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.

The Â鶹APP (UMA) cut the ribbon on its third residential housing unit in Hallowell on August 21, and students moved in several days later. Cleveland Hall is located at the historic Stevens Commons in Hallowell, where UMA also has housing in Stevens Hall and Erskine Hall.

“This is very exciting for our institution,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “We will always be committed to our distance education legacy, yet we continue to expand our mission of accessibility by providing another housing option for our students.”

Move-in Day was August 24 and arriving students were greeted by Kim Kenniston, Residence Manager, who will provide student support, along with six current students serving as Community Advisors.

“Cleveland Hall is a wonderfully renovated building and we are thrilled to expand our housing options for students,” stated Kim Kenniston. “We were very excited to open Cleveland Hall and happy to welcome students back to Stevens Hall and Erskine Hall. Our students felt welcomed and supported right from the start, and that was due to the support of faculty and staff who helped on move-in day!”

Kenniston, who is originally from Hallowell, will reside at Stevens Hall leading the residence life team. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Counseling and has a wealth of residential life experience.

Jennifer Davis, Dean of Students, took part in the ribbon cutting, and shared her enthusiasm for the new housing. “With the addition of Cleveland Hall, UMA now has 102 beds for our students, many of whom are athletes, international students, out-of-state students, and others who need access to our specialized classrooms for programs like architecture, aviation, and nursing.”

Stevens Commons is a renovated and preserved mixed-use campus, set high on a hill facing the Kennebec River. Additional amenities onsite for residential students include a lounge, laundry, cafe, and a fitness center. The housing is located within a short 10-minute drive of the Augusta campus and within walking distance of local retailers and restaurants.

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. For more information, please visit .

The Â鶹APP opened its second student residence hall in as many years with the addition of Erskine Hall to the existing Stevens Hall in the historic Stevens Commons in Hallowell. The combined occupancy this academic year will be 58 students and six residential life staff members (five students and one professional staff), in conformity with University of Maine System (UMS) and CDC pandemic guidelines.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for all involved,” said UMA President Rebecca Wyke. “The addition of this second residence hall will expand the opportunities for UMA students. We are grateful to our external partners and their thoughtful restoration of Stevens, and now Erskine Halls.”

Arriving students were greeted by Kim Kenniston, Residence Manager, who will provide student support, along with five current students serving as Community Advisors.

“We are very excited to open Erskine Hall and happy to welcome students back to Stevens Hall,” stated Kenniston, who will lead the residence life team.

Housing was available to returning residential students, as well as new full-time matriculated students through an application and lottery process.

Stevens Commons is a renovated and preserved mixed-use campus, set high on a hill facing the Kennebec River. The renovated student apartments in Stevens and Erskine Halls feature open layouts with sun-filled rooms, private bedrooms, and kitchen, dining, and bath spaces with one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, though this year to comply with UMS and CDC pandemic guidelines students will each have their own bedrooms within the suites.

Additional amenities on-site for residential students include a lounge, laundry, and a fitness center. The housing is located within a short 10-minute drive of the Augusta campus, and within walking distance of local retailers and restaurants.

Students to begin moving in August 29th

The Â鶹APP will open student housing this month at Stevens Hall in the historic Stevens Commons in Hallowell. This is the first time in its 54-year history that UMA has offered housing to students. The building will be occupied by 34 students and three residential life staff members.

“This is a significant event for our institution,” said UMA President Rebecca Wyke. “We will always be committed to our distance education legacy, yet today we expand our mission of accessibility by providing a housing option for our students. This initial venture of 34 beds allows us to explore housing in a thoughtful way and will be instructive in how we plan for the future.”

Move in Day is August 29 and arriving students will be greeted by Kim Kenniston, Residence Manager, who will provide student support, along with two current students serving as Community Advisors.

“Stevens Hall is a wonderfully renovated building and we are ready for the students to arrive,” stated Kim Kenniston.

Kenniston, who is originally from Hallowell, will reside at Stevens Hall leading the residence life team. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Counseling and has a wealth of residential life experience.

The start of the semester will find the students in Stevens Hall taking part in an outing in nearby Vaughn Woods. Additional events and community service projects organized by the residential life staff will take place throughout the semester.

“The efforts of many within UMA and our external partners have made this opportunity for housing possible,” said Sheri Fraser, UMA Dean of Students.

“This is a milestone for UMA and an extraordinary opportunity for the students who will be housed in Stevens Hall.”

Housing was available to full-time matriculated students for fall 2019 through a lottery system based on ranked variables, such newly enrolled and Community Suites including Architecture, Aviation, French tutors, out-of-state students, and athletics.

Stevens Commons is a renovated and preserved mixed-use campus, set high on a hill facing the Kennebec River. The newly renovated student apartments feature open layouts with sun-filled rooms, private bedrooms, and kitchen, dining, and bath spaces with one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites.

Additional amenities onsite for residential students include a lounge, laundry, cafe (opening spring 2020), and a fitness center. The housing is located within a short 10-minute drive of the Augusta campus and within walking distance of local retailers and restaurants.

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.