As the May 1 college decision deadline approaches, students are showing increased interest in academic programs with clear career pathways.

At the 91爆料, that trend is evident across disciplines tied to growing sectors of the U.S. economy, including engineering, health care and biomedical sciences, business, natural resources and environmental sciences, agriculture and food systems, communication sciences and disorders, and biotechnology.

University data highlight several indicators of that demand:

• Mechanical engineering enrollment has increased by more than 30% over the past decade, with a 95% student satisfaction rate.
• The wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology program reports that 95% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school, with 82% working in natural resource fields.
• The Maine Business School, which will enroll 330 first-year students, filled nearly half of those seats before April and reports a 94% positive outcome rate.
• In animal and veterinary sciences, about 20% of graduates continue to veterinary or medical school.
• Health-related fields tied to several majors are projected to see continued jobgrowth over the next decade.

Mechanical engineering

91爆料鈥檚 mechanical engineering program, now the university鈥檚 largest major, has expanded in response to national demand for engineers in industries including manufacturing, technology and transportation.

Enrollment has increased by more than 30% over the past decade. Graduates are recruited by employers such as Bath Iron Works, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman, Texas Instruments, GE and NASA鈥檚 Goddard Space Flight Center.

The curriculum progresses from foundational coursework in math and physics to advanced engineering applications, with an emphasis on analysis, design and problem-solving. Experiential learning is integrated throughout, with students participating in internships, co-ops and a yearlong senior capstone design sequence focused on design, prototyping and testing.

Students may pursue concentrations such as aerospace engineering, along with minors or certificates in robotics, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing. The program reports a 95% positive student sentiment rate.

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Wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology

The wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology program has more than doubled in enrollment over the past two decades, reflecting sustained interest in conservation and natural resource careers.

The curriculum emphasizes field-based learning. More than half of courses include outdoor labs, and students complete a required immersive field experience in Downeast Maine that is frequently cited as a defining part of their education. More than 80% of undergraduates report that fieldwork influenced their decision to enroll.

Students gain experience through field surveys, internships and research. About 70% complete field experiences, and more than half participate in faculty-led research. Faculty and students have also produced more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and secured nearly $16 million in research funding during the past five years.

Among graduates, 95% are employed or enrolled in graduate school, and 82% work in natural resource fields.

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Speech, pre-medical and biomedical sciences

91爆料 is reporting increased interest in programs that prepare students for careers in health care, research and biotechnology, reflecting broader national workforce trends.

Fields such as speech-language pathology and audiology are projected to experience above-average job growth over the next decade, according to federal labor data. Demand is influenced by factors including an aging population and expanded access to care.

Programs in communication sciences and disorders, biology, biochemistry and microbiology provide preparation for graduate study and professional careers, including speech-language pathology as well as medical, dental and veterinary school.

Students frequently participate in faculty-led research, gaining experience that supports applications to graduate programs or entry into the workforce. Faculty say the programs emphasize both academic preparation and applied learning.

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Business

The Maine Business School is nearing capacity for its incoming class, reflecting strong student demand for business education.

The program will enroll 330 first-year students, and nearly half of those seats were filled before April. Administrators say the pace of enrollment indicates sustained interest throughout the admissions cycle.

Students are drawn to the flexibility of the degree, particularly the general business major, which allows exploration across disciplines before selecting a concentration. Finance and marketing remain among the most popular areas of study.

The school reported a 94% positive outcome rate for the Class of 2024, defined as graduates employed, enrolled in graduate school or participating in service programs within six months. Officials say the program is designed to prepare students for a range of careers across industries.

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Animal and veterinary sciences

Enrollment in 91爆料鈥檚 animal and veterinary sciences program has increased since before the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting demand for careers in animal health, veterinary medicine and agriculture.

The program prepares students for careers in veterinary medicine, research and agriculture-related fields. About 20% of graduates continue to veterinary or medical school, while others enter the workforce directly.

Students gain hands-on experience at the university鈥檚 J.F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, where they work with animals in applied settings and develop practical skills.

All students also participate in research with faculty on topics including animal health, environmental systems and disease. Faculty say the program is structured to support both exploration and career preparation as workforce demand continues to grow.

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Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu 

Discover campus and coastal life at the 91爆料 through 鈥淟ife in the Pines,鈥� where real students share their experiences studying, exploring nature and embracing community on both the Orono and Machias campuses.

鈥淟ife in the Pines,鈥� an unscripted video series sharing stories of students at the 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias, has launched its second season.

Each episode follows a student along their academic journey, whether it takes them to the coast, wild blueberry fields, medical research labs, K-12 classrooms, basketball courts or, literally, through the pines. Prioritizing authenticity, this series seeks to show what life is really like for students at both campuses. Visit to watch the full series.

Students to be featured this season include: 

• Alan Chausse, a forestry major who also plays in a band and rock climbs.
• Quincy Clifford, a business management major who has studied abroad in Costa Rica and played basketball with other students from around the globe.
• Jasper Makowski, a microbiology major, Honors College student, medical research lab student researcher and Circle K New England district governor.
• McKenna Chappell, a parks, recreation and tourism major who spends mornings creating art and afternoons teaching children about Maine鈥檚 outdoors.
• Nico Durkee, a studio art major in the marching band who plays with molten metal in the sculpture studio.聽
• Lauren Smack, a sociology major, singer and dancer who鈥檚 made Orono her new home.聽
• Isabelle Puccio, a biomedical engineering major who conducts breast cancer research and searches for ways to combine music and science.
• Samantha Ney, an elementary education major who lives life on Marsh Island to the fullest, from walking the trails to cheering on the Black Bears.聽
• Jeffrey Nowack, who never thought he would be a drum major until he recently discovered his passion 鈥� and possible career paths 鈥� for music education.
• Joey Ferguson, an integrative biology major who conducts wild blueberry research and responds to marine mammal strandings in Downeast Maine.聽

Don鈥檛 miss this insider鈥檚 look at 91爆料 through the lens of a dynamic group of students living life in the pines.

Transcript:

I have friends that are going to school right now in Colorado and Nebraska and they鈥檙e beautiful, but Maine is forged by nature and forged by the people that are here. I feel like it鈥檚 a flex.

While New England is well known for commodities such as maple syrup, wild blueberries and cranberries, its reputation for sweets extends to another crop: sweet corn. The 2023-24 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed the region produced just under 3 million tons of corn, of which Vermont contributed approximately half and Maine 500,000 tons. 

Corn growers in New England could face a new challenge in the coming years. from the 91爆料 projected that a corn crop pest that is already present in the region may begin to have a more noticeable effect on crops as temperatures warm and winters become more mild. 

The corn flea beetle is a common pest in the Corn Belt 鈥� the north-central Midwest region expanding through Ohio, Nebraska and Kansas 鈥� that damages plant foliage and carries a bacteria that causes Stewart鈥檚 Wilt, a disease that impacts crop health and productivity.

Rachel Schattman, assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at 91爆料, led the study. Schattman and Scott Merrill, a systems ecologist at the University of Vermont, conducted their research by combining temperature forecasts with two existing agricultural models to show how changing climate could impact corn flea beetle infestations. 

Farmers and agriculture-adjacent professionals use models to predict the seasonal threat of Stewart鈥檚 Wilt, but current ones don鈥檛 take into account how climate is changing. Schattman and Merrill used data from , a forecast system based at Oregon State University, to integrate temperature projections into the existing models. Their research focused on three time periods: 1980-2011, 2049-2059 and 2089-2099. 

Schattman and Merrill analyzed temperature data through each model individually and then by taking averages of the two models combined. One of the agricultural models summates the mean temperatures of winter months, and the other calculates crop damage based on the temperatures of winter months. All three models showed that the corn flea beetle and threat of Stewart鈥檚 Wilt is likely to expand in the Northeast, increasing the probability of severe crop damage. 

鈥淚n the future, we anticipate crop production to continue to get more challenging for a multitude of reasons, including disease and crop interaction,鈥� Schattman said. 鈥淲e need all of the management tools that we can have available.鈥�

Pesticides are the most popular way to treat corn flea beetle infestations, but the future is uncertain on whether regulations will make them inaccessible. Schattman said two general types of pesticides exist, ones that target specific pests and ones that expand to a range of pests. The latter, called broad spectrum pesticides, allow farmers to spray less and more effectively, but states are beginning to regulate or ban a class of them known as neonicotinoids, or neonics, because of concerns related to their effects on native insects and other animals.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of movement to try and make some pesticides, like neonics, unavailable to farmers in some states, which from an environmental perspective, is not that bad, but from a farming perspective, can be challenging,鈥� Schattman said. 鈥淗owever, if pesticides are more tightly regulated, then farmers may be left with underdeveloped seed genetics and fewer spray options that work. That may make them more vulnerable to something like corn flea beetle.鈥�

An alternative to using pesticides to protect crops from the corn flea beetle is to develop varieties of corn that are resistant to Stewart鈥檚 Wilt. Many experiments taking this approach ceased when pesticides, the more affordable and accessible option, became the common management approach. 

Schattman said developing resistant varieties takes time and money, and farmers have to advocate for the research to be done on their behalf. Having owned a farm for about a decade, Schattman understands firsthand the challenges that come with the occupation.

鈥淔arming is very vulnerable to everything that happens in the weather 鈥� early frost, big storms, big rainfall, everything that can potentially tank your crop.鈥� Schattman said. 鈥淚n any given year, farmers have to make decisions about economics and ecology, and the social and cultural aspects of their farm.鈥�

Bill Tracy, an agroecologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provided guidance on the study, specifically in relation to the corn crop. 

Contact: Ashley Yates, ashley.depew@maine.edu

Warm weather means many farms across Maine will be hosting public access hours and events (check or local farm websites for hours and details). MAFES’ Aroostook, Blueberry Hill, Highmoor, and Rogers farms will all be hosting field days and other opportunities for public access throughout the summer (see our events page for details). Farm visits are an excellent opportunity to take the family out for some fresh air, learn about local agriculture, and enjoy bucolic Maine. However, it is important to remember that you are guests on fully operation farms that your neighbors rely on for their livelihood. Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry provides a list of “Top Ten Farm visit Dont’s” to ensure a safe and respectful farm visit:

1. Don’t Ignore Farm Rules

Every farm has its own set of rules designed to protect both visitors and animals. Ignoring these rules can lead to accidents or disruptions. Always pay attention to and follow the guidelines provided by the farm staff.

2. Don’t Wander Off

Farms can be large and sometimes hazardous areas with machinery, uneven terrain, and restricted zones. Stay within designated areas and follow paths to avoid getting lost or entering dangerous locations.

3. Don’t Feed the Animals Without Permission

Feeding farm animals without permission can harm them, as not all foods are safe for every animal. Always ask the farmer before feeding any animals to ensure it’s secure and appropriate.

4. Don’t Startle the Animals

Sudden movements or loud noises can startle farm animals, causing them stress or triggering defensive behavior. Approach animals calmly and quietly to ensure a safe interaction.

5. Don’t Bring Pets

Bringing your pets to a farm can introduce diseases to the farm animals and create stress or aggressive encounters. Please leave your pets at home unless the farm specifically allows and welcomes them.

6. Don’t Touch Equipment

Farm machinery and tools can be dangerous if handled improperly. Only touch or operate equipment with explicit permission and supervision from farm staff.

7. Don’t Leave Gates Open

Leaving gates open can lead to animals escaping, which can be dangerous and create much work for the farmers. Always close gates behind you unless instructed otherwise.

8. Don’t Litter

Littering can harm animals and damage the environment. Always dispose of your trash properly and carry out what you bring in.

9. Don’t Wear Inappropriate Clothing

Farms can be muddy, dusty, and full of insects. Wear sturdy, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes to protect yourself and ensure a relaxed visit.

10. Don’t Ignore Safety Signs

Safety signs are placed for a reason. Ignoring them can lead to accidents or harm. Remember all posted signs and warnings to keep yourself and others safe.

Following these guidelines ensures a pleasant and respectful farm visit, benefiting you and the farm community. Do bring your sense of adventure and appreciation for exploring these local businesses we all care about.

Biologically based soil fertility systems provide multiple ecosystem and crop production services. These systems rely on organic sources of nutrients (e.g., manure, compost, green manure, and plant and seed meals) to meet crop needs. They can replace some or all of the need for synthetic fertilizer, improve soil quality and productivity, and recycle nutrients that might otherwise contaminate ground and surface water. Biologically based fertility systems represent a fundamentally different approach to fertility management than fertilizer-based systems, with concomitant challenges and opportunities. This project addresses different aspects of biologically based system in two contrasting crops, organic bread wheat and lowbush blueberry. Additional studies will be added as needs and funding are identified. For organic bread wheat production, providing adequate nitrogen at the right time in the crop鈥檚 development is a key challenge to producing grain that will meet the protein standard required by millers and bakers. Three separate field studies will investigate the effects of rotation and nitrogen sources on plant nitrogen uptake, grain yields, grain protein, and protein quality in both winter and spring wheat. Rotations will include different strategies for incorporating bread wheat into dairy cropping systems. Nitrogen sources will include mixed forage plowdown, red clover plowdown, dairy manure, chicken manure, and dehydrated chicken manure. For lowbush blueberry, biologically based fertility systems hold promise as a means to address soil quality issues while meeting crop nutrient needs. Compost will be compared to an OMRI-approved and a synthetic bagged fertilizer for effects on soil carbon, soil nutrients, blueberry nutrient uptake, flower and fruit set, fruit yield, and fruit quality. This project will develop management strategies for farmers who grow organic bread wheat, lowbush blueberry, and possibly other crops to optimize nitrogen use efficiency, soil quality, crop yields, crop quality, and profitability for cropping systems that use biologically based nutrient sources.

Investigators: Mallory, E.; Camire, M.; Kersbergen, R.

Unit: School of Food and Agriculture

Termination Date: 30-Sep-17