Mitchell Institute

Sometimes the best gatherings are right in your own backyard. Great to see Scholars, faculty, staff, and leadership come together at our spring reception at USM — proud to call the same city home.

Give back, reconnect, and have a little fun — Community Day is almost here! Join the Mitchell Institute Alumni Council on Saturday, April 11 in Portland or Bangor for a morning of volunteering and an afternoon of good company.

Portland: Volunteer with Furniture Friends + bowling at Bayside Bowl
Bangor: Support Welcome to Housing + social at The Sports Arena

Can't make it in person? Volunteer locally on April 11 and share your efforts in our Scholar & Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn groups.

Register by April 8 to save your spot!

🔗docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMdxZsk0ptcihu7P6ONkCPVy5FKrKZnPSJeJFa2yMqGhkmjQ/viewform

For more than 25 years, we have been asking Mitchell Scholars and Alumni to share their stories — because what you experience shapes how we serve the next generation. The 2026 Annual Survey is now live and takes just 15 minutes to complete. Your responses directly influence the programs and resources we offer, and every completed survey enters you into a drawing to win one of four $50 gift cards to Amazon, L.L. Bean, or a store of your choosing.

Your story helps us write theirs.

🔗connect.mitchellinstitute.org/portal/annualsurvey2026

We’re pleased to welcome Elyse Pratt-Ronco to the Mitchell Institute team as our new Scholarship and Development Research Manager.

Elyse brings deep expertise at the intersection of research, evaluation, and practice, with a career dedicated to expanding educational access for rural, first-generation, and low-income students across Maine.

In her role, Elyse will support a data-driven culture at the Institute by managing organizational data, stewarding our 25-year longitudinal survey, developing reports for donors and grantors, and informing strategic program decisions, while also providing direct support to Mitchell Scholars.

“Elyse is among a very short list of professionals in Maine who possess both a deep bench strength of academic research and professional experience directly supporting rural and first-generation students,” said Jared Cash, president and CEO of the Mitchell Institute.

We’re excited to have Elyse join our community and help advance our mission through thoughtful research, strong relationships, and measurable impact.

🔗 Read the full announcement: https://www.mitchellinstitute.org/news-events/mitchell-institute-names-elyse-pratt-ronco-scholarship-and-development-research-manager/

The quiet architecture of hope.

As Development Director, Jeff Candura, works behind the scenes to connect generosity with impact, he approaches fundraising as stewardship — building trust with donors.

Honoring a legacy built over decades. Keeping Scholars at the center of every decision. Jeff often talks about what happens when financial barriers are removed. Scholarships open the door.
Fellowships, emergency funds, and wraparound support help students stay enrolled, persist, and graduate. The result is impact that reaches far beyond one student, strengthening families, communities, and Maine’s future.

This piece offers a closer look at how development work, done thoughtfully, helps expand opportunity across every corner of the state.

🔗 Read more: https://www.mitchellinstitute.org/news-events/the-quiet-architecture-of-hope-inside-jeff-canduras-work-at-the-mitchell-institute/

A Milestone Made Possible by You

Dear Mitchell Institute Community,

As we close out this year, I've been reflecting on what it means to mark 30 years of the Mitchell Institute—and I keep coming back to one truth: this milestone belongs to you, the community that made it possible.

For three decades, Mitchell Scholars have blazed their paths through college, knowing this community believes in them and Maine's future. Donors, alumni, educators, and partners show up year after year to support them through moments of growth, uncertainty, and discovery.

Because of you, Mitchell Scholars find stability when finances feel overwhelming. They find encouragement when the path forward is not always linear. They graduate, build meaningful careers, and make a lasting impact on their communities as engaged citizens, leaders, educators, and innovators.

Senator Mitchell reminds us that genius knows no boundary and talent is everywhere, but it flourishes where there is opportunity. When we invest in our young people and stand alongside them, so much more becomes possible.

Thank you for being part of this milestone year and this enduring community. As we move into 2026, we carry this same commitment forward—supporting Maine's young people, together. We are deeply grateful for the trust you have in our mission.

Jared Cash
President & CEO
The Mitchell Institute

There’s something special about bringing Mitchell Alumni together to kick off the holiday season.

With winter weather in the air, MI Headquarters were full of warmth, laughter, and good energy.