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67 B U S I N E S S P RO F I L E S "Co-locating these programs and facilities in Maine's cultural, business, and medical hub of Portland is a game changer for our students and our state," explained Herbert. "Our integration with other regional institutions, combined with our educational approach, will produce graduates who are uniquely equipped to support the health of the people of Maine and who are prepared to lead wherever they practice." e project will also enable UNE COM to increase annual class sizes by 35 students. UNE already provides more doctors, and more health professionals in general, for Maine than any other university. is expansion will contribute still more physicians for Maine's growing population and underserved rural communities at a time of dire health care workforce shortages. e Next Step in a Mission-Driven Journey UNE's Portland plans represent the next logical step in the University's pursuit of a health-focused mission. is continuity is evident in the Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center, a health professions simulation lab on the Portland Campus. On a recent morning in the "Sim Lab," a group of students from various health professions programs worked together in a clinical care room. As they practiced CPR on a life-like mannequin, a technician controlled the mannequin's vitals — and even had the faux-patient converse with the students — from an adjacent control room. e students supported each other as they took turns and then headed to a debriefing room to review video of their exercises. "UNE is already a leader in interprofessional education," said Herbert. "Moving the med school to Portland will deepen the integration between disciplines." An Expansive View of Health e president clarified that UNE's health-based mission reaches beyond health care. "UNE exists to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. In doing that, we support health with a capital "H" — the health of individual people, of communities, and of the planet." at broad view of health comes alive in the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center on UNE's Biddeford Campus. At 7 a.m. on a spring ursday, Associate Professor Carrie Byron, Ph.D., met a team of early-bird students at the Marine Science Center. ey gathered gear, said goodbye to their colleagues managing the aquariums, and took the short walk to a private dock to load one of UNE's four research vessels. From there it's a 15-minute ride out to the University's floating kelp farm in Saco Bay, where the group would analyze the crop and gather data on water temperatures. e Biddeford Campus sits on 540 acres near Biddeford Pool, on the shore where the Saco River meets the sea. e location is an eco- logical crossroads, featuring forests, fields, marshes, river and marine habitats — ideal for studying environmental and marine sciences. "UNE students live and work within the ecosystems they are learning to steward — it's experiential learning to the nth degree," said Byron. "ey also graduate with sought-after technical skills in managing boats, docks, lab equipment, and aquariums — help- ing them stand out as their career begins." While both of UNE's Maine campuses house undergraduate and graduate programs, the Biddeford Campus serves as the undergradu- ate hub. e campus is home to the science, business, and liberal arts programs of the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as the fields, rinks, courts, and gyms of a thriving Division III athletics program. Moving UNE COM will make space for a slate of new academic programs and experiential learning facilities here. e coastal location is great for more than learning – it also makes UNE a fun place to be. Students regularly get out on the water and enjoy social time on UNE's private beach. "Before and after classes, my students participate in everything from birding to biking to kayaking," shared Byron. Career Readiness in a Troubled World President Herbert recognized that this is a time of uncertainty for students. "Passion to do good is key, but, for us to effectively educate students, we must recognize that the entire context for higher education has changed," he said. "In these times of social division, advances in technology, and growing globalization, we need to transform how we deliver education." Several key initiatives highlight that transformation: Research: UNE is designated as an R2 University with "high research activity" by the Carnegie Classification system. e quality of research combined with UNE's size results in undergraduates having ample opportunities to work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research. Open Inquiry: Herbert is a champion of higher education as the "marketplace of ideas," a place where students and faculty explore timely and even controversial topics through robust and open discourse, while maintaining a decorum of respect and civility. A number of programs bring these principles to life. Innovation: e Office of Innovation, headquartered in a high- tech makerspace, sponsors innovation competitions and supports individual projects. Here, students learn to apply principles of design thinking to solve real-world problems. Global Experiences: UNE owns a study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, that combines beautiful Moorish architecture with modern labs, classrooms, and residences. e facility was built to enable science and health professions students to experience an unfamiliar culture while staying on track with the rigors of their major. Students also study at partner universities in France, Spain, and Iceland. "We prepare students with the skills and knowledge of their chosen major, of course. We also go further, to foster the critical thinking and lifelong learning skills that are so important for citizenship and professionalism," said Herbert. "At UNE, it's our goal to create experiences and degrees that are relevant and durable for a changing — and frankly, challeng- ing — world." l S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T B U S I N E S S P R O F I L E Above, clockwise from top: UNE's Biddeford Campus is ideally situated where the Saco River meets the Gulf of Maine. / Associate Professor Carrie Byron performing research in the Girard Marine Science Center. / A student explores UNE's kelp farm in Saco Bay. P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F U N E

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