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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 2 5 From the Editor M aine has seen major changes in the world of higher education in recent years and even months. For our cover story, Deputy Editor Renee Cordes looks at the new medical school building at the University of New England's Portland campus. is summer, the $93 million, 110,000-square-foot Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences wel- comes 735 medical students. Continued investment in education has been a hallmark of Maine's universities, colleges and research centers. In this case, it's also Maine's only medical school. Ultimately, the graduates UNE's med school produces will help address the short- age of medical professionals. "Our students compete head-to-head with other students from every medical school in the country for residency slots. e good news is we do extraordinarily well," James Herbert, UNE's presi- dent, tells Renee. Renee's story, "Building the doctor pipeline," starts on Page 12. Training for careers is a key role in higher edu- cation, and STEM careers have been especially in demand. As Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber reports, a program called Maine INBRE, short for Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, has helped prepare students from rural states for jobs in the biotech field. "To have that competitive edge has been incredibly important for me," according to one veteran of the program. Laurie's story, "A STEM program that feeds career growth," starts on Page 16. Funding is a key part of higher education. New buildings and research programs cost money. It's not news that federal funding — a peren- nial source of dollars for research — has been in jeopardy in recent months. But staff writer Tina Fischer outlines some recent higher ed develop- ments, including how some institutions have reclaimed funding that had been earmarked for elimina- tion. Her story, "R&D has been a high prior- ity in Maine," starts on Page 20. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Mainebiz offers the latest business news in the Daily Report and the Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content from May 19 to June 19: 1. Portland IT firm Tilson files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection 2. Biergarten restaurant and brew pub to open in Skowhegan's Spinning Mill 3. Bangor-based law firm Eaton Peabody to close offices by June 30 4. The Downs gets green light for $70M Town Center development 5. Eaton Peabody exit casts light on legal market in flux 6. Taste of Maine potato chip plant under construction in Aroostook County 7. Scarborough relocation gives family owned furniture store more visibility 8. Amid restructuring, Portland IT firm Tilson hires investment bank to sell the business 9. Op-Ed: 'Big, beautiful bill' endangers planned factory in Lewiston — and very future it claims to champion 10. Portland sees record sale price for two- family home on Munjoy Hill P H O T O / P E T E R VA N A L L E N 1 We're attorneys. But we're people first. Meet Ann. A dedicated and forthright attorney with a depth and breadth of experience in labor and employment law, Ann counsels both public and private sector clients on all types of employment matters. bernsteinshur.com Ann M. Freeman Shareholder Higher ed is big business in Maine, but it's also in constant motion Our students compete head- to-head with other students from every medical school in the country for residency slots. The good news is we do extraordinarily well. — James Herbert University of New England

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