ICYMI, here’s a sampling of what was liked, loved, and shared on our social media channels in January 2025.
Twenty Mitchell Scholars stop by for lunch during the semester break
We were thrilled to host 20 Mitchell Scholars for a community lunch in early January at the Mitchell Institute. Timed to catch Scholars while they were in the area during the semester break, the lunch gathering was proposed by Ben Moore, the 2023 Mitchell Scholar from Thornton Academy, a sophomore Environmental Planning and Public Policy major at the University of Southern Maine, and a new Event Ambassador at the Mitchell Institute. Scholars dined on delicious sandwiches from Bake Maine, heard updates on upcoming events and opportunities from Scholarship Director Casey Near and event organizer Alex Carrier Hitchcox, and enjoyed plenty of Mitchell Scholar fellowship.
Cash cuts checks totaling over $1.35 million to Mitchell Scholars

Every year, in early January, Jared Cash says he feels honored to attend to one of his favorite responsibilities as President and CEO of the Mitchell Institute: signing scholarship checks totaling over $1.35 million to all currently enrolled Mitchell Scholars. “As I read each name on every check, I think of how hard Mitchell Scholars work to achieve success and how grateful they are for the support,” he said. “For my part, I am filled with gratitude for our many generous supporters whose contributions ensure we can provide Mitchell Scholars with the resources they need to achieve a college education.”
Case Presents Mitchell Institute research at Conference, then joins an impromptu Mitchell Scholar Reunion

After delivering a presentation on the Mitchell Institute’s college engagement data at the annual Maine Educational Opportunity Association (MEEOA) conference in Augusta, Scholar Research and Grants Manager Kristen Case (fourth from left) got a photo with an impromptu Mitchell Scholar reunion, including, left to right, Aubrie Howard, the 2011 Mitchell Scholar from Fryeburg Academy and a high school guidance counselor in Williamstown, Vt.; Nicole Cloud, the 2001 Mitchell Scholar from Telstar Regional High School and Peer Services Coordinator and Advisor in TRIO Student Support Services at the University of Maine; Katharine Gergosian, the 2005 Mitchell Scholar from Mt. Ararat High School and Assistant Director of TRIO Student Support Services at SMCC; and Kylie Dunphy, the 2015 Mitchell Scholar from Southern Aroostook Community School and Assistant Director of Upward Bound at Bowdoin College.
Near Brings Lewiston HIgh School Students Closer to College
Mitchell Institute Scholarship Director Casey Near’s statewide high school visits continued on Thursday, Jan. 16, when she was joined by Mitchell Scholar Access Ambassadors Alex Gutshall and Olivia Morel at Lewiston High School. The trio met with a dozen students and staff to discuss the components of a college financial aid award letter, how to determine college affordability, how to complete the Mitchell Scholarship application, and the many benefits of the $10,000 Mitchell Scholarship. For Gutshall, the visit was a full-circle moment. Two years ago, she was among a group of Lewiston High School seniors who heard a presentation in the very same room from then-Scholarship Director Kim Gustafson, along with LHS alumni Mitchell Scholars Hunter Steele ’19 and Melina Masselli ’20. Gutshall is now a sophomore Social Work major at the University of Maine, and Morel is a senior Homeland Security major at the University of New Hampshire.