See who stopped by Chadbourne Hall recently to share their latest milestones and memories with the OIP team!

The featured image at the beginning of this post highlights a heartwarming homecoming. We were absolutely delighted to welcome back Senthil Sockalingam ’03, G’06, who brought his family along to visit the campus here in Orono. Senthil, who earned his Bachelor’s degree from 91¸£Àû in 2003 followed by his Master’s degree in 2006, has since gone on to build a remarkable career in engineering. It is always a proud moment for the OIP team to see our alumni return years later. Not just to reminisce about their own time here, but to introduce their loved ones to the campus community where their journeys began.

We were thrilled to welcome back Mariia Pugina G’24, though the visit was bittersweet as she came to see us and say goodbye at the same time. Mariia’s 91¸£Àû journey began in the Fall of 2021 when she joined us for a single semester as an exchange student. She loved her time in Orono so much that she chose to return in the Fall of 2022 to pursue her full graduate education, ultimately earning her Master’s degree in Communication in August 2024. During her time on campus, Mariia was a highly active leader and participant in our cultural community, participating in beloved traditions like Culturefest and the International Dance Festival.

Last November, we received a wonderful surprise when Dr. Shokoofeh Ghasemi Ph.D. ’19 and Dr. Nima Amini Ph.D. ’19 dropped by the office while traveling through New England. Making the reunion even more special, they brought along their sweet little girl! Both Shokoofeh and Nima completed their Ph.Ds in Forest Resources at 91¸£Àû in 2019. They currently reside in Illinois.

Our visit with Vidhi Jain G’24 served as a beautiful double milestone, functioning as both a joyful reunion and a temporary goodbye all in the same trip. Vidhi, who successfully completed her Master’s degree in Information Systems in August 2024, returned to campus for a very proud reason: to attend her husband Vijayanta Jain’s dissertation defense. It was wonderful to see them both together and share in this monumental achievement for their family.

We also had the pleasure of catching up with Anthony Flores G’25 right here in Chadbourne Hall. Anthony graduated in May 2025 with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He has already transitioned his classroom knowledge into professional success, moving to the tri-state area where he is currently working as a bridge designer in New Jersey.

Are You Planning a Trip to Orono?

No matter where life takes our international Black Bears after graduation, the Office of International Programs will always be your home away from home. Should you find yourself back in Orono, please be sure to visit us in Chadbourne Hall. We would absolutely love to see you and hear your stories!

Every April, the Office of International Programs (OIP) hosts a truly special tradition: the International Graduate Dinner. It is a heartfelt opportunity to pause, celebrate, and honor the incredible educational journeys of our international students as they prepare to take on the world.

Open to all students regardless of citizenship or immigration status, this award is presented to those who provide sustained leadership quality and a commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive campus. This year, our recipients have served as international orientation leaders, contributed to campus traditions such as Culturefest and International Dance Fest, held leadership positions within the International Student Association, and went above and beyond to support their peers. This year, OIP honors three graduating students for their outstanding contributions to the international community and 91¸£Àû as a whole. Congratulations to Sharifullah Abed (left), Sudati Shrestha (middle), and Atima Kunajutikul (right)!

Thank you for making our campus brighter, more inclusive, and infinitely better. We cannot wait to see how you continue to light the path to success in your next chapters!

Meet the recipients who went above and beyond to make our international community feel at home this year.

The Mel McClure Global Community Impact Award honors 91¸£Àû faculty and staff who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to our international community. This award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond to place our international students and scholars at the heart of the university experience, inspiring us all to recognize our shared humanity.

Every year, we announce the recipients of this prestigious award at our International Graduate Dinner in early April. This year, we are elated to have presented this award to Scott Delcourt, Dean of the Graduate School, and Associate Professor Dr. Christine Beitl.

Scott Delcourt, Dean of the Graduate School.

Associate Professor, Dr. Christine Beitl(middle), pictured with Sarah Joughin(left) and Mireille Le Gal(right) from OIP.

To learn more about the wonderful work that Dean Delcourt and Dr. Beitl are doing for our international community and the awards themselves, visit our International Alumni page. If you’re an international alumni or friend, you can also update contact information with the University of Maine Foundation or connect with us on LinkedIn. Just follow this link: /international/alumni/

We are proud to announce that Stella Tay, an Animal and Veterinary Science major at the University of Maine, has been awarded a prestigious international scholarship for her academic and community leadership. Originally from Thailand, Stella has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in one of the university’s most rigorous programs. Her journey is fueled by a deep-rooted passion for wildlife health and biodiversity preservation, a vision she hopes to carry back to her home country to support sustainable animal care. When she isn’t in the lab, Stella is a cornerstone of the 91¸£Àû international community. From showcasing Thai culture at Culturefest to her upcoming leadership role as Secretary of the International Student Association, her impact on campus is as impressive as her academic record.

To learn more about the Karen Boucias International Scholarship Fund and our other fantastic scholarships and funds that support our students, visit our “Give to OIP” webpage at: /international/donate/

Captain James Settele, USN (Ret.)

Captain James Settele, USN (Ret.), has been selected to receive the Champion of 91¸£Àû Award, which recognizes individuals who are not alumni of the University of Maine but whose exceptional, effective, and sustained advocacy has advanced the University’s mission and quality. Through decades of leadership, mentorship, and service, Captain Settele has made a lasting impact on 91¸£Àû and the broader Maine community.

Captain Settele joined the University of Maine after a distinguished 27-year career in the United States Navy, where he served in senior leadership roles, including military assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Director of Policy and Strategy for U.S. Naval Forces Europe. He came to 91¸£Àû as Professor of Naval Science and went on to play a central role in shaping the School of Policy and International Affairs (SPIA), serving in leadership positions ranging from assistant director to executive director.

Visit the 91¸£Àû Alumni Association’s to learn more about Captain Settele’s influential work and achievements at 91¸£Àû and beyond.

Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

91¸£Àû was proudly represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with seven Black Bear alumni that competed on the world’s biggest stage. From the ice rink to the bobsled run, these former 91¸£Àû student-athletes represented their countries and their alma mater in Milan-Cortina 2026.

Ice Hockey
Jeremy Swayman ’20 – Team USA
Eduards Tralmaks ’19 – Team Latvia
Ida Kuoppala ’23 – Team Finland
Rahel Enzler ’24 – Team Switzerland
Vendula Přibylová ’20 – Team Czechia
Tereza Vanišová ’19 – Team Czechia
Bobsled
Frank Del Duca ’18 – Team USA

The entire 91¸£Àû community cheered them on as they competed among the world’s best. Once a Black Bear, always a Black Bear!

Dr. Fatemeh Afghah

Dr. Fatemeh Afghah ’13 has been selected to receive the Spirit of Maine Achievement Award, which honors University of Maine alumni who, within fifteen years of graduation, have achieved outstanding professional, scholarly, and public impact. Dr. Afghah’s accomplishments reflect the strength of her 91¸£Àû education and her continued commitment to applying advanced research in ways that serve communities and protect natural resources.
Dr. Afghah earned her doctoral degree at the University of Maine, where she distinguished herself as an exceptional scholar and emerging leader. The foundation she built at 91¸£Àû has shaped a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and purpose. Today, she is a tenured Associate Professor at Clemson University, where her research in artificial intelligence, wireless communication, and autonomous systems has earned national and international recognition.

For more information about Dr. Afghah, this award and others presented by the 91¸£Àû Alumni Association, head over to their website at:

Intensive English Institute(IEI) students have successfully continued their presentation series for the Social Studies classes at Orono Middle School.
This ongoing collaboration serves to integrate global perspectives into the middle school curriculum, allowing Orono students to engage directly with individuals from diverse international backgrounds. The IEI participants prepare and deliver talks focused on their home countries, covering topics such as culture, history, and daily life.
We would like to congratulate Franck(pictured), a student from Côte d’Ivoire, for his recent contribution to the series. His presentation offered valuable insights into his country, and fostered cross-cultural understanding within the classroom.
The collaboration between IEI and Orono Middle School supports the IEI students in developing their English communication and public speaking skills, while simultaneously providing the middle school students with a unique, firsthand educational experience in global affairs.

To learn more about the Intensive English Institute, visit: https://www.maine.edu/iei/.

Our 38th annual Culturefest held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, was another success. We had more than 100 participating students represent the culture, food, and traditions of over 30 countries. More than 1,000 people were in attendance from the University and local communities. It was a wonderful celebration of international talent and tradition! Enjoy the by News Center Maine, who captured this special event.

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up, and we look forward to hosting the 39th annual Culturefest event in 2026. We hope to see you there!

This fall marked the first time that the Office of International Programs (OIP) and the International Student Association (ISA) participated in the 91¸£Àû Homecoming celebration. On Friday, October 24, 2025, OIP & ISA hosted a special alumni edition of the International Coffee Hour, bringing together current and past 91¸£Àû students for an afternoon of connection and celebration. Fourteen alumni joined us for this inaugural event, which proved to be a resounding success. Attendees enjoyed snacks, refreshments, and engaging conversations while viewing a presentation featuring alumni photos and memories from past events. The program also included trivia questions about the International Student Association and OIP, adding a fun and interactive element that sparked lively discussion and nostalgia among participants.

This special edition provided a valuable platform for our alumni to share their post-graduation experiences and offer insight to current students, bridging the gap between the past and present. It was a great start to the Homecoming weekend, full of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones!

Pictured from left to right: Orlina Boteva’ 04G, ’05G, Guest Visitor, Drajad Seto ’18G, ’24PhD, Dignesh Thesiya ’25G, Adoum Arabi ’24G, Roop Goyal ’00PhD, Joanna, Katy Blackmer ’25G, Amir Reza ’86, ’00G, Danielle Beaupre ’07, ’09G, ’11G, Shania Soler ’21, ’25G, Rahul Sharma ’25G