University of New England

"The Maine Transfer Guarantee is a big step forward in simplifying transfer with the goal of helping students stay on track to earn the bachelor’s degree they seek by removing barriers that previously slowed them down." - President James Herbert

Read more:

Maine community college grads guaranteed transfer paths to six Maine independent colleges under new agreement Under the Maine Transfer Guarantee, community college graduates meeting GPA requirements are guaranteed admission in programs at UNE and five other of Maine's independent colleges and universities as a means of breaking down barriers to a four-year education for Maine's community college graduates.

We're excited to announce that leading biomedical engineer Scott Wood, Ph.D., will be joining UNE as director of the recently established Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences!

Read more:

UNE hires leading biomedical engineer Scott Wood to head Portland biotechnology lab As lab director, Wood will oversee a world-class, interprofessional facility and faculty whose collaborative research endeavors examine the root causes of human disease and novel methods for treatment.

Today, we join the George and Barbara Bush Foundation in honoring what would have been the 100th birthday of George H.W. Bush. From his heartfelt connection with UNE to his storied career and deep ties to Maine, President Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush left an indelible mark on our community and the world. We cherish their legacy through the George and Barbara Bush Distinguished Lecture Series and our Bush Exhibit. Here's to President Bush, an exemplary American and true Nor’easter.

“Ernie exemplifies UNE COM’s values of compassion, excellence, and innovation in medicine. His achievements highlight our commitment to producing leaders who are equipped to address health challenges and advance the well-being of communities worldwide.” - Jane Carreiro, D.O., vice president for health affairs and dean for the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Read more:

UNE COM alumni receives prestigious lifetime achievement award Ernest Lockrow, D.O. '88, is the first doctor of osteopathic medicine to receive the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Luella Klein Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant dedication to women's health.

The grant funding from Bioscience Association of Maine will allow Ruby Motulsky (Marine Sciences, ’25) to remain on UNE’s coastal Maine campus for the summer to research the early developmental stages of the American lobster by studying UNE’s famed orange lobster, Peaches.

Read More:

UNE undergraduate receives BioME grant to study rare lobster larvae Ruby Motulsky (Marine Sciences, ’25) is the recipient of a $5,000 BioME Summer Internship Award, which will allow them to spend their summer studying the early developmental stages of lobster larvae on UNE's Biddeford Campus.

“Alyson’s willingness to engage with the audience on a personal level left a lasting impression that will inspire the next generation of occupational therapy professionals to take on the challenges they will face with compassion, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose." - Kris Winston, Ph.D., OTR/L, program director of UNE’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree program

Campus visit from AOTA President Alyson Stover empowers Occupational Therapy graduates In her address, Stover emphasized the pivotal role occupational therapists play in facilitating empowerment, not just for their clients but also for themselves.

UNE's Director of the School of Marine Programs Charles Tilburg, Ph.D, was featured in the May issue of National Geographic! The article highlights the work of Brian Skerry, a photographer documenting the impacts of climate change on the Gulf of Maine.

Read the full story:

The Gulf of Maine is warming fast. What does that mean for lobsters—and everything else? National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry has been diving in the Gulf of Maine for more than 40 years. After learning these waters were a harbinger of climate change, he set out to document the rapid shift and its ripple effects.

“‘​​Crafting Futures’ is launching at a critical time in the evolution of both distilling and brewing, when change is happening so rapidly that we need to work together to navigate effectively.” - Laura Lodge, owner/strategic advisor of Customized Craft Beer Program

UNE joins forces with brewers’ and distillers’ guilds and industry experts to address industry training needs The collaboration, “Crafting Futures,” introduces a tailored curriculum designed to equip industry professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving craft beverage landscape.

"You are going to have the strength, the energy, the vision, and the morality that will turn this nation around and make it the beautiful nation that we know it can become.” — U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders

We were honored to have U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as the keynote speaker at our 189th Commencement Ceremony. His inspiring words encouraged graduates to go out into the world and address crises like systemic inequalities in access to care. We are so excited to see the impact the class of 2024 will make in the world.

Read more:

Congratulations, Class of 2024! The University of New England awarded more than 1,500 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at its 189th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, representing the fields of medicine, dental medicine, phar...

Caps off to the class of 2024🎓✨We had the most incredible weekend celebrating the newest Nor’easter alumni⛈️ If there’s one thing we know coming away from commencement, it’s that the world is a better place with you all in it. We can’t wait to see all of the amazing things you’ll go on to do💙

As we head into a weekend full of celebration and smiles, we couldn't think of a better way to cap off the week with the story of Macy Punzalan D.M.D.,’ 24! Macy's passion for art and helping others found a home at UNE's College of Dental Medicine. There, she spent four years furthering her education while being supported by Portland's vibrant community of creators as she continued to develop her non-profit, the Pristine Pearls Project.

Read more:

Crafting smiles: UNE dental student combines art and education to improve access to care Macy Punzalan (D.M.D.,’ 24) will attend an orthodontics residency in Boston to help people feel good about their smiles.

“Health care has always been a part of me and what I was going to do; there was never really a question." - Jillian Flynn (M.S.PA., ’24)

Influenced by her father’s career as a primary care doctor, Jillian decided on UNE’s Physician Assistant program because of the University’s dedication to rural health care education.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3WFKZXZ

Graduating student finds University of New England a pathway to serving rural Maine Jillian Flynn (M.S.PA.,’ 24) plans to use the skills she learned at UNE to work in underserved communities in Maine.

UNE's 189th Commencement is set for Saturday, May 18th! We're excited to celebrate the achievements of UNE's Class of 2024 while awarding over 1,500 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Head over to our Instagram where we'll be highlighting some of our outstanding soon-to-be grads throughout the week.

Click here for more information about UNE's 189th Commencement Ceremony:

UNE's 189th Commencement is set for Saturday, May 18 UNE will award over 1,500 degrees to graduates in the humanities, business, education, the sciences, human services, and the health professions.

“This event was a great example of community leadership. It was beneficial for both groups to learn from each other and further practice their leadership skills.” - Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., CPRP, assistant teaching professor in the College of Business

UNE Business Students Lead Recreation Workshops for Oxford Hills Teens The University welcomed students from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School for a day of field games, leadership training, and career preparation sessions in outdoor recreation leadership, led by students in UNE's Sport Management and Business degree p...

Starting this fall, UNE's College of Business will begin offering several new programs crafted to equip students with the necessary skills and expertise required for success in today's competitive business landscape.

Read more:

UNE launches three new majors to drive business innovation Starting this fall, the college will begin offering interdisciplinary degree programs in Accounting, Finance, and Marketing to meet the need for in-demand careers in Maine and the nation’s growing business sector.

This is an incredible honor, and I am humbled to know that my commitment to supporting occupational therapy in dedicated mental health spaces has been recognized. Bringing awareness to the impact occupational therapy can have in this practice area has been my mission since I began as an occupational therapy practitioner 25 years ago.” - Carol Lambdin-Pattavina, M.S.O.T., O.T.D.

Faculty honored, students share research at national OT conference Faculty, students, and alumni from UNE's Occupational Therapy program attended the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) INSIRE Conference & Expo, in March, where they shared research, networked, and attended inspirational sessions led by prominent members of the OT field. Professor Carol...

Empathy, recognized as a crucial aspect of patient care, has long been a focal point in medical education. However, finding effective methods to cultivate empathy in health care professionals has remained a challenge. The UNE study sought to address this gap by exploring the impact of VR-assisted learning models on empathy development.

UNE study finds VR technology boosts empathy in future health care professionals An interprofessional, cross-campus study has found that virtual reality technology may be a promising pedagogical tool in enhancing empathy among future health care providers in addition to being a valuable remote learning tool.

The research also represents the research efforts of three, first-year marine sciences undergraduates, Class of ’27 students Piper Stagg, Olivia Leighton, and Emma Hastings!

Marine Sciences faculty presents research at international symposium in Tasmania Tricia Thibodeau, Ph.D., presented her new research characterizing the structure of zooplankton communities in the expanding oxygen minimum zone of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific at the 7th International Zooplankton Production Symposium, held from March 17 to 21 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Computing and data now touch nearly every facet of daily life and the world’s industries. With these rapid technological advancements we are excited to announce the formation of a School of Computer Science and Data Analytics. Embedded within UNE’s College of Arts and Sciences, the new school reflects UNE’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for professionals with skills in emerging technologies.

Read more:

New School of Computer Science and Data Analytics will prepare UNE students for the future of tech Embedded within UNE’s College of Arts and Sciences, the new school reflects UNE’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for professionals with skills in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

"When it comes to service and leadership within the physical therapy profession, no one does this work for the work’s sake. It’s the people who support you, cheer you on, collaborate with you, and challenge you who ignite our careers and make it fun to be involved.” - Jennifer Audette, Ph.D.

UNE physical therapy professor honored with prestigious award Jennifer Audette, Ph.D., received a leadership award from the American Physical Therapy Association in February.

“I feel deeply grateful for the support from my mentors, professors, and the supportive culture at UNE COM, and I am honored to represent COM as a 2024 FAER MSARF scholar at an excellent institute within a small pool of recipients nationwide." - Luu Pham (D.O., ’27)

UNE COM student to complete prestigious anesthesiology fellowship at premier Boston hospital Luu Pham (D.O., ’27) has been awarded a highly selective research fellowship from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research and will complete an intensive program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston this summer.

This year’s induction ceremony marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of UNE’s Alpha Psi Chapter of PTE. Join us in congratulating Korin Bowers, Rebecca Corbett, Molly Driscoll, Katherine Herzig, Sarah McAndrews, Monique Millette, Emily Morse, Sarah White, Brooke Toothaker, and Carolyn Wilson!

M.S.O.T. Class of 2024 inducts members into Pi Theta Epsilon honor society Ten students from UNE's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree program were inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon on Tuesday, March 5, joined by friends, family, and a lineup of faculty speakers and supporters.

“We all have a role to play in health care, and I love how UNE fosters interprofessional health care education. I’m excited to see more collaborative health care where professionals contribute their expertise to problem-solving.” - Nathan Haynes, M.S.P.A. ’01

Alumni Spotlight: Nathan Haynes, M.S.P.A. ’01 Nathan Hayes, M.S.P.A. ’01, is a physician assistant at Maine Medical Partners Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in the Division of Trauma and Fracture Care.

A group of students and faculty from UNE's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences recently presented their research findings during the 95th annual Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference. Travel to the conference was made possible through the generous support of the Undergraduate Student Government.

Psychology students, faculty present research at national research conference in Philadelphia A group of students and faculty from the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences recently presented their research findings during the 95th annual Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference, held in Philadelphia from Feb. 29 to March 2.

“It is important to acknowledge the loss people experience with the death of their pet and give them the space for emotional expression and validation. "The more we can work to normalize talking about pet loss, death overall, and the deeply personal journey of grieving, the better we will be equipped to support each other when we need it most.” - Tracey Walker

UNE offering new online End-of-Life Pet Doula program to provide compassionate care for pets and families The University of New England Online has announced it is offering a six-week, 100% online End-of-Life Pet Doula Certificate program designed to provide participants the skills needed to deliver practical, compassionate, informed, and supportive care for pets and their families as pets approach the e...

“Everyone’s journey is different through (physician assistant) school. What truly matters is that you are happy with your decision once you reach your desired destination.” - Lenora Sheppard, M.S.P.A. ’21

Sheppard’s own journey to become a physician assistant (PA) at North Florida Regional Medical Center was full of unexpected turns. Click the link below to read her full story.

Alumni Spotlight: Lenora Sheppard, M.S.P.A. ’21 Lenora Sheppard, M.S.P.A. ’21, is a physician assistant at North Florida Regional Medical Center.

“Our partnership with Educate Maine and the Mobile BIOLAB will bring these experiences to kids throughout Maine, allowing them to see what’s possible and dream big.” - Ian Meng, Ph.D., professor of Biomedical Sciences and director of UNE’s Center for Pain Research

Read more:

UNE sponsors mobile STEM learning laboratory with eye toward workforce growth The new mobile lab will provide learning opportunities for high school students in Maine’s underserved communities.

UNE's associate provost for Research and Scholarship Karen Houseknecht was the first in her family to go to college. In 2023, she became a Fulbright Senior Scholar. Learn more about her 2023 stay in Spain researching novel disease treatments at the link below.

Read more here:

‘Little by Little,’ a UNE Researcher’s Fulbright Dream Comes True Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., associate provost for Research and Scholarship at UNE, was the first in her family to go to college. In 2023, she became a Fulbright Senior Scholar, traveling to Madrid to research novel therapeutics for dementia and diabetes. But her journey was spent far beyond the confin...

A paper co-authored by Shelley Cohen Konrad, Ph.D., LCSW, FNAP, director of the Center to Advance Interprofessional Education and Practice (CAIEP), has been recognized internationally for its contributions to the field of interprofessional practice.

Paper co-authored by CAIEP director receives international excellence award A paper co-authored by Shelley Cohen Konrad, director of UNE's Center to Advance Interprofessional Education and Practice (CAIEP), has been recognized internationally for its contributions to the field of interprofessional practice.