When Justin Young first arrived at the �鶹APP’s Bangor campus, challenging world records was the furthest thing from his mind. By his own admission, he was struggling to find his way. That changed when a supervisor took the time to invite him into the campus gym. The simple act of someone noticing and offering support set him on a path of self-improvement, endurance sports and now, extraordinary community impact.

Earlier this year, Justin attempted to set the world record for the most squats performed in 24 hours. The attempt fell short of the 30,000 squats needed for a world record, but Justin calls the effort a victory. “By hour seven my legs were cooked,” said Justin, but he pressed on for a total of 15 hours and completed 16,520 squats. He raised over $3,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, turning physical endurance into meaningful support for a cause close to his heart. Along the way, he also experienced how a network of family, friends, colleagues, and supporters can transform a difficult challenge into something bigger than a personal goal.

More than 100 people came out in person and online to cheer him on. Friends, family, co-workers and colleagues from UMA pitched in by cheering him on, guiding his pacing, counting each squat and making sure he had the nutrition and recovery tools to keep going. Among them was UMA professor Dr. Kelby Myers, also an endurance athlete, who carefully observed Justin’s efforts and offered valuable recommendations for future training. Justin’s brother, Jesse Young, was also on hand, closely monitoring Justin’s condition through the punishing challenge. For Justin, all of these acts of encouragement and care combined into something far greater than any single gesture. “That support made all the difference and kept me going,” he reflected.

This challenge may be over, but Justin is not done. He has set a new goal of raising $30,000 over the next two years, and he has mapped out a series of endurance events to get there. In 2026, he plans to run the Sugarloaf Half Marathon, organize and complete a Bangor-to-Augusta run, and take on a “last man standing” race with a goal of reaching 100 miles. In 2027, he will compete in a bike race before returning to the squat challenge for another attempt at the end of the year. Strengthened by lessons from this challenge, and by the encouragement of his community, Justin is determined to train smarter, build an even stronger support team, and keep pushing forward.

As we celebrate 60 years of transforming lives, UMA proudly recognizes Justin Young. His journey embodies what UMA stands for: the opportunity to become your best self, the resilience to keep moving forward even when challenges arise, and the community that lifts each other up through it all.

Step into ���Ѵ�’s Saco Center and the first thing you’ll see is a colorful quilt hanging behind the front desk. Its bright moose, rainbows, and cheerful hellos in many languages reflect the community that gathers here. Greeting you at the front desk is the artist who made the quilt: a warm, grandmotherly woman, UMA alumna, and Administrative Specialist Brenda Plummer. Brenda has become a trusted guide for students, staff, and visitors, offering encouragement, practical help, and a ready smile. But Brenda’s story isn’t stitched from fabric and thread, but from determination, resilience, and living life on her own terms.

While Brenda is everything she seems to be: kind, empathetic, and nurturing, she is so much more. Sporting tattoos, piercings, and easy humor she is a woman who has weathered challenges and emerged stronger, cooler, and unapologetically herself. 

Her path to UMA was anything but straight. She married young, endured an abusive relationship, and raised three daughters while working jobs that demanded grit and perseverance. At one point, her husband sent her to truck-driving school instead of allowing her to pursue nursing. Brenda met the challenge head-on, mastering the skills of maneuvering 18-wheelers in impossible spaces and earning the nickname “Queen of the Alley Docks.” Later, she supported her family by working three jobs, survived a career-ending back injury, and even built her own two-bedroom home from a garage. 

Through it all, Brenda never lost her sense of compassion or her belief that second chances matter. When her daughter suggested she return to school, she took the leap and enrolled at UMA. At first she was afraid she would not succeed. But she found supportive professors who gave her the confidence to keep going. In her final semester, she faced her toughest challenge yet. Math was the class she had put off, and she soon fell behind. “I thought about dropping out,” she admitted. “But my professor took the time to listen, make a plan, and help me succeed. That made all the difference.”

Graduating in 2024, Brenda reflects on her education as life-changing. “The classes helped me to read and understand people better. I learned how to be a better listener. At UMA, every single teacher was so supportive and wonderful with me.” She further shared, “I like the respect I’ve found here. I’ve had some rough jobs in my life, but here I feel respected and appreciated.”

Today, she continues to serve students at the Saco Center with the same mix of warmth and grit that carried her through her own journey. Students say her encouragement inspires them to keep going. “You encourage me every time I come in to do the best I can do,” said student Katrina Thibedeau. “You make me feel I can do it.”

Brenda also shares her story with older students considering college. “It’s a dream come true. It’s not too late. When the kids are grown, it’s time for you,” she said. “All you need to do is tell yourself, ‘I will not stay on the couch. I can do this.’”

As UMA celebrates 60 years, Brenda’s story highlights the university’s long tradition of transforming lives through education. Her journey shows that transformation is not only about earning a degree, but about gaining confidence, embracing growth, and making a difference in the lives of others. She stands as a living example of ���Ѵ�’s mission, proving that resilience and support can open doors to new possibilities, no matter where or when you begin.

At the �鶹APP, staff member Dylan Sullivan is a voice students can trust. As Neurodiversity Liaison and Student Success Specialist, he helps learners with diverse needs see their differences as strengths, guiding them through academics and campus life with encouragement and practical support.

Dylan’s own path informs his work. As a person with dyslexia, he attended Landmark College, a school that specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities. There he earned his bachelor of life sciences in 2024, and he discovered a new perspective. “At Landmark, not only did I become comfortable with how my brain works, but I learned to celebrate it,” he said. That celebration now underpins his approach at UMA, where students find in him an ally who understands their challenges from the inside.

At UMA, Dylan works directly with students to help them navigate classes and university life, build confidence, and celebrate their strengths. He also consults with faculty and staff who want to better support neurodiverse learners. Additionally, Dylan hosts a weekly “Social Table” lunchtime get-together in the Randall Student Center, building community between students, faculty and staff. His approach exemplifies ���Ѵ�’s mission to meet students where they are and ensure that all learners have the support they need to succeed.

Beyond working one-on-one with students and faculty, Dylan is shaping broader conversations about equity and accessibility. He has published research in the “Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities” and “New Directions for Higher Education.” Most recently, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Center for Learning Disabilities, serving as the Young Adult Leadership Council Representative. The role gives him a national platform to amplify student voices and advocate for systemic change.

For UMA students, Dylan’s leadership means more than representation; it means having someone at their side who has walked a similar path and who believes their differences are worth celebrating. His journey is proof that when learners are supported and understood, they don’t just succeed—they thrive.

When Justin Young first arrived at the �鶹APP’s Bangor campus, challenging world records was the furthest thing from his mind. By his own admission, he was struggling to find his way. That changed when a supervisor took the time to invite him into the campus gym. The simple act of someone noticing and offering support set him on a path of self-improvement, endurance sports and now, extraordinary community impact.

Earlier this year, Justin attempted to set the world record for the most squats performed in 24 hours. The attempt fell short of the 30,000 squats needed for a world record, but Justin calls the effort a victory. “By hour seven my legs were cooked,” said Justin, but he pressed on for a total of 15 hours and completed 16,520 squats. He raised over $3,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, turning physical endurance into meaningful support for a cause close to his heart. Along the way, he also experienced how a network of family, friends, colleagues, and supporters can transform a difficult challenge into something bigger than a personal goal.

More than 100 people came out in person and online to cheer him on. Friends, family, co-workers and colleagues from UMA pitched in by cheering him on, guiding his pacing, counting each squat and making sure he had the nutrition and recovery tools to keep going. Among them was UMA professor Dr. Kelby Myers, also an endurance athlete, who carefully observed Justin’s efforts and offered valuable recommendations for future training. Justin’s brother, Jesse Young, was also on hand, closely monitoring Justin’s condition through the punishing challenge. For Justin, all of these acts of encouragement and care combined into something far greater than any single gesture. “That support made all the difference and kept me going,” he reflected.

This challenge may be over, but Justin is not done. He has set a new goal of raising $30,000 over the next two years, and he has mapped out a series of endurance events to get there. In 2026, he plans to run the Sugarloaf Half Marathon, organize and complete a Bangor-to-Augusta run, and take on a “last man standing” race with a goal of reaching 100 miles. In 2027, he will compete in a bike race before returning to the squat challenge for another attempt at the end of the year. Strengthened by lessons from this challenge, and by the encouragement of his community, Justin is determined to train smarter, build an even stronger support team, and keep pushing forward.

Justin’s journey embodies what UMA stands for: the opportunity to become your best self, the resilience to keep moving forward even when challenges arise, and the community that lifts each other up through it all.

Senior Events and Learning Media Production Specialist Rick Burns has received the 2025 AVA Digital Awards platinum distinction for his exceptional production of the music video “You Will Carry Me.” This international competition honors creative professionals for excellence in planning, concept, direction, design, and production of digital media.

The award-winning project (watch below) features the musical group performing “You Will Carry Me,” a song written and performed by Assistant Professor of Music Lindsey Wiehl. Produced as part of ���Ѵ�’s music course which focuses on integrating music with visual storytelling, the video showcases the talents of Maine-based performers, including UMA students. Burns’ expert production brought the piece to life, earning national recognition for its artistic and technical excellence.

In his current role, Burns produces videos and facilitates live events, enhancing ���Ѵ�’s dynamic learning environment. He is a 1992 graduate of the New England School of Communications (now part of Husson University) and has been an integral part of UMA since 2001. With a career spanning commercial production, documentaries, promotional materials, and music videos, he continues to elevate ���Ѵ�’s digital presence. 

Throughout his career, Rick has been recognized for his talent. In 1997 he was acknowledged with an Associated Press First Place Feature Award for video journalism. In 2017, Rick won a Videographer Award for the music video, “Move Me,” which he wrote, performed and produced. He was the recipient of a Viddy Gold Award for a documentary video about the Augusta Mental Health Institute in 2022, and in 2023, he earned an featuring ���Ѵ�’s aviation program.

���Ѵ�’s music technology program fosters creativity and technical proficiency, providing students and staff opportunities to excel in the evolving digital landscape. Burns’ achievement reflects the university’s commitment to innovation in education and media production.

About the AVA Digital Awards
Administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), the AVA Digital Awards recognize outstanding achievements in digital campaigns, audio and video production, website development, and social media engagement. The platinum award—the competition’s highest honor—is reserved for entries that demonstrate exceptional creativity and technical excellence.

Debora Rountree, director of �鶹APP (UMA) East Millinocket Center, is the recipient of the Maine Development Foundation (MDF) Honors 2024 Champion of Rural Economic Development Award.

According to the MDF website, “The Champion of Rural Economic Development Award was created by MDF to honor an individual or organization that envisions great potential and possibilities for Maine’s rural communities and works to make that vision a reality. It recognizes organizations and individuals who are dedicated to high standards for their community, defend its unique character, profess a vision, and rally behind its economic potential. Awardees demonstrate outstanding collaboration, leadership, innovation, a commitment to a shared set of values and may be professionals, volunteers, whole organizations or businesses.”

Presenting the award, Rosie Vanadestine, Chief Operating Officer with MDF said, “Deb is the poster child for all of this. Her official title is: Executive Director of Rural Development Initiatives for Eastern Maine Community College and the �鶹APP. It is a big title and yet it only scratches the surface of all the broad ways Deb helps improve lives and fuel careers for thousands in the Katahdin region.”

Rountree has served the people of the Katahdin region for nearly 30 years connecting people with jobs, job training, higher education, and childcare. Rountree herself earned her associate of science degree in social services from UMA, and both her bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services and master’s degree in education from the University of Maine.

The honor came as a surprise to Rountree. “I wasn’t expecting it!” she said, “I just get personal satisfaction seeing others succeed. It just drives you to want to help more people and provide hope.”

Rountree’s work at ���Ѵ�’s East Millinocket Center began in 1995 when she was brought on as assistant director, and she has dedicated her career to helping others succeed. In 2002, when the closing of the paper mills nearly devastated the Millinocket area, she worked tirelessly to help the displaced workers find new employment. Approximately 8,000 people across the state sought career retraining as a result. Rountree partnered with individuals who reached out to the center. By evaluating their previous education and job skills, and also recognizing the skills they possessed beyond their trade job titles, she helped workers find new career paths in IT, nursing, mental health and more, and guided those who needed or wanted further education into programs that matched their goals.

When she saw how big the need was for childcare, Rountree was instrumental in establishing a facility onsite at the East Millinocket center. In 2022, she wrote a grant to refurbish and expand it to meet the community’s growing childcare needs. Vandestine said, “Deb’s project of passion, the state-of-the-art childcare center is meeting early childhood development for hundreds of children while simultaneously erasing a significant barrier for countless families, allowing parents to pursue their dreams while knowing their children are in safe and nurturing hands.”

Addressing the needs of students experiencing food insecurity, the UMA center provided a food pantry for over seven years.

Rountree actively serves on several boards including the Katahdin Chamber of Commerce, the Katahdin Collaborative, The Katahdin Region Development Board and is a founding member of Katahdin Revitalization. As part of the Katahdin Revitalization efforts, she works with companies looking to relocate to the area, thus increasing much needed job opportunities, revenue, and new technologies to the region. As a result of her efforts, the area’s first indoor salmon farm will be built next year.

“The most wonderful part of my job is when you get to know the people in your community and you get to help make positive transitions in their lives,” said Rountree. University and community leaders attended the award ceremony to celebrate and thank her for her leadership, service, and the impact she has had transforming the lives and empowering the communities in the Katahdin Region.