Get Involved

Being part of the 51Æ·²ècommunity means being involved. There are plenty of ways to get involved on the Biddeford Campus. From playing on one of the University’s 18 athletic teams, to joining one of the many available clubs and organizations, to attending events and lectures, your involvement in campus life can be as extensive as you want it to be.

Clubs and Organizations

Meeting with students and faculty outside of the classroom is part of what makes a college experience personally meaningful. With  from which to choose, you’re sure to find a place where you belong. Whatever your interest — whether it is academics or theater, community-based service or LGBTQ issues, student government or club sports, figure skating or surfing â€” you’re sure to find like-minded students and faculty eager to share in your passion.

Headshot of U N E student Jojo Pikowski

Josephine Pikowski ’26

Marine Science, Data Science

Why UNE

°Ú±«±··¡â€™s±Õ Marine Science programs are what drew me here. I came to 51Æ·²èknowing that I wanted to study marine science. When I arrived on campus for my first tour, I was greeted in the admissions office with my name on the welcome screen. Everyone was so friendly. I knew right there that this was where I wanted to be.

Having gone to an engineering type of trade school in high school where I did a lot of programming, I started to miss doing those things. 51Æ·²ènot only made it easy for me to connect with our [math and physical sciences] faculty to add my second major in Data Science, but tie in my current area of study [in the marine sciences]. A Data Science degree will help me achieve a career that combines my love for marine science and engineering.

I just love how 51Æ·²èis a small school. The professors are phenomenal and it’s good to see them around campus. The location is amazing. As a marine science person, I love having our own beach [on campus].

Exceptional Teaching and Learning

When I first got here, I made it a big deal to go and talk to my professors. They were all super sweet and willing to help me get involved with research. I’m working on an eDNA sampler where I research the changes of ocean warming in the Gulf of Maine. I’ve worked in °Ú±«±··¡â€™s±Õ Makerspace to build the device and then programmed an app that helps get it to the right ocean depths.

In the Marine Science world, we can leverage [data science] to help us detect trends, observe changes, and be better prepared to manage and protect our ocean environment. My professors stress how the field applies to any major. Having the ability to get this experience as an undergrad will help you be more successful later on.

Beyond the Classroom

There are so many cool clubs at UNE. I am part of the Scuba Club and got certified. Through this club, I’ve been able to meet so many new friends outside of my classes. I also just joined a new club called Women in STEM and have been a part of Ocean Club and Generation Action.

There are so many cool clubs at UNE. I am part of the Scuba Club and got certified. Through this club, I’ve been able to meet so many new friends outside of my classes. I also just joined a new club called Women in STEM and have been a part of Ocean Club and Generation Action.

Marine Science, Data Science

athletics

UNE’s Biddeford Campus is home to , including basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, golf, football, rugby, track and field, and cross-country running. Our Alfond Forum boasts state-of-the-art athletic facilities and is located between UNE’s Blue Storm Stadium, Blue Bolt Field, and Nor’easter Diamond — our blue, synthetic turf fields.

Headshot of Angela Shambarger

Angela Shambarger, Title IX Coordinator

Working in Title IX is never boring. During my first years at UNE, on the national stage the Office of Civil Rights and the Department of Education were doing a lot of renewed and public guidance about universities’ obligations under Title IX. The University recognized the importance and priority of Title IX, and I was looking for a new opportunity, so I was asked to take on Title IX in full.

Title IX is a huge umbrella. Essentially, the core of Title IX is access to education and removing barriers to access that could be related to gender. Accessing education is special, and we want to help facilitate that in the safest way possible.

It has to do with protections and supports for sexual harassment and sexual assault. It’s also about equity in athletics. It also protects pregnant parents and their student rights, and it expands to gender identity and expressions too. These issues are all very different things, so I need to be an expert and create many partnerships with different areas of the University and beyond.

Student Centeredness

My primary job is oversight of the University to make sure that we are consistent with our policies and with how we address issues. The other thing that comes out of my office is assessing the culture and climate in our programs to ensure that we are being equitable with regards to gender.

We want to make sure that we are supporting and providing resources for our students, faculty, and staff. Much of that work is prevention. The best way to respond to things is before they happen, so it is critical to have a strong prevention program.

People know who we are and understand the issues. They understand that they can get help, so if there's a concern — maybe it's biased behavior in a classroom or a residence hall — we can get on top of that by working with them before it becomes a discrimination issue.

Accessing education is special, and we want to help facilitate that in the safest way possible.

Leadership opportunities

If you have strong leadership abilities or wish to develop them, the ULead Student Leadership Program offers the training and education you need to be the best leader you can be throughout your college career and beyond. You not only enhance your college experience, but you build the confidence, skills, and know-how to become a leader in whatever avenues you pursue in the future. ULead Students are encouraged to explore options such as the Annual Fall Leadership Retreat, the Orientation Leader Program, and other great opportunities.

Events

From the ringing of the 51Æ·²èbell during an autumn sunset over the Saco River on First Night, to Homecoming, events on campus mark the passage of time and lend a sense of continuity and community to life at UNE. Harvest Fest, Winter Lighting, and the 50-plus year tradition of a faculty- and staff-served Thanksgiving Dinner are some of the events you can look forward to in the first semester. In the spring, you can have a blast at the Doc Samuel’s Variety Show, the Spring Semi-Formal Dance, and cap off the year with the Spring Concert.

U N E Students Using Gym Equipment

Wellness

We recognize the importance of self-care and whole-person wellness in order for students to thrive both personally and academically. Our Campus Center Fitness and Wellness Team provides a vast array of activities, assessments, experiences, and opportunities to help students grow into healthy, confident working professionals. Our many playing fields provide space for sport, while nearby outdoor recreation venues allow for swimming, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, and more. Prefer to get your exercise indoors? Fitness centers, courts, tracks, a pool, and an ice arena provide the workout space you need to stay fit. 

Intercultural Life

The Office of Intercultural Student Engagement promotes a welcoming and inclusive campus environment that supports the leadership development, social experiences, and academic persistence of all students, with an emphasis on those from traditionally under-represented groups on campus. Located in the Cultural Exchange Lounge of the Campus Center, the office also holds trainings — such as the 51Æ·²èSafe Space training, designed to educate students about the challenges facing the LGBTQ community — and offers a Diversity Leadership Certificate.

Our Global Education Program is another means by which 51Æ·²èfosters a spirit of intercultural exploration, offering semester programs in Tangier, Morocco, and Seville, Spain, as well as many short-term travel courses that can take you anywhere from the Galapagos Islands to the mountains of Iceland.

LEARN MORE

Visit the Office of Student Engagement to read more about what's going on, call us at (207) 602-2447, or drop by our office in the Campus Center.