Maine’s cybersecurity workforce needs continue to grow, and the Â鶹APP is responding with education designed around real-world demand.

The Maine Cyber Range at UMA was recently featured on Maine Life Media’s “The Maine Business Show” for its role in preparing cybersecurity professionals to meet Maine’s growing workforce needs, highlighting hands-on learning and real-world scenarios to prepare students for high-demand roles across the state.

“Cybersecurity continues to be one of the most in-demand fields in Maine,” UMA President Jenifer Cushman said. “Our responsibility is to prepare students with the skills, experience and confidence to step into the roles employers need to fill now, and the cyber range is central to that preparation.”

For employers, the result is a talent pipeline shaped by real-world practice and readiness from day one. Range Director and Professor of Cybersecurity and Computer Information Systems Henry Felch said the results are clear. “Every student who has served as a range operator has secured employment prior to graduation, reflecting both the strength of experiential learning and Â鶹APP employer partnerships across the state.”

The Maine Cyber Range feature appears in of “The Maine Business Show.”

National recognition positions UMA as a leader in cybersecurity training and workforce pathways

UMA, a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to expand Maine’s cybersecurity workforce with a focus on protecting critical infrastructure.

Maine currently has more than 2,300 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, according to CyberSeek, leaving employers unable to fill nearly a third of available positions. This initiative will help close that gap by expanding training pathways that include new microcredentials in industrial control systems and operational technology, registered apprenticeships, and intensive boot camps.

Led by Henry Felch, professor of cybersecurity and computer information systems and director of the Maine Cyber Range at UMA, the project will also expand and formalize the Maine Cybersecurity Alliance and broaden access to certification testing and cyber range simulations. UMA will train 40 to 60 participants, with a goal of placing at least 70 percent in cybersecurity positions within six months of program completion.

UMA is one of 18 institutions nationwide selected for funding through NIST’s Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development program. The award will fund Â鶹APP project, Building Maine’s Cyber Workforce Through Regional Pathways. The two-year, $434,820 initiative is supported by this federal grant and institutional contributions.

“Maine’s geography and dispersed infrastructure create unique cybersecurity challenges, particularly for water systems, healthcare providers and rural utilities,” said Henry Felch. “This initiative will provide targeted training that strengthens our workforce and helps protect the systems communities rely on every day.”

The project brings together a coalition of partners that includes the Maine National Guard, Greater Augusta Utility District, Tyler Technologies, Southern Maine Community College, Northern Maine Community College and several career and technical education schools. These partners will contribute to curriculum development, apprenticeships and advisory board service.

“By investing in cybersecurity education and workforce development, we are investing in the security and resilience of our communities,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “This award recognizes Â鶹APP leadership in creating accessible pathways into this vital field and reinforces our role in preparing Maine’s workforce for the future.”

Through the initiative, UMA will expand training on the SimSpace cyber range, open a new Pearson VUE certification center to increase access to industry exams, and strengthen outreach to learners from diverse and underserved communities, including those in rural areas. Outcomes will be shared at Â鶹APP annual Cybersecurity Workforce Summit, at national conferences such as NIST’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Conference and Expo, and through published case studies. The long-term goal is to create a model that other rural regions across the country can replicate.

The program period runs from October 2025 through September 2027.

The Â鶹APP is celebrating its 60th anniversary; six decades of transforming lives and strengthening communities. Since 1965, UMA has opened doors for learners of every age and background, and today that mission is carried forward with new facilities, new programs and new connections that prepare students for the future while supporting Maine’s workforce and communities.

A capital center for Maine’s workforce

This fall, UMA opened the Capital Center for Nursing and Cybersecurity Workforce Development. The 21,000-square-foot center, located in the Marketplace at Augusta directly across from Â鶹APP main campus, features advanced simulation labs for nursing, a 3,000-square-foot cybersecurity training facility and collaborative classrooms, giving students real-world training environments that mirror the workplace they will enter. The $7.15 million renovation of the former Purdue Global site was made possible through Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Collins, current chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King, at the request of the University of Maine System, along with a $480,000 gift from MaineGeneral Health and led by Lavallee Brensinger Architects and Consigli Construction Co., Inc. 

This new space is built to give students the skills and confidence to excel in some of Maine’s most in-demand careers. “The Capital Center represents UMA at its best, educating students with innovative tools and experiences that connect directly to careers,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “It allows us to expand our programs, welcome more students, and strengthen Maine’s workforce in healthcare and cybersecurity.”

Maine is on track to face a shortage of nearly 3,000 nurses by 2030. To help meet that need, Â鶹APP expanded nursing labs accommodate educating up to 400 students each year. These state-of-the-art spaces give future nurses hands-on experience with everything from everyday care to advanced procedures, all in realistic hospital settings—so they’re fully prepared to step into real-world roles with skill and confidence.

Cybersecurity students are gaining equally valuable experience in their new classrooms and at the Maine Cyber Range, one of the most advanced training environments in New England. Here, they get to practice defending live systems against simulated threats — the very work they’ll do to protect Maine’s businesses, municipalities and health care systems.

Nursing student Chloe Wilson said the new labs feel “just like stepping into a real hospital.” Cybersecurity graduate student Sarah Cook-Wheeler added that the training “lets us practice the same kind of work we’ll be doing to protect Maine’s businesses and communities.”

Expanding student life in Hallowell

Growth in these programs is also creating opportunities in Hallowell. UMA is partnering with Mastway Development to add new student housing at Stevens Commons, opening fall 2027. With 60 beds and a full-service dining hall, more students can share in campus life and feel connected to each other and the community.

That means more students enjoying downtown, visiting local businesses, and becoming part of the daily rhythm of a town that has long welcomed UMA learners as neighbors and friends.

Honoring the past, building the future

As UMA celebrates six decades of opportunity and transformation, our commitment is as strong as ever: meeting students where they are, preparing them for meaningful careers and strengthening the communities they call home. From the Capital Center to Stevens Commons, UMA is proud to stand with Augusta, Hallowell and all of Maine as both a trusted neighbor and a catalyst for progress.

When Chloe Wilson walks into the Â鶹APP’s new Capital Center for Nursing and Cybersecurity Workforce Development, it feels less like a classroom and more like the workplace she’s preparing to enter.

“Training in the new simulation labs feels like stepping into a real hospital,” said Wilson, a nursing student in the Class of 2026. “It gives me the confidence to know I’ll be ready to care for patients on day one.”

Her experience is echoed on the other side of the building, where graduate student Sarah Cook-Wheeler is sharpening her skills in Â鶹APP new cybersecurity lab. “The new cybersecurity lab lets us practice on the same kinds of systems we’ll be working with in the field,” she said. “It’s preparing me for a career where I know I’ll make a difference.”

Together, their stories capture the purpose of Â鶹APP newest investment — a 21,000-square-foot facility that opened this week with the support of Maine’s congressional delegation, state leaders, and community partners. The Capital Center combines cutting-edge nursing simulation labs, a 3,000-square-foot cybersecurity hub, and collaborative classrooms, giving students hands-on preparation for two of Maine’s most pressing workforce needs.

A ribbon cut with purpose

At the opening ceremony, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King joined UMA leaders, the University of Maine System, and MaineGeneral Health to celebrate what many described as a forward-looking investment.

“The Capital Center represents UMA at its best, educating students with innovative tools and experiences that connect directly to careers,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “It allows us to expand our programs, welcome more students and strengthen Maine’s workforce in health care and cybersecurity.”

The Capital Center is a $7.15 million renovation of the former Purdue Global site, made possible through congressionally directed spending in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 secured by Sen. Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Sen. King at the request of the University of Maine System (UMS). Additional support of $480,000 from MaineGeneral Health is helping UMA expand its nursing program to take full advantage of the new facility and prepare more nurses for Maine’s workforce.

For Collins, who helped secure the federal funding, the impact is clear. “Maine’s future depends on expanding our highly skilled workforce, especially in fields like health care and cybersecurity,” she said. “I was proud to secure federal funding for the UMA Capital Center, which will increase opportunities for students to gain the hands-on training they need to succeed in these critical roles.”

King echoed the sentiment, calling the center “a powerful example of what happens when we invest in innovation and work together to meet 21st century challenges.”

Building cybersecurity talent

For Â鶹APP cybersecurity program, the new lab marks a dramatic step forward. What was once a single classroom has become a modern training space equipped with the tools to mirror real-world systems and provide workshops for Maine businesses and municipalities.

“Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields in the country, and Maine needs skilled professionals to keep our businesses, municipalities and communities safe,” said UMA Professor Henry Felch. “This new lab gives our students the kind of training they will experience in the workforce and prepares them to lead in a field where the stakes are high.”

Cook-Wheeler sees the difference already. “It’s preparing me for a career where I know I’ll make a difference,” she said.

Meeting the nursing shortage head-on

On the health care side, Â鶹APP nursing program has grown from 91 students in 2019 to 271 in 2024, with capacity now expected to reach more than 400 within four years. That growth comes at a critical time: Maine is projected to face a shortage of more than 2,800 registered nurses by 2030.

“Every simulation and lab experience in this new space will ensure our students are practice-ready upon graduation,” said UMA Director of Nursing Shannon Gauvin. “With expanded capacity and the latest technology, we can educate more nurses who are confident, compassionate and ready to deliver excellent patient care to all of the communities we serve.”

Community partners see the impact too. “MaineGeneral is proud to partner with UMA on this project,” said Chief Nursing Officer at MaineGeneral Health Jennifer Riggs. “The Capital Center makes it possible for more students to access high-quality training, and our community will benefit from more well-prepared nurses entering the workforce.”

A future-focused campus

The ribbon cutting brought together leaders, partners, faculty and students for tours and demonstrations showcasing the new training opportunities. Classes begin next week.

To further support student growth, UMA is partnering with Mastway Development on a new residence hall in nearby Hallowell, set to open in fall 2027. The facility will add 60 beds and a dining hall, expanding Â鶹APP ability to offer a vibrant residential experience alongside its workforce training.

For students like Wilson and Cook-Wheeler, the Capital Center is already more than a building. It’s a place where their futures, and Maine’s, come into sharper focus.

You’ll have the opportunity to view our cutting-edge facilities that will better serve student and workforce needs, and learn more about Â鶹APP nursing and cybersecurity programs and their impact on the health and wellbeing of Maine’s people, communities and economy.

This project is made possible by Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King at the request of the University of Maine System, and the generosity of MaineGeneral Health.

This event is open to anyone who wants to attend (all students, faculty, staff, and the general public). For more information, contact Carolyn Anderson at carolyn.anderson@maine.edu.

“AI has the morality of a hammer,” an opinion piece by UMA Lecturer of Data Science and Machine Learning Rocko Graziano, was recently published in the . It explores the question is AI is capable of morality, or is it simply a reflection of the people who create and use it? Graziano challenges the idea that artificial intelligence can—or should—hold ethical responsibility, arguing that the real issue lies in human hands. As AI continues to shape everything from hiring practices to newsfeeds, its biases mirror our own. to explore why the future of AI isn’t about making machines moral—it’s about making better choices ourselves.

The Â鶹APP (UMA) celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking on Dec. 11 for the UMA Capital Center for Nursing and Cybersecurity Workforce Development, which will house state-of-the-art facilities for the university’s in-demand nursing and cybersecurity programs. Renovations of the former Purdue University Global site, located in the Marketplace at Augusta directly across from UMA’s main campus, are expected to be completed in the fall of 2025. This $7.15 million expansion will increase enrollment, enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students and enable UMA to produce more career-ready professionals for the Maine workforce.

Funding and Support

Funding for the $7.15 million Capital Center includes:

• $4.5 million in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) secured for UMA at the request of the University of Maine System (UMS) by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King. 

• $2.65 million allocated to UMA from $4.5 million in FY23 CDS secured for UMS for nursing simulation expansion and enhancements across the System by U.S. Sens. Collins and King.

• Additionally, MaineGeneral Health will contribute $480,000 over four years to expand Â鶹APP nursing program.

U.S. Sens. Collins and King highlighted the importance of Â鶹APP Capital Center in addressing Maine’s urgent need for skilled professionals in health care and cybersecurity, while fostering innovation, education and a brighter future for the state.

“The UMA Capital Center for Nursing and Cybersecurity Workforce Development will strengthen Maine’s health care labor force and improve patient care while addressing critical workforce needs in cybersecurity,” said Senator Collins. “As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked to secure funding for this project, which will provide essential training for skilled nurses and cybersecurity professionals.”

“Health care and cybersecurity are two of the fields where Maine is facing a sizable shortfall in our state workforce,” said Senator King, co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. “The Â鶹APP’s new Capital Center will be critical to ensuring we broaden our ability to deliver excellent health care and strengthen our cybersecurity response—and I know Maine students have the skills and knowledge to rise to the challenge. I’m proud to have helped secure the necessary federal funding to get this project off the ground, and am excited to hear all the success stories that will emerge from these new programs.”

UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy and UMA President Jenifer Cushman expressed their deep appreciation and shared their optimism for the impact of Â鶹APP new Capital Center on education, health care and career opportunities across Maine.

“I want to congratulate the Â鶹APP for starting construction of its new Capital Center. When open to students next year, this state-of-the-art facility will enable UMA to expand and enhance nursing education in support of its own enrollment growth and the University of Maine System’s goal of doubling our output of nursing graduates prepared to deliver safe, effective patient care across Maine,” said Chancellor Malloy. “We are grateful to Senator Collins and Senator King for securing the one-time federal funding that is making this project possible and for the continued commitment of the Congressional Delegation, state leaders and our community partners, including MaineGeneral Health, to investing in our public universities’ ability to improve Mainers’ health care access and outcomes.”

“This groundbreaking represents Â鶹APP historic commitment to meeting critical workforce demands in Maine and the needs of students,” said President Cushman. “With these expanded facilities, we’re not just growing our university, we’re growing opportunities for students to pursue careers in the high-demand fields of nursing and cybersecurity. The Capital Center will allow UMA to play an even greater role in strengthening Maine’s workforce and creating a brighter future for our communities. We are deeply grateful to our state and federal partners, the University of Maine System and MaineGeneral Health, whose support makes this transformational project possible.”

Event Highlights

In addition to remarks from President Cushman, the event included remarks on behalf of U.S. Senator Susan Collins shared by Staff Assistant Chuck Mahaleris; remarks on behalf of U.S. Senator Angus King shared by Director of Economic and Innovation Policy Adam Lachman; remarks from Chief Nursing Officer at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Chief Executive Officer at MaineGeneral Community Care and Chair of the UMA Board of Visitors Jennifer Riggs; as well as remarks from UMS and UMA leadership, faculty and students.

Following the speaking program, project partners, key stakeholders and attendees participated in a ceremonial wall-breaking to commemorate the start of construction.

Expanded Nursing Facilities

Â鶹APP nursing program has grown from 91 students in the 2019-20 school year to 265 in 2024-25. The new nursing education facility at the Capital Center will be 50% larger than its current location at the Augusta Civic Center. It will feature advanced laboratory and collaborative areas, and triple the program’s simulation lab capacity. These enhancements will help UMA address the nursing shortage by increasing enrollment to 400 students, offering more robust hands-on learning environments and supporting excellence in nursing and patient care to meet Maine’s healthcare needs. UMA is reviewing several options to utilize the Civic Center space to support academic programs during the remainder of the two-year lease.

According to Associate Professor and Director of the UMA holistic nursing program Shannon Gauvin, “This project is a transformative step forward in addressing Maine’s critical nursing shortage. With a projected gap of 2,155 nurses by next year, this new state-of-the-art facility allows us to expand the number of students we can serve and prepare to enter the workforce. The enhanced simulation labs and cutting-edge technology will provide hands-on clinical education that mirrors real-life scenarios, ensuring our students graduate confident and capable in their skills and application of knowledge. By creating a space that supports collaboration, innovation and flexibility for all learners, we’re equipping future nurses to meet the healthcare needs of Maine’s communities with excellence and compassion.” 

“MaineGeneral is proud to partner with the University of Maine Augusta to find creative solutions and funding to address the critical nursing workforce needs of our community,” said Riggs. “With this project, more students will have access to high-quality nursing training, which will directly benefit patients in the Kennebec Valley now and in the years to come.”

Expanded Cybersecurity Facilities

The cybersecurity program will move from a single classroom in the Randall Student Center to a new 3,000-square-foot facility, greatly increasing Â鶹APP capacity to educate future cybersecurity professionals. The new space will also enable UMA to provide advanced training opportunities for private industries and municipalities in Maine and beyond. 

“This is an exciting day for both our university and the future of Maine’s workforce,” Professor of Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity Henry Felch said. “Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation, with the projecting a 33% increase in demand for information security analysts over the next decade. Here in Maine, businesses and organizations are urgently seeking skilled professionals to safeguard their digital assets. By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, we’re not just remodeling a building—we’re reshaping our ability to train the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. Our university is proud to play a pivotal role in meeting this critical workforce need and ensuring Maine stays competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”

UMA has engaged Lavallee Brensinger Architects and Consigli Construction Co., Inc. to lead the project. 

Blueprint for Transformation

“It has been incredibly rewarding to contribute to projects that transform spaces into modern educational and simulation environments, equipping students for the workforce of today and tomorrow,” said Lavallee Brensinger Architects CEO and Medical Education / Simulation Leader Richard Pizzi. “The Â鶹APP’s investment will have a lasting impact on healthcare providers in the capital region. We’ve enjoyed the collaboration and the creativity that our teams found together.”

About Lavallee Brensinger Architects

Lavallee Brensinger Architects, with offices in Portland, ME, Boston, MA, and Manchester, NH, integrates their Education and Healthcare Design Studios to create innovative solutions in medical education. Their team is focused on creating highly effective, student-centered spaces to educate and train the next generation of healthcare professionals. Their collaborative approach involves clients at every stage, ensuring their insights are complemented by client experience and process to foster and unite the best in healthcare and education design.

Design & Construction

“Consigli has long served as a partner to the University of Maine System as it works
continuously to expand and improve resources for its students and faculty, and as a firm with
deep ties to the local community, our team is proud to support the growth and development of Maine’s regional workforce and economy,” said Consigli Construction Co., Inc. Project Executive Chris Brown. “Once complete, this new, renovated space will deliver state-of-the-art labs and classroom spaces that are equipped with immersive simulation and hands-on, skills-based learning environments necessary for these in-demand industry sectors.”

About Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

Consigli Construction Co., Inc. is a leading construction manager in the Northeast and Mid-
Atlantic. Consigli services clients across all markets, including academic, healthcare, life
sciences, institutional, energy, corporate and federal. Founded in 1905, Consigli is now a 100%
employee-owned (ESOP) company, providing its people a direct benefit of its success and
creating a culture of accountability. The company has offices in Massachusetts, Washington,
D.C., Maine, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, New Hampshire and the
Caribbean. Consigli has received numerous awards for its craftsmanship and employment
practices, including national recognition as a Forbes Best Employer. For more information, visit and follow Consigli on LinkedIn.

About Marketplace at Augusta

Marketplace at Augusta is the largest open-air shopping center in Maine. Opened in 1995, the center is home to a wide array of shopping, dining and entertainment options. WS Development owns and operates the 1.3 million square foot center. For more information, visit .

About WS Development 

WS Development, a Massachusetts-based mixed-use developer, focuses on creating places people want to be. Founded in 1990, WS is one of the nation’s largest privately owned real estate firms, managing over 100 properties totaling 22 million square feet, with an additional eight million square feet in development. The company’s vertically integrated approach spans conceptualization, ownership, operation, and leasing, delivering best-in-class experiences for communities, tenants, and partners. For more, visit .

Dr. Henry Felch, professor of Cybersecurity and Director of the Maine Cyber Range says “This recognition demonstrates to our current and future students that our curriculum has been rigorously evaluated and peer reviewed and that it meets the highest standards established by the The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.”

The CAE-CD designation enables UMA to collaborate with government agencies, industries, and other academic institutions within the Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Community on cutting-edge cybersecurity projects. Students have enhanced opportunities for workshops; research; internships; job placements; and networking with other institutions, industry partners, and agencies like the National Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security.

“We are delighted that UMA’s exemplary cybersecurity program has received national recognition for its excellence in cyber defense,” says Jenifer Cushman, president of the Â鶹APP. “We look forward to increased collaboration with other entities and enhanced opportunities for our students as a result of this recognition.”

UMA graduates can expect better job placement prospects due to the alignment between the CAE-CD curriculum and workforce needs. Graduates are more attractive to employers, particularly for roles requiring advanced knowledge of cyber defense and security, in both private and government sectors where CAE-CD credentials are highly esteemed.

To learn more about the CAE-CD awarded bachelor of science cybersecurity program at UMA, as well as our master’s and accelerated master’s programs, visit uma.edu/cyber.

About the NCAE-C Program

The NCAE-C program is managed by the National Security Agency (NSA), and housed within NSA’s schoolhouse, The National Cryptologic University. The National Cryptologic University designs, develops, and delivers curriculum in cryptology, cybersecurity, language, and leadership to members of the Intelligence Community.

Learn what the Maine Cyber Range has to offer! See the Cyber Range and explore all of UMA’s cybersecurity programs, including graduate and accelerated graduate programs, bachelor’s degrees, and program minors. Meet and greet UMA Cyber staff, faculty and students. Learn more about our student-led training program in which UMA students work with local municipalities to strengthen their cybersecurity efforts, and see our Cyber Moose competitive cybersecurity team take to the range for a live demonstration.

Cyber attacks “are a daily threat to the security of our schools, hospitals, small businesses, state, local, Tribal and territorial governments, as well as critical infrastructure,” according to an article on , which further states, “it is crucial that we have a strong cyber workforce to address these threats and strengthen our resistance to them.”

According to  there are approximately 1,597 open cybersecurity jobs in Maine and nearly half a million nationwide. Nationally, the median annual wage for information security analysts was $120,360 in May 2023, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 33 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. UMA is committed to supporting workforce development efforts by providing Mainers with training opportunities that lead to good paying jobs that fill critical need positions. 

The Maine Cyber Range Open House is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Cybersecurity program at UMA. For more information or to register, contact Michelle Brunton, Cybersecurity Program Coordinator, umacyber@maine.edu. Registered attendees needing a Zoom link will receive it via email on Wednesday before the event.

At their meeting in late January, University of Maine System (UMS) Trustees approved UMA undertaking renovations to repurpose the former Purdue University Global site in the Marketplace at Augusta into the future home of its nursing and cybersecurity training programs.

Set to open later this year, the 20,000-square- foot facility, which will be called the UMA Capital Center, will serve as an expanded location for classes, demonstrations, seminars and more.

Located directly across Civic Center Drive from Â鶹APP main campus in Augusta, the university’s new location for its nursing program at Marketplace at Augusta is conveniently situated among the property’s more than 45 retail shops and restaurants, offering students and staff a unique off-campus experience owned and operated by WS Development.

Over the past five years, enrollment in Â鶹APP nursing program has grown from 50 students to 320, and when fully built out, the new Capital Center will support the high-quality, hands-on education and training of almost 400 nursing students total in support of Maine’s healthcare workforce needs.

Funding for the renovations necessary to support this growth are expected to occur in two phases. The initial phase, which will allow the UMA Capital Center to begin serving students this year, will be funded with $1.8 million received through a $4.5 million Congressionally Directed Spending award secured by Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to improve nursing simulation across UMS and patient outcomes across Maine.

MaineGeneral Medical Center with headquarters in Augusta, is also contributing $480,000 over four years for the expansion of the nursing program to help meet the growing demand for nursing professionals in Maine.

An additional $4.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending requested by Sens. Collins, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and King specifically for the further build-out of the UMA Capital Center is pending in Congress as part of ongoing FY 2024 federal budget negotiations and if secured, would support a second phase.

UMA President Jenifer Cushman said, “Having this location to expand Â鶹APP workforce development offerings will allow our nursing and cybersecurity to continue to grow and meet the demands of Mainers desiring a quality education in high-demand fields. We are also excited to be partnering with MaineGeneral Medical Center to create more skilled health care workers, especially nurses.”

“MaineGeneral is proud to partner with University of Maine Augusta on this project which will allow for increased enrollment in the nursing program, helping to mitigate the current and projected nursing shortage in Maine. Given our aging population it is essential that we work collaboratively to ensure that our communities have access to high quality nursing care now and in the years to come,” said Chief Nursing Officer for MaineGeneral Medical Center and the CEO for MaineGeneral Community Care Jennifer Riggs, who also chairs the UMA Board of Visitors.

“Nurses are more important than ever in our oldest-in-the-nation state, providing critical, compassionate care not just in hospitals and health care centers, but in nursing homes, schools and communities,” said Shannon Gauvin, director of the Â鶹APP’s nursing program. “The new UMA Capital Center, supported by Sens. Collins and King and Maine General, will enable us to provide high-quality, hands-on clinical training including in simulated settings to help more students cultivate the skills necessary to facilitate positive patient outcomes and graduate ready for a successful career in nursing. We are excited to open at Marketplace at Augusta.”

“We are proud to partner with University of Maine Augusta to open a new space for its growing programs. Providing a place for both learning and leisure, it is a destination beyond the classroom where educators and students can also enjoy the property’s mix of great local, regional and national businesses, as well as community activations,” said Nick Margitza, Senior Director, Leasing at WS Development and Marketplace at Augusta.

About University of Maine Augusta

UMA is the third largest public university in Maine. In addition to its main campus in the state’s capital, UMA also serves students at its campus in Bangor (UMA Bangor) and through UMA Centers around the state. With its multiple locations and long-term expertise in online and distance learning, UMA is generally considered the university of choice for Mainers of all ages who want to attend college without uprooting their lives. UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.

About Marketplace at Augusta

Marketplace at Augusta is the largest open-air shopping center in Maine; it offers a diverse collection of the nation’s top retailers, entertainment, and restaurants. Opened in 1995, the center is home to Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sam’s Club, Kohls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, TJX, HomeGoods, Barnes & Noble, and Ulta Beauty. Dining options include Panera, Olive Garden, Longhorn, Red Robin, and Brickyard Hollow, while entertainment options are anchored by a recently renovated 10-screen Regal Cinemas. WS Development owns and operates the 1.3 million square foot center. Marketplace at Augusta is located at 197 Civic Center Drive, Augusta ME, and is easily accessible off of I-95/Maine Turnpike. For more information, visit or reach out to Nick Margitza at NM@wsdevelopment.com.

About WS Development

Massachusetts-based WS Development is a mixed-use developer with a singular mission: creating places people want to be. With an approach that values art, science, innovation and, above all else, people, WS strives to engage each community it serves with best-in-class experiences, designed with our customers, tenants and partners in mind. Established in 1990, WS is one of few vertically-integrated real estate companies that conceptualizes, owns, operates and leases more than 100 properties that range from cutting-edge urban spaces to lifestyle and community centers. With over 22 million square feet of existing space and an additional nine million square feet under development, it is one of the largest privately-owned development firms in the country. For more information, visit , call 617.232.8900 or follow WS Development on LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

• UMA – Brent Wooten, brent.wooten@maine.edu
• UMS – Samantha Warren, samantha.warren@maine.edu
• WS Development – media@wsdevelopment.com