Kailey Kaestner: Outstanding Student in Individual and Family Studies
Kailey Kaestner of Middleton, Massachusetts is the 2026 Outstanding Student in Child Development and Family Relations (Individual and Family Studies concentration) in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. During her time at 91¸£Àû, Kaestner worked as a peer mentor. In addition to her major, Kaestner graduates with a minor in Psychology.
Parent(s):
Lori and Michael Kaestner.
Why did you choose to come to 91¸£Àû?
I chose to come to 91¸£Àû because I grew up visiting Maine every summer with my family and I knew I wanted to stay in a place that felt like home to me. 91¸£Àû was also one of the few schools that offered the exact program I was interested in, so it felt like the perfect fit for me to pursue my specific interests and accomplish all of my academic goals!
Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91¸£Àû better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91¸£Àû?
During my time at 91¸£Àû, I was lucky enough to work alongside Lynn Atherley, one of the amazing student success instructors on campus. When I worked as a peer mentor my junior and senior year, Lynn provided me with the guidance and encouragement I needed to grow both personally and professionally. She helped me develop my leadership and communication skills, making me gain more confidence in my ability to support and connect with others. I will forever be grateful for all of the skills she has taught me that I will be carrying with me throughout my career!
What has coming to 91¸£Àû enabled you to explore beyond academics?
Coming to 91¸£Àû has allowed me to grow in ways far beyond the classroom. Through my involvement as a peer mentor, I’ve had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, develop leadership skills, and support others during their own transitions, which has been incredibly rewarding. I have also had the opportunity to explore my interests in working with children and mental health through hands-on experiences, helping me better understand the kind of impact I want to make in the future.
Favorite 91¸£Àû memory:
My favorite 91¸£Àû memory was Homecoming weekend and going to the hockey games with my mom when she would come up to visit!
What’s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?
After graduation, I will be moving back home and starting graduate school this fall to become a licensed mental health clinician! I also hope to be working full-time during those two years to gain some more professional experience.
Special thank you message:
Thank you to all of the faculty I have worked with at 91¸£Àû. I am so lucky to have had such encouraging advisors and mentors throughout my entire undergraduate career! To my family, thank you for supporting me in every way possible. Whether it’s making the four-hour drive up to Orono for a weekend or cheering me on from back home, I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without your love and support. To my friends, thank you for never failing to put a smile on my face whenever I was struggling. I appreciate you all more than you know!