Maxwell Burtis ’22
- Major: Mechanical Engineering, Honors College
- Hometown: Brunswick, Maine
- Hobbies/Interests:
- Hiking
- Sailing
- Making/Tinkering
- Reading
- Exploring
- Extra curricular activities:
- SPIFFY Investment Club
- Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
- Maine Bound Outdoor Leadership Training 2019
- UMaine Outing Club
- Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
- Undergraduate Research in Oyster Upweller Design
- SPIFFY Investment Club
Why would you like to be an officer?
I’m interested in opportunities to further develop and practice my leadership skills at UMaine. Also, I see the opportunity of becoming an officer as a way to make a greater positive impact on the university. I can see myself succeeding in a position such as an officer for the Student Alumni Ambassadors.
Please explain relevant experience/skills that make you a good candidate to fill this officer position. Describe any relevant leadership positions or skills you have that made you a good candidate to fill this leadership position as well as engaging the group, connecting with members and alums, etc.
As secretary for the student Alumni Ambassadors, I have been involved in the decision-making processes in the organization and have attended the Bangor Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event in March of this year. I learned valuable networking skills and practiced representing the student body to a wide variety of local executives.
I own a business, Ferda Farms LLC, where I have been developing my communication, organization and leadership skills for the past three years. I frequently communicate with other executives and the rest of my team, which has given me the tools to succeed at a professional level. Also, with Ferda Farms, I have participated in various business pitching competitions, winning the first place $15,000 prize at the UMaine Business challenge last year. I learned how to speak in front of large audiences, perform on camera, and how to represent an organization in the best manner possible.
How do you think the Student Alumni Ambassadors program benefits UMaine and the Alumni Association?
The Alumni Ambassadors are essential because they facilitate the connection between alumni and the student body. What separates a good school from a great school is often a strong alumni student relationship. Student liaisons can foster better connections to increase alumni donations and career opportunities for their fellow students.
As an officer, you will attend the group meetings and will have periodic meetings with members of the Alumni Association staff. With that in mind, how do you see your ability to manage these duties along with your other classroom and campus responsibilities?
By running my business and being a full-time student, I have learned effective time management skills. I do not expect any issues to arise from the added workload.
You will also be required to volunteer for events (typically 2-3 per semester), is this feasible for your schedule? Briefly explain how you will work this time commitment into your schedule.
My work schedule is flexible as I am my own boss. I see no conflict there. As for school, I am taking less classes next semester then I did this semester, so I see no problem with time commitment in the future.
What would you like to accomplish for the program in the 2020-2021 academic year? Please provide any ideas/projects/initiatives.
I would like to see a greater degree of involvement with the program from the undergraduate student body. I would like to target these students through social media like Instagram and email. Additionally, my experience at the Bangor Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event was outstanding, community members had lots of questions for me and loved to hear from an undergraduate. More events like these could work wonders for the relationship between the university and alumni, as well as community business owners. I see a lot of potential for this program and I seek to bring the Student Alumni Ambassadors to fulfill that potential.
Anything else to add?
I have a lot of pride in my state and a lot of pride in my school. Becoming more involved in the school through this Ambassador program means a lot to me. I want the best for my school, and I am willing to work hard to achieve it. For me, the Student Alumni Ambassadors is not merely a resume booster, but an opportunity to make a monumental impact to something larger than me, to help improve the university through the building and maintaining of alumni relationships.
Rachel Hyatt ’21
- Major: Financial Economics
- Hometown: Darien, CT
- Hobbies/Interests:
- Painting
- Listening to Music
- Watching Netflix
- Extra curricular activities:
- Delta Zeta Sorrority
- Team Maine
Why would you like to be an officer?
I would like to be an officer because of the values that the Student Alumni Association is based upon and what their goals are. I was an officer for this past school year and would love to continue playing a role in this amazing program. This is a great leadership opportunity and I would love the ability to be a part of it.
Please explain relevant experience/skills that make you a good candidate to fill this officer position. Describe any relevant leadership positions or skills you have that made you a good candidate to fill this leadership position as well as engaging the group, connecting with members and alums, etc.
I have held many positions of leadership within other organizations on campus as well as holding a position in SAA this past year. I have had to learn to communicate with members of the UMaine faculty to set up events and fill out paperwork. On top of that I have also created and run my own events within the sorority that I am in. To be President/Vice President of this organization I feel as though you must have great communication skills to not only communicate with staff but also to communicate with the students that form this organization. I also believe that to a good President/Vice President you must believe in the organization and what it stands for. I am a huge advocate for enhancing the relationship between current students and alumni.
How do you think the Student Alumni Ambassadors program benefits UMaine and the Alumni Association?
The Student Alumni Ambassadors benefit UMaine and the Alumni Association in many ways. Having students who are representing the connection between current students and alumni is key and that is the role that the ambassadors are playing. They are helping to create networking opportunities with the alumni and provide the alumni with a way to look back at their time at UMaine as well as give back to the community they will always be apart of.
As an officer, you will attend the group meetings and will have periodic meetings with members of the Alumni Association staff. With that in mind, how do you see your ability to manage these duties along with your other classroom and campus responsibilities?
Since I was already an officer, being able to attend group meetings as well as members of the Alumni Association staff will not be a burden on my schedule. I am very good at making time for everything in my life and my planner is a huge help. I am a part of other organizations on campus as well as having a on campus job so scheduling is very important and I am always on top of my schedule to make sure there are no conflicts.
You will also be required to volunteer for events (typically 2-3 per semester), is this feasible for your schedule? Briefly explain how you will work this time commitment into your schedule.
This is feasible for my schedule. This semester I had already attended three events/tabling events and had planned to attend two more that semester. I enjoy helping out at these events and being an advocate for the Student Alumni Association. Fitting this into my schedule is not an issue whether it’s attending an event in between classes or at night.
What would you like to accomplish for the program in the 2020-2021 academic year? Please provide any ideas/projects/initiatives.
I would love to have more on campus events to help spread the word of the amazing organization we have as well as try and increase our membership especially with new students coming in the fall. I would love to have a table at the clubs and organization fair both in the fall and spring. I would like to host an event on campus during the first weeks of school to welcome the first year students to campus and help them to create a relationship with their class year. I would also want to make sure that when we have group meetings that we have a large attendance throughout the year and to do this maybe possibly having everyone attend at least one meeting a semester.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Being an officer of this organization already has provided me with the opportunity to work behind the scenes and see all of the effort that goes into running an organization like this. I would love to continue to be able to help run this organization and make it the most succesful it can be.