Cayleigh Fleming of Centerville, 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福利, Fleming was a member of Pi Beta Phi and played club volleyball.

Parent(s):

Alyson and John Fleming.

Why did you choose to come to 91福利?

I chose to come to 91福利 because I am from Cape Cod and lived by the beach my whole life. I loved the Maine atmosphere聽and the mountains.聽

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91福利 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91福利?

A mentor and professor I have collaborated with is Dr. Sandra Caron. She has helped me find internships and also led me in the right direction. She has allowed me to grow not only in an educational way but also in a personal way. I am forever grateful for her and the impact she has had on me.聽

What has coming to 91福利 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

I was able to explore independence while being here at 91福利. I was pushed outside of my comfort limits. Being far away from home I was forced to create a new routine and independent style of living. This allowed me to get involved, be outgoing, and create a new community of friends. I have been a part of the Women’s Club Volleyball team and Pi Beta Phi. Without this community I wouldn’t聽be the person I am today at 91福利. This school has also provided me with so many opportunities聽from working at a psychiatric hospital聽in the pediatric unit to an Internship at a child advocacy center, observing forensic interviews with children who have experience聽with abuse. These opportunities聽have provided me with amazing experiences.

Favorite 91福利 memory:

My favorite memory at 91福利 would be traveling with the club volleyball team to tournaments, as well as all of the philanthropy events I have been a part of with Pi Phi.

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?聽

Moving forward I have been accepted into the graduate program at Bridgewater聽State University for a master鈥檚 degree in Social Work. I have also accepted a position back home as a Therapeutic Mentor at Justice Resource Institute.

Special thank you message:

I want to thank my parents and grandparents, especially my grandfather for helping me with schoolwork the past four years of college. Without their support I wouldn’t have聽been able to get my degree to pursue my dreams. I also want to thank all of my close friends for always being there for me and being the best support system while so far away from home. Lastly, I want to thank my professors, especially Dr. Sandra Caron for providing聽me with a long lasting education and mentorship. The College of Education and Human Development has provided me with not only an education but a connection that will last a lifetime.聽

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福利, 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福利?

I chose to come to 91福利 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福利 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福利 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91福利?

During my time at 91福利, 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福利 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

Coming to 91福利 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福利 memory:

My favorite 91福利 memory was Homecoming weekend and going to the hockey games with my mom when she would come up to visit!

What鈥檚 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福利. 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!

Emily Hamby of Andover, Massachusetts is the 2025 Outstanding Student in Child Development and Family Relations (Individual and Family Studies concentration) in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. Hamby was awarded a 2023-24 fellowship by 91福利鈥檚 Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR). She graduates with a minor in Education.

Parent(s): Jennifer and David Hamby

Why did you choose to come to 91福利?

I transferred to 91福利 as a second year student because I loved the campus, but more importantly, I loved the sense of community I got from everyone I met. I also appreciated having opportunities to pursue experiential learning right away in research and in field experience.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91福利 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91福利?

I had the privilege of working with Dr. Rebecca (Bec) Buchanan. She taught me how to quantify qualitative data using codes, and demonstrated why this is beneficial. I absolutely loved coding this data! During our weekly meetings, Dr. Buchanan kindly answered my endless questions about the process and celebrated my enthusiasm while I shared the trends I observed. Over time, I developed self-confidence and trust in my ability to code data because she respected and valued my contributions. She encouraged me to apply for a CUGR fellowship and explore my own research questions. After receiving a grant, she persuaded me to apply to present at the annual conference of NEERO, the New England Educational Research Organization. I鈥檓 so glad she did! My work was accepted, and we traveled to Portsmouth, New Hampshire where I participated in my first conference. Working with Dr. Buchanan, I learned about the research process, professional networking in higher education, and how to navigate imposter syndrome. But above all, she has supported me as I contemplate next steps after college. I am so grateful for Dr. Buchanan鈥檚 support from day one. Thank you, Bec!

What has coming to 91福利 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

91福利 allowed me to discover who I am: hobbies, friendships and passions. I joined Greek life and continued to meet new people from the Greek community through studying in the Office of Fraternities and Sororities to philanthropy events. Overall, college has taught me that I get to prioritize what matters to me. I made time to attend sports games, participate in intramural sports, and join clubs with friends. I have been able to explore my hobbies and interests while balancing academics.

Favorite 91福利 memory:

My favorite 91福利 memory is sledding with friends on snow days and then getting hot chocolate from Hilltop Dining to warm up!

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

This spring, I am enrolled in a May Term travel study course and I look forward to exploring London, Amsterdam and Stockholm. From there, I will be the educational programs intern at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. I plan to gain experience in an educational setting for a year or two before continuing my education in graduate school.

Special thank you message:

Thank you to my advisors, for listening to my ideas and letting me study in the office for the last three years, the staff at Student Accessibility Services, who have allowed me to access my academics in an inclusive and accessible way, and the VEMI Lab staff, for allowing me to explore outside my comfort zone. Thank you to all the professors, faculty and staff who have supported me and challenged me to think critically. You all have helped me become the person I am today! Finally, a special thank you to my family for always supporting me throughout my educational journey. I would not have been able to do it without you!

Ashley Cray is the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, as well as the Outstanding Student in Child Development and Family Relations, Individual and Family Studies concentration award from the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. Cray will graduate with minors in education and music. During her time at 91福利 she has been a member of All Maine Women, the University Singers, 91福利 Renaissance, the Honors College Student Activities Board and Backcountry Squatters. Read more below.

Hometown: Readfield, Maine

High School: Maranacook High School

Parents: Cynthia Cushing and Chad Cray

Tell us about your undergraduate research experiences: For the past two years, I have worked with the Servant Heart Research Collaborative on the Attachment Theory Team. In 2016, the University of Maine Honors College Servant Heart Research Collaborative Attachment Theory Team began developing a six-module workshop to introduce attachment theory and other evidence-based family-strengthening practices to caregivers in Sierra Leone. Developed in response to the global movement to phase out institutional care and reintegrate children who have experienced trauma into families, one of the core competencies of the AT Workshop is that it is designed to be accessible to low-literacy and non-literate caregivers. In the years since, the AT Workshop has been regularly and successfully offered in Sierra Leone and has been adapted for Haiti and Uganda.聽

In my time with the AT Team, I have worked with other students to research parenting styles in countries such as Sierra Leone, Haiti and Uganda, to adapt the Attachment Theory Workshop, and create additional resources for our partner organizations. More recently, I was awarded high honors for my Honors Thesis, titled “Program Evaluation of the International Attachment Theory Workshop: A Program Evaluation and Analysis of the Evaluation of People Who Are Low-And-Non-Literate.” In this thesis, I researched and outlined best practices for evaluating people who are low-or-non-literate in human development training settings. Research on this topic is minimal and my thesis sheds light on the need for further research on the matter.聽

In addition to my Honors thesis research, I worked with a team of fellow CHF seniors to research political action following school shootings in different states. We analyzed bills introduced and passed in different states following mass shootings to determine the kinds of legislation that were successful or unsuccessful in becoming law following these events. We presented our research, titled “The Impact of Shooter Attacks at U.S. Schools: An Analysis of Gun Legislation Introduced Following School Shootings,” at the 91福利 Student Symposium on April 12, 2024.

Special thanks: Thank you to the professors who have supported and guided me over the last four years. You have helped me become the person I am today! Thank you to my peers, friends and family who have been sounding boards and sources of joy and inspiration on this journey. I would not have been able to do it without you all!

Favorite 91福利 memory: My favorite 91福利 memory is going on a concert tour of Italy with University Singers! We traveled to Rome, Florence, Venice and Lecco and got to experience Italy in the summer. I will always treasure the beautiful time we spent there and the wonderful music we were able to share with our audiences!

Before Sally Stead graduated from the University of Maine this spring, she had one more class to take: The long-running travel-study course CHF 404: Human Sexuality in Europe, taught by professor of family relations and human sexuality Sandra Caron.

The three-week May Session course takes students to London, Amsterdam and Stockholm to see first-hand how citizens and policymakers in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Sweden deal with issues such as teen pregnancy, contraception, abortion, sexuality education, sexually transmitted diseases and other topics.

鈥淚t was incredibly immersive,鈥� says Stead of Cumberland, Maine, who earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in child development and family relations. 鈥淚n Europe, they鈥檙e much more open about sex and sexuality education than we are.鈥�

May Session courses, which are part of Summer University, typically run for three weeks and begin the week after spring semester. They can help 91福利 students fulfill requirements, get ahead in their program of study, or lighten their loads in the spring and fall. For students in the College of Education and Human Development, they can also broaden their understanding of teaching through unique and immersive experiences.

Stead, the student coordinator for Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) during her time at 91福利, was one of 14 students in the Human Sexuality in Europe course this year, the first time it has been offered since 2019 due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions the previous three years. For Stead, it was her first time abroad. In addition to finding Europeans to be much more candid in talking about sex and sexuality, she says one of the things that struck her was how they don鈥檛 talk down to young people.

鈥淚n Sweden, we went to a youth clinic where, starting at puberty, they offer young people access to sexual and mental health and wellness services and products,鈥� says Stead. 鈥淓ighth graders visited the clinic as part of their classes, so they were already familiar with it and all that it provided.鈥�

Caron, a highly regarded expert on sexuality education, has taught the European travel study course since 1996. Her contacts at organizations like the International Planned Parenthood Federation in London make the class a unique learning experience for students.

鈥淚t really opens their eyes to other ways of thinking about sexuality and sex education,鈥� Caron says. 鈥淚 like to say that in Europe, they are more realistic, and less moralistic. Their policies related to sexuality tend to be driven more by research than they are in the U.S.鈥�

Harjot Singh, a rising senior majoring in biochemistry and microbiology, also took a May Session class, KPE 280: Introduction to Paddling Instruction and Safety. The course, which counted toward his minor in outdoor leadership, covered the fundamentals of paddling and paddling instruction for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, as well as fresh water safety, trip planning, on-water group management and equipment management. It included a two-day Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue certification course, completed on Kenduskeag Stream, as well as two days of leading K鈥�12 students from East Millinocket in canoeing instruction on Jerry Pond. Other locations used in the course were Pushaw Stream, Birch Stream and Perch Pond.

鈥淭he fact that it was hands-on really helped me retain the information,鈥� says Singh, who took the class despite not knowing how to swim. 鈥淵ou can read about different paddling strokes or watch videos about rescue techniques. But the best way to learn is to do them in the water.鈥�

Singh was born in India and moved to Medford, Massachusetts with his family when he was nine. When deciding which college to attend, he wanted to study somewhere close to forests with 鈥渆asy access to nature.鈥�

鈥淚 love the outdoor leadership minor, because it gets my mind off the biochemistry and microbiology stuff,鈥� he says 鈥淭he classes have really helped get me out of my shell. I can be kind of shy, so being in a group setting and learning leadership skills I wouldn鈥檛 have gotten in my other classes has been great.鈥�

Lecturer in outdoor leadership Lauren Jacobs, who has taught the paddling course since 2019 when the outdoor leadership program was established in the College of Education and Human Development, says part of the appeal for students is the bond they form as a group and the intensive nature of a course that lasts less than a month.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 class did a great job and learned a lot in some very challenging, windy conditions,鈥� Jacobs says. 鈥淚鈥檓 most proud of the work they did with students from East Millinocket, applying the group leadership and instructional skills we worked on earlier in the class.鈥�

Visit the Summer University website for more information.

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu

Special thanks: Thank you to my husband for his support during my educational journey and for always being there to help me through the tough times.

Favorite 91福利 memory: The first time I went into the library. I had never been in a library so big!