Why did you want to be an APPL?

I wanted to become an APPL because I wanted to be a helping hand for incoming freshman. I know how helpful it can be as a first-year student to have someone you can talk to and ask questions, and I wanted to be able to be that person for them.

How do you think this experience will help you in the classroom and in your career after you graduate?

I think being an APPL will have a great effect on my future career. On one note, I get to make so many new connections with some amazing people, which I likely would not have if I wasn’t a APPL. Additionally, the skills you continue to develop as an APPL are very valuable as well. Being able to communicate and work in a group setting are two skills that I have been able to work on as a APPL, and will carry into the classroom, and into my future career after school.

What activities are you most excited about doing as an APPL?

I am excited to be a part of��any activity that relates to helping the incoming first years, or getting to meet interested prospective students. Whether it’s an open house event, or a programmed event with the current first years, being able to meet and help the future of our college is something that I love to do.

What other activities, groups or clubs are you involved with at 91����?

Outside of being a APPL, I am also a part of the College of Education and Human Development Student Advisory Board.��

Any advice for other students considering becoming an APPL or getting involved with other groups or activities on campus?

Don’t be afraid to join clubs or get involved on campus! Find something that you are passionate about and go do it. This is a big campus, and there are a lot of people who likely share the same interests as you.

What’s your favorite spot on campus, in Orono or in Maine?

Baxter State Park/Katahdin!
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Hometown: Strafford, New Hampshire
Graduation Year: 2028
Major: Kinesiology and Physical Education (Exercise Science concentration)

Why did you want to be an APPL?

I saw being an APPL as an excellent opportunity to help incoming freshmen��navigate the difficult and confusing time that is the first year of university.

How do you think this experience will help you in the classroom and in your career after you graduate?

This age group is very similar to the one that I want to teach, thus it helps me learn how to relate to this population better. It can be challenging to figure out how to best connect with teenagers, so it is great practice.

What activities are you most excited about doing as an APPL?

Anything and everything, but especially things that facilitate��the most talking, like crafting for example.

What other activities, groups or clubs are you involved with at 91����?

Not many, but I definitely enjoy participating in the Spanish Table and Japanese Club when I have the time.

Any advice for other students considering becoming an APPL or getting involved with other groups or activities on campus?

Definitely become an APPL if given the chance! This experience has been my most favorite I have��had on campus hands down — getting to know so many wonderful people and future educators while really making an impact.

What’s your favorite spot on campus, in Orono or in Maine?

Black Bear Cinemas is the spot to go by far! So affordable, friendly employees and a great way to spend down time.
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Hometown: Glenburn, Maine
Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Secondary Education and Spanish

Why did you want to be an APPL?

I wanted to be an APPL to be a leader and help make first-year students excited and feel connected to 91����.

How do you think this experience will help you in the classroom and in your career after you graduate?

I think this is a great opportunity��to practice my leadership skills. More specifically, I think learning how to collaborate with others will greatly aid me when entering a school where I must collaborate with many other staff and students.

What activities are you most excited about doing as an APPL?

I have a mindfulness��activity, where we make slime and just focus on our immediate surroundings. During Bridge Week we did an Expl-Orono Day, where we showed first-year students many different places around town. I’m excited to do more activities like that with the first-year students who I’m working with throughout the year.

What other activities, groups or clubs are you involved with at 91����?

I’m the current president��of the 91���� chapter of Student Maine Education Association (SMEA), which is a group for aspiring teachers that is part of the statewide teachers union, the Maine Education Association, as well as the National Education Association. It’s a great club for future��educators to make connections.�� I’m also a��part of Back Country Squatters, Kappa Delta Pi, the national honors society for students in education. I also work on campus.

Any advice for other students considering becoming an APPL or getting involved with other groups or activities on campus?

My biggest��piece of advice is to get involved, go to all of the events offered, the club fair, when clubs run events, as well as student involvement events.

What’s your favorite spot on campus, in Orono or in Maine?

My favorite spot on campus is the Bear’s Den in Memorial Union. In Orono, my favorite spot is The Nest coffee shop!

Hometown: Bangor, Maine
Graduation Year: 2029
Major: Elementary Education (Child Development concentration)

Why did you want to be an APPL?

I wanted to be someone around campus that the incoming freshmen could come to for anything. I also wanted to share all the cool opportunities the kinesiology and physical education (KPE) major has to��offer, so hopefully someday this year’s freshmen can thrive here at 91���� as well.��

How do you think this experience will help you in the classroom and in your career after you graduate?

Being an APPL is allowing me to make connections with other students and professors, as well as helping me be a great leader and peer to those around me.

What activities are you most excited about doing as an APPL?

Helping out during Bridge Week and getting all the incoming first-years excited about 91���� was great. We’ll see what the rest of the year holds.��

What other activities, groups or clubs are you involved with at 91����?

I am on the 91���� Women’s Swimming and Diving team. I’m also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Any advice for other students considering becoming an APPL or getting involved with other groups or activities on campus?

Becoming an APPL��or getting involved in any way will only support your journey at 91���� and challenge you to get out of your comfort zone, and hopefully along the way you will learn more about yourself.

What’s your favorite spot on campus, in Orono or in Maine?

My favorite spot in Maine is Baxter State Park!
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Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Graduation Year: 2028
Major: Kinesiology and Physical Education (Exercise Science concentration)

Why did you want to be an APPL?

I wanted to be an APPL to give the incoming freshman can have someone that they know and can look up to, someone who they can always count on to reach out to when they need it.

How do you think this experience will help you in the classroom and in your career after you graduate?

I think that this experience will help me in when I become a teacher and have my own classroom, because I am learning to work with different types of people, getting to know names and coming up with fun activities to keep students engaged.

What activities are you most excited about doing as an APPL?

Bridge Week was amazing. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to continuing to work with this year’s freshmen just helping them get used to college.

What other activities, groups or clubs are you involved with at 91����?

None, unfortunately. But that is one thing I say to our freshmen, is that I wish I got involved with more things happening on campus.

Any advice for other students considering becoming an APPL or getting involved with other groups or activities on campus?

Do it! It is such an amazing opportunity to be a person that incoming students look up to.

What’s your favorite spot on campus, in Orono or in Maine?

I love the library. There are so many different spots to study, and I love meeting up with friends to work together on projects.
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Hometown: Glenburn, Maine
Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Elementary Education (Special Education concentration)

Why did you want to be an APPL?

I wanted to be an APPL because I wanted to become more involved on campus and help incoming freshman make their first year here��at 91���� the best it possibly can��be.

How do you think this experience will help you in the classroom and in your career after you graduate?

This experience will help me in my future classroom because of the leadership skills I am learning. It’s also teaching me how to work with different groups of students and giving me opportunities to meet new people who I wouldn’t normally be able to meet, like alumni and other people who are connected to the college.

What activities are you most excited about doing as an APPL?

Everything we did during Bridge Week, but especially driving the golf cart around.

What other activities, groups or clubs are you involved with at 91����?

None right now.

Any advice for other students considering becoming an APPL or getting involved with other groups or activities on campus?

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!! It’ll give you so many new amazing opportunities!

What’s your favorite spot on campus, in Orono or in Maine?

The second floor of Fogler Library!

Hometown: Litchfield, New Hampshire
Graduation Year: 2027
Major: Child Development and Family Relations (Early Childhood Education concentration)

Why did you want to be an APPL?

I wanted to be an APPL to meet new people in my major and explore outside of my comfort zone.

How do you think this experience will help you in the classroom and in your career after you graduate?

Being an APPL is helping me become a better leader, which will help me be a better teacher when I have a classroom of my own someday.

What activities are you most excited about doing as an APPL?

I’m excited to meet other students and explore Orono with them!

What other activities, groups or clubs are you involved with at 91����?

Being an APPL is my only activity right now.

Any advice for other students considering becoming an APPL or getting involved with other groups or activities on campus?

I would say to absolutely apply to be an APPL if interested! It has helped me make so many friends and has helped prepare me for becoming a teacher. I truly have enjoyed this experience so much!

What’s your favorite spot on campus, in Orono or in Maine?

The New Balance Student Recreation Center is my favorite spot on campus, because I like to use the hot tub and sauna.

Hometown: Belfast, Maine
Graduation Year: 2028
Major: Elementary Education (Child Development concentration)

Brianna (Bri) Harriman of Augusta, Maine is the 2026 Outstanding Student in Kinesiology and Physical Education (Outdoor Leadership concentration) in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. A Black Bear student athlete with the track and field team, Harriman was a two-time 91���� Scholar-Athlete, a two-time Presidential Scholar-Athlete and made the America East Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll three times. She was a seven-time recipient of both Dean’s List and 91���� Presidential Scholar honors. In addition, Harriman worked as a peer mentor for fellow student athletes and at Maine Bound Adventure Center on campus during her time at 91����.

Parent(s):

Bethany and Shawn Cyr.

Why did you choose to come to 91����?

I originally chose 91���� for its Communication Sciences and Disorders program. However, when I realized speech pathology was not the��right��path for me, the students and faculty in the School of Kinesiology Physical Education and Athletic Training made me feel welcomed, challenged and excited to learn. They gave me confidence that I would be well-prepared for a career I am��deeply��passionate about.

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

Yes! Dr. Lauren Jacobs has been a shining light and a steady source of support throughout my time in the Outdoor Leadership program. She leads with remarkable confidence and efficiency and has challenged me to grow into those qualities myself. Her mentorship has had a lasting impact on both my academic and personal development.

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

Beyond academics, 91���� has helped me find a wonderful community built on lasting friendships and meaningful connections. I have been able to deepen my love for the outdoors and find a true sense of belonging, especially through working at Maine Bound Adventure Center.

Favorite 91���� memory:

It’s hard to choose just one! One that stands out is a big snow day during my freshman year, when I went sledding at night with people I barely knew. We sledded, climbed a small “ice cliff face” and I ended up meeting one of my best friends that night — without ever seeing his��face. Another favorite memory was presenting a “Finding Nemo”��gift to my client at the end of our final session in Adapted Physical Education, a moment that was both joyful and deeply meaningful.

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

I plan to stay in Orono this��summer, continuing to work at the Maine Bound Adventure Center, and then travel abroad in the fall. Afterward, I hope to apply to graduate or Ph.D. programs in exercise physiology.

Special thank you message:

I would like to extend a special thank you to my parents, Bethany and Shawn, as well as the rest of my family, my friends and my professors — with a special shoutout to Dr. Lauren Jacobs. Your collective support means everything to me, and I am deeply grateful for all you have done.

Clare Stansberry of Bowdoinham, Maine is the 2026 Outstanding Graduate Student in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. Stansberry is teacher at the Maine Coast Waldorf School, where she has taught since 2021. Prior to that she taught at a Waldorf school in Idaho. A self-described teaching nerd, who loves learning about how people make sense of the world, outside of the classroom Stansberry enjoys hiking, running and playing all sorts of games. She is earning her Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in CAI with a concentration in High Leverage Practices to Support Inclusion.

Why did you choose 91���� for graduate school?

I chose 91���� because I knew other educators who had done 91���� programs and had positive experiences. I also wanted to do my graduate programs in the state where I live.

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

I have had only positive experiences in my classes. As a full-time remote student, I’m impressed at how the teachers build communities of learners when we can’t be in person!

What advice do you have for incoming graduate students to help them get off to the best start academically?

Graduate school is really about digging into something you are interested in more deeply. I’ve become a better teacher by engaging in deeper learning and thinking about teaching as a practice.

What’s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?��

I’m still teaching! This is my 10th year in education and I’m lucky to get to keep doing the work that I love. I’m teaching 7th grade for the first time next year, so I’m curious about what that will bring.