Each spring, communities across Central Maine celebrate an important milestone. Graduation is a moment of pride for students and families, but it also reflects something bigger. It offers a glimpse of where Maine is headed.

This year, 540 graduates from the University of Maine at Augusta completed degrees across 47 programs, stepping into fields like healthcare, education, business, public service and technology. They are entering roles our communities rely on, bringing skills that translate directly into the workforce.

At a time when many families are asking whether college is worth the cost, those outcomes matter. The question is not just whether to go to college. It is whether that education leads somewhere meaningful.

At UMA, the answer is reflected in the results.

A university focused on what comes next

For 60 years, the University of Maine at Augusta has focused on expanding access to education across Maine. Today, that work is paired with something just as important: preparing students for real opportunities.

Programs are designed around the skills employers are looking for right now. Students gain hands-on experience through internships, clinical placements and partnerships across the state. Increasingly, developing these skills includes working with emerging technologies, including AI, that are shaping today’s workplaces.

At the same time, students build essential skills like problem solving and creative thinking that prepare them for what comes next. They also strengthen their ability to write and speak clearly, gaining confidence in how they communicate their ideas in academic, professional and community settings.

Graduates leave with more than a degree. They leave ready to step into their fields and contribute.

Real paths, real outcomes

For some students, that path starts early.

Casey Raymond first connected with UMA through the Early College program while still in high school. What began as an interest in aviation turned into a defined direction. Today, she graduates with hands-on experience in both flight and aircraft maintenance and is preparing to enter a field where those skills are in demand.

Her story reflects something simple but powerful. Students can begin building their future earlier than they might expect.

For others, the path looks different.

Valdete “Mimi” Cargill returned to college later in life after years spent raising a family and supporting her community. Along the way, she taught herself multiple languages and became a trusted resource for neighbors navigating everyday challenges. This year, she graduates with a degree in Justice Studies and plans to continue that work supporting immigrant communities across Maine.

Her story is unique. The opportunity behind it is shared by many.

A smart, affordable choice

For families across the Kennebec Valley, the decision about what comes after high school often comes down to a few key questions. Is it affordable? Will it lead to a good job? Will it set someone up for the future?

At UMA, those questions are part of the design.

Affordable tuition, programs tied to workforce needs, and pathways like Early College and the Pine Tree State Pledge make higher education more accessible. Just as importantly, students can build their future while staying connected to their communities.

It reinforces that a strong, affordable path is available close to home.

Built for long-term impact

The value of a UMA education extends well beyond graduation. Graduates go on to build careers, lead organizations and contribute to their communities across Maine.

Alumni like Amy Marston reflect that long-term impact. After earning her degree in Business Administration, she built a career in Maine’s business sector and now leads her own firm while supporting workforce and community initiatives statewide.

Her experience shows that a UMA education is not just a starting point. It is something graduates continue to build on over time.

Looking ahead

As the University of Maine at Augusta begins its next chapter, the focus remains steady.

Expand access. Strengthen connections between education and the workforce. Create more opportunities for students to take the next step, wherever they are starting from.

Because the graduates entering Maine’s workforce each year are not just filling jobs. They are helping shape the future of the state, and for the students and families thinking about what comes next, the takeaway is simple: a strong, affordable path forward is already here.