Chief (ret.) Noel March, Â鶹APP senior lecturer of Justice Studies and director of the Maine Community Policing Institute, serves as an invited speaker during the 2026 Professionalizing Law Enforcement Community Engagement Training Conference in Dallas, TX on May 28-29th. 

Chief March, a nationally known expert in community policing, spoke on the value of multi-agency partnerships in building community outreach and relationships of trust when developing strategies for reducing crime, fear of crime and social disorder. “Every person has a rightful expectation to feel respected, protected and safe in their own community,” was the heartfelt core of his presentation.

This year’s PLECET conference also included keynote addresses from  FBI Director Kash Patel, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, DEA Administrator Terry Cole and United States Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta. 

Since 2011, UMA and the Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic have shared a partnership that brings a global perspective right to our Maine classrooms. This long-standing connection allows faculty to share research and ideas that benefit our communities while ensuring our students are ready for a world that is more connected than ever. 

Research with a Local Impact

Sharon McMahon Sawyer, associate professor of Justice Studies at UMA, recently traveled to the Czech Republic to work under the European Union’s Comenius UÄŤiTUL project, an education research collaboration she co-leads with Andrei Strukov. Together, they developed practical strategies to help professors in large lecture settings increase student engagement and retention, focusing on methods that fit seamlessly within existing courses rather than require a full rebuild.

While there, Sharon also co-taught live interdisciplinary classes on conflict resolution and developmental psychology with Dr. Magda Nisponska, and visited courses in American Studies and English language led by Dr. Michaela Markova and Dr. Petra Romportlova as part of the UÄŤiTUL project.

A standout project from this latest visit is the Mentalizing Mediation podcast series. Across eight episodes, Sharon and Magda discuss the theory of mentalization and its relationship to conflict resolution. Sharon and Magda applied research on mentalizing to the practical steps that mediators use to resolve conflicts and support difficult conversations. Developed by psychologist Peter Fonagy, Mentalization describes how humans develop empathy over their lifespan. By understanding the mental states and feelings of others, mediators can better help people resolve deep-seated conflicts.

This research is already making a difference across the country. Last year, Sharon and Magda shared their work with a nationwide audience of agricultural mediators through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, showing how these global ideas provide practical solutions for industries here in Maine and beyond. 

Expanding the Classroom Without Borders

A central part of Â鶹APP mission is making a high-quality education accessible, no matter where a student is starting from. This partnership creates two ways for students to connect with new perspectives:

• International Travel: Through the Erasmus+ program, there is potential for UMA students to study in person at TUL, experiencing the culture and history of the Czech Republic firsthand.
• Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL): For students who can’t travel due to work or family, we are building online courses that bring the world to them. These allow students in Maine and the Czech Republic to collaborate on projects and build international friendships from their own homes.

Opening Doors to Global Learning

Â鶹APP partnership with TUL ensures that a global perspective is within reach for every student, regardless of their circumstances. By offering both in person and digital paths, we have turned this 15 year collaboration into a consistent gateway for our community. Today, this relationship continues to find fresh ways to solve problems, from enhancing mediation practices in Maine to launching new courses in the Czech Republic. It is a practical example of how shared expertise leads to meaningful results for everyone.

Listen to the Series

The eight-part podcast series will be available on the TUL.cz website by the end of this month. Contact Sharon McMahon Sawyer at sharon.mcmahon@maine.edu for more information.

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

Topics include:

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

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

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

UMA Justice Studies Lecturer Chris Devlin, Esq., has co-authored the second edition of the Maine Commercial Lending Handbook with fellow attorney Mark Googins, Esq. Published by Tower Publishing, the handbook is a practical guide to documenting and closing commercial loan transactions in Maine and a trusted reference for attorneys, lenders and financial professionals across the state.

At UMA, Devlin teaches Real Estate Transfers as part of the Paralegal Certificate program and Â鶹APP pre-law concentration in Justice Studies. In the classroom, he brings years of experience into conversation with students, helping them see how legal concepts take shape in real-world settings.

He is a member of the Maine Bar and the Bar of the United States District Court for the District of Maine, a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and a former shareholder at the Portland law firm Bernstein Shur. Devlin now serves as counsel at the Maine State Housing Authority, where he focuses on loans and low-income housing tax credit transactions.

Through this new edition, Devlin continues to contribute to the field of commercial lending in Maine while enriching the learning experience at UMA. His work reflects the strength of the Justice Studies program and the kind of applied knowledge that supports students as they prepare for what comes next, one lesson at a time.

UMA Senior Lecturer of Justice Studies and Director of the Maine Community Policing Institute Noel March presented “Defining Moments in Policing: Ethical Decision Making during the Holocaust” to attendees of the FBI National Executive Institute in Washington, D.C. This program is a curriculum of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that was developed in 2023 with the support of the Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Maine and the Maine Community Policing Institute.

Each year the FBI National Executive Institute hosts fifty police leaders from major city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies from across the United States and abroad.

Chief March is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and serves as a Fellow of the Future Policing Institute.

UMA is proud to celebrate the Monmouth Police Department for becoming one of only three in Maine to have every single officer complete Â鶹APP Community Policing Certificate.

Why This Matters for UMA

This isn’t just about handing out awards; it’s a “proof of concept” for our mission.

• Real-World Influence: Our Justice Studies curriculum is directly shaping how Maine officers interact with their neighbors.
• Mission in Action: It cements Â鶹APP role as the go-to partner for practical, high-impact professional development in the state.
• Strengthening Ties: Partnerships like this (supported by the Harold Alfond Center) keep our programs relevant and our graduates in high demand.

The Quick Stats

• The Milestone: Monmouth is now the third department statewide (joining Rockland and Winthrop) to earn the 100% Award for Community Policing Education.
• The Training: Focused on trust-building, consistency, and shared problem-solving—moving policing from “enforcement” to “partnership.”
• The Team: Shoutout to Officers Rose Mandella, Olivia Mora, Zachary Roy, and Lt. Dana Wessling for crossing the finish line.

“Shared learning helps departments work with residents as true partners.” — UMA President Jenifer Cushman

The Bottom Line

By aligning our Justice Studies program with the Maine Community Policing Institute, UMA is doing more than teaching—we’re helping build safer, more connected Maine communities.

UMA is pleased to announce that the UMA 100% Award for Community Policing Education was awarded to Winthrop Police Department (WPD) by President Jennifer Cushman on behalf of UMA and the Maine Community Policing Institute, during the Winthrop Town Council Meeting on Dec. 15. This accolade recognizes the WPD’s commitment to modern law enforcement strategies and higher education. 

A Distinction of 100% commitment 

Receiving the UMA 100% Award for Community Policing Education is a rare achievement that signifies a departmentwide dedication to professional growth. This award is granted to agencies that achieve 100% of their officers earning community policing certificates from UMA. Upon certificate completion, individual officers earn the UMA Educational Merit Award uniform pin, while the agency receives the departmental honor once every member is certified. Winthrop is the second police department ever to receive the award.

The meaning of the achievement 

UMA is committed to supporting transformational change in communities across Maine, and beyond, one student at a time. Beyond just academic achievement, this award represents a shift in organizational culture. By ensuring every officer is educated in community policing principles, the Winthrop Police Department is adopting a philosophy that views police not as separate from their citizens, but as integral stakeholders in the community’s safety. 

Noel March, the director of the Maine Community Policing Institute says, “Police officers equipped with this contemporary education and skill set are more effective in their roles. Our curriculum covers diverse topics ranging from building relationships of trust with the public, engaging community members in prioritizing local issues of concern and practicing problem solving strategies that reduce crime, reduce fear of crime and minimize social disorder.” 

Benefit to Maine communities 

Based on the experiences of other Maine police officers who have pursued this certification, such as in Old Town, Jay, Wells, Monmouth and Waterville, communities can expect several positive outcomes. As noted by officers in Rockland, the first department in Maine to become fully certified, this training helps bridge the gap between community expectations and police practices by equipping officers with skills that emphasize collaboration, transparency and problem solving; and it demonstrates a clear dedication to the community.

Long-term problem solving: The training encourages officers to connect with other town departments and local resources to create longer-term solutions rather than taking measures to temporarily mitigate crime.

Enhanced recruitment: Leaders in other Maine municipalities have noted that adopting this philosophy can help with recruitment, bringing in young people who want to be part of a forward-thinking, trusted agency.

Joining a statewide movement 

By achieving 100% certification, the Winthrop Police Department joins a select group of Maine law enforcement agencies that have accepted the Maine Community Policing Challenge. This challenge was designed to enroll as many of Maine’s 3,000 officers as possible in higher education to professionalize the force and enhance public safety.

March stated regarding the goal of these programs, “we really want our police not to be apart from the community, but a part of the community.” 

As UMA celebrates 60 years, we’re sharing stories from the students, staff, faculty, and alumni who continue to shape our community. We recently spoke with Jemima George about her challenges navigating an unfamiliar academic system, her decision to move into the dorms, her rise to SGA president, and her ambitions for the future. 

Q: Jemima, can you tell us about your program and what drew you to it?
I’m a rising senior in the Criminal Justice program with a Pre-Law concentration. I also have a minor in psychology and I’m taking certifications in mediation and paralegal studies.

I was already in college in Nigeria before I moved here, so I understood our legal system and how it worked. But coming to the United States everything was completely different. Nigeria’s laws are rooted in colonial British rule, but the American colonies separated from the British and built something different. I see some similarities between the two systems, but now I can clearly see how different they are.

I’d say my favorite part of the program has been learning about American legal history and constitutional law. It’s pretty amazing seeing how different it is over here.

Q: What brought you to the Â鶹APP?
I moved with my family from Nigeria to Maine, and I had no idea what the school in the U.S. was like or anything. My mom and I were looking for a college close to home, and we found the Rockland Center. So, I started there before moving to Augusta.

When I began, I didn’t know how the American education system worked. Everything was happening so fast, and I failed all my classes that first semester. My advisor, Katie, suggested I move to Augusta and take classes in person on campus. She said, “You’re young. You need to be out with other students.” So I moved into the dorms and started classes on campus, and that changed everything for me.

Q: How did living on campus make a difference?
When I was taking classes at the Rockland Center, they were usually in the evenings and not really in person, so I rarely ever saw anybody.

Living in the dorms in Augusta was a whole other experience. It’s a different feeling when you’re living on campus compared to commuting from home. At home, your parents are there saying, “come do this,” or “come do that,” but at the dorms you kind of have to figure out life yourself. You have to know what to do at what time and start, you know, becoming adultish.

Being on campus helped me meet more people my age and interact with other students. It gave me more structure and helped me focus on what I came here to do. I started learning how to balance things, manage my time, and just take responsibility for myself.

Q: How did connecting with Student Life influence your experience?
I’ve never really been one to be interested in social activities or student engagement, but I made a new friend, and we went on a Student Life trip together. That’s where I met the Student Life crew. When we came back to campus, I was like, okay, I’d like to work at Student Life.

While I was working there one of the leaders suggested I join the Student Government Association (SGA) and get involved. With her encouragement, I applied that fall. That was how I started. Now I’m SGA president — which still feels kind of crazy.

Q: UMA is known for its close community. What kind of support have you experienced here?
I tell people all the time, UMA is a community school. It’s close, like family. You know who to meet when you need something, and you know who to talk to. Everyone’s here to help you. We’re small, so it’s easy to notice when someone’s not doing well and make sure they’re okay. Having that community making sure you’re doing well, means so much.

Even my advisor, Lynn Poore, was always encouraging and supportive. She’d see me in class and say, “Oh my gosh, Mima, you made it.” That made me want to work harder. I started striving not just for A’s and B’s but for all A’s.

When things get overwhelming, people remind me to take a step back. They will say, “You don’t have to put so much on your plate. Give yourself grace.” That kind of support makes a big difference.

I like that I have that community here at UMA. If I were somewhere bigger, I don’t think I’d have this kind of close connection. I’m happy that I’m here and making a name for myself.

Q: You were recently featured in an article about your academic internship in Washington, D.C. through The Fund for Americans Studies (TFAS). What was that experience like?
My , was eye opening. I got to meet with Senator King’s legislative assistant and interact with her team. I learned that, if I ever go into government, I’d want to be behind the scenes — not a senator or anything like that, but working with the people who help make things happen.

I found public policy really interesting, but it’s not something I see myself doing for a very long time. It’s more about having the experience and being able to say, okay, I did this, I learned from it, and I can use it later. I like putting myself out there to see what I really enjoy before choosing a path.

This summer, I worked with the Consumer Advocate Network, which connected more with my psychology minor. I supported first citizens and returning citizens and did mental health outreach. It was both fun and meaningful, but now I want to come back to my major and get experience in the legal field next summer.

Q: What are your goals after UMA?
I want to go to law school, and my top three choices are Stanford, NYU, and Harvard.

My mom wanted to be a lawyer when she was younger, but she never had the money for it. She went into nursing instead and built her career from there. I could never do anything science related because I can’t stand blood or hospitals, so I chose law.

I’ve always been the kind of person who isn’t afraid to speak up. I can be playful, but when I’m serious, I’m serious. There are so many people out there who need to be heard and seen, and I just want to give back to the community.

Q: What advice would you give to new UMA students?
Coming to college is a big step. You meet different people, professors, and classmates from different backgrounds. Take it all in and give yourself grace. Don’t rush into trying to do everything at once. Observe, learn, and get a feel for what’s going on before deciding what you want to do.

I feel like your first year should be about soaking it all in, seeing what college is all about and what UMA is all about. Then in your second year, start putting in bigger effort, being out there, and making a name for yourself. When you start doing that, it can open doors you never even dreamed of.

Once you understand how the system works, you’ll excel. Give yourself grace and get involved in activities because that’s how you meet people who can help you along the way. If I hadn’t asked questions or interacted with others, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.

Faculty from UMA and the Technical University of Liberec (TUL) in the Czech Republic recently teamed up to offer an interdisciplinary webinar on mentalization in mediation, advancing a long-standing international partnership that helps students experience new perspectives without leaving home.

On November 6, Sharon McMahon Sawyer, associate professor of Justice Studies, and Magda Nisponska, professor of Pedagogics and Psychology at TUL, led a session sponsored by the Maine Agricultural Mediation Program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Thirty-five practicing mediators attended from across the country, including current and former UMA Mediation Certificate students.  

The webinar introduced mentalization, a skill that helps mediators understand behavior through the lens of underlying thoughts, emotions, needs and intentions. Participants explored how brain development and neuroscience inform effective mediation practice and how stress can limit problem-solving. The session highlighted the science behind modeling calm, grounded communication in difficult conversations.

Sawyer and Nisponska have collaborated since 2011 through in-person exchanges, shared teaching and research, and Â鶹APP growing participation in Collaborative Online International Learning. Their work reflects Â鶹APP commitment to expanding access to global learning experiences and preparing students for the complex, people-centered challenges of today’s workforce. Their continued partnership brings international insight into the UMA classroom and strengthens a learning community built on collaboration, inclusivity and opportunity.

You’ll hear from current students who will share how they found their direction, as well as employers who will highlight the skills and qualities they look for as they strengthen the justice system here in Maine.

This webinar gives you an inside view of justice-centered careers so you can see what the work is really like and how each pathway connects to real opportunities. Justice studies opens doors to careers such as:

• Law enforcement, community policing, corrections and prisons
• Law and paralegal studies
• Forensics and crime scene investigation
• Conflict resolution and mediation

By the end of the session, you’ll have gained a stronger sense of how justice studies aligns with your goals and how to begin your path toward making a positive difference for individuals, families and the places they call home.

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 3
Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom (link provided to registered attendees prior to the event)
Cost: FREE, but registration is required.

For more information, contact UMA Career Connections at umacareer@maine.edu.