Honors College Ambassadors
Honors College Ambassadors are current Honors students from a variety of years and majors. They serve as community builders and resources for prospective and current students through admissions events, student programming, one-on-one conversations, and more.
We encourage you to reach out to any Ambassador with questions about Honors or UMaine, and we especially recommend contacting an Ambassador in your college or major, and/or one that has similar interests to you. You can also request to shadow an Ambassador! Simply send your preferred Ambassador an email requesting what day and time period you’d like to shadow, and they will respond with their availability and details about the visit.
Hover over each Ambassador to read their bio!
Myles Harrison (he/him)
Finance and Financial Economics
3rd Year
Welcome to the Honors College! My name is Myles, I am a third-year student, and I study finance and economics. Aside from my role as an ambassador, I am currently involved in the Student Portfolio Investment Fund (SPIFFY), and I play on the club soccer team! In my spare time, I enjoy playing basketball, spending time outdoors, and running on the trails with friends. For any questions about Honors, finance, or UMaine life, feel free to reach out at myles.harrison@maine.edu!
Jordan Ramos (she/her)
Environmental Science and Studio Art
4th Year
Hello! I am a senior double majoring in environmental science and studio art. I’m from Rhode Island and I enjoy exploring Maine’s beautiful trails and coast. I also run cross country and track for UMaine and play club tennis.
If you have any questions about UMaine or the Honors College, reach out to me at jordan.ramos@maine.edu
Environmental Science and Studio Art
4th Year
Hello! I am a senior double majoring in environmental science and studio art. I’m from Rhode Island and I enjoy exploring Maine’s beautiful trails and coast. I also run cross country and track for UMaine and play club tennis.
If you have any questions about UMaine or the Honors College, reach out to me at jordan.ramos@maine.edu
Sam Robinson (he/him)
Civil/Environmental Engineering
4th Year
I am a fourth-year Civil/Environmental Engineering student here at UMaine. I enjoy riding my bike around Orono, going for runs, and swimming in the Stillwater River. Have questions about Honors? Email me at samuel.robinson2@maine.edu!
Civil/Environmental Engineering
4th Year
I am a fourth-year Civil/Environmental Engineering student here at UMaine. I enjoy riding my bike around Orono, going for runs, and swimming in the Stillwater River. Have questions about Honors? Email me at samuel.robinson2@maine.edu!
Luke Valleli (He/Him)
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
4th Year
Hello! I am a fourth-year Ecology and Environmental Sciences major, with a minor in Environmental Ethics and a concentration in Marine Ecology, Conservation, and Policy. I am also a Peer Facilitator for Honors 170: Currents and Contexts. I love spending time in Maine’s beautiful outdoors, from field labs or weekends at Acadia National Park to unwinding on campus with UMaine’s Hammock Club. Have questions about Honors? Email me at Luke.Valleli@maine.edu!
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
4th Year
Hello! I am a fourth-year Ecology and Environmental Sciences major, with a minor in Environmental Ethics and a concentration in Marine Ecology, Conservation, and Policy. I am also a Peer Facilitator for Honors 170: Currents and Contexts. I love spending time in Maine’s beautiful outdoors, from field labs or weekends at Acadia National Park to unwinding on campus with UMaine’s Hammock Club. Have questions about Honors? Email me at Luke.Valleli@maine.edu!
Madeline Howorth (she/they/he)
Political Science
4th Year
Hello, and welcome to the University of Maine Honors College! I’m Mads Howorth, and I am a fourth-year Political Science and International Affairs major with a minor in Pre-Law. I have lived in Orono, Maine for the past five years, but I have also lived in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Great Britain, and China! On campus, I’m involved in the Pre-Law Society, Student Government, Honors Student Activity Board, and several different research projects in collaboration with my professors. I’m also working to start up a Debate Club on campus! In my free time, I enjoy walking my pug, Daisy, painting, and watching spooky movies. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about Honors life, academics, research opportunities, or fun things to do around Orono! I’d love to chat with you about your goals and
interests. Email me at madeline.howorth@maine.edu!
Political Science
4th Year
Hello, and welcome to the University of Maine Honors College! I’m Mads Howorth, and I am a fourth-year Political Science and International Affairs major with a minor in Pre-Law. I have lived in Orono, Maine for the past five years, but I have also lived in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Great Britain, and China! On campus, I’m involved in the Pre-Law Society, Student Government, Honors Student Activity Board, and several different research projects in collaboration with my professors. I’m also working to start up a Debate Club on campus! In my free time, I enjoy walking my pug, Daisy, painting, and watching spooky movies. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about Honors life, academics, research opportunities, or fun things to do around Orono! I’d love to chat with you about your goals and
interests. Email me at madeline.howorth@maine.edu!
Katherine Gross (she/they)
Mechanical Engineering
4th Year
I am a fourth-year mechanical engineering major. I was a fellow in the Innovate for Maine program in 2023. During the school year, I am involved on campus as the President for the Black Bear Beekeepers, a general member of the 3D printing club, and an undergraduate research assistant. When I am not doing that I am probably working out at the rec center or hanging out with my friends. I am also a TA for MEE 120 for the second fall semester in a row. Have questions about Honors? Email me! katherine.gross@maine.edu
Mechanical Engineering
4th Year
I am a fourth-year mechanical engineering major. I was a fellow in the Innovate for Maine program in 2023. During the school year, I am involved on campus as the President for the Black Bear Beekeepers, a general member of the 3D printing club, and an undergraduate research assistant. When I am not doing that I am probably working out at the rec center or hanging out with my friends. I am also a TA for MEE 120 for the second fall semester in a row. Have questions about Honors? Email me! katherine.gross@maine.edu
Carissa Furtado (she/her)
Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Economics
3rd year
Hello! I am a third-year double majoring in Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Economics! I am Co-president of the Sophomore Eagles and Fundraising Chair for the UMaine Geological Society. I am also involved with economic research about PFAS on campus. I work for Team Maine and love being able to give tours and welcome prospective or incoming students! In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, playing volleyball, and getting outside. Please feel free to reach out to me about Honors or any of the other activities I am involved in at carissa.furtado@maine.edu!
Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Economics
3rd year
Hello! I am a third-year double majoring in Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Economics! I am Co-president of the Sophomore Eagles and Fundraising Chair for the UMaine Geological Society. I am also involved with economic research about PFAS on campus. I work for Team Maine and love being able to give tours and welcome prospective or incoming students! In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, playing volleyball, and getting outside. Please feel free to reach out to me about Honors or any of the other activities I am involved in at carissa.furtado@maine.edu!
Madie deBest (she/her)
Ecology and Environmental Science, concentration in Marine Ecology
4th year
I’m a fourth-year from Michigan studying Ecology and Environmental Science as my major with a concentration in Marine Ecology. I am the Vice President of the Aquaculture Club, I’m a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, and I’m also a Maine Learning Assistant for the SMS 300 Marine Ecology course. Over the summer of 2024, I was able to participate as an Animal Care Intern at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, working with 135 different species of animals from a small poison dart frog to the infamous white southern rhinoceros. I love reading, writing, making art (specifically with charcoal), and enjoying time spent with my friends. You can usually find me in the library writing papers, sending emails, and working on club projects or hands deep, working in tanks at our aquaculture facility. If you have any questions about the Honors college, please contact me through my email: madelynn.debest@maine.edu
Ecology and Environmental Science, concentration in Marine Ecology
4th year
I’m a fourth-year from Michigan studying Ecology and Environmental Science as my major with a concentration in Marine Ecology. I am the Vice President of the Aquaculture Club, I’m a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, and I’m also a Maine Learning Assistant for the SMS 300 Marine Ecology course. Over the summer of 2024, I was able to participate as an Animal Care Intern at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, working with 135 different species of animals from a small poison dart frog to the infamous white southern rhinoceros. I love reading, writing, making art (specifically with charcoal), and enjoying time spent with my friends. You can usually find me in the library writing papers, sending emails, and working on club projects or hands deep, working in tanks at our aquaculture facility. If you have any questions about the Honors college, please contact me through my email: madelynn.debest@maine.edu