Karen Boucias International Scholarship Fund
91¸£Àû the scholarship
The Karen Boucias International Scholarship Fund was established at the University of Maine Foundation in 2018 in honor of Ms. Karen Boucias, who directed the Office of International Programs at the University of Maine for seventeen years. The raised funds will be used immediately to provide financial support for undergraduate international students who demonstrate academic achievement.
91¸£Àû Karen Boucias
Ms. Boucias graduated from the University of Maine and worked at other universities and colleges before returning to 91¸£Àû, where she was employed for thirty-three years. Because she had the opportunity to travel widely in her work, she experienced many cultures and brought back a world-wide view to 91¸£Àû. Throughout her tenure as OIP Director, Karen was dedicated to recruiting and retaining students from all over the world. She has great admiration for international students, their commitment to education, and their dedication to making outstanding contributions to their careers, countries and as citizens. She has been a member of numerous boards, including twelve years on the Board of Trustees for the American University in Bulgaria, which 91¸£Àû helped to create. She has had extensive professional experience within the areas of study abroad, establishing university partnerships and exchanges, immigration, and student and scholar services.
In 2024 Karen and her husband, George Jacobson, were honored with the , an award that recognizes people who have consistently demonstrated philanthropic leadership, loyalty and dedicated service on behalf of the University of Maine.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The scholarship is open to students who:
- started as a first year student at the University of Maine in Spring 2025 or Fall 2025;
- are admitted as a full-time, international undergraduate degree-seeking student at the international tuition rate;
- completed high school outside of the United States and have not attended college in the U.S.;
- have met English proficiency requirements for full-time admission to the degree program;
- have a record of extra-curricular involvement and/or community involvement;
- have high academic achievement.
Application deadline: Friday, November 1, 2025.
2025-2026 Scholarship Recipient
Stella Tay
Stella Tay is pursuing a degree in Animal and Veterinary Science and earned an outstanding 4.0 GPA in one of 91¸£Àû’s most demanding academic programs. In her application essay, she shared that growing up in Thailand, a country rich in biodiversity and wildlife, inspired her passion for animals and strengthened her desire to pursue field-based veterinary work. She hopes to one day return to Thailand and contribute to wildlife health, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable animal care practices.
Beyond academics, Stella has been actively engaged in the campus community, volunteering at Culturefest by representing Thailand with an exhibit table, participating in the cultural fashion show, and supporting events such as the Friends and Family Feast for Thanksgiving. She is also continuing this commitment to leadership by serving as the next Secretary of the International Student Association for the coming academic year.
Hear from 91¸£Àû International Alumni Why Karen is Important to them
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Karen Boucias played a crucial role in my academic journey at 91¸£Àû. In the Fall of 1999, I was awarded a full tuition waiver to study Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maine. As a single mother of twin girls with very limited funds, the cost of living while a full time student was a big burden. Like many international students, I did not have the flexibility to earn additional income to support my family while pursuing my educational dream.
Thanks to Karen, in addition to the full tuition waiver scholarship, I was awarded a living expenses scholarship. This financial stability was the stepping stone to my academic success at 91¸£Àû.
Thank you, Karen!
~ Lucie Hutchins’01
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During my time as an undergraduate and graduate student at the University of Maine, I found my interactions with 91¸£Àû’s Office of International Programs to be very fair and supportive. This could have only been possible if people at the helm understood the needs of the university’s international student community. Needless to state, Karen Boucias, as director of OIP, played (and continues to play) a significant role in shaping policies and using discretion to support international students academically and, for some, even culturally. I am grateful to OIP, Ms. Boucias (and Ms. Gal and Ms. Joughin) for all their help and support through my undergraduate and graduate coursework at 91¸£Àû.
Here’s wishing OIP and Ms. Boucias many more years of great service.
~ Ankita Tyagi’05, ’07G
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I’ll always remember Karen as a kind and caring person who loves 91¸£Àû and supports cultural diversity. Karen was part of many milestones of my 91¸£Àû journey – from my first day on campus to graduation. She stayed involved in all international student events and enjoyed learning more about each country represented on campus. Karen approached every student with the same care, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in helping them succeed and fulfill their dreams. I’m truly grateful to know Karen – she contributed so much to the 91¸£Àû community and made a positive difference in my life.
~ Petya Veleva’10
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I first met Karen shortly after arrival on 91¸£Àû’s campus in Fall 2012. Karen was then the Director of the Office of International Programs and oversaw the International Tuition Scholarship Program. As one of the scholarship recipients, I worked with Karen closely, discussing my plans for courses, credit load and my major. In Fall 2013, Karen moved onto a different position and it would have been easy for us to lose contact. However, I saw a great potential mentor in Karen and sought her out for advice on numerous occasions. Karen was always very happy to meet with me and talk about any concerns or plans that I had for the upcoming academic period. In the process, she truly became my mentor and we became close friends. We spent time together regularly, even outside of the university, and I had dinner with Karen and her husband in their home on many occasions. I was also excited when I got invited to their Sunday brunch outings at Bagel Central or spent one of the shorter breaks at their house. Finally, it was my honor to have Karen attend my graduation ceremony and celebrate this achievement alongside my family and friends.
Karen is one of the people whom I credit the most for my success at 91¸£Àû. We have stayed in regular contact past my graduation, and I could not be happier to call Karen my mentor and friend.
~ Dominika Trzilova’16
Questions?
Email [international@maine.edu].