Alfond Ambassadors

The Scholarship is awarded annually to a select group of incoming students (“Alfond Ambassadors”) pursuing graduate degrees in one of the Maine Graduate and Professional Center collaborating academic programs, including the University of Maine Graduate School of Business (External Site), the University of Maine School of Law (External Site), and the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service (External Site).

Alfond Ambassadors engage with career development services, work closely with graduate faculty advisors, network with members of the employer community, and actively participate in interdisciplinary activities. This scholarship program is part of the University of Maine System-wide UMS TRANSFORMS initiative.

Participating Degree Programs

The links below point to external sites.

Meet The Fall 2022 Alfond Ambassador Cohort

Eligibility

• Students must pursue and complete a full-time graduate degree in one of the collaborating programs associated with the Maine Graduate and Professional Center. Eligible degrees are the Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Public Health (MPH), and Master of Policy, Planning, and Management (MPPM).
• Students must plan to begin coursework in the fall semester of the academic year. Currently enrolled students are not eligible.
• Students awarded the scholarship may not also be recipients of graduate assistantships or accept an award of work-study financial aid.
• Students may not receive full-time wages and a Scholarship simultaneously. Students may hold a part-time job as long as it does not conflict with their course work or routinely conflict with scholarship programming.
• Preferences:
  • Individuals from communities historically underrepresented in Maine’s professional landscape
  • Individuals needing assistance to complete a graduate degree
  • Individuals who demonstrated excellence in their undergraduate experience
  • Individuals interested in interdisciplinary topics and who have a desire to work in interdisciplinary work environments in their career
  • Maine residents or individuals who want to live and work in Maine long term

Scholarship Package

For each year of their degree program, scholarship recipients will receive full tuition, books, fees, and a living stipend.

Mentoring, career coaching, and other professional development opportunities.

Apartment housing and meal plan options on the University of Southern Maine Portland campus.

Scholarship Expectations

• Students must maintain good academic standing and continuous, full-time student status throughout the program (exceptions can be made for approved leaves).
• Participation in Alfond Ambassador cohort related activities is expected as a core element of the scholarship award. While not all activities are required, students should consider these opportunities part of their graduate program.
  • Twice a month meetings (in-person or virtual), with additional programming offered but not required. These events will commonly be held during breakfast hours (8-9:30am) and lunchtime (noon-1pm).
  • Attend three events (e.g., guest lecture) during the academic year that are hosted by other schools in the program (may be in-person or virtual).
  • Contribute to scholarship program development and evaluation, and progress reporting to supporters.
  • Participate in some public events as ambassadors for the program and their school.
• Students must be able to travel to the Greater Portland area for in-person events on a regular basis.
• Post-graduate professional employment in the field of study and in Maine is strongly encouraged, but not a requirement of the scholarship award.

2023 Awards

The Alfond Ambassador Scholarship will be awarded to six incoming students: two at the Graduate School of Business, two at Maine Law, and two at the Muskie School of Public Service.

Deadlines for the Fall 2023 Cohort

University of Maine Graduate School of Business applicants

• Application deadline: January 30, 2023 at 11:59pm EST
• Applicants notified of selection: February 10, 2023
• Applicants confirm acceptance of the scholarship: February 24, 2023

University of Maine School of Law applicants

• Priority application deadline: February 28, 2023 at 11:59pm EST (open after Feb. 28 until the two scholarship positions are filled)
• Applicants notified of selection: No later than March 15, 2023
• Applicants confirm acceptance of the scholarship: April 15, 2023

University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service applicants

• Application deadline: March 27, 2023 at 11:59PM EST (Extended) – Please note that you must submit a complete degree application to the Admissions Office before your scholarship application will be considered. Priority housing deadline for the USM Portland dorm (External Site) is March 20, though housing applications will be accepted after that.
• Finalist interviews: Early April 2023
• Scholarship offer acceptance deadline: April 28, 2023

How to Apply

• Required application materials:
  • Completed application form (see Apply Now button below)
  • Resume or CV (uploaded in the application form)
• Please note that students must have submitted their completed application for their desired degree program before they can apply for and be considered for the Alfond Ambassador Scholarship.

Apply Now – JD Candidates (External Site)

Apply Now – Master of Business Administration (MBA) Candidates (External Site)

Apply Now – MPH & MPPM Candidates (External Site)