Mitchell Scholar Alumni: Events & Projects
Mitchell Institute Alumni Council Holds
Second Annual Professional Development Day
Mitchell Institute Alumni Council held its Second Annual MILE II: Personal & Professional Development Day, on Saturday, February 16, 2008. Unum hosted and supported the event that was designed to bring Maine businesses and community leaders together with Mitchell Scholars and Alumni. MILE II: Personal & Professional Development Day was created, organized and planned by the Alumni Council to help Scholars and Alumni gain knowledge about establishing a professional life in Maine, concrete tools for shaping life decisions, information about Maine industries, and awareness of non-traditional professional choices. It is supported by the generosity of Unum.
MILE II 2008 opened with a morning keynote from Peter DelGreco of Maine & Company. Mr. DelGreco discussed the economic situation of Maine and the concept of healthy competition. The day continued with a panel discussion involving nine accomplished professionals from various fields, including technology, healthcare, engineering, law, politics, banking, non-profits, marketing and education. Each individual spoke about their career pathway, their industry in Maine and gave tips of the trade. The time after lunch was spent in break-out groups, wrestling with issues such as personal finances, determining what to do after graduation, and joining the workforce. The day closed with an afternoon keynote from Trina Beaulier of Simply Divine Brownies, who spoke about being the CEO of a woman-owned small business in Maine. She explained how her business dream and plan started with a purchase of unappetizing brownies for a road trip to New York. The wise words from Mrs. Beaulier's included: be the best of the best, enjoy the experience, and continue personal and professional growth. She also graciously shared her products with the crowd, including brownies decorated with the Mitchell Institute logo!
The day has become an annual event for the Mitchell Institute Alumni Council. MILE II: Personal and Professional Development Day showed the scholars and alumni the wonderful opportunities in Maine and helped focus Mitchell Scholars and Alumni on what Maine has to offer them. The Mitchell Institute Alumni Council is truly grateful to Unum for their assistance in producing a successful event and for their continued support.
To see the agenda of the 2008 event, including a full speaker's list, please visit www.mitchellinstitute.org/pdfs/MILE-II-2008-Agenda.pdf.
Other Alumni Council Projects
- The Mitchell Institute Alumni Council (MIAC) is involved in many programs that support Mitchell Scholars and Alumni, as well as community service projects that involve Alumni in the broader communities of Maine. The past year has marked enormous developments within MIAC. We hosted our first Personal and Professional Development Day (also known as MILE II), which was sponsored by Unum. This program has become an annual event for junior and senior Mitchell Scholars and Alumni. 2007 was also the first year of the Alumni Council Award Program (ACAP), which offers financial assistance to Scholars and Alumni for personal and professional opportunities. Applications are available by contacting Patty Higgins at phiggins@mitchellinstitute.org. The Council has participated in several fundraising efforts on behalf of the Mitchell Institute, and regularly takes part in Read for ME, a volunteer program that encourages kindergarteners to become lifelong readers.
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The Alumni Fund was established in the summer of 2006. It was created in response to Scholars' and Alumni's desires to apply for grants from the Mitchell Institute for projects not currently covered by the Institute's programs and scholarship awards. Such projects could include: application fees for graduate school testing, study abroad opportunities, conference fees, and many more. If you are willing and able to donate money to the Fund, please do so through the Mitchell Institute's secure website, which is accessible at www.mitchellinstitute.org/donate.html.