Dexter; Bailey Toner, Brewer; Ben Francis, Veazie; Breanna Harris, Bangor; Charlie Tucker, Orono; Christopher Martin, Dexter; CJ Cummings, East Millinocket; Claudia Hanlon, Dixmont; Danielle Blakeman, Eddington; Elizabeth Boothby, Hermon; Emily Field, Bangor; Emma Buck, Orono; Erynne Sauda, Bangor; Fern Weaver, Stetson; Fynn Dill, Old Town; Gabby Fields-Love, Indian Island; Hannah Sibley, Old Town; Joseph Leveille, Glenburn; Joshua Goncalves Radding, Charleston; Josiah Rodgerson, Patten; Josie Benner, Brewer; Kameil Nicolar, Alton; Kassidy Coker, Old Town; Kat Miller, Bangor; Kate Longtin, Brewer; Kearden Moncrieffe, Holden; Kristin Russell, East Millinocket; Mandy McCann, Glenburn; Maria Bowie, Millinocket; Mariah McGrath, Brewer; Mickenzie Landry, Patten; Mikayla Johnston, Bradley; Rhi Bousquet, Bangor; Sequoia Wachtler, Orrington; Taysia Maynard, Hermon; Veronica Otis, Veazie; Willow Russell, Corinth

Piscataquis

Eli Lane, Dovr Foxcroft; Kylie Larsen, Greenville

Sagadahoc

Audrey Nile, Bowdoinham; Ben DeMerchant, Woolwich; Cheyenne Hutchins, Bath; Christina Lilly, Bowdoin; Clara Wells, Richmond; Jacqueline Stahl, Bath; Kristina Jackson, Bath; Morgan Doten-Bagley, Topsham; Phillip Francine, Bowdoinham; Renea Vigue, Richmond

Somerset

Alicen Higgins, Fairfield; Alison Griffeth, Madison; Ashley Getchell, Norridgewock; Brooke Gallway, Pittsfield; Chad Turner, Palmyra; Doug Souza, Pittsfield; Gabrien Curtis, Skowhegan; Haleigh Mclain, Fairfield; Hillary Riedel, Palmyra; Isabelle Picard, Pittsfield; Jessika Bateman, Ripley; Joe Babbidge, Fairfield; Maize Post, Madison; Makayla Hargreaves, Madison; Nadia Morrison, Fairfield; Natalie Fletcher, Hartland; Rylan Richards, Fairfield; Skyla Dean, Pittsfield; Tasha Jencks-Ayres, Madison; Whitney Richardson, Athens

Waldo

Alyson Graffam, Liberty; April Del Greco, Winterport; Briana Waltman, Belfast; Caden Nickerson, Belfast; Chelsea Ketch, Belfast; Dawn Lucier, Belfast; Jesse Cowan, Belfast; Jullisa Blum, Troy; Kassie Coleman, Belfast; Keith Cloutier, Palermo; Liza Cookson, Searsmont; Olive Rowe, Palermo

Washington

Alex Mitchell, Calais; Ava Brennan, Calais; Irene Lewey, Pleasant Point; Lizmarlin Stokes, Steuben

York

Aidan Gagnon, Sanford; Andersen Indorf, Saco; Garret Smith, Old Orchard Beach; Joana Massanga, Old Orchard Beach; Maddie Gelinas, Lyman

National

Bella Petrocci, Schenectady, NY; Brennan Loewen, Barnstable, MA; Colby Taylor, Quincy, MA; Cynthia Greygor, Aldie, VA; Dominick Morey, Charlton, NY; Ethan Bove, Marlborough, CT; Gavin Abernathy, Tallahassee, FL; Jaesa Cornman, Kittanning, PA; James Redemann, Merrick, NY; Joshua King, Groveland, FL; Kuhle Madlokazi, Marlborough, NH; Leeann Bobadilla, Fort Benning, GA; Meghan Austin, Nashville, TN; Moe Perez, Fawn Grove, PA; Moriah Cowette, Orange Park, FL; Nathan Silliboy, Wichita Falls, TX; Nicholas Ceriello, Bay Shore, NY; Raven Ford, Linngrove, IN; Shawn Knudson, Abita Springs, LA; Walesca Lorenzo, Arlington, VA; Zach Fair, Udall, KS

International

Daniel Tewogbade, Felbridge, GBR; Marko Motolo, Belgrade, SRB; Oke Omaruaye, Abuja, NGA; Yu-An Lai, Taipei City, TWN

Part-Time Deanā€™s List

Androscoggin

Aleashia Judd, Leeds; Chelsea Holt, Sabattus; Chris Selmek, Wales; Debora Quinho, Lewiston; Heather Fugere, Poland; Julian Clements, Greene; Karla Mendoza Yanes, Auburn; Kirsten Cossar, Poland; Marwa Saeed, Lewiston; Norissa Alleano, Lewiston; Samantha Williams, Auburn; Sarah Stevens, Leeds; Virginia Keel, Auburn

Cumberland

Alyssa Setzer, Portland; Brittany Jackson, Scarborough; Christina Brink, Freeport; Dayna Staples, New Gloucester; Harleen Marwaha, Brunswick; Jenn Weed, Windham; Kristy Eyles, Naples; Kristy Lambert, Brunswick; Maggie Chipman, Yarmouth; Matt Fournier, Brunswick; Megan Brown, Westbrook; Nima Barkad, Yarmouth; Vania Pierre, Westbrook

Franklin

Amanda Goings, Farmington; Elizabeth Wilkins, New Sharon

Hancock

Amelia Silva, Blue Hill; Chris Fitch, Sullivan; Elizabeth Linnell Astbury, Mariaville; Hayley Landes, Bucksport; Ilona Rankin, Blue Hill; Jillian Guptill Knowles, Ellsworth; Kristina Hamblen, Bar Harbor; Misty Redman, Eastbrook; Nicholas Gray, Ellsworth; Tiara Lipton, Ellsworth

Kennebec

Aemilia Lester, Augusta; Alain Kanobayire, Winslow; Allie Young, Hallowell; Amenah Yaqoob, Augusta; Anesha Feeley, Augusta; Anju Ghimire, Augusta; Breanna Matusiak, Chelsea; Caroline Saucier, Monmouth; Casey Nadeau, Winslow; Caterina Bifulco, Waterville; Cooper Bernstein, Augusta; Dawn Faircloth, Winthrop; Hajar Al zoubi, Augusta; Hayle Warner, Monmouth; Izzy Martinez, Farmingdale; Jackie Mannochi, Chelsea; Jacob Williams, Farmingdale; Jim Morris, Vassalboro; Joanna Linscott, Windsor; Josh Trask, Augusta; Kate Rosenbaum, Winthrop; Lilly Spencer, Augusta; Liz Merriam, Waterville; Lyng Mata, Augusta; Maia Steinberg, Belgrade Lakes; Megan Bastey, Augusta; Meghan Rollins, Winthrop; Mina Bastola, Augusta; Molly Folsom, Fairfield; Morgan Anton, Waterville; Nolan Cartwright, Augusta; Sam Daniels, Sidney; Sam Wood, Litchfield; Sedra Hamadeh, Waterville; Shauntell Hassell, Augusta; Shay Yarns, Waterville; Timothy Grim, Augusta; Tisha York, Augusta; Zoey Bard, Hallowell

Knox

Abbey Shields, Spruce Head; Alexys Wilmot, Rockport; Danielle Ward, Warren; Davon Campbell, Warren; Dimitry Dubrovsky, Warren; Jillianne Waguli, Tenants Harbor; Joe Moore, Rockport; Makayla Swan, Warren; Mandi Karl, Warren; Matthew Pendleton, Warren; Nolan Myers, Warren; Reina Taracena, Thomaston; Roswell Furman, Warren; Taylor Yattaw-Dinsmore, Warren; Thomas Heaberlin, Warren

Lincoln

Christopher Brown, Jefferson; Haley Neal, Whitefield; Kim Peaslee, Somerville; Kurt Levesque, Nobleboro; Leah Hayes, Jefferson; Mary Hayden, Whitefield; Michael Meteer, Nobleboro; Rohan Glendinning, South Bristol

Oxford

Allison Gray, Rumford; Bailen Howe, Mexico; Bre Burgess, Mexico; Eli Johnson, Canton; Erin Child, Peru; Jade Garneau, Oxford; Lauren Henderson, Hartford

Penobscot

Allison Hincks, Bangor; Angela Rogers, Old Town; Ashley Labbay, Bangor; Bethany Cross, Newport; Birdie Sawyer, Bangor; Briana LeBretton, Bangor; Chelsea Putnam, Millinocket; Chris Fox, Hampden; Danyon Parsons, Carmel; Emily Austin, Levant; Emily Guy, Old Town; Fawn Dorr, Kenduskeag; Garrett Patchin, Bangor; Jeremy Bolduc, Millinocket; Joe Horvath, Carmel; Jordan Beach, Bangor; Karen Brown, Bangor; Kira Rock, East Millinocket; Noah St Pierre, Carmel; Patricia Allenwood, Bangor; Peter Curtis, Charleston; Rachel Richards, Brewer; Sam Gould, Dexter; Travis Morin, Hermon

Piscataquis

Amy Waugh, Dover Foxcroft; Katie Tirrell, Dover Foxcroft; Kenzi Pelletier, Derby; Mike Saunders, Dover Foxcroft; Taylor Renner, Sangerville

Sagadahoc

Adam Talbot, Topsham; John Lewis, Bowdoin; Nicole Glencross, Richmond

Somerset

Alexys Jones, Smithfield; Alysha Hassele, Canaan; Amanda Newell, Fairfield; Keegan Kapcar, Solon; Larrah St. Pierre, Skowhegan; Marlene Brackett, Norridgewock; Sarah Wheelock, Rockwood

Waldo

Ada Hunter, Frankfort; Bridget Bowen, Belmont; Katelyn Cloutier, Prospect; Katie Norsworthy, Belfast; Kelci Faulkingham, Belfast; Kristina Mitchell, Northport; Natasha Cornwall, Searsmont; Victoria Anderson, Liberty

Washington

Alison Crosby, Baileyville; Hannah Libby, Jonesport; Jacob Songer, Robbinston; Kerri Taylor, Steuben; Sara Bickford, Harrington

York

Barth Mayengo, Sanford; Bert Berry, Old Orchard Beach; Franklin James, Saco; Hayley Anne Campbell, Saco; Jessica Gagne, Biddeford; Kristi King, Sanford; Mary Ireland, Biddeford; Molly Brennan, Cornish; Nicole Pierrottet, Kennebunk; Sarah Lynn, Kennebunk; Trevor Prescott, Limington

National

Aiden Dow, Saint Robert, MO; Brian Masterson, Birmingham, AL; Erica Shanks, Tamworth, NH; Ernestine Daniels, Bainbridge, GA; Ethan Ross, Exmore, VA; Harmony Anderson, New Durham, NH; Hutch Hutchinson, Weare, NH; Ilena Martinez, Texas City, TX; Jess Reilly, Springfield, MO; Justin Hall, Kissimmee, FL; Ronald Mroz, Chicago, IL

Leigh Reagan Alley, coordinator of Teacher Education at the Ā鶹APP and creator of the xSELeratED Schools Framework, has been selected to join the 2026ā€“2027 Educators’ Neighborhood, an international community of practice hosted by the Fred Rogers Institute.

Educators’ Neighborhood is a highly collaborative, year-long virtual professional development program that brings together teachers, school leaders, librarians, higher education faculty and youth-serving professionals from around the world. More than a professional learning experience, the program is designed as a sustained community of practice where participants explore child development through the enduring wisdom of Fred Rogers while learning from one another’s diverse educational contexts.

Throughout the year, cohort members engage with original archival materials from the Fred Rogers Archiveā€”including speeches, writings, television episodes and other primary sourcesā€”to examine how timeless principles such as trust, curiosity, play, careful listening, belonging and healthy relationships can inform contemporary educational practice. Participants also contribute to ongoing dialogue about nurturing the conditions children need to learn and thrive.

The program is grounded in the Fred Rogers Institute’s Six Fundamentals of Learning and Growing: a sense of self-worth, a sense of trust, curiosity, the capacity to look and listen carefully, the capacity to play, and times of solitude. These principles, inspired by Fred Rogers’s work and refined through collaboration with educators from Educators’ Neighborhood, provide a framework for supporting children’s healthy development across classrooms, schools, families and communities.

For Alley, whose scholarship and leadership have centered on whole-child education, educator well-being, belonging and relationship-rich schools, the invitation reflects a natural alignment with her life’s work.

“Mister Rogers understood something our profession continually needs to remember: that learning begins with relationships,” Alley said. “I’m honored to join educators from around the world who are committed to helping children flourish by cultivating trust, curiosity, joy and genuine belonging. I look forward to learning from this remarkable community and bringing those insights back to Maine’s schools and to the educators I have the privilege of preparing.”

Alley serves as coordinator of Teacher Education at the Ā鶹APP, where she designed and leads the world’s first dedicated Master of Arts in Teaching in Whole Child Education. She is also the founder of the xSELeratED Schools Framework, a nationally recognized approach to social-emotional learning that integrates personal growth, healthy relationships and community responsibility. Her work as an educator, author and speaker focuses on helping schools become places where both children and the adults who nurture them can thrive.

Participation in Educators’ Neighborhood will further inform Alley’s ongoing work in teacher preparation, educational leadership, children’s literature and whole-child education while connecting Maine’s educational community with an international network dedicated to carrying forward Fred Rogers’s enduring legacy of compassion, reflection and relationship-centered learning.

The Ā鶹APP’s Dental Assisting, Expanded Function Dental Assisting, and Dental Hygiene programs are celebrating a standout year. Students across all three programs completed rigorous coursework and secured job offers before graduation. Graduates of the Dental Assisting and Expanded Function Dental Assisting programs achieved a 100% pass rate on the national exams required to enter the profession. Dental Hygiene graduates earned a 100% pass rate on their clinical board exam. 

In Dental Assisting and Expanded Function Dental Assisting, all 17 students passed their board exams. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam, a nationally recognized credential that validates a dental assistantā€™s technical expertise, clinical knowledge, and commitment to patient care and safety. Passing the DANB exam is widely seen as a standard of excellence in the field and can open the door to expanded duties and higher earning potential for entryā€‘level assistants. 

ā€œBecause Ā鶹APP dental assisting program is the only accredited program of its kind in the state, our students are highly sought after,ā€ said Courtney Noonan, assistant professor of dental health. ā€œAll of our dental assisting students at both the Bangor and Lewiston locations received multiple job offers and secured job placement upon graduation.ā€ 

The Dental Hygiene Class of 2026 posted similarly impressive results. 19 students were enrolled in the cohort, and nearly all completed their Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene degree requirements on time, with one student taking an approved incomplete for personal reasons and is set to finish by December 2026. 

All 19 students took and passed the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Hygiene Simulated Patient Treatment Clinical Examination, earning a 100% clinical board pass rate. Four graduates are already planning to continue their education by enrolling in Ā鶹APP Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program this summer and fall. Every graduate received at least one job offer before walking across the stage.

ā€œOur 2026 graduates are continuing UMA Dental Hygieneā€™s strong tradition of excellence. In recent years our students have consistently achieved perfect clinical boardā€‘exam pass rates, and most choose to stay and practice right here in Maine. This class is helping meet a critical workforce need and expanding access to essential oral health services across the state,ā€ said Nancy Foster, Dental Hygiene program coordinator.

Maine faces a critical shortage of allied dental professionals, with demand rising as the workforce shrinks. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the stateā€™s dental hygienist workforce declined by roughly 200 workers between 2019 and 2023, a trend described as a ā€œcritical shortageā€ in 2025 legislative testimony. The need has grown since MaineCareā€™s 2022 expansion added 200,000 eligible adults, while many dental practices continue to face hiring challenges.

UMA is helping meet that need as a central partner in Maineā€™s dental workforce strategy. Notably, UMA offers the only accredited dental hygiene and dental assisting programs at a public institution in Maine. Through allied dental programs and clinics in Bangor, Lewiston, and soon Presque Isle, UMA is expanding access to training, investing in facilities and student support, growing enrollment, and providing targeted scholarships and exam-fee assistance. With its latest graduates achieving 100% job placement, UMA is preparing more hygienists, dental assistants, and expanded function dental assistants to serve high-need communities across Maine.

For all three allied dental programs, the classroom and clinic achievements translated directly into employment, underscoring the close alignment between Ā鶹APP programs and employer needs. As demand for oral health services continues to rise, and as the state looks to address ongoing workforce shortages, graduates of Ā鶹APP dental programs are driving the future of patient care and strengthening access to dental care in communities across Maine.

UMA has earned full federal PEP certification, clearing the way for many more incarcerated students to earn a degree.

The Ā鶹APP has received official certification from the U.S. Department of Education as a federally approved Prison Education Program. The certification lifts the funding caps UMA operated under for years and expands access to Pell Grants, making it possible for the university to serve many more incarcerated students than it can today.

The restriction it removes is decades old. For nearly 30 years, incarcerated people were denied Pell Grants under a 1994 congressional ban. A later pilot program allowed UMA and other schools to offer Pell-supported courses behind bars, but only under tight restrictions and financial caps. The 2020 FAFSA Simplification Act lifted the ban, though institutions still had to complete a lengthy certification process to qualify. UMA has now cleared it.

For Pamela MacRae, associate provost and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the significance comes down to reach. “The U.S. Department of Educationā€™s approval of UMA as a Pell-eligible Prison Education Program marks a transformative milestone for our institution,” she said. “By lifting previous funding caps, this allows us to expand our reach far beyond the students we currently serve. We are proud to work with the MDOC, break down financial barriers for justice-impacted students, and provide life-changing educational pathways that support opportunities for successful community reentry.”

The case for that reach is in the results, as Jonathan Henry, vice president of enrollment and institutional effectiveness, explains. “As a public university, it is our duty to serve Maine citizens and support their educational aspirations. We are proud that this nationally recognized prison education program is altering the lives of hundreds of residents in our correctional facilities. We know from MDOC that the return-to-custody rate of PEP graduates is under 5 percent, whereas statewide the return rate is 25.5 percent over a comparable tracking period. It is strong evidence that a college education is transformative.”

The impact of the program is visible in what students do after graduation. UMA PEP alumnus T. Tyler Thibeau. Named UMA’s 2026 Interdisciplinary Studies Student of the Year, he completed his sentence and his bachelor’s degree, and enrolled in a graduate computer science program at the University of Maine, where he is pursuing both a master’s and a Ph.D. “UMA showed me the light within myself,” he said. “They gave me the space and encouragement to shed toxic layers, rediscover my curiosity and love of learning, and use that to become a researcher working to reduce recidivism.”

At the 2026 PEP commencement, graduate Jomo White looked to the future. “I don’t plan to look for opportunities. I plan to create them. We can accomplish tremendous things beyond these gates.” And Dustin Carpenter, who spent ten long years earning his Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree, expressed his gratitude to the instructors and staff who made reaching this milestone possible. “Thank you for treating our minds as something valuable,” he said. 

What began in 2006 as a single classroom funded by one philanthropist now reaches roughly 150 students enrolled across seven MDOC sites, pursuing degrees in business administration, computer information systems, mental health and human services, music, and more. With federal certification now in place, more justice-impacted students than ever can earn a degree and, with it, the foundation to build a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. 

For more information about the UMA Prison Education Partnership, visit.

The Ā鶹APP has become the first university in Maine to earn national accreditation for Early College courses taught in partner high schools and career and technical education centers.

The recognition comes from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, the only national accrediting body focused specifically on college courses that high school students take in their own schools. For students and families, the accreditation offers added confidence that these UMA courses meet rigorous college-level standards and give students a meaningful head start before graduation.

ā€œThe Early College program at UMA has always been a powerful launchpad for Maine high school students,ā€ said Christine Knight, UMA director of Early College programs and assistant registrar for degree progress. ā€œMany who didn’t initially see themselves as ā€˜college materialā€™ have thrived in our program, raising their aspirations and opening doors they thought were closed. NACEP Accreditation shows students and families that they are receiving a true university experience right in their high school classrooms.ā€

finds that students who took early college courses have higher firstā€‘year GPAs and higher firstā€‘year retention rates at UMS universities than comparable students with no early college. 

Beginning with the class of 2027, eligible high school students may earn up to 18 lifetime credits tuition-free through the stateā€™s Aspirations Tuition Waiver Program. This past year, UMA Early College served 1,692 students from 129 Maine high schools, career and technical education centers, and homeschool settings. Together, they earned 7,950 UMA credit hours.

To earn this accreditation, UMA completed a two-year program evaluation, submitted hundreds of pieces of evidence documenting how the program met NACEPā€™s 16 standards, and underwent a year-long independent peer review process.

ā€œBecause we have proven our program’s exceptional quality, rigor, and oversight to the nation’s only early college concurrent enrollment accrediting body, these credits are much more likely to seamlessly transfer wherever our students choose to matriculate,ā€ Knight said.

Ā鶹APP accreditation comes as Maineā€™s public universities continue to expand Early College access, with 5,723 high school students participating across the University of Maine System this academic year. As the first institution in Maine to earn NACEP accreditation for its Concurrent Enrollment program, UMA is helping lead the way, with at least four other UMS universities planning to pursue the same recognition in the coming year.

ā€œThis is a major achievement for UMA and an important milestone for Early College in Maine,ā€ said Joseph Szakas, Ā鶹APP vice president of academic affairs and provost. He said the accreditation highlights the impact of Ā鶹APP Early College program on students and recognizes the dedication of the faculty, staff, and school partners behind it.

More information about UMA Early College is available at.

Each June 20, the United Nations observes World Refugee Day to recognize the courage, strength and contributions of refugees and displaced people around the world. It is a moment to reflect on the experience of leaving home under duress and on the determination it takes to rebuild.

This yearā€™s observance comes amid ongoing global displacement. According to the, 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced as of mid-2025. Conflict, persecution and instability continue to force millions from their homes. Behind each number is a person navigating unfamiliar systems, environments and languages, and finding a way forward.

Refugees and New Mainers in Maine

People come to Maine through many different pathways and with many different stories. The term ā€œNew Mainersā€ often refers to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and others from other countries who now call Maine home. 

Maine is home to approximately 53,000 to 56,000 immigrants, or about 4% of the stateā€™s population. They contribute to health care, education, agriculture, construction and many other parts of Maineā€™s economy, bringing professional experience, multilingual skills and community leadership.

Recent federal funding changes and operational shifts have affected refugee resettlement and immigrant services in Maine, making community organizations, educational institutions and state programs even more important for people already here.

Education as a pathway: Ā鶹APP role

For people rebuilding after displacement, education can offer structure, connection and a way to carry existing knowledge into a new context. At UMA, flexible courses, advising and student support services help learners move forward in ways that fit their lives.

Some UMA students, staff and faculty have experienced displacement or immigration systems firsthand. Their experiences, skills and leadership strengthen the university and the broader community, bringing perspective and purpose to classrooms, workplaces and civic life.

Resources for New Mainers

and .

Check out local events commemorating World Refugee Day on Ā鶹APP Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of World Refugee Day in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to help promote inclusion and belonging in our community.