Opinion – 91�� News

Free 91�� summer camp allows high schoolers to build parts used in smartphones and spaceships

marcus.wolf — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:47:39 +0000

Through experiments and game-based learning, high school students can learn how to build microchips for powering smartphones, computers and spaceships during a free University of Maine summer camp from July 14-18 at the Maine Graduate and Professional Center, 300 Fore St.

The five-day camp caters to students exploring careers in engineering and computing by immersing them in microchips, transistors and of the latest building blocks for modern technology worldwide: semiconductors. By the end of the week, participants will integrate and build and test their own semiconductor system.

In addition to experiments and games, students will also tour Texas Instruments’ South Portland facility, giving them industry exposure, opportunities to interact with experts and a glimpse into future career paths.

The camp is hosted by the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) at 91�� and funded by the National Science Foundation. Register and learn more about the camp at .

BDN publishes 91�� political scientist’s op-ed on election simulations

marcus.wolf — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:53:51 +0000

Robert W. Glover, associate professor of political science and honors at the University of Maine, wrote an opinion column for the about the limits of election simulations and how forecasts can shape public perceptions of political races. “The purpose of election forecasting should be to help citizens better understand elections — not to convince them that elections have already been decided,” Glover wrote.

BDN publishes op-ed from 91�� senior studying environmental sciences

amanda.lozier — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:55:53 +0000

Kathryn Gatewood, a graduating senior at the University of Maine majoring in ecology and environmental sciences, penned an op-ed published by the titled, “Think of nature as a sanctuary.” Gatewood starts by posing the question: “What if a spiritual presence waits not in a building, but in the soil beneath our feet, the rain on the trees or the quiet stillness before dawn?”

Caton analyzes protest movements in BDN op-ed

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:18:57 +0000

The published an op-ed from Cora Caton, assistant professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Maine, that explored the role of protest in democratic engagement. Written as part of a series by the Maine chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network, Caton’s opinion piece was titled, “Protest matters, it just takes time.”

Lissy pens op-ed on Maine’s role in Arctic, North Atlantic affairs

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:15:44 +0000

Tyler Lissy, a graduate student at the University of Maine’s School of Policy and International Affairs, wrote an op-ed published in the that emphasized Maine’s emerging role as a strategic link between the Arctic and Europe.

Newspapers nationwide publish Allan op-eds on hazing prevention

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 23:16:29 +0000

University of Maine Professor Elizabeth Allan authored multiple op-eds on hazing incidents and how to prevent them in the Saint Louis Post Dispatch, The San Diego Tribune, and The Virginia-Pilot […]

Hillas pens op-ed in BDN ahead of Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:11:04 +0000

Kenneth Hillas, an adjunct professor at the University of Maine Graduate School of Policy and International Affairs, wrote an op-ed published in the ahead of the meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on what to expect from the meeting. Hillas teaches seminars on global politics and U.S. foreign policy and retired in 2013 as a senior foreign service officer with posts including Moscow.

Jansen pens op-ed on Hulk Hogan in The Conversation

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:29:06 +0000

Brian Jansen, assistant professor of communication and English at the University of Maine, wrote an op-ed published in titled, “Hulk Hogan and the unraveling of worker solidarity.” Jansen wrote, “The reasons for professional wrestling’s dangers are largely tied up in the industry’s working conditions. And part of Hogan’s legacy may be his complicity in those conditions.”

Glover pens op-ed in Sun Journal on managing overdose crisis

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:22:59 +0000

The published an op-ed by Rob Glover, associate professor of political science and honors at the University of Maine, on policy decision-making as it relates to reducing overdose deaths in Maine and beyond.

91�� student pens op-ed in BDN on the threat of landfills

Fri, 23 May 2025 18:51:08 +0000

Eddie Nachamie, a University of Maine student studying ecology and environmental sciences, wrote an opinion piece in the Bangor Daily News titled “We can’t let the largest landfill in Maine […]

Allan co-authors op-ed on hazing in South Carolina

Fri, 23 May 2025 18:50:01 +0000

Elizabeth Allan, professor of higher education at the University of Maine, co-authored an opinion piece in , a Charleston-based newspaper, titled “New data show SC’s hazing problem is broader than you think.”

Allan speaks on Syracuse, NY hazing incident in media, op-ed

Fri, 09 May 2025 15:20:12 +0000

Elizabeth Allan, professor of higher education leadership at the University of Maine, spoke with and in Syracuse, New York, as well as wrote an opinion piece for about the hazing incident last week at Westhill High School in Syracuse. “Very, very few report it and also very few, only about 10% identify what happened to them as hazing,” said Allan, who also founded . in West Lafayette, Indiana, shared the report from CNN.

New England League of Middle Schools recognizes 91��’s Nesin with service award

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:30:26 +0000

Gert Nesin, teacher-leader in residence with the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development’s Center for Applied Research on Education and Schools (CARES), has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 James P. Garvin Distinguished Service Award by the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS).

The award was presented at the NELMS annual conference, held March 24 and 25 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Nesin is a longtime middle grades educator who currently serves as president of the Maine Association for Middle Level Education. She recently rejoined 91��, where she is responsible for facilitating the Rural Teacher Leader Support Network at CARES. She had previously been a faculty member in the college before taking on roles as a middle school teacher and principal.

Nesin holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in middle school education from 91��, as well as a Ph.D. in middle school education from the University of Georgia. Her research areas include young adolescent development, integrated curriculum, building community, restorative practices, assessment and math learning.

Socolow writes op-ed on COVID-era humanities studies for Inside Higher Ed

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:37:36 +0000

Michael Socolow, professor of communication and journalism at the University of Maine, wrote an opinion piece published by titled, “When the Humanities Kept Us Sane.” Socolow poses the question: Have we already forgotten how the humanities got us through the COVID-19 pandemic?

Social work student pens op-ed in Sun Journal advocating for state bill

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:50:18 +0000

Jennifer Mooney, a master’s social work student at the University of Maine, wrote an op-ed published in the titled “Jennifer Mooney: A smarter approach to crisis response: Why Maine needs LD 298”. The bill LD 298 supports employing mental health personnel in Maine State Police to intervene in mental health crises.

Micinski writes opinion piece in The Conversation on migration diplomacy

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 21:53:21 +0000

Nicholas Micinski, assistant professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Maine, wrote an opinion piece published in about migration diplomacy. Micinski’s opinion piece was shared by news outlets nationwide, including the and .

Vekasi’s column on federal plans for trade, immigration published in BDN

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 21:37:08 +0000

The published a column by Kristen Vekasi, associate professor at the University of Maine’s Department of Political Science and School of Policy and International Affairs, titled “Trump, trade, and immigration: What might be in store for Maine?”

DC Journal publishes column on anti-hazing law co-authored by Allan

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:50:38 +0000

published a column co-authored by Elizabeth Allan, professor of higher education leadership at the University of Maine, titled “A new law can prevent campus hazing.” The piece is written in line with congressional approval of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, on which Allan was a consultant, and urges President Joe Biden to sign the bill into law. The , the , the and shared the piece.

The Conversation publishes Socolow’s article on impact of factual reporting

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:54:28 +0000

published an opinion article by Michael Socolow, professor of communication and journalism at the University of Maine, titled, “What should journalists do when the facts don’t matter?” and shared the article, and interviewed Socolow about it.

BDN publishes op-ed on plastics by 91�� graduate student

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:47:42 +0000

The published an opinion piece from Erin Victor, a doctoral candidate at the University of Maine, on addressing the use of single-use plastics in schools and normalizing reuse systems. Titled “We must move beyond magical thinking to normalize reuse systems,” the piece highlights her research in anthropology and environmental policy and engagement with the Natural Resources Council of Maine and Reuse Maine to promote sustainable practices. Victor is a member of the Maine chapter of the national Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications.

91�� researchers write BDN op-ed on changing attitudes toward aging

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 17:55:59 +0000

Mary Lou Ciolfi, Patricia Oh and Lenard Kaye from the University of Maine’s Center on Aging wrote a column for the titled “Check your attitudes about aging.” Kaye is a member of the Maine chapter of the national Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications.

Kimball publishes opinion piece in BDN on teachers’ importance

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:03:15 +0000

Ezekiel Kimball, the associate dean for undergraduate and teacher education at the University of Maine’s College of Education and Human Development, published an op-ed titled “Maine teachers do vital work for students, families and communities,” in the . shared the piece.

Media highlight naming of new Lobster Institute executive director

Fri, 24 May 2024 15:27:15 +0000

The , , the and highlighted the naming of Christina Cash as the new executive director of the University of Maine Lobster Institute, effective May 17. Formerly the captain and owner/operator of a lobster boat, Cash is native to the state of Maine and graduated from 91��. She is succeeding Richard Wahle and served as the assistant director of communication and outreach, then interim director since 2021.

Berkshire Eagle op-ed highlights farming connections from 91�� fellowship

Fri, 10 May 2024 20:39:03 +0000

An op-ed in argued that one of the most useful tools for farmers to combat climate change is connections with other farmers. The author highlighted participation in a 2020 University of Maine Climate Adaption Fellowship program led by Rachel Schattman, an assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at 91��, and said the power of the program was the connections he made with peers in farming.

Opinion – 91���� News

Free 91���� summer camp allows high schoolers to build parts used in smartphones and spaceships

BDN publishes 91���� political scientist’s op-ed on election simulations

BDN publishes op-ed from 91���� senior studying environmental sciences