About the program
The Presidential Ambassadors program at the University of New England is a leadership training program for a group of select students who work directly with President James Herbert and First Lady Lynn Brandsma, Ph.D., to champion the University to prominent partners including donors, alumni, governmental leaders, and friends. Presidential Ambassadors provide valuable insight into the UNE student experience to our partners at events, both on and off campus.
Meet the Presidential Ambassadors
Grace M. Curley
Neuroscience ’24, Co-President
Grace is from Sanford, Maine. Grace is on a pre-med track and plans to attend medical school. She has taken advantage of global education opportunities at UNE by traveling to Morocco, Costa Rica, and, most recently, Ecuador for a medical mission trip. In addition to being a presidential ambassador, she is co-captain for the Undergraduate Admissions Student Ambassadors and serves as a global peer advisor. She is the Class of 2024 secretary, PULSE: UNE Medical Missions secretary, and PSI CHI Honor Society social media coordinator. She has made the Dean’s List every semester and was inducted into Alpha Chi Honor Society. She loves to smile, read, workout, and work as a lifeguard lieutenant in Wells Beach in the summers.
Aidan Hosein
Political Science ’24, Co-President
Aidan was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, but hopes to remain in New England following graduation. Aidan attended high school at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario, and has aspirations to attend graduate school to earn a joint J.D./MBA. Aidan is a Dean’s List student and is also fluent in French. Outside the classroom, he can be found at the rink as a member of the UNE Men’s Ice Hockey team and was also a member of UNE’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee. In his free time, Aidan enjoys socializing with friends and spending time at the beach.
Ariane Leon
Biological Sciences ’25
Ariane is from Kensington, Maryland, and graduated from Albert Einstein High School, where she received the International Baccalaureate Diploma. She currently is a presidential ambassador, residential advisor, 2025 class representative for Undergraduate Student Government, on the 2025 Class Council, and the DEI officer for the Female Athlete Alliance. She is fluent in Spanish and French and plays for Mexico’s National Women’s Lacrosse Team. During her free time, she enjoys sailing, skiing, solving puzzles, and hiking with her dog, Hugo Boss.
Nate Chickering
Medical Biology ’26
Nate is from Grantham, New Hampshire and is a member of the Undergrad Student Government. He volunteers as an on-campus EMT while having some experience working as backcountry EMT in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Outside of clubs, Nate is also a student athlete and plays forward for the UNE men’s ice hockey team. In his free time he enjoys spending time outdoors either hiking or fishing.
Abigail Murphy
Medical Biology ’24
Abigail is a part of the 3+4 Dental program and will attend UNE’s Doctor of Dental Medicine program next year. She graduated and received her dental assisting training/certifications from Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Massachusetts. She is currently a presidential ambassador, residential advisor, an officer in the American Red Cross Club and Outing Club. She works on campus as a building manager at the Danielle Ripich Commons and as the social media Coordinator for Parkhurst Dining. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, skiing, and cooking.
Will Ledbetter
Applied Exercise Science ’26
Will is from Windham, Maine. He has aspirations to pursue a clinical role within the medical sales industry. He currently serves as a residential advisor for first-year students, presidential ambassador, and has worked in Conference Services and Events for the University. He is also a member of UNE’s Football team and is a part of the UNE Athletics’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding and spending time with friends and family.
Dawson A. Turcotte
Medical Biology ’24
Dawson is from Skowhegan, Maine, and has aspirations of becoming an osteopathic physician. In addition to being a presidential ambassador, he holds numerous other positions on campus at UNE. These positions include being a research assistant in Dr. Geoff Ganter’s chronic pain lab, upperclassmen resident advisor, co-president and co-founder of the volunteer club Giving Tree Society, Pre-Medicine Club vice president, COM Mentoring undergraduate representative, and member of the Student Leadership Advisory Council. In addition to the on-campus involvements, he is also an active community member, frequently volunteering in Biddeford and Saco.
Arielle Sedman
Medical Biology ’24
Arielle is from Easton, Massachusetts, and has plans to attend medical school. Arielle has made the Dean's List every semester, and she holds many jobs and leadership positions on campus. These include being the equipment officer/treasurer of UNE EMS, president of the American Red Cross Club, vice president of finance of Giving Tree Society, Undergraduate Student Government representative, underclassmen resident advisor, SASC tutor, and AHA CPR/ BLS instructor. In addition to being involved on campus, she is an avid volunteer, fiddle player, and western horseback rider. During her summers, she works as an EMT in Kittery, Maine, and Somersworth, New Hampshire.
Contact
For more information about the Presidential Ambassadors program, email presidentialambassadors@une.edu.