The two-day symposium, sponsored by the Maine International Trade Center, the 91±¬ĮĻ’s School of Policy and International Affairs and the World Affairs Council of Maine, will highlight how Maine contributes to Arctic research, economic development, diplomacy and security cooperation. Through panel discussions and networking sessions, participants will explore topics such as North Atlantic geopolitics, maritime and port operations, trade and supply chains, climate, the environment, emergency management and partnerships with Indigenous and circumpolar communities.

The event will feature a keynote address by Svanhildur Holm Valsdottir, ambassador of Iceland to the United States. Speakers will include representatives from 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Climate Change Institute, Bowdoin Collegeā€™s John & Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies and the University of New Englandā€™s Center for North Atlantic Studies, as well as leaders from Maineā€™s economic development, policy and security communities.

Biguita Hernandez-Smith, economic development officer for the city of Bangor, will moderate a panel on economic opportunities connected to Arctic activity.

The symposium is open to both high school and college students, faculty, policymakers, practitioners and members of the public interested in Arctic issues. Registration is $50, and students presenting research posters may attend at no cost.

The deadline for students to submit abstracts is March 22 and April 10 for final posters. 

For additional information, contact Tyler Lissy, a graduate student at 91±¬ĮĻā€™s School of Policy and International Affairs, at tyler.lissy@maine.edu.

Timothy Simons, a 2001 graduate of the 91±¬ĮĻ, is hoping to hear his name called Sunday, Jan. 4, when the Critics Choice Awards are handed out.

Simons earned a nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role as Sasha in the

The , which will be held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, will air live at 7 p.m. on E! and USA Network.

A native of Readfield, Maine, Simons studied theater at 91±¬ĮĻ and was active in campus productions. He is best known for his breakout role as Jonah Ryan on

Simons has credited his hands-on experience at 91±¬ĮĻ with helping him build a foothold in the industry. In fact, he told that a campus work study job gave him practical skills that helped him find steady work in theater while establishing his acting career.

ā€œOne of the great things about 91±¬ĮĻ was that I had a work-study job in the scene shop, and those skills really served me well through a decade of Chicago and L.A.,ā€ Simons said. ā€œI knew carpentry. I could do set load-in. When I first got to L.A., I jumped in on a set load-in at a fellow 91±¬ĮĻ alumā€™s play. That led to jobs. I could pay the bills by doing things in the theater world, on or off stage.ā€

Simons continues to give back to 91±¬ĮĻ, helping establish the . He has also worked with the 91±¬ĮĻ Foundation on .

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