LIFE at
UMFK

UMFK is happy to collaborate with MSAD 27 for developing The Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School — the first of its kind in Maine for high school students who have experienced substance misuse. MSAD 27 received funding from the Maine Recovery Council to operate the program for 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. The program is based on National Association of Recovery School (ARS) standards and practice. Studies by the Recovery Village Advanced Recovery Systems nationwide network of addiction recovery facilities have found that students who attend these schools have fewer school absences, are less likely to experience a delay in earning a high school diploma, are less less likely to resume substance use and are more likely to remain clean and sober. The Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School is slated to begin serving students in August, 2026.

UMFK Professor Stacy Thibodeau facilitated a wonderful collaboration between UMFK's Nursing program on the UMPI campus and UMPI's Medical Laboratory Technician program. Partnering with UMPI Professor Leigh Belair, the faculty members created over 70 clinical scenarios that students needed to navigate to test their skills.

Please join us today! The UMFK biology program will host its first Scientific Speakers Series with Dr. Jim Coffman, Ph.D. who will deliver his presentation entitled “Modeling the developmental origins of health and disease” today (Wednesday, April 2) at 1 p.m. in Fox Auditorium located on the UMFK campus. The speaker series is free and open to the public.