To the editor:
On behalf of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, I want to thank the University of Maine at Presque Isle — and Aroostook County — for hosting our May meeting.
Our visit came just days after UMPI held not one but two commencement ceremonies. That’s because its innovative YourPace competency-based degree program has tripled UMPI’s enrollment over the past five years and it took two ceremonies to recognize their many graduates.
The success of this entirely online program is good news for UMPI, our system and for working adults who can more easily access high-quality postsecondary education and economic mobility thanks to YourPace’s affordability and flexibility.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent also just celebrated a historic commencement, graduating more than 200 professionals, including the first recipients of a UMFK master of science in nursing degree. Our northernmost public university launched this MSN program, which is also offered completely online, to meet Maine’s need for advanced practice nurses to care for our aging population.
Our board looks forward to returning to The County next year for our May meeting in Fort Kent. In the meantime, I hope residents of the region will join us in congratulating these two UMS universities on their successful commencements for the Class of 2025, for innovating to meet local and state workforce needs, and for continuing to serve as drivers of employment and opportunity in the Crown of Maine.
Trish Riley, Chair
University of Maine System Board of Trustees
