UNE and Maine Public Health Association announce innovative workforce training partnership
The partnership will leverage UNE’s new Institute of Public and Planetary Health to provide critical transdisciplinary public health workforce training for UNE students
The University of New England’s new Institute of Public and Planetary Health and the Maine Public Health Association (MPHA) are teaming up to give students hands-on, team-based training for careers tackling today’s biggest health issues — from climate change to aging populations to health care access.
Starting in spring 2026, students across multiple programs, including public health, nutrition, marine science, climate change leadership, medicine, and business, will work together with MPHA to solve real-world problems, learn how to advocate for change, and connect with mentors already working in the field.
According to UNE Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Gwendolyn Mahon, M.Sc., Ph.D., acting director of the new Institute of Public and Planetary Health, this new partnership is critical because health problems don’t fit neatly into boxes.
“Climate change affects food systems, food systems affect chronic disease, and communities need workers who can see these connections and work across industries to find solutions,” Mahon said. “We are excited to be MPHA’s premier transdisciplinary training partner, working together to prepare the next generation of Maine workers to be global thinkers and local implementors. The challenges facing Maine and the world are too complex for any one field to solve alone.”
The partnership connects UNE students with the Maine Public Health Association’s network of more than 80 organizations across the state — from hospitals to environmental groups to community nonprofits.
“This is about giving tomorrow’s health professionals and business leaders real-world experience. They’ll develop practical skills like advocacy and systems thinking while building relationships with professionals already doing this work,” said MPHA Executive Director Rebecca Boulos, Ph.D., M.P.H. “We are grateful for UNE’s leadership in interprofessional, team-based health education, and we are excited to provide cross-disciplinary training for even more UNE students, faculty, and professional staff in complex systems, advocacy, and mentorship.”
As part of this unique partnership, UNE students, faculty, and professional staff enrolled in and affiliated with its Institute of Public and Planetary Health will receive MPHA membership, including additional opportunities for professional development and skills training. UNE’s Institute of Public and Planetary Health is now MPHA’s largest academic member.
Students, faculty, and professional staff who are interested in being members of the Association and part of this program are encouraged to contact Rebecca Boulos at rebecca.boulos@mainepublichealth.org.