Three years after its launch, UMS TRANSFORMS is delivering results within the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), where investments are improving student retention, expanding programs and strengthening connections among education, research and industry.
At MCEC, the initiative has accelerated progress in advising, curriculum design, artificial intelligence education, statewide partnerships and K-12 outreach. The work aligns engineering and computing education with Maine’s workforce needs while building clearer pathways from classrooms to careers.
Collaboration across UMS TRANSFORMS pillars — including the Maine Center, Student Success and Retention and UMaine Athletics — has supported expanded programming, shared resources and coordinated statewide engagement. Together, these efforts show how UMS TRANSFORMS investments are improving student success, program growth and workforce alignment.
“Across Maine, we know the demand for talent, innovation and opportunity is continuing to grow,” said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of UMaine and the University of Maine at Machias. “We’re able to meet that need through strategic investments supported by UMS TRANSFORMS that are creating new opportunities in engineering and computing.”
Student success and retention improve
A redesigned advising model has contributed to MCEC’s highest retention rate in more than a decade. The model integrates academic guidance, community support and career preparation into a system that supports students from enrollment through graduation. By treating advising as an ongoing experience rather than a single service, MCEC has created a more consistent structure to help students navigate academics, belonging and career readiness.
Curriculum redesign is also producing gains. A first-year biomedical engineering course, updated through a UMS TRANSFORMS seed grant, introduced hands-on learning earlier. Students engaged in:
- Cell culture.
- Biomaterials testing.
- Microscopy.
- Data analysis.
- Experimental design.
The results are clear:
- Students report stronger confidence in their abilities.
- A 25% improvement in communication and critical thinking skills.
- A 3% increase in semester-to-semester retention.
These outcomes reflect a shift toward learner-centered instruction supporting academic achievement and long-term success. Another indicator of this is a 16% increase in year two retention in pre-engineering.
MCEC is also building long-term capacity through a faculty development initiative that supports doctoral students as they teach and mentor, strengthening the pipeline of future educators and reinforcing a culture of student-centered learning.
Expansion of AI and future-focused research-inspired programs
MCEC has expanded its academic portfolio to meet demand in emerging fields, particularly artificial intelligence and technology-driven industries. New offerings include:
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science and business.
- An online Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence certificate for undergraduate and graduate learners.
- Programs in ocean engineering and maritime digitalization tied to Maine’s growing blue economy.
These programs connect students to areas such as digital twins, cyber-physical systems and next-generation infrastructure, helping ensure graduates are prepared for modern industry.
In partnership with Student Success and Retention, AI-powered course chatbots provide students with course-specific academic support, increasing access to assistance outside classroom hours.
“Engineering and computing education must evolve as quickly as the world we live in,” said Giovanna Guidoboni, dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. “Our goal is not simply to add programs, but to build partnerships and sustainable systems of opportunity that connect students, research and industry in ways that benefit our students and Maine.”
Investments in Research Learning Experiences (RLEs) and classroom modernization have expanded opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in hands-on learning while gaining familiarity with the research process.
Statewide pathways and partnerships grow
UMS TRANSFORMS has expanded MCEC’s reach across Maine through multicampus programs and partnerships that are creating more flexible educational pathways. Over the past three years, MCEC has developed:
- Accelerated pathways from bachelor’s to master’s degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering between the University of Southern Maine (USM) and UMaine.
- A pre-engineering program at UMaine and UMaine Machias.
- Expanded computing collaborations across all campuses of the University of Maine System.
- The CharisMATHic Research Learning Experience, connecting students across disciplines through shared coursework and experiences at UMaine and USM.
Efforts to reduce barriers for community college students have also advanced. Articulation agreements with Southern Maine Community College have been formalized, and pre-engineering pathways provide clear routes into four-year programs.
MCEC’s presence at the Maine Center has strengthened these connections. As a hub for interdisciplinary graduate education and collaboration across business, law, policy and engineering, the Maine Center is creating opportunities for students to engage with industry partners, alumni and employers while expanding access for learners in southern Maine.
K-12 outreach expands statewide pipeline
Efforts to build Maine’s workforce are reaching students earlier through a K-12 outreach strategy. Over the past three years, MCEC has engaged more than 1,600 students through:
- 99 STEM Exploration Day field trips.
- 15 summer camps.
- Additional on-campus, hybrid and in-school programs.
These initiatives have reached 15 of Maine’s 16 counties, expanding access to engineering and computing education across the state.
Teacher professional development programs, international VEX Robotics competitions and hands-on training opportunities have extended that impact. Educators are gaining tools in robotics, coding and advanced materials and bringing those experiences back to classrooms across Maine, strengthening the STEM pipeline.
Collaboration with UMaine Athletics has also supported the design of facilities capable of hosting large-scale K-12 STEM events, competitions and community programming and the creation of a sports technology minor in partnership with the Maine Business School.
Facilities and infrastructure support growth
UMS TRANSFORMS has supported infrastructure investments, including:
- Dedicated student success spaces.
- New interdisciplinary laboratories and classroom spaces.
- Plans to modernize legacy buildings to support research and education.
In fall 2026, UMaine is scheduled to open the GEM building, a facility designed to integrate research, teaching and industry collaboration. The space will support convergent manufacturing and provide students with opportunities to engage in applied learning environments that reflect industry settings.
UMS TRANSFORMS has also boosted MCEC’s reputation as a learner-centered elite program ranking among the top 100 graduate engineering schools by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting strong growth across several programs. With the UMS TRANSFORMS investment, electrical and computer engineering enrollment has risen 40%. That includes a particularly significant expansion in the Ph.D. program, which increased from five to 32 students — a more than 500% gain. Mechanical engineering enrollment grew by 19%, while surveying engineering technology saw a 63% increase in enrollment. The surveying program has also earned national distinction, receiving annual awards from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying every year since the honor was established in 2016.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished in just three years,” Guidoboni said. “Through UMS TRANSFORMS and the continued investment of the Harold Alfond Foundation, the University of Maine and the University of Maine System are positioned to be global leaders attracting and retaining top talent in Maine. We will continue to think bigger, think more broadly and use these resources to catalyze meaningful change.”
Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu
