Cam McDonnell is the 2025 Outstanding Graduate Student in Instructional Technology in the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development. Originally from Greenfield, Indiana, McDonnell moved to Maine as fast as she could. Previously, she earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Student Development in Higher Education and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (Peace and Reconciliation Studies) from 91爆料. She is earning an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Instructional Technology. McDonnell currently works as Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias.

Why did you choose 91爆料 for graduate school?

Maine offered horizons and opportunities I did not find elsewhere.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor, or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91爆料?

Dr. Mia Morrison! Mia has been instrumental to my success in Instructional Technology. I took some time away in the middle of my coursework, and when I was ready to come back, Mia and her team had open arms. Her compassion has been evident throughout my time in the program. 

What has 91爆料 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

Beyond the beauty the state has to offer, I feel like 91爆料 pushed me to be my most authentic self in any professional context 鈥� especially when teaching/instructing a class.

What advice do you have for incoming graduate students to help them get off to the best start academically?

Ask questions of everyone! Not simply on the material; ask someone how their day was and what their story is. Check in even if you haven’t bumped into (or taken a course with) someone in a while. Build your personal support network to rely on throughout your enrollment, and never trick yourself into feeling like a burden.

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

As I graduate, I plan on empowering my current professional capacities to build online bridges to meet students where they are in their development of what constitutes healthy, consensual relationships.

Special thank you message:

My sincerest gratitude to Mia Morrison, the Instructional Technology faculty, my peers throughout the world of education (PK-16), and my partner for their support throughout my time in the program.

What difference has 91爆料 made in your life and in helping you reach your goals?

The Instructional Technology community has been amazing. My teachers and peers have lifted me up on more than one occasion. I would have never made it through my master’s without all their support.

Have you had an experience at 91爆料 that has changed or shaped how you see the world? If so, tell us about it.

Yes. I go back to my relationship with my peers in the master’s program. I have learned so much from each and every one of them. I love that we all come from different walks of life but share a love of learning and teaching.

Have you worked closely with a professor or mentor who improved your 91爆料 experience? If so, tell us about them.

Mia Morrison has been an incredible advisor. She has always been there for me, both professionally and personally. She takes the time to listen to her students and is a cheerleader when you need someone to believe in you.

What advice do you have for incoming graduate students to help them get off to the best academic start?

Make friends with your peers. They are a great professional resource and source of inspiration.

Jon Doty, assistant superintendent of RSU 34, the school district for Old Town, Alton and Bradley, received the inaugural Robert A. Cobb Award for Extraordinary Service to the College of Education and Human Development at the 91爆料. The award was presented at the college鈥檚 Pinning and Recognition Ceremony on Friday. 

Doty received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education with a concentration in natural sciences from 91爆料 in 2000. He went on to earn three more degrees from the university: a master鈥檚 in education with a concentration in instructional technology in 2004; a certificate of advanced study in education with a focus on gifted and talented education and educational leadership in 2006; and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership in 2018.

He has served RSU 34 in a variety of roles, including technology education teacher; middle school math and science teacher; coordinator of gifted and talented services; director of curriculum, instruction and assessment; and currently assistant superintendent.  Doty鈥檚 love of community and outdoors is reflected in his past work in Maine鈥檚 whitewater rafting industry, emergency medicine, directing youth summer camps and currently as a leader of the local Cub Scouts.

Among the initiatives that Doty has spearheaded is an educator accelerator program that engages preservice teachers from 91爆料, Eastern Maine Community College, Husson University and the 91爆料 at Augusta鈥檚 Bangor campus to work in RSU 34 schools as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers. Doty serves as president-elect of the and as treasurer of the . He is also an adjunct instructor and regular classroom guest speaker at 91爆料. 

The Robert A. Cobb Award is named for the former dean of the College of Education and Human Development from 1977 to 2007. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest tenured dean of a college of education in the United States. Cobb passed away in 2022.

For Natalie Tomah of Smithfield, Rhode Island, deciding to come to the 91爆料 for college was like deciding to go home.

Although she grew up in the Ocean State, Tomah has deep connections to Maine and its flagship public university. Her dad, Tony Tomah, was born and raised in Houlton. Her mom, Lori Tomah, spent summers vacationing in Maine. Both parents are 91爆料 graduates: Tony Tomah has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education and a master鈥檚 in instructional technology, while Lori Tomah has a master鈥檚 in human nutrition. They met when they were in graduate school.

鈥淚 feel like I was meant to come here,鈥� says Natalie Tomah, a freshman, who like her dad will study elementary education.

At Maine Hello, as mom and dad helped her move into the College of Education and Human Development鈥檚 Living Learning Community on the fourth floor of Cumberland Hall, surrounded by half-unpacked boxes of loose clothing, electronics and other tokens of dorm life, Natalie Tomah says the number one reason she chose 91爆料 was the sense of community.

鈥淭here鈥檚 something about this campus that sets it apart,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 could have gone to an in-state college, but nothing fit like 91爆料 fit.鈥�

Part of that is an ancestral connection. Natalie Tomah and her dad are members of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. Tony Tomah says his daughter will have more opportunities to explore her Native identity than he did during his time at 91爆料.

鈥淛ust seeing the Wabanaki signs on campus,鈥� Tony Tomah says, 鈥渟he will have much more exposure and probably gain much more knowledge immediately than I will ever gain.鈥�

Case in point: Before she graduates, Natalie Tomah will take Teaching Wabanaki Studies, a course the College of Education and Human Development recently incorporated into its curriculum for preservice teachers to better prepare Maine educators to meet the spirit of a 2001 state law that requires K鈥�12 schools to teach Wabanaki history and culture.

In the Living Learning Community, Natalie Tomah will be surrounded by other students who came to 91爆料 to study education, as well as students majoring in child development and family relations, exercise science and physical education. She鈥檒l have opportunities to get to know her peers through team-building activities, professional development opportunities and focused learning experiences.

Asked if she decided to study education because of her dad, the director of technology at a school district in Massachusetts, Natalie Tomah says partially. But there鈥檚 more to the story.

鈥淢y siblings are triplets, so I鈥檝e always been a teaching figure and I love working with kids,鈥� she says.

鈥淪he鈥檚 a natural when it comes to working with children,鈥� Lori Tomah chimes in. 鈥淪he didn鈥檛 have baby dolls, she had the real thing.鈥�

In high school, Natalie Tomah was a member of the National Honor Society and the Youth Council in Smithfield, as well as a volunteer at her church. She also spent this past summer working as a special education teaching assistant for her town鈥檚 school district.

鈥淭hat taught me a lot about working with different student populations, and I鈥檓 hoping it translates into some opportunities down the road when I鈥檓 home on break,鈥� she says.

As for what she鈥檚 looking forward to the most during her time at 91爆料, she says, 鈥渏ust making connections that will help me be successful in the future.鈥�

She鈥檚 already off to a good start.

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu

Education professionals are invited to attend a three-day virtual conference Aug. 1鈥�3 sponsored by the 91爆料 System鈥檚 collaborative instructional technology program.

The theme of this year鈥檚 annual event is 鈥淓mbracing Inquiry, Diversity, and Growth: Innovations in Education.鈥� The institute features speakers, workshops, plenary work sessions, networking opportunities and more.

鈥淭he Summer Technology Institute is a unique opportunity to network with colleagues and explore important issues offered through our workshops,鈥� says Donna Karno, instructional technology program coordinator and professor of early childhood education at the 91爆料 at Farmington. 鈥淧articipants are from throughout New England and beyond, allowing for a rich exchange of ideas and a chance to meet new people.鈥�

This year鈥檚 conference has three plenary sessions featuring leaders in the field of educational technology: Emma-Marie Banks, Learning Through Technology Coordinator for the Maine Department of Education; Carla Jefferson, Principal of Darlington Virtual Academy in Darlington, South Carolina; and Aaron Schorn, Head of Community and Growth at Unrulr, an education technology company based in Honolulu, Hawaii, focusing on building community.

The Summer Technology Institute is part of a three-credit course offered through the instructional technology graduate program, a partnership between the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development, the 91爆料 at Farmington and the University of Southern Maine, with instructors based at all three campuses. Courses are delivered remotely via 91爆料Online. Participants can also attend the institute for professional development and earn 25 contact hours or 2.5 continuing education units (CEUs).

Last year, 65 PK鈥�12 teachers, higher education instructors and other professionals took advantage of this dynamic learning experience.

鈥淭he most valuable aspect of this course was the opportunity we had to communicate and collaborate with our peers,鈥� says Robert Hickey, a 2022 participant and PK鈥�12 technology integration specialist. 鈥淏eing able to get the perspective of someone who holds the same position in a different school or state is eye-opening and really helped solidify my drive and passion for the work I do.鈥�

More information about the 2023 Summer Technology Institute, including registration options, is available online.

Contact:聽Mia Morrison, mia.morrison@maine.edu

Joshua is a MLTI Ambassador with the Maine Department of Education (MLTI stands for Maine Learning Technology Initiative). This two-year distinguished educator role allows him to provide instructional coaching and professional learning to educators all over the state. As a member of the MLTI 2.0 team, Joshua has been working on creating asynchronous professional development videos, trainings on new resources, individual teacher support, and even a new podcast, . Joshua also loves to use the new skills from his instructional technology program to bring more computational thinking and STEAM-based strategies to schools and classrooms.

Prior to his work at the DOE, Joshua was a middle school math teacher at China Middle School for five years. He helped create their 3D printing program and led the professional development and data committee along with being a team leader for two years. Before teaching in Maine, Joshua taught in South Dakota for seven years, where he worked closely with TIE (Technology and Innovation in Education). His work with customized learning and data-informed practices gave him the opportunity to present twice at the National Customized Learning Summit, which helped lead him to Maine.

When he鈥檚 not working, Joshua loves to spend time with his wonderful wife, Krista, and their energetic three-year-old, Corrin.

The advanced technologies instructor at the St. John Valley Technology Center, Mitch loves exploring the concepts of information technology with his learners. Whether it be hardware, software, networking, programming, cybersecurity, robotics, 3D printing, Mitch works to prepare his learners for a career in computer science. Mitch also advises his students for both SkillsUSA competitions and the United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) program.

When not in the classroom Mitch loves spending time outdoors with his wife and three children going on family hikes, skiing, camping, or spending time on the lake.

He will earn his master’s in Instructional Technology in August 2022.

David is the technology integrator at Glenburn School, where he has served since 2018. In his current role David works with all students in grades K-8, helping them develop technology skills and digital competence. Additionally, he works with his colleagues to integrate technology into existing curricular activities. David’s focus this year has been on implementing STEAM-related projects and utilizing the new STEAM Lab at Glenburn School, which houses ten 3D printers, a laser cutter, a Cricut machine, as well as many other technology and science-related tools.

Prior to his work at Glenburn, David spent 16 years at Brooksville Elementary School in Brooksville, Maine, 3.5 years at Dayton Consolidated School in Dayton, Maine, and 8.5 years at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield. Additionally, David was an adjunct faculty member at Andover College in Portland, Maine. He graduated in 1988 with Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from the 91爆料 at Machias, and will receive his Masters of Education in Instructional Technology on May 6, 2022 from the 91爆料.

Dimmel is now associate professor of mathematics education and instructional technology. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in the School of Learning and Teaching. In addition, he is the founder and director of the Immersive Mathematics in Rendered Environments (IMRE) Lab, which designs virtual and augmented reality math and science learning environments, and investigates how VR and AR technologies can transform STEM education. Dimmel recently received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the organization鈥檚 most prestigious award for early career faculty.

Hakkola is now associate professor of higher education in the School of Educational Leadership, Higher Education and Human Development. She teaches master’s and doctoral-level courses in the graduate programs in higher education. Her research examines how local, national and global discourses about diversity are developed and conveyed in the higher education, focusing on how these discourses shape and are informed by educational policies and practices, and how they affect student success.

91爆料’s annual announcement about promotion and/or tenure recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarship and research, and community engagement by faculty across the university.

Congratulations to Drs. Hakkola and Dimmel on this achievement!