Maine’s public universities bolster size, skill of state workforce by awarding 4,400+ in-demand degrees this weekend

In total, more than 7,000 students are expected to earn bachelor's, master's, law and doctoral degrees this academic year through the University of Maine System, which is the state's most powerful engine of educational attainment and upward mobility

ORONO, Maine - Maine's public universities will confer door-opening degrees on more than 4,400 career-ready graduates participating in commencement ceremonies this weekend.

In total, more than 7,000 students are expected to earn their degrees through the University of Maine System (UMS) in the 2025-26 academic year, accelerating the growth of the state's workforce and economy.

The University of Maine (External Site) and the University of Southern Maine (External Site) (USM) will begin the busy weekend of celebrations across the System and state on Friday, May 8 with afternoon events for advanced degree earners. UMaine, the state's only institution to have achieved R1 Carnegie Classification for research performance and productivity, will confer more than 500 master's and doctoral degrees in a graduate commencement (External Site) at its iconic Alfond Arena and USM will hood a record number of doctoral degree earners (40) on its Portland campus.

In total, Maine's flagship will award over 2,000 degrees this weekend with two undergraduate ceremonies in Orono on Saturday and another at its regional campus in Machias (External Site) on Sunday, while USM will award nearly 1,100 degrees (External Site) at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Saturday morning.

The University of Maine at Augusta (External Site) (UMA), the University of Maine at Farmington (External Site) (UMF) and the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) will also host commencement on Saturday, as will the University of Maine at Presque Isle (External Site) (UMPI), which will again need to hold two in-person ceremonies given the growth and success of adult degree completers in its YourPace competency-based online education program, as well as its first-ever virtual commencement on June 6.

"I want to congratulate the University of Maine System Class of 2026 and also recognize their loved ones and our dedicated faculty and staff who helped these graduates reach this important milestone," said Chancellor Dannel Malloy, who will participate in the commencement at UMA this weekend and at the University of Maine School of Law (External Site) on May 23 in Portland.

"Every degree Maine's public universities confer this spring represents both incredible individual achievement and the strengthening of our state's workforce, economy and communities through the transformational power of public higher education. We are proud of our graduates, we believe in their future and we look forward to seeing them accomplish meaningful careers and lives of impact in service to something larger than themselves."

Maine's public universities are the state's most powerful engine of educational attainment and upward mobility. UMS has conferred 58,858 degrees and certificates in the last decade (External Site), with the largest numbers in majors most aligned with the state's workforce needs, including business, education, health care, liberal arts, and engineering and computing. More than 40% of System undergraduates are considered first-generation students (External Site) and their bachelor's degree attainment rate is more than double the national average for this population. Working-age UMaine alumni in the state earn more than double Maine's average median income (External Site).

Among those walking across the stage this weekend are:

• David Rinkle (External Site), a Narraguagus Junior-Senior High School teacher who is completing his bachelor's degree 47 years after he began his college journey through UMaine's Finish Strong program.
• Casey Raymond (External Site), who overcame a serious medical diagnosis to become part of UMA's first Aviation Maintenance Technician School graduating class and a licensed pilot and certified flight instructor. By developing expertise in both flight and maintenance, Raymond has built a unique and in-demand skill set and plans to use her training for humanitarian flying.
• Kristyn Plamondon (External Site), UMF's first-ever graduate student commencement speaker. She is a former Maine teacher who plans to become a school-based clinician and is graduating with a Counseling Psychology master's program with a focus on the creative arts - one of only three such programs in the country.
• Michael Nathaniel Nibley, UMFK's 2026 valedictorian, and Krista Marie Coffin, the salutatorian from the System's northernmost public university.
• Rachel D'Alessandro (External Site), a double major in marine biology and integrative biology who is the UMaine Machias valedictorian, and Kalli Sternberg (External Site), a rural education major from Machias, who is the salutatorian of the flagship's regional campus.
• Kelley McIntyre, the director of nursing at Lakewood Healthcare Center in Waterville. She first earned her four-year nursing degree through a UMFK BSN program delivered at UMPI and is now graduating with a bachelor's degree in business administration through UMPI's YourPace - one of nearly 1,800 adults expected to complete their in-demand degree through the popular online program this academic year.
• Najmo Ahmed (External Site), a first-generation student from Lewiston who is graduating from USM with a bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences and will speak at commencement. She plans to continue her studies through USM's Muskie School of Public Service and pursue a career in social services and, eventually, healthcare administration.

Meanwhile, honorary degrees will be conferred on Maine National Guard Major General Diane Dunn and Maine Instrument Flight CEO Chad Morris (UMA), public health leader Dr. Dora Anne Mills (External Site) (UMF), healthcare executive and nurse leader Lisa Harvey-McPherson (UMFK), Washington County Community College President Susan Mingo (UMaine Machias), Aroostook County retired teacher and education philanthropist Sandra Gauvin (External Site) and retired attorney David Watson (External Site) (UMPI) and internationally recognized education scholar Henry A. Giroux (USM). UMFK will also present its distinguished service award (External Site) to the Fort Kent Lions Club.

Earlier this month in a ceremony (External Site) in the Penobscot Nation Council Chambers on Indian Island, UMaine awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Carol A. Dana (External Site), one of the foremost stewards of the Penobscot language.

About the University of Maine System

The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state's largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit https://www.maine.edu.

Media Contact:

Samantha WarrenChief External & Governmental Affairs Officer207-632-0389 / [email protected]