Holly Hunt ’26
BS Aviation | Certified Flight Instructor
“I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a pilot. Instead, that realization slowly crept up on me as I got older. However, by the time I graduated high school, I realized that aviation was my passion. And once the aviation bug bites you, you never get over it.
“My connection to UMA began in high school, with UMA’s early college program. I began taking dual enrollment classes in my early years of high school, and then was also able to take introductory aviation classes in my later years. These classes are what solidified my passion for flying and my decision to pursue an aviation career.”
“UMA made it possible for me to smoothly transition into my college education and enter right into flight training. Plus, because I had already been connected with the aviation program through early college, I knew some of my flight instructors before I officially started flight training. Those instructors were my rock throughout training. They care deeply for the students they teach and support us in every way they can. UMA has an amazing aviation program with incredible and experienced instructors as well as quality aircraft. Choosing to go to UMA to pursue a career in aviation was one of the easiest and best decisions I’ve made in my life.”
Cassidy Godin ’22
BS Nursing | BSN, RN-PEDS BC, DAISY Award Recipient
“I wanted to be a pediatric nurse to take care of kids the way I watched the nurses take care of one of my best friends growing up who was really sick.”
“The UMA nursing program shaped me into the nurse I am today—resilient, compassionate, and confident. It pushed me, challenged me, and ultimately gave me the skills and purpose I needed to serve others with excellence.”
Paige Higgins ’22
BS Veterinary Technology | Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
“I chose veterinary technology not only for my love of animals but also for the feeling that comes with caring for them! There is nothing more rewarding than watching a patient heal and grow and assisting and educating their family in that process too!”
“UMA made college seem less scary to me. I was a first generation college student and was nervous about being able to afford it as well. I was able to make connections and friends easily during school! Also, UMA’s Pine Tree State Pledge allowed me to have this education by paying the remainder of my tuition after scholarships. I truly couldn’t have picked a more welcoming and fitting college for myself!”
Sal Cardinale ’23
B.Arch | Licensed Architect, Project Manager
“Architecture has always been a passion to me, starting out with Legos to working on job sites with my father. Why UMA? UMA’s student-to-teacher ratio allowed me to build stronger relationships with my teachers and classmates. It allowed us to work closer on projects and be more than just a number.”
Hayden Hoague ’25
BS Elementary Education | Student Teacher
“I chose education because I’ve always wanted to make a positive impact on children’s lives and help create classroom environments where every student feels supported and capable. UMA has played a huge role in shaping my path. The professors truly get to know you, and the program gives you real, meaningful classroom experience early on. I’ve grown so much in my confidence, my teaching skills, and my understanding of what great instruction looks like.”
Colby Quinlan ’25
AS Dental Hygiene/BAS | Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
“I chose dental hygiene as a career for the patient relationships I would get to have and for the growing field of dentistry. Being a hygienist allows me to have a flexible schedule while being an essential part of my patients’ health. I chose the dental hygiene program at UMA for the affordability and guaranteed small class sizes so my professors could work one one-on-one with me to perfect my skills. Thanks to UMA, I’m currently working as a Registered Dental Hygienist at Kennebec Valley Dental Arts in Fairfield and am able to provide excellent and confident care to my patients.”
Kaleb Ames ’25
BS Computer Information Systems | Graduate Student
“When I was in high school, I took a Java class using IntelliJ IDEA, where I discovered my passion for software development. I was also allowed to work a summer job building websites, which allowed me to explore different areas of programming. I became interested in UMA’s CIS program because it offered courses specifically focused on coding and
development.
At UMA, I was introduced to more modern tools such as Python and Jupyter Notebook, which helped me develop skills aligned with current industry practices. UMA
ultimately pushed me toward using more widely industry-relevant techniques.
This experience inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in artificial intelligence. Through studying data science and various programming languages, I developed an interest in machine learning models and their optimization, and the development of personalization software.’
Sammy Thornton ’25
BS Social Science | Legal Administrative Professional
I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I first started college, but I knew I wanted to explore and figure it out. As I took different classes, I found a strong interest in psychology, which ultimately led me to choose social science as my major. I found an interest in wanting to understand people; how they think, interact, and are shaped by their environments and society. This major has allowed me to explore topics like psychology, sociology, and human behavior while keeping my career options open as I figure out where I want to make the biggest impact.
UMA has played a key role in shaping my path by giving me the flexibility and support I needed during this stage of my life. The small class sizes and approachable professors made it easy to ask questions, grow academically, and feel confident exploring different interests within the social sciences. In addition to academics, being involved in athletics and participating in a work-study position helped me develop important skills such as time management, teamwork, and responsibility. Through UMA, these experiences, along with my coursework, have helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Esra Kharoti ’27
BA Biology | Current Student
Biology is one of those majors that actually gives you options. You’re not locking yourself into one career right away- you’re building a strong foundation that can lead to healthcare, grad school, med/PA/dental school, research, public health, or a lot of different paths.
I switched from nursing to biology because I wanted more flexibility and a deeper understanding of how the body works, not just one specific role. And honestly, if I decide to go to medical school in the future – which I really love – biology just makes more sense and prepares me better for that path. It makes me think, connect ideas, and understand the “why” behind things instead of just memorizing. It’s challenging, but it feels worth it because what you’re learning actually matters.
Uma takes the time to help students, and that honestly makes a big difference. I’m not just another name or ID number- advisors, professors, and staff listen and help me figure things out.
When I switched majors, the process was very supportive and smooth, which I did not expect. My credits still counted, I didn’t feel judged, stuck, or rushed, and I felt encouraged instead of stressed. UMA gives me space to grow, change direction, and still stay on track. I wanted a school that supports your goals without pressuring you to have everything figured out, and for me, UMA has been that place.