Brief Description:
The University of Maine at Machias was founded in 1909 as the
Washington State Normal School, the last of six state normal schools
charged with training Maine’s teachers.
Today, UMM is New England’s only public Environmental Liberal
Arts college, offering an undergraduate education uniquely grounded in
the natural, social, cultural, and economic environments of coastal
Maine. As the smallest member of the University of Maine System, UMM
enrolls an average of 1,000 students with a student-faculty ratio of
13:1, and offers degree programs in 16 fields of study.
topMission Statement:
The mission of the University of Maine at Machias is closely linked
to its unique location on the rugged Atlantic Ocean coast, among
forests, glacial lakes, and abundant aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.
This Downeast location, with its rich human and natural resources,
provides a unique living and learning environment for our students.
Through its liberal arts core and distinctive baccalaureate
programs, the University prepares students for life-long intellectual
growth, individual success, leadership in a global society, and the
advancement of a sustainable environment.
The University’s applied research and public services
contribute to the improvement of the quality of life and economic
development in Downeast Maine. The University of Maine at Machias
collaborates with each of the other campuses in the University of Maine
System to fulfill the needs of public higher education in the State of
Maine.
topPresident's Quote:
“The University of Maine at Machias cannot truly be defined by its
eleven buildings, forty acres of land, or sixteen degree programs. The
history of this university does not reside in the names of its
presidents, the year of its founding, or its membership in the
University of Maine System. Instead, UMM’s history is most accurately
portrayed through the lives of the students, faculty, and staff members
who over the past century have come together here on this campus to
create and sustain a unique, close-knit intellectual community.”
– UMM President Cynthia Huggins topMajor Accomplishments:
- Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
- Environmental Recreation & Tourism Management program
has been accredited by the National Recreation and Park Administration
(NRPA) for 25 continuous years.
- Greening the O’Brien House project was featured on stage
at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) as an exemplary
approach to addressing a specific global challenge.
topFun Facts:
- UMM is one of only four Environmental Liberal Arts institutions in the United States.
- The average class size at UMM is 17 students.
- The Environmental Recreation and Tourism Management program is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Administration.
- The UMM campus sits on 43 acres with access to the nearby Machias river and hiking trails.
topTestimonials:
Jody Marston ’06
“One of the greatest rewards during my years at UMaine-Machias
was not only the education that I received, but the experience that I
received from the people that I had a chance to work with.”
Misty Mazerolle ’07
“The great thing about this school is that passion seems to be
in the water. The professors here are all so amazing. I never thought
that I’d be able to run up to a professor and hug him. These are the
bonds you make at UMM.”
Gayle Shepard ’08
“Before I visited UMaine-Machias I wasn’t sure where I wanted to
attend. The minute I stepped onto the campus my whole outlook changed.
Several faculty members took me into their classrooms to explain the
programs they offered. Everyone was so nice, and the campus so
welcoming, I knew this was the school for me.”
Michelle Buckley ’09
“I can honestly say that only at UMM have I been able to dissect
a seal, work with children with a wide range of developmental
disabilities and do so many other things in between, including acting in
campus theater productions and exploring the beach in my free time.”
Jackie Corbett ’09
“I love the fact that UMM has so much hands-on experience to
offer. Not many schools I looked at had as many faculty members who
really put so much into their courses, and none offered any classes that
were really a part of the marine biology major until the end of the
sophomore or junior year. The great stuff we do and see in labs, class,
and even outside of class wouldn’t be possible at a larger school. The
smaller class sizes really help make learning much easier.”
Zach Dozier ’09
“I did a big school. I did not like it. I really like the fact
that here the professors and students all know one another.”
Jordan Gilletti ’12
“I knew that I’d be coming to UMM in the fall; no other school I’d seen could compete.”