Scholars Speak: A Podcast of the Mitchell Institute

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Adriana Ortiz-Burnham

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we’re joined by Adriana Ortiz-Burnham, the 2013 Mitchell Scholar from Monmouth Academy, a Sociology graduate of Middlebury College, and, now, the Development Lead and Governance Specialist for the nonprofit organization Presente! Maine. Listen up as Ortiz-Burnham talks about how the organization supports Afro/Indigenous-Latinx people in Maine, what drew her to work with this community, advice she has for Mitchell Scholars and Alumni interested in movement work, and how the Mitchell Institute supported her during and beyond college.

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Courtney Jurson

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we’re joined by Courtney Jurson, the 2014 Mitchell Scholar from Hodgdon Middle/High School, a Kinesiology graduate of the University of Maine, and, now, a full-time firefighter and paramedic with the Bangor Fire Department. Listen up as Jurson talks about how she came to a career in the fire service and EMS, some aspects of life as a firefighter and in the EMS that might surprise you, and how her engagement with the Mitchell Institute and its programs over the years has resulted in receiving so much more than a scholarship.

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholars Nancy Billings, Caleb Cullen, Andy Estrada, and Adam Fortier-Brown

In the first Scholars Speak episode of 2025, we’re joined by an all-star lineup of Mitchell Scholars: Nancy Billings ’15, Caleb Cullen ’15, Andy Estrada ’08, and Adam Fortier-Brown ’15. Listen up as these members of the Mitchell Institute Alumni Council’s Alumni Engagement Committee take questions about the increased number of events they are organizing this year, how the events are intended to benefit Mitchell Scholar alumni, and why they feel it’s important for Mitchell Scholar alumni of all ages to stay connected with each other and the Mitchell Institute! If you have ideas for events that the MIAC Alumni Engagement Committee should consider, email them at miac.membership@gmail.com.

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholar Kayla Girardin

With the 2025 edition of MILE II coming up on Saturday, March 1, at Unum, we catch up with Kayla Girardin, the 2013 Mitchell Scholar from Presque Isle High School and chair of the Mitchell Institute Alumni Council’s MILE II Planning Committee. Listen up as Girardin talks about why attending MILE II can help fast-track career and internship opportunities for Mitchell Scholars and Alumni, how the event can help Scholars get ready for life beyond college and help Alumni navigate early career transitions, and how Alumni can be involved with the day-long career and professional-development program. Learn more about what MILE II is like: https://mitchellinstitute.exposure.co/going-out-of-bounds-to-explore-new-career-paths

Scholars Speak Podcast with Mitchell Scholars Lauren Turcotte Seavey, Mariah Kimball, and Sarah McKeown

In the latest episode of Scholars Speak, we catch up with three Mitchell Scholars — Lauren Turcotte Seavey ’19, Mariah Kimball ’10, and Sarah McKeown ’08 — who have something in common: They all took advantage of an exclusive tuition discount available to Mitchell Scholars pursuing graduate degrees and certificates at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University [https://roux.northeastern.edu/]. (ICYMI, all Mitchell Scholars are eligible for a 20% tuition discount toward master’s and certificate programs at the Roux Institute, in addition to scholarships through the Alfond Scholars Initiative. Be sure to notify your Roux Institute Enrollment Counselor of your status as a Mitchell Scholar if you apply for any of the Roux programs!) Listen up as this trio talks about what motivated them to pursue graduate degrees at The Roux Institute, their experience with the admission process, and how they are advancing their career plans through their graduate studies.