ROCKLAND — OUT Maine has promoted Cassie Cooper (they/them), formerly the organization’s School Engagement Coordinator, to the role of Associate Director as of October 2024.

Cooper joined the OUT Maine staff in summer 2023, and was able to expand the nonprofit’s connections to schools in every corner of the state. They spearheaded the new GSTA Network program, where schools can host their own collaborative student clubs as safe spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and allies. They also ran the pilot School Climate Cohort program (now called the Safe School Cohort) last year and provided vital support to educators improving their schools’ social and cultural climates.

"This promotion comes as a result of these great efforts and more successes," said Out Maine, in a news release.

“Promoting Cassie was a no-brainer,” says Executive Director Sue Campbell. “They are an irreplaceable part of the team already, and our board agrees. Being OUT’s Associate Director will enable them to have a bigger impact on all our programs as well as internal operations. We’re very excited to have them in more of a leadership capacity.”

OUT Maine will be accepting applications for Cooper’s previous position of School Engagement Coordinator through October 18. Job description and application details can be found on the organization’s website.

OUT Maine has an ambitious goal: to create more welcoming and affirming communities for Maine’s diverse queer youth in all their intersectional identities by changing the very systems that serve them. For more information, please visit www.outmaine.org.