UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

MacKenzie Conant

Hometown: Billerica, MA

M.S., School of Forest Resources

Advisor: Sandra De Urioste-Stone

Began Conservation Science NRT Program Fall 2020

The world of natural resources and outdoor recreation is constantly evolving and requires collaboration across a spectrum of groups to remain resilient. I was drawn to the NRT Conservation Science program for its focus on transdisciplinary work, communication, and real-life applications. The NRT strives to achieve this through their coursework and internships that allow for collaboration with partners across the state of Maine.

I received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine in Parks, Recreation and Tourism, with a concentration in nature-based tourism and a minor in marketing. During my time here, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources lab where I gained experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative research, but most importantly, I fell in love with adding a social science component to the management of our natural resources. My current research focuses on risk perceptions of tick-borne diseases among nature-based tourism stakeholders, but my broader interests extend to the field of outdoor recreation and visitor-use management. In my free time, I can be found hiking and biking around the Western Mountains of Maine and Acadia National Park.

UMaine Alert

NRT: Enhancing Conservation Science

MacKenzie Conant