Cheeny is well-known to many as a U.S. Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) specialist, where she trained military personnel to endure the toughest environments. She also brought her skills to television, competing on Naked & Afraid: Last One Standing, the intense spin-off of the hit reality survival series Naked & Afraid, and ultimately earning the title of “last woman standing.”

Growing up in Maine instilled in Cheeny a deep love of the outdoors and a respect for nature’s challenges. During her 60-minute presentation, she will share stories of resilience from her survival training and time on the show, reflect on the mental toughness required to persevere, and highlight the life lessons that continue to guide her today. She’ll also show how survival principles—like adaptability, problem-solving, and focus—can be applied to everyday life.

“We are incredibly honored to host Cheeny Plante and share her powerful story with our community,” said Elizabeth Daly, Cheeny’s former teacher and UMA Saco Center’s Student Services Coordinator. “I am so proud of Cheeny. Her journey is one we all go on in our own way. Her trials were just shared on our televisions. Cheeny personifies resilience, quiet determination, and flexibility along with such strength. Through it all, she has retained a killer sense of humor, and more telling, her sense of honor.”

A Q&A session will follow her talk. Students, faculty, media and community members are warmly encouraged to attend.

Details at a glance

• Who: Cheeny Plante, U.S. Air Force SERE specialist & Naked & Afraid survivalist
• What: Survival stories, life lessons, and community Q&A (60 minutes)
• When: Tuesday, October 7, 1:00 p.m.
• Where: UMA Saco Center, 209 Main St., Suite 104, Saco
• Cost: Free and open to the public
• Zoom: Join us online from anywhere via Zoom!

Questions? Contact the UMA Saco Center at (207) 282-4111 or elizabeth.daly@maine.edu.

Add this event to your calendar.

Brenda Plummer stands proudly with the quilt she created for Â鶹APP Saco Center – an eye-catching, hand-stitched welcome that now greets every visitor to the main office.

A new quilt hangs behind the main administration desk at the Â鶹APP’s Saco Center, offering a colorful, heartfelt welcome to all who enter. Created by Administrative Assistant Brenda Plummer, the quilt weaves together Â鶹APP colors alongside symbols of welcome: the word “hello” in various languages, friendly Moose, and rainbows that reflect our community – as vibrant and diverse as the quilt itself.

Much like the quilt she created, Brenda’s story is layered, vibrant, and stitched with care. A 2024 graduate of UMA, she’s not only a talented craftswoman but also a source of daily encouragement and steady support for students, staff, and visitors alike. Known for her warmth and wisdom, Brenda is often the first to greet students at the front desk – and one of the first people they turn to for help navigating their path.

Her life story includes everything from truck driving to advocacy, and her return to school was driven by a desire to grow, give back, and prove that it’s never too late to start something new. Brenda’s compassion, unique perspective, and enduring strength resonate with students from all walks of life. “You encourage me every time I come in to do the best I can do,” student Katrina Thibedeau shared. “You make me feel I can do it.”

Brenda Plummer’s quilt is more than a piece of art – it’s a reflection of her generosity and the welcoming spirit that defines the Saco Center. It stands as a reminder that UMA is a place where people are valued, stories are honored, and every stitch – like every student – matters.

Ceremony draws local leaders and community members in support of continued access to higher education in York County

UMA hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, April 10, to celebrate the new downtown location of its Saco Center. The event welcomed approximately 60 attendees, including University of Maine System (UMS) Chancellor Dannel Malloy, UMA President Jenifer Cushman, Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and University of Maine System Trustee Pat Flood.

The Saco Center moved to 209 Main St. in January, continuing Â鶹APP more than 40-year commitment to higher education access throughout York County. The new location was designed to reflect how today’s students access learning — with smaller classrooms, high-speed connectivity and strong local support services.

“UMA has been part of the Biddeford-Saco area for decades, and this move into the heart of downtown Saco shows our ongoing commitment to this community,” said Dan Philbrick, regional director of Â鶹APP Coastal Centers and director of the Saco Center. “While we no longer need as many large classrooms, the need for in-person support, connections and community partnerships remains just as strong.”

In her remarks, President Cushman emphasized Â鶹APP statewide role in making higher education accessible through flexible options and local centers. “This is how education becomes real — through relationships, through inspiration and through programs that open doors students didn’t even know existed,” she said.

Local support was evident, with strong representation from the City of Saco, including City Administrator John Bohenko, Economic Development Director Tracey Desjardins and multiple city councilors. Jim LaBelle, executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and member of Â鶹APP Board of Visitors, also offered remarks.

UMA Saco Center student Yiyang “Joyce” Jiang spoke about how the center helped her grow in confidence, creativity and connection. “Before UMA, I didn’t know what I liked – I always just did what teachers, parents or bosses told me,” she said. “But through UMA, I learned to express myself, to try new things like painting, and to believe in my own ideas.”  Joyce shared how her advisor, Elizabeth, encouraged her to take a painting class. “That class helped me realize that when I focus only on my goals, I forget to slow down and notice the beauty around me,” she said. “The faculty and staff here at the Saco Center support me academically and personally. They not only provide a place of learning, but also have a big impact on my life.”

In addition to serving students in the greater Saco and Biddeford areas and all of York County, the center also supports statewide initiatives such as Â鶹APP Prison Education Partnership, which provides college courses and advising at the Maine Correctional Center, the Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center and the Maine Correctional Center Women’s Facility in Windham.

The Saco Center of the Â鶹APP (UMA) is open for business and has begun the spring semester in its new location, Suite 104 at 209 Main St., Saco, continuing to serve as a welcoming hub for academic and community engagement.

For the past 40 years, the UMA Saco Center has proudly facilitated higher education in the area, serving an average of 350 students each semester. Approximately 1,500 York County community members have achieved their educational goals and now serve our community in fields such as mental health services, business administration, computer information systems, the justice field and more.

Though the Saco Center’s new home has less physical space, it will continue to offer all the same services and support for students and partners. “UMA has been part of the greater Biddeford/Saco community for over 40 years, and we are excited to now be part of Saco’s vibrant downtown,” said Saco Center Director Dan Philbrick.

The new facility addresses the needs of how students now access higher education and includes a computer lab, three onsite classrooms, office space and break area. One of the three classrooms can also serve as a public meeting room.

Equipped with an infrastructure that includes all-new Cat 6 ethernet cabling and a dark fiber network, the UMA Saco Center provides cutting-edge connectivity, with faster, more reliable internet speeds that support advanced learning tools, high-tech classrooms, and scalable bandwidth for future growth. In addition, through its video conference capabilities, the center continues to provide the flexibility and ability for members of the community to work at a distance.

For more information about Â鶹APP Saco Center and its offerings, please call (207) 282-4111 or visit uma.edu/saco.

Students are being asked to share a piece of writing, a class project, or a photo of their experiences at UMA. Connecting our students to our UMA Saco Center through the sharing of their work will add to the weaving of their educational story, much like the fabric once produced in the local mills, learning woven throughout our lives.

The exhibit is being made possible by a UMA Presidential mini-grant.

UMA Saco is planning to host an exhibit of student works entitled “Textiles of My Education”. This exhibit will include a variety of mediums and forms of the students’ interpretation of what the theme means to them. The exhibit will begin in the Spring and will run throughout the Fall semester at the Saco Center.

Students are being asked to share a piece of writing, a class project, or a photo of their experiences at UMA. Connecting our students to our UMA Saco Center through the sharing of their work will add to the weaving of their educational story, much like the fabric once produced in the local mills, learning woven throughout our lives.

The information provided by the students about their submitted work(s) will be used for a booklet which will describe each donated piece of student work and a miniature image of their work.

The exhibit is being made possible by a UMA Presidential mini-grant.

For more information about the project please contact Elizabeth Daly, Student Services Coordinator, UMA Saco, elizabeth.daly@maine.edu or call 282-4111.

Recently, UMA Saco students gathered for a delightful evening filled with creativity and camaraderie at the Paint Night event, generously sponsored by the Student Association.

The artistic soirĂ©e took place at the Center, where students and their guests immersed themselves in the joy of painting “Birch in Winter.” Under the guidance of Elizabeth Daly, the dedicated Student Services Coordinator for the Center, participants explored their artistic talents and expressed themselves through brush strokes and vibrant colors.

One notable aspect of the event was its inclusivity. Recognizing the diverse community at UMA Saco, the Paint Night event was not limited to the physical space of the Center. The event was also broadcast via Zoom to the Women’s Center in Windham, allowing DOC students to join in the creative festivities, fostering a sense of connection and shared experience.

The evening had laughter, shared stories, and the satisfaction of creating unique masterpieces. It was a testament to the vibrant and supportive community that defines UMA Saco.

Special thanks to the to the Student Association for making this event possible, and to Elizabeth Daly for leading the artistic journey. Such events contribute significantly to the overall well-being and sense of belonging within our community.