2026 Welcome Celebration Launches Promising New Chapter for Mitchell Scholars - The Mitchell Institute

On Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, a statewide assembly took place at the University of Maine’s Wells Conference Center in Orono, marking the start of a promising new chapter for 200 young Mainers.

Held annually, the Mitchell Institute Welcome Celebration provides an opportunity for members of the newest cohort of Mitchell Scholars to meet one another, learn more about the programs and supports the organization offers, listen to uplifting remarks from staff and peers, have professional headshots taken, and enjoy conversation over brunch. This year, nearly 250 individuals—from Scholars and their family members to college leaders and business professionals—attended the event, representing a broad spectrum of ages, backgrounds, cultures, and demographics.

In the 31st class of Scholars, there are 200 students total—at least one from every public high school in Maine. Of those students, 80 percent were in the top 20 percent of their graduating class, and 26 percent were valedictorian or salutatorian. Sixty-three percent of these Scholars are first-generation college students, and nearly 90 percent have held paid jobs.

These Scholars have unique experiences from life in their hometowns, including lobstering, farming, serving as elected student representatives on the Maine State Board of Education, being named math team members and Science Olympiads, writing for their school newspapers, and volunteering at local libraries—to name a few. These students join a community of more than 4,200 Scholars since 1995, who have found success in education and life across Maine, the nation, and globally.

The 2026 Welcome Celebration began with an introduction by President and CEO of the Mitchell Institute Jared Cash, who thanked longtime partner Kennebec Savings Bank for sponsoring the event and summarized the accolades and achievements represented in the room by the newest class of Scholars. Casey Near, Mitchell Institute Scholarship Director, then approached the podium, sharing a reflection with Scholars that pulled from the classic Greek epic poem—and timely blockbuster film— “The Odyssey”:

Odysseus is on a pretty epic hero’s journey. But you don’t need to be fighting a cyclops and taking 18 years too long to get home to be on a hero’s journey.

The structure of a hero’s journey is fairly simple: to go from the known to the unknown. For Odysseus, that journey is going from the known of a decades-long war to the unknown, which is actually his home, but a home he hasn’t known in a very long time, and that he doesn’t recognize.

Like Odysseus, you’re already on your hero’s journey. You all have overcome many of the hero’s journey hurdles in your lives—moving homes, moving countries, making decisions that would put you into new environments with new people.

So, I’m not talking about college as though it’s a first unknown. But what I do want to draw attention to is the moment of transition into the next unknown.

Casey Near, Mitchell Institute Scholarship Director

Jared Cash, President and CEO of the Mitchell Institute

Near shared with Scholars that in the coming weeks, they will experience several transitions into unfamiliar territory as they enter college and perhaps move away from home. She reminded Scholars to lean on their new communities, including the Mitchell Institute, during this time of change.

“We will do everything we can to make it clear what [our resources] are,” Near said.

Following brunch, three Scholars who graduated from high school in previous years provided speeches about how the Mitchell Institute has impacted their lives.

Savannah Compare, a 2023 Mitchell Scholar from Boothbay Harbor and rising senior at Bates College, spoke first. She shared that when she graduated high school, she wasn’t sure college was the right path for her because of concerns about finances and her career pathway.

“The adversities I had faced up until that point had left me feeling lost, and I felt discouraged about investing in something when I had no idea where it would lead,” Compare explained.

Compare expressed that the events, resources, and supports the Mitchell Institute offers have been essential in developing her confidence as a student and individual. Following the Mitchell Institute Leadership Experience (MILE) I Weekend spent in Millinocket with staff and fellow Scholars, Compare contacted Near to schedule a “no-agenda” coffee.

“Due to life circumstances, I’ve had a habit of initially not reaching out because I don’t want to be burdensome, or [I believe] I can do everything on my own,” Compare said. “I’ve learned that although that serves me well in certain facets of my life, the Mitchell Institute has taught me it truly takes a village of support, and they are available to handle it.”

Through her conversations with Near, Compare connected with Bates College politics professor Alex McAuliff, who is also a Mitchell Institute Alum and has since become one of Compare’s mentors. Additionally, Compare learned about the Mitchell Institute Fellowship Program—a fund that supports Scholars in pursuing personal or professional opportunities—and used it to study abroad in Portugal.

Above all, Compare said she credits the Mitchell Institute with helping to shift her perspective.

“I’ve found that ‘figuring it all out’ is not the biggest goal,” Compare shared, later adding, “The reality is, I can’t predict the future. I can only embrace the opportunities that are available to me in the now.”

Savannah Compare (2025)

Up next to the podium was Consolation Sumbu, a sophomore at the University of Maine and 2025 Mitchell Scholar from Biddeford.

“Mitchell can mean different things to different people, but to me, Mitchell is a family and a launching pad,” Sumbu expressed.

Sumbu attended his first Mitchell Institute Gala fundraiser last year, an experience that helped him break out of his shell and develop confidence in conversing with strangers. Sumbu admitted this did not come naturally to him; initially, he had found a friend at the Gala who he planned to stay with the entire time.

“I remember walking around with him until he introduced me to someone, and once I started talking to the person I was introduced to, [my friend] walked away. In my mind, I was like, ‘What is he doing?’ I have difficulties talking to people, especially when the accent is a little hard,” Sumbu said. “Thinking of it now, it was a way to help me build my own confidence, which eventually led me to walking around the room and starting a conversation without needing someone to introduce me.”

A few months later, Sumbu had the opportunity to use these new networking skills at the Mitchell Institute Leadership Experience (MILE) II, the organization’s professional development day for Scholars.

“If you ask me what really stood out for me on this day, my answer will be simple: everything,” Sumbu shared. “The day itself, the way people talked, and how easy it was to interact with people—everything was just unique.”

Sumbu ended his speaking portion by encouraging Scholars to discover what the Mitchell Institute means to them and take advantage of all it has to offer.

Consolation Sumbu (2025)

Finally, Noah Hart, a 2024 Mitchell Scholar from Calais High School and rising junior at Clark University, addressed Scholars, primarily highlighting his roles as a Mitchell Events Ambassador and Regional Ambassador for New England (outside of Maine and Boston).

“Many of the people I’ve met through Mitchell have become my closest friends, and being an Ambassador has allowed me to bestow upon others the same kindness and care for which I was initially too afraid to ask,” Hart said.

Hart noted that the Mitchell Institute’s additional financial resources beyond the scholarship, such as the Support Our Scholars (SOS) and Subsidy Providing Assistance with Recurring Costs (SPARC) funds for emergency and planned-but-unbudgeted costs, respectively, are useful; however, for him, the opportunity to become part of a community has been the most life-changing experience:

At my Welcome Celebration two years ago, I thought that I was going to struggle alone in college and be stronger for it. When I sat where you were sitting, though I didn’t yet realize it, I was looking at people who knew exactly what I was going through. I was looking at people who, like me, have dealt with homelessness; who, like me, have dealt with food insecurity; who, like me, are first-generation college students; who, like me, were raised by a single parent; and who, like me, aspire to be more.

The Mitchell Institute has helped me realize that I’m not alone and given me the viewpoint I need to help others realize the same. I believe that we are mosaics of all those we’ve met, changed and molded by each other. The people I’ve met here have changed my life in ways I can never begin to express.

The bonds I’ve made through the Mitchell community are truly everlasting, and I am so excited for you all to be a part of it. Once again, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Mitchell community.

Noah Hart (2024)

The Mitchell Institute thanks Kennebec Savings Bank for sponsoring the 2026 Welcome Celebration and the University of Maine at Orono for hosting new Scholars and their families.

Thanks also go to Mitchell Institute Advisory Council members Rob Kilroy and Chuck de Sieyes; Mitchell Scholars Savannah Compare, Noah Hart, and Consolation Sumbu for delivering engaging and powerful remarks; Mitchell Ambassadors Isaiah Belyea (2025), Alex Brooking (2024), Angelica Chavaree-Woodward (2024), Teada Chhem (2023), Natalie Esposito (2024), Neja Jayasundara (2025), Joana Massanga (2025), Fiston Tshiminy (2024), and Libby Whidden (2025), who attended the event and made 2026 Scholars and their families feel welcome; and Mitchell Institute Alumni Council (MIAC) members Nicole Cloud (2001) and Caleb Cullen (2015), who volunteered to assist with event operations.

The Mitchell Institute is grateful to Nikki Vachon, Education Affordability and Financial Wellness Counselor at the Financial Authority of Maine (FAME), for presenting at the event and Kevin Bennett for taking professional headshots of Scholars.

Additionally, the Mitchell Institute thanks the college leaders, including Julius Edwards, President of Eastern Maine Community College; Jeremy Qualls, Provost of Thomas College; Kevin Coughlin, Vice President of Enrollment Management at the University of Maine; Jim Hoppe, Senior Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs at Bowdoin College; and Chris Grotton, Vice President for Student Experience at Husson University, who attended the event and helped to usher in this exciting next step for Scholars and their families.

To view additional pictures from the 2026 Welcome Celebration, click here.

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For 30 years, the Mitchell Institute has helped Maine students overcome barriers to higher education. By providing financial support, personal guidance, and a lifelong network, the Institute empowers Mitchell Scholars to graduate, build meaningful careers, and strengthen Maine’s communities and workforce through their success and leadership. Learn more.