Cynthia Shelmerdine

Cynthia Shelmerdine is a third-year Biomedical Engineering major at the University of Maine, concentrating in tissue engineering. Originally from Warren, Maine. She currently serves as Vice President of the University of Maine Student Government for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Cynthia first became involved in student government during her freshman year, serving as a senator for Engineering. In that role, she championed initiatives related to campus security, infrastructure improvements such as walkways and lighting, and military advocacy. Her commitment to addressing tangible student needs and improving campus life inspired her continued leadership, leading to her election as Vice President in spring 2025 alongside President Keegan Tripp.

As Vice President, Cynthia is focused on making student government more accessible and responsive. Her priorities include increasing transparency in the process of securing research positions on campus, ensuring university infrastructure projects reflect the interests of students, and improving accessibility across campus buildings and walkways. She is passionate about fostering collaboration between students, organizations, and administration to ensure all student voices are represented in university decision-making.

Beyond her leadership in UMSG, Cynthia is actively engaged in campus life as a member of Chi Omega sorority, where she contributes to service and sisterhood initiatives. She has also worked in the Howell Bioinformatics Engineering Lab since her freshman year, where she is part of a research project developing a sustainable plastic alternative using mycelium and cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Combining her passion for science with her dedication to service, Cynthia strives to make a lasting impact both within the UMaine community and beyond.