ORONO — The University of Maine equipped rising high school seniors with knowledge and skills to become future leaders through a weeklong program featuring talks from executives and government officials, and outdoor leadership and co-curricular programs.

Since 2019, the UMaine Cohen Institute’s weeklong Summer Leadership Program has immersed more than 250 students from all of Maine’s sixteen counties in leadership practice and theory at no cost. It was created to train the next generation of Maine’s public service leaders, selected from among the state’s most promising high school students.

From June 22-28, 50 rising high school seniors participated in lectures and activities that explore the fundamentals of team-building, collaborating and overcoming adversity. They learned about different management and problem solving approaches from national and local leaders, including U.S. Sen. Susan Collins; former U.S. Ambassador John Veroneau; Jerome Smith, head of community affairs for New England Region; Penquis President and CEO Kara Hay; and UMaine Women’s Basketball Head Coach Amy Vachon.

They witnessed firsthand how faculty and students are making a difference by touring UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center and Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center. As part of the focus on outdoor leadership, they paddled the Stillwater River in canoes and maneuvered through a ropes course offered by Maine Bound.

Jacob Hulbert, a 17-year-old senior from Hermon High School, is eager to take charge in a situation, especially if it means helping others. That desire, and a nomination from his school, brought him to the program. For Hulbert, who hopes to someday join the U.S. Air Force, participating in the program exposed him to some strong leaders and encouraged him to pursue a leadership studies minor in college.

“I think it’s a great experience. I had great councilors, met a lot of great people, enjoyed the classes,” Hulbert said. “There were a lot of great experiences overall for me.”

Many program participants have gone on to study at UMaine or other public universities throughout the state. According to the institute, 59% of the 2021 summer cohort matriculated to UMaine, and 70% chose to pursue a college degree within the University of Maine System.

“I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the first annual Cohen Institute summer program in 2019,” said Olivia Schanck (‘23), who now serves as lead teacher and assistant program coordinator for Green House Village School. “This experience was not only enriching but transformative. It played a significant role in shaping my educational journey, as I fell in love with the campus. Without the Cohen Institute, I would not be where I am today. It laid the foundation for my passion, my purpose and my profession.”

The program allows rising high school seniors to earn college credit at no cost for participating in the experience, which serves as a capstone for UMaine’s Early College Pathway in Leadership and Public Service.

The Summer Leadership Program and corresponding Early College pathway is supported by $464,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending secured in fiscal year 2023 by Sen. Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Amazon also provided a $25,000 community grant investment for the program, which, along with other donations, helps cover tuition, room and board for all participants.

“We live in a moment when young people are understandably frustrated about the state of our politics, economic stagnation and a whole host of other issues. What we emphasize in this program is that you can’t just complain about these things, you need to get involved in some way,” said Ryan LaRochelle, a senior lecturer with the Cohen Institute who oversees the program.

For Hilina Gugsa, a 17-year-old senior from Deering High School in Portland, participating in the program this summer demonstrated the importance of building trust as a leader through communication. It also allowed her to spend time with friends and make new ones.

“It’s a good opportunity to have fun but also learn about these core values of leadership,” said Gugsa, who aspires to change the world through a career in politics or international affairs. 

About the University of Maine: As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.