In 2005, nine former recipients of the Mitchell Scholarship came together to form the Alumni Council — a body of Mitchell Scholar Alumni that works to provide resources to Mitchell Institute Alumni and current Mitchell Scholars. The Council continues to support the work of the Institute, its programs, and its fundraising efforts. Read on to learn more about the current Alumni Council members.
Alumni Council Leadership
Andy Estrada
Senior Communications Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with 13+ years of experience spanning philanthropy, federal government, and presidential campaigns — focusing on media relations, executive messaging, and press operations.
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Journey: Farmingdale → Waterville → Washington, DC → Seattle.
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Kayla Girardin
Finance and Procurement Specialist at the Great Schools Partnership in Portland, Maine — and a former middle school math teacher. Kayla combines her background in education with a love of organization and collaboration to support mission-driven work in Maine’s education community.
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University of Maine at Farmington — B.S. in Secondary Education, Mathematics concentration; Special Education minor (2017).
Roux Institute at Northeastern — Certificate in Project Management (2024).
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Alumni Council members
Adam Fortier-Brown
2015 Mitchell Scholar from Gardiner Area High School and 2018 Jack and Charlie Canning Pioneer Scholar. Adam graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maine in 2019 with a B.S. in Economics and Political Science and is now pursuing his J.D. at the University of Maine School of Law.
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2018 Jack and Charlie Canning Pioneer Scholar.
2017 George Mitchell Peace Scholar — University College Cork, Ireland.
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Caleb Cullen
2015 Mitchell Scholar from Katahdin Middle High School and Chair of the Engagement Committee. Caleb is an ICU Registered Nurse at St. Joseph Healthcare in Bangor and has experience as a paramedic, emergency department nurse, and travel RN.
Background & Education ▾
University of Maine at Fort Kent — B.S. in Nursing (2020).
Locations lived: Patten → Presque Isle → Hartford, CT → Hampden.
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Emergency Department RN — MaineHealth Waldo Hospital (Per-Diem).
Paramedic & Team Leader — Northern Light Medical Transport (Per-Diem).
Former Travel RN — Triage Staffing.
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Hunter Steele
2019 Mitchell Scholar from Lewiston High School. Hunter graduated from Bowdoin College in 2023 with a double major in Economics and Religion and a minor in Classics. He currently serves as an analyst for OGx Consulting in Centennial, Colorado.
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Campus Ambassador for the Mitchell Institute, President of Mock Trial, and Men’s Lacrosse goalie.
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Internships: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
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Jesse Blackburn
2010 Mitchell Scholar from Narraguagus High School. Jesse is a fundraising and development professional with a background in college admissions and first-generation student support. He holds a B.A. in Psychology & Community Studies (UMaine Machias) and an M.S. in Adult & Higher Education (USM).
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M.S., Adult & Higher Education — University of Southern Maine.
Locations: Philadelphia, PA (current); previously Portland, ME; Ellsworth, ME; Sullivan, ME; Cherryfield, ME.
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John Layman
2014 Mitchell Scholar from Carrabec High School. John is a Transportation Planner at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, where he helps manage the state’s spatial data. His path has taken him from Solon, Maine to Germany, Ohio, and now Connecticut, blending a passion for geography, transportation, and community engagement.
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Bowdoin College — B.A. in Environmental Studies and Earth & Oceanographic Sciences (2018).
The Ohio State University — M.A. in Geography (2024).
Leon and Lisa Gorman Pioneer Scholar Award recipient.
Locations lived: Solon, ME → Nabburg, Germany → Columbus, OH → Newington, CT → Boston, MA.
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Research Fellow & Teaching Assistant — The Ohio State University.
Contact Tracing Supervisor — Ohio Department of Health & Public Consulting Group.
Teaching Assistant — Fulbright Program, Germany.
John’s work combines spatial data analysis, research, and public health, grounded in a passion for accessibility and equitable infrastructure.
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Molly Foley
2015 Mitchell Scholar from Greenville High School. Molly is the Director of Strategic Programs at Certinia, bringing expertise in finance, strategy, and technology. Her career path has taken her from Maine to New York City and now to Austin, Texas, where she continues to explore opportunities that blend business insight with innovation.
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Bowdoin College — B.A. in Economics, minor in Government and Legal Studies (2019).
Locations lived: Greenville, ME → New York, NY → Austin, TX.
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Senior M&A Advisor — Quest Software.
Senior Financial Analyst — Yext.
Investment Banking Analyst — UBS Investment Bank.
Molly’s experience spans corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and enterprise software, with a focus on strategic growth and operational excellence.
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Nancy Billings
2015 Mitchell Scholar from Lincoln Academy. Nancy earned her B.A. in American Studies and Spanish from Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in American Studies at Yale University. She previously served as a Legislative Aide in the U.S. Senate, focusing on homeland security, immigration, and technology policy.
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Yale University — Ph.D. Student in American Studies (current).
2015 Mitchell Scholar from Lincoln Academy.
Locations: Washington, D.C. → New Haven, CT → New York, NY.
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Ph.D. Student — Yale University, American Studies (current).
Expertise in policy, academic research, and higher education access.
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Nicole Cloud
2001 Mitchell Scholar from Telstar Regional High School. Nicole earned her B.A. in Media Studies from the University of Southern Maine in 2005. She currently serves as Peer Services Coordinator and Advisor for TRIO Student Support Services at the University of Maine, where she works closely with first-generation students and Mitchell Scholars.
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2001 Mitchell Scholar from Telstar Regional High School.
Locations: Spring Valley, NY → Bethel, ME → Portland, ME → Orono, ME → Bangor, ME.
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Assistant Director of Student Services — Office of Student Financial Aid, University of Maine (former).
Core Organizer (Volunteer) — Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund.
Adjunct Instructor and Enrollment Services — University of Maine at Augusta, Bangor Campus (former).
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Paige Shortsleeves
2013 Mitchell Scholar from Sacopee Valley High School. Paige is the Executive Director of PEACE (People Engaged in Active Community Efforts) in Palm Beach County, where she organizes people-powered campaigns that drive local systemic change. She holds a B.A. in Biology & Sociology from Colby College (2017).
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Journey: Waterville, ME → Washington, DC → Fort Lauderdale, FL → West Palm Beach, FL (current).
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Associate Community Organizer — BOLD Justice (previous).
Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow (previous).
Highlights:
• Community ID Program of the Palm Beaches (2020): led the campaign enabling access to libraries, schools, gated communities, and banking; 4,000+ IDs issued to date.
• Racial Profiling Study (2024): organized a countywide traffic-stop data initiative with PBSO and Northeastern University; first-year analysis in progress.
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Román Habibzai
2017 Mitchell Scholar from Windham High School. Román is an Office Manager and Communications Specialist at the Alzheimer’s Association, where they combine creativity and compassion to support operations and storytelling efforts. They are passionate about uplifting underrepresented voices and building inclusive communities.
Background & Education ▾
American University — B.A. in Journalism with a minor in International Studies.
Locations lived: Windham, ME → Washington, D.C. → New York, NY.
Recognized as a Student Changemaker for founding American University’s first LGBTQ+ student media publication.
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Former Peace Corps intern and Orientation Leader at American University.
Román’s work blends communications, storytelling, and community engagement to create positive social impact.
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Sadie Michaud
2017 Mitchell Scholar from Skowhegan Area High School. Sadie earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maine and an Associate in Nursing from Kennebec Valley Community College. With experience in both long-term and primary care settings, she brings compassion and commitment to her work in healthcare.
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Kennebec Valley Community College — A.D.N. in Nursing (2023).
2017 Mitchell Scholar from Skowhegan Area High School.
Locations: Skowhegan → Bangor → Farmingdale, Maine.
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Currently taking time to care for her firstborn son while exploring future opportunities in healthcare and education.
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Trevor Lyford, MPH
2014 Mitchell Scholar from Penquis Valley High School. Originally from LaGrange, Maine, Trevor earned his Honors Degree in Public Health from Brown University and an M.P.H. from the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. He is currently pursuing his M.D. at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.
Background & Education ▾
George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health — Master of Public Health (2022).
Eastern Virginia Medical School — Doctor of Medicine, Class of 2026.
Journey: LaGrange, ME → Providence, RI → Norfolk, VA.
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Founder — First-Generation / Low-Income Student Association, EVMS.
Rural Health Club President — EVMS.
National Health Policy Chair — American Medical Student Association.
Trevor brings his background in public health, equity, and leadership to both clinical and community settings, advocating for access and inclusion in healthcare.