Cassandra Belka

In her role, Cassie both advises TRIO SSS students and assists with the administration of nearly all aspects of the TRIO SSS program, including as an exam proctor and CLEP test administrator.

Cassie is a lifetime resident of the Bangor area and an alum of the University of Maine – shoutout to the Class of 2011! She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from UMaine in 2013 and went on to teach K-8 music in a handful of rural Maine public schools for a few years.

In 2016, she decided to take her education career in a new direction and enrolled part-time in UMaine’s Student Development in Higher Education master’s program. She completed her Master’s degree in 2021, leading her to the opportunity to become an advisor in TRIO SSS along with her previous administrative duties. She loves having the opportunity to work directly with students and help them feel welcomed and supported in the University setting.

Cassie is a proud cat- and human-mom, loves to read (mostly fantasy and historical fiction) and write (both novels and children’s stories), and can usually be found with a Dunkin iced coffee (even in the depths of winter).