Alumni Network

This page is to share information about some of the alumni who have graduated from the Recreation and Lesuire Services Department.  We hope you enjoy their stories.

Rachel BIrd, Class of 2009

Rachel completed her internship with the Tim Horton Children's Foundation and upon graduating secured a position as a Community Program Coordinator with the organization in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia.  She currently runs all types of programs everything from orienteering to ropes course to nature activities.  Rachel said of her time at UMPI: My time at UMPI has been a life changing experience.  The small town was exactly what I needed and all the professors knew your name and you weren't just a number among thousands of students.  They took the time to get to konw you on a personal level and they care so much about the success of their students, and ultimately this is what made my experience so successful.  My professors pushed me to do my best and always follow my dreams.  Because of them I am working for a great organization and feeling like I can make a difference.  Rachel earned her B.S. degree in Recreation/Leisure Services with a concentration in outdoor recreation/leadership.

Jason Doucette, Class of 2007

Jason earned a B.S. degree in Recreation and Leisure Services with an emphasis in Outdoor Leadership and a minor in Geology.  He became an avid rock climber while at UMPI and is currently working at the Golden Community Center as a Facility and Rock Wall Coordinator. He says of his experience: UMPI is ideal for anyone who wants to pursue a degree in recreation because you can easily apply what you learn in the classroom to the backcountry, which is only a stones throw away. With the new Gentile Hall facility, you can train even harder for any sport of interest, including rock climbing!

Jamie Landeen, Class of 2007

Jamie earned her B.S. degree in Recreation and Leisure Services with an emphasis on Commerical Recreation.  She currently works as a Recreation Specialist at Loring Job Corps in Limestone, Maine.  She plans and implements recreation programs for students that live on site.  This job began as her internship-a requirement of all recreation and leisure services students-and became her full-time job upon completion of her studies.  She absolutely loves her job and has started a mentoring program, monthly newsletter and monthly bullet boards of students out on trips. Of UMPI she says: They say that memorizing is the best way to learn things.  When I attended UMPI in the Recreation program, instead of memorizing we did more hands-on learning, such as taking weekend long trips to go backpacking, hiking, skiing, etc.  I found that by doing this it helped me to apply myself to more situations that I would be in in my actual work.  It helped me to progress to where I am now and will help me where I want to be later in life.  'North of Ordinary' doesn't refer to UMPI not being normal.  It refers to the way you are uniquely educated at this school.  It is Uniquely Ordinary.

Amelia Cox, Class of 2006

Amelia earned her B.S. in Recreation/Leisure Services with a concentrations in Outdoor Leadership and Commercial Recreation.  Currently, she is working as a Nature Interpreter for the Department of Natural Resources in Nova Scotia. Amelia says of her experience UMPI is a great place to learn and take advantage of the many opportunities provided by Northern Maine’s beautiful environment and also the great Professors. I first choose UMPI because it seemed to provide a different experience, one that you could really make your own and where you would be a name not a number. The best part of this school is by far the professors, they have high expectations but are incredibly supportive and encouraging, they help show you the tools you need in the real world to accomplish your goals. While, working as a Student Ambassador I would tell potential students that this university isn’t for everyone. However, if you like a campus that is a community and getting involved then it could be, if you are looking for an adventure there is always something to do and a friend to do it with.

Marilynne Mann, Class of 2006

Marilynne Mann, pictured here with her daughter, continued her studies after UMPI as a graduate student at the University of Maine at Orono.  After earning her degree in Park Management and Natural Resource Protection at the University of Maine at Presque Isle she went on to study in Forest Resources and wrote a thesis titled Meanings, Values and Ethical Behavior of ATV Club Members in Maine.  She said of her experience at UMPI: The faculty in Recreation set high standards but made it possible for us to achieve our goals and we had so much fun in the process.  Class discussions were stimulating and every students' voice was solicited and respected in our classes.  I wouldn't be where I am today without the encouragement and training I received from the wonderful faculty at UMPI.  She currently works as a research assistant at the Center for Tourism Research and Outreach where she studies tourism-related topics in the state of Maine.

Amanda Morin, Class of 2003

Amanda earned her Associates in Recreation & Leisure Services in 2001 and a Bachelors in Educational Studies in 2003.  Since graduating she has been working at the Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset, ME as an Environmental Education, Wilderness Trip Leader and Assistant Program Director of Environmental Education.  Amanda states: UMPI offers students not only high quality professors and curriculum, but also active students organized clubs and campus functions.  With my combined degrees and my experience on trips with OAPI, I found it quite easy to find a job in the field I studies. She is now back at UMPI working as the Assistant Director of Gentile Hall and Director of OAPI.

Neal Labrie, Class of 1997

Neal earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation/Leisure Services with an emphasis on Outdoor Recreation.  He is currently the Chief Ranger for Katmai National Park and Preserve which is a unit of the Natoinal Park Service.  The Katmai National Park and Preserve in located in King Salmon, Alaska.  Neal's duties include overseeing all emergency, law enforcement and resource protection operations for over 5 million acres of National Park Service Lands.  In 2009 he was presented the Young Alumni Award for his outstanding contributions to the field of park managment and recreation.  To learn more about Neal see his video.

Greg Shute, Class of 1982

After graduation Greg worked at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville, New York.  This position was secured during this summer internship-a requirement of all students in the Recreation and Leisure Services program.  For the past twenty-four years Greg has worked at the Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset, Maine.  Currently, he serves as the Program Director for Wilderness Programs.  Greg says of his education: The University of Maine at Presque Isle provided me with a solid classroom experience and the opportunity for practical fieldwork which led to my first full-time job in the outdoor field.