Defying Expectations is the theme of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s 21st annual University Day, taking place on Wednesday, April 10, and students will be showcasing that theme in presentations on everything from enhancing learner empowerment through Artificial Intelligence to providing a voice to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) discussions.
University Day is an event that heightens awareness of the academic research, scholarly work, and community service being done by students in all of the disciplines represented on campus. The annual campus event allows attendees, especially students, to better understand how disciplines interrelate and how the academic work being done applies to the local and global community. It is also an opportunity for students to experience a professional conference format, many for the first time. No regular classes are held during University Day, but in their stead, students are encouraged to attend student-led presentations and talks held during five sessions throughout the day.
University Day officially kicks off on Tuesday, April 9 in the Campus Center, with a poster session from 5-6:45 p.m., followed by a Libra Distinguished Lecture Series presentation by neurodiversity expert, lawyer, and author Haley Moss at 7 p.m. The poster session will feature research done by students in a wide range of areas, from environmental science and biology to geographic information systems, nursing, social work, and extended learning opportunities. Students will be present to discuss their posters and answer questions. Beverages and dessert will be served.
Immediately following the poster session, Moss will serve as the next speaker in UMPI’s 2023-2024 Libra Distinguished Lecture Series, delivering the University Day keynote address. During her talk, Neurodiversity: Leveling Up Our Perspective, Moss will offer a deeper understanding of neurodiversity—including through the lens of her own experiences—and unpack the nuances of navigating disclosure, advocating for ourselves and others, and building accessibility into our understanding of “inclusion.”
The next day, dozens of students will present talks, demonstrations, and presentations, covering areas of study as wide ranging as biology, business, criminal justice, education, English, geographic information systems, professional communication and journalism, and social work, as well as topics including internships and university experience. During lunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Wieden Gym, UMPI will celebrate its recurring Wings Wednesday celebration with a “Firesauce Chats” event, and student clubs and organizations will have displays set up in the room to showcase each group and its efforts.
To add to the community spirit of University Day, UMPI is welcoming the public for the Tuesday evening activities and the entire day-long event Wednesday. The University Day committee has invited students from Seniors Achieving Greater Education (SAGE), and community members are welcome to attend all sessions and the free lunch.
As in past years, University Day offerings will include an online “proceedings” of the event, which features in-depth abstracts for each presentation. The proceedings, scheduled to be published a few days before the event, will be able to be viewed at www.umpi.edu/uday/proceedings.
A schedule of University Day activities can be found at www.umpi.edu/uday. For more information about University Day 2024, please contact Stacey Emery at 207-768-9603 or email stacey.emery@maine.edu.
