Meet our Recent THOR Student Fellows
Dillon Metcalf, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Bachelors in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, Political Philosophy and Ethics minor, THOR minor
Career Plans: Outdoor Recreation Management, Outdoor Education
Summary of fellowship project: Supporting Maine Huts and Trails to expand their benchmarking project, with the comparison and contrast of competing organizations. The goal is to further improve Maine Huts and Trails’ targeted messaging, help them reach new audiences, and provide them with insights into ways to learn how to tell their story more effectively.
Mia Forcine, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Bachelors in Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Career Plans: Public facing in outdoor recreation.
Summary of fellowship project: Supporting campground development with Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness. I hope to learn from their expertise in community engagement and cultural stewardship, while building meaningful connections with professionals and organizations dedicated to sustainable recreation and wellness initiatives.
Kathryn Gatewood, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Bachelors in Ecology & Environmental Sciences: Sustainability, Environmental Policy & Natural Resource Management; Spanish minor
Career Plans: Outdoor education logistics and field work!
Summary of fellowship project: Supporting campground development with Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness in Millinocket through competitor analysis.
Andrew Clifford, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Bachelors in Forestry
Career Plans: After graduation I plan on becoming a full time climbing instructor and guide.
Summary of fellowship project: A programmatic climbing manual for those looking to lead educational climbing trips in New England. My goals for this fellowship are to increase accessibility of climbing in New England for outdoor educators who may not have the time or resources to get out to these places and get hands-on experience.
Bence Rosenberg, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Bachelors in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism; Outdoor Leadership minor
Career Plans: Guide and Outdoor Sport Instructor
Summary of fellowship project: Supporting programming goals at Maine Bound Gear Library to promote access to outdoor recreation with new gear inventory.
Ilana Berkovitz, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Bachelors in Kinesiology and Outdoor Leadership
Career Plans: Director of a summer camp
Summary of fellowship project: Supporting the rebranding of the Maine Bound Gear Library and enhancing promotion of the full range of available equipment.
Brayden Vance, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Bachelors in Parks & Recreation and Tourism, French Language
Career Plans: Work for SEPAQ or be a Forest Ranger for New York State Parks
Summary of fellowship project: Supporting destination research and itinerary planning at the World Affairs Council of Maine to present to visiting leaders and distinguished guests.
Molly Bogner, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Master’s in the School of Forest Resources
Career Plans: Park Ranger/social science research/outdoor leader/educator
Summary of fellowship project: I am currently supporting student engagement and involvement with the THOR Institute Vacationland Conference in June 2025. In my past work as a THOR Student Fellow, I’ve worked to expand a statewide outdoor program marketing plan for schools in Maine to advocate for students spending more time outdoors through community-based programs.
Erin Ciampa, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Parks Recreation and Tourism with a Nature-Based Tourism Concentration and an Outdoor Leadership Minor
Career Plans: Hoping to work within the outdoor education field!
Summary of fellowship project: I’m working with THOR fellow Molly Bogner to gather data on people’s experiences at the summits of Sargent and Cadillac mountains in Acadia National Park. We are asking visitors about the soil vegetation restoration project, Save Our Summits, among other things. I will also be doing a bi-weekly blog post about my experiences!
McKenna Chappell, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Parks, Recreation & Tourism with a Minor in Studio Art
Career Plans: I plan to get my MBA with a concentration in Outdoor Industry Management, then work in a national park as a guide, outdoor educator, art instructor, or business owner.
Summary of fellowship project: I will be researching U.S. national parks to gather data about arts programming and partnerships.
Final Project: Art Programs in U.S. National Parks
Abby Lavoie, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Parks, Recreation & Tourism with a Graphic Design Minor
Career Plans: My career plans involve a job outside where I am able to connect with people and give back to our lovely planet!
Summary of fellowship project: I’m working with UMaine and Backcountry Squatters and will share more about my project soon.
Final Project: DEI Skills for Outdoor Leaders
Laini Frager, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Environmental Educator in a park setting, interpretive ranger
Career Plans: Park Ranger/social science research/outdoor leader/educator
Summary of fellowship project: I will be working with the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association to research current strategies used to involve tourists with working waterfronts around the world and seeing if any of these strategies could be implemented on Maine’s working waterfront. I will also be surveying tourists in Portland to gauge visitor interest in the working waterfront.
Jordan Potter, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Biomedical Engineering and Outdoor Leadership
Career Plans: Something with health and the environment.
Summary of fellowship project: I am going to go to wilderness areas in the Bangor/Orono area and share about my experiences. This will give people a broader awareness of ways they can experience and enjoy nature close by too.
Amanda Rock, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Kinesiology – Outdoor Leadership
Career Plans: I plan to attend PA school after my undergrad and maintain my passion for outdoor recreation by joining the field of wilderness and emergency medicine. I hope to continue working towards bringing my communities to the outdoors but with the education and medical knowledge needed to be safe and keep our environment safe too.
Summary of fellowship project: For this summer’s THOR project, I will be working with the organization Teens to Trails to create a compilation of best practices in the outdoors for students and teachers new to the outdoor communities. I will also be working on creating a flowchart for teachers (and older students) to create an accessible, user-friendly guide on how to find training and what training they may need to be a well-rounded outdoor leader and be prepared for whatever their specialty may throw at them.
In my past work as a THOR Student Fellow, I supported the event planning process for the NENA ICHRIE Conference in April 2024 and presented my research on regional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Emily Kidd, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Kinesiology and Physical Education (Concentration in Outdoor Leadership)
Career Plans: Guide for an organization such an NOLS or work as an outdoor educator in the High School setting.
Summary of fellowship project: During my time as a THOR Fellow I hope to work in conjunction with pre-existing organizations in order to create more job access for Maine high schoolers, specifically rural Maine high school students. My goal is to provide them access to various employers within the outdoor industry and to share with them other young people’s experiences working for such companies.
Jessica Williams, University of Maine Machias
Major (minor/concentration): Majoring in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership with a minor in Marine Biology
Career Plans: Any exciting opportunity to share my love for the outdoors with others.
Summary of fellowship project: I am creating an outdoor recreation program for LGBTQ youth in Washington County, Maine.
Ashley Meggett, University of Maine Orono
Major (minor/concentration): Earth and Climate Sciences major, Earth Science concentration, Outdoor Leadership minor
Career Plans: Something in the realm of outdoor conservation and public relations
Summary of fellowship project: Assisting Teens to Trails organization with public outreach, advertisement, and support at planned outdoor events
About the Fellowship
A collaboration among all seven of Maine’s public universities, the THOR Institute aims to strengthen workforce development and educational opportunities related to the tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation industries. This fellowship is intended to support students committed to applying their experience and interest within the THOR related academic disciplines to connect more broadly with the community.
All undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree, major, minor, or certificate related to the THOR academic disciplines at any of the University of Maine System institutions are eligible.
For more information visit the THOR Institute Fellowship page here.