As UMA celebrates 60 years of expanding opportunity across Maine, we continue sharing the stories of the people who bring that mission to life.

Rachel Dollahan knew exactly what she was looking for in a degree and just as importantly, what she was not willing to compromise. Working full-time and living out of state, she needed a program that could meet her where she was and stay true to her passion for library science. Through Âé¶čAPP online Information and Library Science program, she found that fit along with something more lasting: a mentor who believed in her, a community that made distance feel smaller, and a sense of confidence she now passes on to the students she supports every day.

We asked Rachel to share more about his journey to UMA and what inspires him in the classroom.

How are you connected to UMA?

Alumni

What was your program of study, year of graduation, and official degree title?

Information and Library Science, graduated December 2021, Bachelor’s of Information and Library Sciences

Thinking back to when you enrolled, what made UMA the right fit for your life at that time?

I live in Illinois, so I was looking for an online program, because I work full-time and online learning works around my schedule. A lot of universities don’t have an actual ILS Bachelor’s program, because librarians usually get their Bachelor’s in something else; I didn’t want to study anything else! So I was already interested in the program, but what sold me was the tuition. Your tuition prices for out-of-state online students were just too good to be true. No other college was offering such discounted tuition for online students.

How did your UMA experience specifically help you transition into your career or the next phase of your life? (Did a certain internship, professor, or project pave the way?)

Dr. Jodi Kosakowski was instrumental in my current success. While I only had a handful of one-on-one video calls with her, her support and encouragement got me through those days when I thought I couldn’t do it. And I have tapped into those memories of encouragement whenever I’m struggling with imposter syndrome in my career. She very obviously cares about each student, and I will forever sing her praises!

How do you see the impact of your education showing up in your life today—not just at work, but in your community or how you see the world?

So while I have an ILS degree, I currently work for the TRIO Upward Bound program, helping high school students prepare for college. I love to share my UMA experience with my students for several reasons: to show how great online programs can be, to show that the path to higher education is different for everyone (I got my degree in my late 30s), and to, of course, promote the ILS program to my library-curious students! But most importantly, I get to be a Dr. Kosakowski to these teenagers now, and that may be the most rewarding part of my job.

What is something surprising or meaningful you learned at UMA that has stayed with you long after graduation?

That education, and access to education, is for everyone, no matter their gender, race, religion, economic status, etc. Even as an online student, I met people from across the country! Different cultures, different religions, different dialects! And what we all had in common was a passion for learning and libraries. As I stated above, your tuition rates for out-of-state online students were insanely affordable. If I had not found your program, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to go back to school. To me, that shows that UMA actually wants students to have access to education by making it affordable!

What advice would you give to current students (or those considering your field) to help them succeed?

I tell all my high school students about college: TALK TO YOUR PROFESSORS! First off, they WANT to help you! That’s why they are there! Secondly, getting to know your professors will teach you things about the field that you won’t learn in your textbooks. These are experts in the field, and the wealth of knowledge they hold is worth every penny you pay in tuition.

When you look back at your UMA journey from where you are now, what makes you most proud?

Now this is a tough question. I am so proud to be a Moose, and I honestly can’t pick one reason. The support I was shown, the knowledge I gained, and the people I met (faculty and fellow students) have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I can’t say enough great things about UMA (trust me, my students get sick of it, lol)!

Is there anything else about your UMA experience that you would like to share?

Sometimes, being an online student can feel isolating. I was hundreds of miles from campus, and yet I felt so involved. You offered activities for online students, like an online scavenger hunt (I won a t-shirt!), or when you sent out hot cocoa bomb-making kits to everyone. I once got an online student care package with all kinds of goodies! I have never heard of a university caring so much about its online students, and it made me feel like I was part of the student body, not just an afterthought. I can’t express how much I valued that. And I should mention, most of those things were pre-COVID, so it’s not like you all started doing that when everyone had to be online, lol. You already had systems in place for an inclusive online learning experience.

For 60 years, UMA has focused on making education accessible; today, Rachel carries that mission forward by proving that the path to a degree is open to everyone, regardless of where they start.

As the Âé¶čAPP celebrates 60 years of expanding opportunity across Maine, we continue sharing the stories of the people who bring that mission to life.

We asked Sammy to reflect on her time at UMA, the lessons that stayed with her after graduation and how those experiences continue to shape her perspective today.

How are you connected to UMA?:

Alumni

What degree did you earn at UMA and what are you doing now?

I got a bachelor’s degree in Social Science with a concentration in Psychology. Currently, I am an Administrative Assistant CL3, in Enrollment Services at UMA

Thinking back to when you enrolled, what made UMA the right fit for your life at that time?

When I enrolled, UMA felt like the right fit because it offered flexibility, affordability, and a strong sense of community. I was at a point where I wanted to explore my interests while still working toward a practical degree, and Âé¶čAPP class structure and approachable faculty made that possible.

How did your UMA experience specifically help you transition into your career or the next phase of your life? (Did a certain internship, professor, or project pave the way?)

My experience at UMA helped me build strong communication, organization, and critical-thinking skills. Professors were especially impactful as they encouraged me to think critically, ask questions, and take confidence in my abilities, which helped me transition smoothly into the professional world.

How do you see the impact of your education showing up in your life today—not just at work, but in your community or how you see the world?

My education at UMA helped me understand that there isn’t just one “right” path, either professionally or personally. It showed me that people can be successful in many different ways, and that growth often comes from being open to new approaches and perspectives. I’m more open-minded, adaptable, and confident in making a path that fits my goals, rather than feeling pressured to follow a single definition of success.

What is something surprising or meaningful you learned at UMA that has stayed with you long after graduation?

One meaningful lesson that stayed with me is the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning. UMA showed me that growth doesn’t look the same for everyone, and that success can come from taking different paths. Learning how to revise my thinking, reflect on my work, and keep improving has stayed with me long after graduation.

What advice would you give to current students (or those considering your field) to help them succeed?

My advice would be to take advantage of your professors and campus resources because they truly want to help you succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, revise your work, or step outside your comfort zone. Also, focus on building transferable skills like communication, time management, and adaptability since they will serve you well no matter where your career takes you. Most importantly, take chances and opportunities when you get them!

As UMA celebrates this milestone, what is your hope for the next generation of students entering your program?

My hope is that future students continue to feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to explore their interests. I hope they see UMA as a place where they can discover their strengths, build confidence, and prepare for meaningful careers and lives beyond graduation.

When you look back at your UMA journey from where you are now, what makes you most proud?

I am most proud of how much I grew, academically, personally, and professionally. I entered UMA still figuring out my direction, and I left with stronger confidence in myself and my abilities. Completing my degree while balancing other responsibilities showed me what I’m capable of, and that sense of accomplishment continues to motivate me today.

Sammy’s journey reflects the encouragement and growth she found at UMA. Today, as part of the Enrollment Services team, she helps contribute to the supportive environment that welcomes students at the start of their own journeys.

A Conversation with Rion Turner, UMA Class of 2020, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Management

The conversation below is abridged from the podcast.

At 40, Rion Turner decided to start again. What began as a bold move from a long career abroad led him to the Âé¶čAPP, where he discovered a new sense of direction, a passion for learning, and a career he loves.

Q: How did you find your way to UMA?
I grew up in Southern California and joined the Army right after high school, serving in Germany. When my service ended, I stayed in Germany and worked for years in hospitality and restaurants. But as I hit 40, I knew I needed a change.

My sister mentioned UMA, this “quirky little school” in Augusta, Maine, and told me how supportive it was of veterans and what she called “non-traditional students.” At first, I thought, “What does that mean? You’re either a student or you’re not!” But once I understood, I realized that was me. So in 2015, I left Berlin and moved to Maine to start my next chapter.

Q: What was it like starting out at UMA?
Well, on my first day, someone actually mistook me for a professor — probably because of my gray hair! That gave us all a laugh. But right away, I also realized I needed to brush up on math. The Mathematics Lab became a game-changer for me. Not only did I get the support I needed, but I also discovered I was pretty good at it. Before long, I was working there as a tutor myself. The Math Lab really became my “happy place;” a community where I could give back.

Q: Were there any courses that really made an impact on you?
Two, in particular: Organizational Behavior and Capstone, both with Dean Brenda McAleer. In Capstone, our class did a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of UMA and identified opportunities like graduate programs and student housing. A few years later, I looked around and saw those very things had become reality. That was pretty exciting to witness.

Q: How did your career unfold after UMA?
During my junior and senior years, I worked for the State of Maine in professional licensing. It was a valuable experience, but I knew it wasn’t quite my path. A relative encouraged me to apply to Bath Iron Works. At first, I thought, “You don’t want me welding or bending metal!” But I soon learned there were administrative roles too.

I applied for an estimator job and landed it. That’s where I’ve been ever since. I’ve been promoted a few times and am now working on cost proposals for the Navy’s DDG51 destroyer programs. It’s challenging and rewarding work.

Q: You went on to earn your MBA. What was that like?
Yes, I graduated from UMA in 2020, right during COVID, and thought, “Why not keep going?” I applied to the MBA program at the University of Maine in Orono. Most of it was online, so I could work full-time. It took me four years instead of two, but I finished in 2024.

What I found was that my UMA education prepared me really well. I could “hang with the best of them.” It wasn’t easy, but I was ready for it, and Bath Iron Works even supported me financially.

Q: What advice would you give current or future UMA students?

Choose practical education. What I learned at UMA is useful in my daily job, even now.

Master Excel. I use it everyday in my job.

Be willing to change. A boss once told me, “You either love it, you change it, or you leave it.” I couldn’t change my life in Berlin, so I left it; and that choice led me here. Today, I can honestly say I love my life.

We at URock would like to shine a spotlight on one of our amazing Alumni who loved UMA enough to stay!

Virginia LaFlamme graduated in 2023 with a degree in Liberal Studies. She is now an invaluable part of the UMA team as our Marketing Content Specialist!

Of her time as a student at UMA, Virginia says:

“I had always wanted to finish my bachelor’s degree, and when the pandemic paused my 25-year career, I finally had the opportunity. I chose UMA for its affordability and flexible online options—but what truly surprised me was the extraordinary quality of the faculty and staff. Their expertise, kindness, and genuine commitment to my success made all the difference. I never felt like just another student; I felt supported, seen, and inspired every step of the way.”

Thank you, Virginia, for all the marvelous work you’ve done for UMA!

At URock and the broader UMA community, there is no shortage of amazing success stories from Alumni who continue to make UMA proud through their grit and perseverance.

This week, we would like to shine a spotlight on Anna Carpenter, a two-time Knox County Legislative Memorial Scholarship winner and a recent URock grad. Of her time at UMA, Carpenter says:

“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to return to school, so I started with an Adult Education class. I did so well that the instructor asked me to take her second-level course at UMA. I was very hesitant, as I swore I would never go back to school. It was fear that kept me away, and the belief I wasn’t smart enough, and I was too old (48 at the time).

Over the past five years (yup, took me five), I have learned so much about myself. It turns out that I am very smart! I have a strong desire to learn and feed my brain. After some practice, I learned how to budget my time, discipline myself with my assignments, ask for help when I needed it, and keep pushing forward no matter how hard it felt.

I ended up excelling in my journey at UMA. I have become a very strong woman; I have the utmost confidence in myself now and know that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. I feel very capable of reaching any goal that I give myself.

I plan to apply what I’ve learned in my time at UMA and take it to the next level by applying to graduate school. I’m definitely nervous, but also very excited because I know that I can do the work and be successful thanks to UMA.”

Thank you, Anna, for sharing your journey and being such a wonderful part of the UMA Rockland Community!

Their journey began when they met in the architecture studio at UMA. Élise, originally from Canada, found UMA to be the perfect fit. “It was a quality program and the people were welcoming and supportive, which was especially important for me as an international student,” she said. Ben, a Maine native, was drawn to the program’s hands-on approach and strong foundation in building science. “I knew I wanted to do something with construction or real estate,” he explained. “I appreciated how the program blended creativity with building science and practical design.”

Élise graduated in 2018, and, after Ben’s graduation in 2020, they launched their business. What began with house flips during a hot real estate market has grown into a full-service renovation and restoration company that focuses on historic preservation, general contracting, and investment property remodeling. 

Their work blends period craftsmanship with modern building practices, all while honoring the original character of the spaces they touch. Their first major project, a deteriorating 1875 Italianate home on Lincoln Street, became a defining moment. “It was a privilege to be able to save the home and restore it to its former glory while preserving and rehabilitating its original moldings, the grand staircase, marble fireplace and other important details.”

Since then, Élise and Ben continue to take on a variety of projects across Central Maine—transforming homes, restoring older spaces and retrofitting vintage structures without erasing their stories.

That thoughtful, respectful approach extends to how they collaborate with homeowners. “Every home already has a certain standard of craftsmanship,” said Élise, “and we work hard to match it.”

Beyond their restoration work, Élise and Ben are helping meet real needs in the communities they serve, not just by preserving history but also creating pathways to stability and belonging. Élise serves on the board of Row House, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting Hallowell’s architectural and cultural heritage. Additionally, the pair renovate and manage rental properties to help meet local housing needs, and they are working to build modest, high-quality homes in Farmington to help older adults age in place comfortably. 

Through each project, they demonstrate how architecture can be a force for renewal by revitalizing spaces, supporting lives and strengthening the fabric of Maine communities. Thanks to alumni like Élise Bolduc and Ben Hitchcock, Âé¶čAPP impact continues to grow—one home, one family and one neighborhood at a time.