Alfond Ambassador Program

The Alfond Ambassador Program provides scholarship support, leadership development, and cross-disciplinary connection for graduate students preparing to make a meaningful impact in Maine.

Where graduate education meets leadership, service, and impact.

Established in 2022 through the generosity of the Harold Alfond Foundation as part of UMS TRANSFORMS, the Alfond Ambassador scholarship is part of a broader University of Maine System effort to expand access to higher education for students with financial need while building a pipeline of highly skilled professionals for Maine’s workforce.

The Maine Center, in partnership with its collaborating academic programs, oversees the Alfond Ambassador application process and program experience. Each year, two graduate students are selected from each of the Maine Center’s collaborating academic programs:

University of Maine Graduate School of Business
University of Maine School of Law
Muskie School of Public Service
Maine College of Engineering and Computing

Alfond Ambassadors are selected based on academic excellence, leadership potential, a shared vision for positively impacting Maine’s economic future, and a demonstrated dedication to fostering economic growth and innovation in Maine after graduation.

Program Benefits

Alfond Ambassadors receive financial support and access to leadership experiences designed to strengthen their academic, professional, and community impact.

Scholarship
Support
$12,000 in annual academic scholarship support for each year of the student’s degree program

Leadership Development
30+ hours of immersive leadership development training annually

Professional
Networks
Opportunities to build professional networks across disciplines and sectors

Service
and Impact
Participation in a community service opportunities that support Maine communities

Cohort
Community
Connection to a cohort of graduate students committed to Maine’s future

Leadership Development and Community Engagement

The Alfond Ambassador experience extends beyond financial support. Ambassadors participate in leadership development programming throughout the academic year, including an overnight fall retreat, a daylong spring session, and additional meetings designed to support professional growth, collaboration, and connection.

Ambassadors also participate in a community service initiative, contributing a minimum of four hours during the academic year. This experience is designed to help students apply their leadership skills while giving back to communities across Maine.

Through these experiences, Alfond Ambassadors build relationships across disciplines, expand their understanding of Maine’s economic and civic landscape, and develop the skills to lead in their fields and communities.

Prospective Alfond Ambassadors must be currently applying to, accepted into, or enrolled in an eligible graduate program through one of the Alfond Exchange’s collaborating academic partners.

Eligible applicants include:

Students applying to or accepted into a full-time graduate program at the University of Maine Graduate School of Business
Students applying to or accepted into a full-time graduate program at the Muskie School of Public Service
Students applying to or accepted into a full-time graduate program at the Maine College of Engineering and Computing
First-year students enrolled at the University of Maine School of Law

Applicants must reside in Maine for the duration of their academic program. Remote or online students living outside of Maine are not eligible.

Alfond Ambassadors may not be full-time graduate assistants or full-time employees of the University of Maine System or any of its universities. There is no restriction on working full time outside of the University of Maine System.

Alfond Ambassadors are selected through a competitive application process that considers each applicant’s academic achievement, leadership potential, commitment to Maine, and interest in contributing to economic growth, innovation, and community impact after graduation.

Selection is based on:

Academic excellence
Leadership potential
A shared vision for positively impacting Maine’s economic future
Demonstrated dedication to fostering economic growth and innovation in Maine after graduation
Commitment to strengthening Maine’s workforce and professional landscape

Post-graduate professional employment in Maine is strongly encouraged and will be considered during the application review process, but it is not a requirement of program participation.

Alfond Ambassadors are expected to participate fully in program activities and remain in good standing throughout their academic program.

Ambassadors are expected to:

Maintain good academic standing
Maintain full-time student status
Participate in all Alfond Ambassador program-related activities
Attend required in-person leadership development sessions
Travel to the Greater Portland area or other locations for scheduled programming
Complete the required community service initiative

In-person participation is required. The leadership development program includes a two-day overnight retreat in the fall, a daylong session in the spring, and three to four additional meetings throughout the academic year.

Students interested in becoming Alfond Ambassadors should review the eligibility requirements, program expectations, and application timeline before applying.

Applications must be submitted online by the posted deadline. Selected applicants will be notified by email and asked to confirm acceptance of the scholarship by the stated response deadline.

The application period for the 2026-2027 academic year has now closed.

Application Timeline

Application deadlines vary by academic program. Please refer to the current application cycle dates below.

University of Maine Graduate School of Business: (coming spring 2027)
University of Maine School of Law: (coming spring 2027)
Maine College of Engineering and Computing: (coming spring 2027)
Muskie School of Public Service: (coming spring 2027)

Questions?

For questions about the Alfond Ambassador Program or application process, please contact Heather York, Special Assistant for the Maine Center, at heather.f.york@maine.edu.