UMFK News Releases

Harmony Hoyt, a sixth-grade student at Madawaska Middle/High School, took home the top prize at the Aroostook County Spelling Bee held Thursday, Feb. 12, at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

Hoyt secured her victory by correctly spelling the word “baptismal.” She will now advance to the Maine State Spelling Bee, scheduled for Saturday, March 21, at Bowdoin College in Brunswick.

The regional competition featured 16 students from across the county. Each participant earned their spot by placing as a winner or runner-up in preliminary rounds at their respective schools. Participating schools included:

• Ashland District School
• Easton Junior/Senior High School
• Fort Kent Elementary and Valley Rivers Middle School
• Greater Houlton Christian Academy
• Madawaska Elementary and Madawaska Middle High School
• Mill Pond School and Hodgdon Middle High School
• M.S.A.D. 33
• Woodland Consolidated School

Maine School Administrative District 27 sponsored the event. The competition was coordinated by Travis Lynn, a seventh-grade English teacher at Valley Rivers Middle School.

The event was free and open to the public, drawing supporters from across Northern Maine to cheer on the region’s top spellers.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) has launched a new Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management degree program, designed to prepare students for careers protecting and sustaining wildlife and habitats.

Built on UMFK’s long-standing strengths in natural sciences, the new program emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning in one of the most ecologically diverse regions of the Northeast. Students will gain field-based experience in wildlife ecology, habitat management and sustainable resource management practices while studying in northern Maine’s forests, rivers and wildlife habitats.

“The Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management reflects both our mission and our geography,” said UMFK President Deb Hedeen. “Our location provides an extraordinary living laboratory, and this program allows students to apply science in real-world settings while preparing for meaningful careers in wildlife management and ecology.”

The program complements UMFK’s existing offerings in Biology, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Criminal Justice and Conservation Law Enforcement, creating interdisciplinary opportunities for students to tailor their education to specific career goals. Courses are taught by credentialed faculty with field and professional expertise in natural sciences, integrating classroom learning with hands-on applied fieldwork.

“Our goal is to ensure students graduate with both strong scientific knowledge and meaningful field experience,” said Stephanie Landry, assistant professor of Forestry and lead faculty member for the program. “From conducting field research to analyzing habitat conditions, students will engage directly with the ecosystems they are studying. That hands-on approach builds confidence and prepares them to step into professional roles immediately after graduation.”

Designed for students driven to promote sustainable wildlife and natural resource management, the curriculum blends science, sustainability and practical experience. Graduates will be prepared for roles in wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation science and related fields at the local, state and federal levels. The university’s proximity to the North Maine Woods and campus-adjacent Fish River makes it an ideal location for students to learn.

Graduates of the program will meet the academic requirements for Associate Wildlife Biologist® certification through The Wildlife Society, providing graduates with a competitive edge in the job market.

Potential employers for graduates include state wildlife and natural resource agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, local and regional land trusts and environmental monitoring organizations.

The UMFK Admissions office is now accepting applications for the fall 2026 semester. To learn more about the program, visit the Wildlife Management webpage.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) is pleased to announce its Fall 2025 Dean’s List, recognizing the academic excellence of both full-time and part-time students.

“Congratulations to the students who have earned a place on the UMFK Dean’s List and Academic Recognition List,” said UMFK President Deb Hedeen. “The Dean’s List honors our full-time students, while the Academic Recognition List celebrates the achievements of our part-time learners. Their commitment, perseverance, and hard work are inspiring. We are proud to recognize their success and grateful to have them as valued members of the UMFK community.”

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is the northernmost campus in the University of Maine System and serves as a regional hub for Acadian and Franco-American culture. UMFK offers a supportive, close-knit campus environment.

UMFK provides multiple academic pathways leading to associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. For a complete list of programs and additional information, visit the UMFK website.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) recently welcomed 20 students from across the University of Maine System (UMS) for a hands-on winter outdoor recreation course that prepared them for in-demand careers in Maine tourism, hospitality and outdoor recreation.

Students representing six UMS universities, including UMFK, the University of Maine and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias, the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Southern Maine participated in “BYS 340: Special Topics in Business: Winter Outdoor Recreation.”

The course is part of the new 18-credit Tourism, Hospitality and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) minor offered at every UMS university, which emphasizes experiential learning and real-world connections within Maine’s tourism and outdoor recreation industries. The innovative multi-university collaboration is made possible thanks to the System’s unique unified accreditation.

“The THOR minor offers students a broader understanding of the state of Maine in the context of tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation through hands-on learning and connections with workforce leaders,” said Emily Zider, program manager of the UMS THOR Institute.

UMFK Associate Professor of Business Dr. Michael Curran designed the course with several goals in mind. Prior to arriving on campus, students completed a series of online learning modules designed to build foundational knowledge and prepare them for the immersive, on-site experience at UMFK. Once on campus, students engaged in a wide range of winter outdoor recreation activities, including cross-country skiing, biathlon shooting, ice fishing, dog sledding, downhill skiing, and snowshoeing. These experiences were coordinated by UMFK’s Experiential Learning & Recreation Manager Shannon Lugdon. Due to strong student interest, the course reached maximum capacity.

“At UMFK, we pride ourselves in providing students with practical experiences to enhance their learning,” said Dr. Curran. “When designing the THOR course, I wanted to build a strong business foundation in management, marketing, and entrepreneurship through online learning modules, but I also wanted to give students the opportunity to participate in their learning. Combining winter outdoor experiences with direct conversations with registered Maine Guides, winter sport managers, and sporting camp owners allowed us to deliver that curriculum in a truly meaningful and unique way.”

By connecting with business leaders throughout the St. John Valley, students gained insight into the opportunities and challenges facing winter recreation and tourism businesses in Maine. These conversations provided valuable perspective on entrepreneurship, workforce needs, sustainability, and the economic impact of outdoor recreation in rural communities.

“Each event gave me the opportunity to experience how both sides of the industry work,” said Sarah Craig, a UMFK student who participated in the course. “I was able to have fun and participate in snowshoeing, skiing, and dog sledding, and I was also able to see what it was like to put these events together — all the time, energy, and money it takes to make them run smoothly.”

The course’s design is closely tied to UMFK’s strengths. The University’s location, climate, roles, and partnerships make it an ideal setting for immersive outdoor education. UMFK offers other courses that contribute to the THOR minor, including “Wilderness First Aid” and “Water Recreation and Stewardship.”

For more information on UMFK, visit the UMFK website.

For more information on THOR Institute, visit the THOR Institute website.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), in collaboration with the Fort Kent Outdoor Center, will host its annual Indoor Biathlon Competition on Sunday, February 8, at the UMFK Sports Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The competition is open to participants ages 12 and older. No experience necessary, and the event is open to all ability levels.  While a traditional biathlon combines Nordic skiing and shooting, the indoor version consists of running and laser rifle shooting.

The event is designed to help build awareness of the sport of biathlon and its impact on the Fort Kent community.

Practice begins at 12:30 p.m., and the competition starts at 1 p.m.  Participants are required to bring indoor sneakers.

Prizes will be awarded.

Those interested can register online.

For more information, please contact Shannon Lugdon at 207-834-7665.

Program to highlight Maine’s first recovery high school

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) Board of Visitors will host its next business breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, in the Nadeau Hall Conference Room on the UMFK campus.

The program will focus on the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School, scheduled to open for the 2026–2027 school year, and will highlight Maine’s first recovery high school.

Designed to serve teens in grades 9–12 who are in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and/or co-occurring mental health disorders, the school represents a historic and innovative advancement in both education and youth recovery support.

Uniquely based on the UMFK campus, the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School will offer a first-of-its-kind school-week, in-residence model in the United States. The program will include eight residential students, along with services for an additional four to six day-only students.

A professional team of five staff members will guide students using a structured, goal-oriented model designed to help young people establish healthy, constructive habits that support their personal, mental, emotional, behavioral, and social development. The program will also ensure students continue progressing toward a high school diploma without prolonged interruption to their education.

Staff will focus on the following key priorities:

• Academic Advancement: Providing academic courses for high school credit, with opportunities for early college coursework through UMFK.
• Life-Health Support: Supporting multiple life-health domains, including social, emotional, mental, physical, and vocational health.
• Recovery & Wellness: Delivering skills training to help prevent future substance use and building a sober social network for every student.
• Family & Community: Promoting family involvement, offering family support services, and encouraging participation in pro-social activities.

Tickets for the breakfast are $15 and may be purchased by credit card online.

The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

For more information, contact Lisa Roy at 207-834-7504 or roylisa@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) Nursing Department hosted its annual Pediatric Health Fair at the UMFK Sports Center. More than two hundred second and third-graders from surrounding elementary schools attended the event with booths of varying health and wellness topics appropriate for children.

This year’s health fair was full of engaging booths from our junior nursing students and led by community business and/or organizations such as: Fish River Rural Health – Dental; AMHC; Northern Maine Medical Center; Acadia Federal Credit Union; Rivertown Community Arts Center; Fort Kent Fire & Police Department; Too Far North Fitness; and St. John Valley Technology School – Health Occupations.

As local second and third graders circulated around the different booths, they were able to learn about various topics ranging from dental health, sun safety, physical activity, and sleep hygiene.

“It was amazing to see the interaction between our UMFK students and the local elementary school students, as both have a lot to learn from each other. Learning to connect with the pediatric population takes a lot of knowledge and energy, and our UMFK students delivered,” said Stephanie Nadeau, UMFK Instructor of Nursing and Clinical Coordinator. “You could see the direct engagement as groups settled on the floor in circles, played Twister, filled backpacks, blew bubbles, and participated in countless games, all which benefited their health and well-being.”

There was even a surprise visit from Benny the Bengal.

“I would encourage any local entity to reach out to be a part of this annual event. Just a few hours of our time can make such an impact on our community,” said Nadeau.

To learn more about UMFK’s Nursing programs, visit the UMFK Nursing program webpage.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) successfully hosted the fourth annual University of Maine System (UMS) Nursing Research Symposium on Friday, Oct. 24, bringing together nursing professionals, educators, and students to share innovations in research, education, and clinical practice. The event was held in the Nadeau Hall conference room, with virtual participation available via Zoom.

The symposium, themed “Nursing on the Frontlines of Change: Compassion, Adaptability, and Strength,” highlighted the resilience, adaptability, and leadership that define the nursing profession. Attendees engaged in keynote speakers, podium presentations, and poster presentations from experts across the UMS.

Keynote speakers Erin Soucy Ph.D., RN, UMFK associate provost for academic affairs and dean of Nursing, Allied Health and Behavioral Science and Dr. Shannon Gauvin, DHA, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, University of Maine at Augusta director, program coordinator, and associate professor of Nursing opened the symposium with a session on Supporting Educator’s Learning to Enhance Teaching Effectiveness in Simulation Education. Presentations throughout the day addressed topics including higher nursing education and workforce development, clinical preparation and transition to practice for nurse practitioners, cultural competence and health equity in nursing care, innovative simulation and immersive virtual reality learning experiences, and the integration of artificial intelligence in nursing education.

The symposium provided attendees the opportunity to identify strategies to sustain healthy environments for nurses, students, and faculty, engage with colleagues in advancing nursing education and practice, and synthesize new knowledge to improve patient care and professional practice.

“This year’s symposium was an inspiring gathering of nursing professionals and students across Maine,” said Maisie Plourde, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, UMFK associate professor of Nursing and a member of the symposium organizing committee. “The presentations, discussions, and poster sessions fostered meaningful dialogue and collaboration that will continue to influence nursing education and practice statewide.”

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Connecticut Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Twelve nursing students and two nurse leaders were inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Omicron Xi at Large Chapter at a recent ceremony held at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) in Nadeau Hall conference room on Oct. 25.

Shannon Gauvin, president of the Omicron Xi at Large Chapter, offered a welcome.

Erin Soucy, Ph.D., RN, UMFK associate provost for academic affairs and dean of Nursing, Allied Health and Behavioral Science, offered congratulatory remarks to the inductees.

The following were inducted into Sigma Theta Tau: Sean Cook and Jessica Soucy (Husson University); Ian Beaulieu, Cami Juskiewicz, and Olivia Pelkey (University of Maine); Chloe Wilson and Colby Volkernick (University of Maine at Augusta); Kaille Hartford, Kacey Hammond, Stephanie Nadeau, Ana Panameno, and Sadie Pelletier (UMFK) and Prinisel Gonato and Maisie Plourde (Nurse Leaders).

Sigma Theta Tau mission is developing nurse leaders to improve healthcare everywhere.

Shannon Gauvin concluded the ceremony with closing remarks.

Nursing programs of Husson University; UMFK; the University of Augusta; and the University of Maine are members of the Omicron Xi at Large Chapter of Sigma.