Business, health professions students named 'Outstanding Future Professionals' by Maine recreation nonprofit

Two University of New England students have been honored with Outstanding Future Professional Awards from the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (MAHPERD), continuing UNE’s strong track record of student distinction at the organization’s annual conference.

This year’s recipients — College of Business student Fritz Van Winkle (Outdoor Business Innovation, ’26), and Aidan Curran (Applied Exercise Science, ’26) of the Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) — were recognized at the annual MAHPERD Conference in Rockport, Maine, on Nov. 2.

Nonprofit MAHPERD’s annual Outstanding Future Professional (OFP) award honors undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, leadership, and future promise in advancing MAHPERD’s mission of improving the quality of life for all Mainers by supporting and promoting effective educational practices, quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment its namesake fields.

Van Winkle, nominated by Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., CPRP, director of UNE’s Outdoor Business and Innovation program, has distinguished himself as a natural leader and thoughtful collaborator whose curiosity and engagement set a standard for his peers. 

Vlachos praised Van Winkle’s ability to connect coursework to real-world challenges in the outdoor industry and noted his strong dedication to sustainability and community impact — qualities that align closely with the goals of its groundbreaking Outdoor Business and Innovation major, the first program of its kind in New England.

UNE launched the major in 2023 to prepare students for careers in Maine’s largest industry through a strong focus on sustainable community development, environmental policy, entrepreneurship, and small business management. 

To date, the program has also welcomed speakers from some of the country's largest outdoor brands and sports industries — Patagonia, North Face, the National Football League, and others — and hosted in-person business coaching with prominent recreation industry leaders from across Maine and New England — directly in UNE’s campus learning environments.

Curran’s OFP award highlights the strength of UNE’s Applied Exercise Science program and the leadership emerging from the University’s health-focused disciplines. 

During his coaching internship with Maine Wild, a local youth ice hockey organization, Curran planned and led practices, supported in-game strategy, and took on head coaching responsibilities when needed, earning high regard for his professionalism and reliability. 

In his Applied Exercise Science internship with UNE’s Strength and Conditioning program, he continues to apply evidence-based approaches to athlete performance and training.

Curran also presented his evaluation of medicine ball drills to boost students’ athletic performance at the conference. The presentation, “Developing Power in Youth Athletes,” was delivered with Lyndie Kelly, B.S. ’11, M.S. ’23, UNE’s director of Strength and Conditioning, and Corinne McPadden, a coach of Strength and Conditioning at UNE.

Clinical Professor Katie Hawke, M.S., nominated Curran as coordinator of both UNE’s coaching minor and internship programs, saying Curran exemplifies the kind of readiness and leadership the University strives to cultivate. 

“Aidan brings an uncommon blend of maturity, professionalism, and care to every coaching environment he enters,” Hawke said. “He represents the kind of cross-disciplinary strength we value at UNE — someone who understands athlete development, communicates with purpose, and is already contributing meaningfully to the strength and prosperity of young people across Maine.”  

In addition to nominating Van Winkle, Vlachos was honored with MAHPERD’s Recreation Professional of the Year Award, recognizing her leadership in building Maine’s outdoor recreation workforce pipeline. 

She praised UNE’s students for embodying the goals of their classroom learning and translating those educational lessons into tangible, impactful community outcomes.

“Fritz and Aidan represent the best of what UNE strives for: students who embrace hands-on learning, take initiative, and step into the field ready to make an impact,” Vlachos said, reflecting on both students’ achievements.  "Together, these achievements highlight UNE’s commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals who will strengthen Maine’s economy and advance the health and well-being of our communities.”