Class of 2020: Resilience, Connection, and the Spirit of Maine
It’s a lovely fall semester in Orono, and campus still carries the energy of Homecoming, where we welcomed back so many familiar faces from the Class of 2020. Their return was more than a reunion; it was a celebration of how far they’ve come since their unforgettable senior year and a reminder of the strength and connection that define the UMaine experience.
Graduating during one of the most unpredictable times in recent history, the Class of 2020 showed remarkable resilience. They adapted to change, supported one another through uncertainty, and emerged ready to make a difference in their communities and professions. Today, their paths span continents, disciplines, and causes, but each carries forward the same Black Bear spirit of perseverance and curiosity.
Grace Smith was selected for the National Institutes of Health’s Introduction to Cancer Research Careers program, completing a two-year post-baccalaureate fellowship in the Hematopathology Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Stephania Pittaluga and Dr. Elaine Jaffe. She is now pursuing her medical degree at Harvard Medical School, continuing her work in cancer research and patient care.
Gabriel Karam has built his career with Bangor Savings Bank, where he has worked for the past four and a half years. His work reflects a strong commitment to community, customer service, and the financial well-being of Maine residents.
Ines Khiyara is currently a research assistant at the University of Maine. Her recent work, “Modulating arm swing via haptic cueing alters interlimb neural coupling in older adults,” was published in Frontiers in Physiology. The study examined how rhythmic haptic cueing of the arms can improve gait performance in older adults and strengthen interlimb neural connections. She conducted this research with Dr. Ben Sidaway and Dr. Babak Hejrati, which you can read at: shorturl.at/Sgffg.
Brittany Kucera is a doctoral candidate and archaeological research assistant at the University of Tübingen in Germany. After earning her master’s degree in classical, ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and archaeology from the University of Edinburgh, she began research focusing on archaeometric methods including strontium, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen isotope analysis. Her work explores ancient diet reconstruction, human mobility, and migration, using QGIS mapping systems to visualize archaeological data.
Jarod Webb teaches English at Orono High School in Regional School Unit 26, where he helps students connect with literature and develop their voices as writers. His work embodies the values of mentorship, creativity, and community engagement that UMaine strives to inspire in its graduates.
Julia Van Steenberghe ’22G serves as one of Olympia’s leaders advisors for Bangor High School’s class of 2026. She was recently featured on the podcast Aunties on Air… and Some Uncles Too in the episode “Matriarchal Values & Women’s Leadership.” Alongside Nikki Vachon, Julia discussed confidence, community, and the importance of young women stepping into leadership with guests Auntie Clarissa Sabattis, Maliseet tribal chief; and Auntie Lisa Sockabasin, ’98, ’01 Co-CEO of Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness. You can hear the episode at shorturl.at/j2ppv.
As snow falls along the Stillwater and the air fills with the rhythm of another academic year, the Class of 2020 stands as a lasting reminder of what it means to adapt, persist, and lead with heart. Their journeys continue to show that no matter where life takes them, Black Bears always find their way home.