“UMA is honored to receive this designation,” stated UMA President Rebecca Wyke. “Our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing a welcoming community for our military service members and veterans.”

“We are very excited to receive this designation from Military Friendly Schools recognizing Â鶹APP commitment to support our military service members and veterans, and their families,” said Amy Line, UMA Director of Military and Veterans’ Services. “This has been a challenging year for everyone as we have responded to the pandemic. However, we have maintained the lines of communication and contacts with service members and their families through the use of virtual meetings and in-person contacts within the COVID-19 protocols.”

Institutions earning the designation are evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey completed by the school. Methodology, criteria, and weightings are determined by with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with 747 earning the designation. The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at .

Earlier this year, UMA was also ranked by US News and World Report as Best Online Bachelor’s Degree for Veterans.

UMA traditionally holds a Flag Folding ceremony on each campus as part of its Veterans week events. This year, due to the COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, the ceremony will be pre-recorded and available for viewing on the UMA website beginning on November 6. Two current UMA veteran students will take part in the Flag Folding ceremony, Leo Porter, a Cybersecurity major from Readfield, and Scott Bailey, a Cybersecurity major from West Gardiner.

POW/MIA tables will be set up outside the Moose tracks Café (Randall Student Center, Augusta Campus), and in the Huskins Lounge (Eastport Hall, Bangor Campus).

Veterans may wear or bring in military memorabilia showing their service (hats, old uniforms, special medals/ribbons).

Bystander Empowerment Training for Veterans, Military, & Families (Zoom)
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Bystander Empowerment is a program supported by the U.S. Department of Justice. Being an empowered bystander means we know ourselves well enough to be able to intervene safely and effectively. The intent of the program is to take a deeper look at what we can do to be everyday heroes at home and away.

For additional info, please contact Leslie Devine at leslie.devine@maine.edu or call (207) 262-7955.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 Veterans Day – UMA Campuses and Centers are closed

Opportunities to support UMA Military and Veteran Students
The Â鶹APP Annual Fund has two opportunities available to support military and veteran students:

For more information about giving opportunities, please visit .

Additional Information

UMA Office of Military and Veterans’ Services
UMA has a rich tradition of supporting military and veteran students and has been “changing lives since 1965”. Over 200 veterans, military, and family members with VA benefits are enrolled at UMA for the Fall 2020 semester. Many other veterans without benefits attend UMA to further or complete their education.

Â鶹APP commitment to educating and providing opportunities to our veterans, service members, and families has earned it the following designations:

Monday, November 4, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

UMA Veterans’ Lounge, Belfast Hall – Bangor Campus

Veterans will be recognized for their service in the recently refurbished Veterans’ Lounge located on the Third Floor of Belfast Hall. A flag folding ceremony will take place and brief remarks will be provided by Jonathan Henry, UMA Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing. Cake and light refreshments will follow. Veterans can wear or bring in military memorabilia showing their service (hats, old uniforms, special medals/ribbons).

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Michael Klahr Center Classroom – Augusta Campus

Watch Their 6 at Home – a program in conjunction with the NAMI Maine. A daylong mental health first aid training designed for service members and veterans. The intent of the program is to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health concerns, to increase awareness of signs, symptoms, and risk factors for suicide, and to learn how to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts. Additional info and to register, please visit or call 800-464-5767.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

UMA Veterans Academic Center – Augusta Campus

Veterans will be recognized for their service at the Veterans Academic Center located in the Katz Library Building. A flag folding ceremony will take place and brief remarks will be provided by UMA President Rebecca Wyke. Cake and light refreshments will follow. Veterans can wear or bring in military memorabilia showing their service (hats, old uniforms, special medals/ribbons).

A POW/MIA table will be set up in the Moose tracks Café, Randall Student Center, Augusta Campus.

Friday, November 8, 2019

UMA Veterans Academic Center – Augusta Campus

The weekly scheduled meeting of the Women Veterans’ Book Group to discuss books related to Maine History through a project developed with the Maine Humanities Council. Women veterans and military personnel are welcome to join this community group on any Friday.

Other Activities

UMA Center Locations – UMA Centers will provide flag pins and “Thank You” cards to veteran students, faculty, and staff at their locations.

Opportunities to support UMA Military and Veteran Students

The Â鶹APP Annual Fund has two opportunities available to support military and veteran students:

For more information about giving opportunities, please visit .

UMA Office of Military and Veterans’ Services

UMA has a rich tradition of supporting military and veteran students and has been “changing lives since 1965.” Over 300 veterans, military, and family members are enrolled at UMA with VA benefits for the Fall 2019 semester. Many other veterans attend UMA regardless of the availability of VA benefits to further or complete their education.

Â鶹APP commitment to educating and providing opportunities to our veterans, service members, and families has earned it the following designations:

For more information, contact Amy Line at 621-3215 or amy.line@maine.edu.

The Veterans’ Affairs Mobile Information Van will be parked at UMA Rockland from 9am – 3pm on Monday, October 28 with resources and staff to help any veteran.

The Mobile Information Van for Veterans’ Affairs will be parked at the UMA Rockland Center, at the Breakwater Building at 91 Camden Street, on Monday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This van travels around the state to assist all veterans to get the information and the services they need.

Active-duty military, veterans and their families are invited to visit the Mobile Vet Van and to explore its access to veteran resources. Guests may come with specific questions, or just visit to see how the VA staff and Mobile Vet Van work to serve members of the military across the state.

“We have hosted the Mobile Vet Van at URock for many years,” said the UMA Rockland Director Deborah Meehan. “It is always exciting to see veterans and others waiting in the parking lot for the van’s arrival as its visit fills a gap in services in the mid-coast area.”

For more information about the Veterans’ Affairs Mobile Information Van visit, contact UMA Rockland at 596-6906.

For the entire week, Monday November 5th through Friday, November 9th:

There are “Thank You” cards available for our veteran students, faculty, and staff located in the Veteran Academic Center (Katz Building-Augusta) and Veteran Center (Eastport Hall-Bangor).

There is a POW/MIA table set up in the Moose tracks Café, Randall Student Center.

On Monday, November 5, 2018: Katz Building 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

There is an Augusta campus veteran recognition at 12:00, followed by cake, refreshments, and brief remarks from our veterans (Veteran Academic Center). Veterans are invited to wear or bring in military memorabilia showing their service (hats, old uniforms, special medals/ribbons).

On Tuesday, November 6, 2018: Bangor Eastport Hall Room 135 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

A panel discussion on “Business Resources for Veterans” that will be geared toward veterans, showcasing the business resources available to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members to help start and grow their business. Resources include; lending institutions, Veterans Affairs, Small Business Administration, Boots 2 Roots, New Ventures, and Maine SBDC. Hosted by Maine SBDC and UMA Student Veteran Association.

On Wednesday, November 7, 2018: Jewett Hall Auditorium 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

A panel discussion on “Accessing VA Benefits: What you need to know”. The panel of VA subject matter experts is free and open to the public. Hosted by the Maine State Forum and UMA Office of Military & Veteran Services.

On Thursday, November 8, 2018: Bangor Eastport Hall Lounge 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

There is a Bangor campus veteran recognition at 12:00, followed by cake, refreshments, and brief remarks from Dean Robert Roper (Huskins Lounge). Veterans are invited to wear or bring in military memorabilia showing their service (hats, old uniforms, special medals/ribbons).

On Friday, November 16, 2018: Michael Klahr Center, UMA Augusta 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

A free seminar “Maine in WWI” for Teachers, Students, Historians, and Life-Long Learners that will examine Maine’s participation and legacy in WWI, and a celebration of the centennial of the end of the war.

UMA Office of Military and Veterans’ Services

UMA has a rich tradition of supporting military and veteran students, changing lives since 1965. For the Fall 2018 semester, there are over 300 veterans, military, and family members enrolled with VA benefits. Additionally, many veterans are enrolled with no or exhausted VA benefits.

UMA is recognized for its commitment to educating and providing opportunities to our veterans, service members and families:

• 2019 Military Times Best for Vets Colleges (6th year)
• 2018 Military Friendly School (8th year)
• 2018 Military Advanced Education & Transition Top School (8th year)
• 2018 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees for Veterans

Jim Doherty is the Staff Assistant to the Center Director at the VA Maine Healthcare System.  Jim acts as a liaison with veterans, Veteran Service Organizations, congressional offices, community partners and the general public.

Patrick Crowley is the Public Affairs Officer and Change Management Agent for the Regional Office in Togus. The Regional Office processes disability compensation claims and assists Veterans with vocational rehabilitation and employment services.

LaRhonda Harris, R.N. is the Women Veterans Program Manager, VA Maine HCS. She works to improve women’s health services, she serves as a resource for Veteran women in the community, and she is the leader of the facilities women’s health program.

Jim Christie is the Community Outreach Specialist for Maine and New Hampshire and a UMA alumnus. He educates and advocates for Veterans and assists them in obtaining benefits.

Joleen Lilley, LCSW is the VA Maine Program Manager of the Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn Post 911 Transition and Care Management Services Team.  In this role, she additionally serves as the VA liaison to the Maine Army/Air National Guard, the Maine Vet Centers, and Dept. of Defense Transitional Care Team.

Nancy Gillespie is the Outreach Specialist for the Lewiston Vet Center. An Army Veteran herself, she is passionate about supporting other Veterans. She holds regular hours in Lewiston, Augusta, Brunswick, and Rockland to answer Vet Center questions and referrals to both VA programs and community Veteran opportunities.

Amy Line is Â鶹APP Director of Military and Veteran Services and a UMA Alumna.  She is instrumental in helping Veterans navigate their college experience from their first day right through graduation.

The panel will discuss benefits available for Veterans including educational, medical, and other services.  A question and answer period will follow the presentation. Veterans, active military, and their family members are encouraged to meet with the panelists after the event.

These wooden seals representing the 5 branches of service are displayed in the Veterans Academic Center at UMA.

The Maine State Forum invites prominent Maine policymakers to speak at the Â鶹APP on topics of interest to the Maine community. The Forum is in its second year of bringing speakers, the UMA community, and the public together to meet and discuss topics in the news that affect the lives of Maine residents.

The Veterans’ Affairs Mobile Information Van will be parked at UMA Rockland from 10am – 2pm on Tuesday, October 23 with resources and staff to help any veteran.

Active duty military, veterans and their families are invited to visit the Mobile Vet Center at the Breakwater Building and to explore its access to veteran resources. Guests may come with their specific questions, or just visit to see how the VA staff and Mobile Van work to serve members of the military across the state.

According to UMA Rockland’s Director, Deborah Meehan, “We often have people waiting in the parking lot when the van visits. Access to veteran’s information and direct services in the mid-coast is a bit of a challenge.” Meehan added that it’s always rewarding to see people get answers to important questions and access to some essential services.

UMA Veterans Services staff in the van will include Nancy Laffin, Outreach Specialist, US Dept of Veterans’ Affairs. Laffin says, “We sincerely appreciate the service and sacrifices our veterans have made to our nation and this is our effort to reach out to them for whatever support they need.”

Meehan noted that last year many area veterans stopped by just to say hello and to support the traveling services. She added, “People shared stories about their years of service and various tours of duty. We were able to direct some university students who are veterans to important services for which they are eligible. It was a productive visit.”

For more information about the Veterans’ Affairs Mobile Information Van visit, contact UMA Rockland at 596-6906.

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