University of Maine at Augusta awards Justin Chenette a Distinguished Alumni Award

Pictured left to right: Provost Joseph Szakas, Commissioner Justin Chenette, & Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Relations Erin Fogg.

The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) awarded York County Commissioner Justin Chenette with a Distinguished Alumni Award during its 2025 Commencement Ceremony.

Chenette was nominated by the UMA Saco Center for his community leadership and work in the communications field. 

Chenette, a 2021 graduate of UMA’s Post-Baccalaureate Public Administration program, made history as the youngest lawmaker in Maine and the youngest openly LGBTQ+ legislator elected in the entire country. He currently serves as a York County Commissioner and works as Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement at Sweetser, one of Maine’s largest and oldest mental health organizations. His career has been defined by breaking barriers and creating opportunity for others.

He has authored and passed ethics reform legislation, founded a scholarship fund that has supported dozens of students over the past decade, and wrote a children’s book on civic engagement. Chenette has been recognized with several honors including being named to 40 Under 40 lists by Mainebiz and The Advocate magazine, earning a Harvard Kennedy School Fellowship, and receiving Presidential Volunteer Service Awards from two U.S. Presidents.

“I’m a proud product of this institution and deeply appreciate this award in recognition of my passion for service to my community and state,” says Chenette. “We are so fortunate to host UMA in Saco. It’s a benefit to the entire region to have access to on-demand professional development and higher education for all ages.”

In addition to Chenette, this year’s honorees included Mary Gibson ’07, a nationally recognized archivist and advocate for Indigenous cultural preservation. Gibson, who graduated summa cum laude from UMA’s Information and Library Science program, is the founder and Executive Director of the Noowuh Knowledge Center in Elko, Nevada. A proud member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, she has dedicated her career to protecting and promoting Newe language, culture and history. Her work spans archiving, education and advocacy – from preserving collections of tribal history to representing her community at the United Nations and testifying on Native land and water rights. She also serves on advisory boards for the National Science Foundation and Great Basin Resource Watch, and she frequently mentors youth and educators through outreach and cultural programming.

The award is described as: '...a celebration of those who inspire others through their leadership, who use their talents to serve their communities, and who truly embody UMA’s mission in action. This year's honorees remind us that success isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about how you lift others along the way.’

UMA President Jenifer Cushman praised both alumni for their contributions to their communities and for embodying the university’s mission. “Justin and Mary represent the transformative power of education and the lasting impact UMA graduates have across the state, the nation and the world,” Cushman said. “We are proud to honor their achievements and leadership.”

UMA Announcement