AUGUSTA

Next Step Maine recently announced that $35,600 has been awarded to 28 Maine employees who were nominated by their employers for a 2016 Next Step Maine Employee of Promise scholarship.

The program is a free statewide initiative that awards funds to Maine employees who are currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or certificate program. The recipients were selected from 40 applicants from a variety of Maine companies and many educational institutions.

Next Step Maine is part of the Maine Development Foundation, a private, non-partisan membership organization that drives sustainable, long-term economic growth for the state of Maine. MDF’s strategic focus is a productive workforce.

“We are extremely pleased with the progress the Next Step Maine program is making to help Maine’s workforce continue with their education and training,” said Yellow Breen, president of Maine Development Foundation. “There were double the number of applicants compared to last year and we raised $35,600 for scholarship funds, which is double from last year, as well.”

The Next Step Maine 2016 scholarship winners are from seven different counties across the state from a wide range of businesses and educational institutions. Scholarship amounts for each individual range from $600-$2,000. Scholarship recipients, their employers and family members will be recognized at a breakfast awards ceremony on Friday, June 10, at the Senator Inn & Spa in Augusta.

The winners by county are:

• Aroostook — Ashley Belmain, Aroostook Medical Center; Tracy Whitten, Aroostook Medical Center

• Androscoggin — Shawna Chase, Tri- County Mental Health Services; Brandy Jenkins, Central Maine Medical Center; Christina McVay, Tri-County Mental Health Services; Lorri Morin, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center; Danielle Rideout, Tri-County Mental Health Services

• Cumberland — David Burgess, Bowdoin College; Robert Conlogue, town of Scarborough; Daniel Dusabimana, Spurwink Services; Brian Hallisey, Gulf of Maine Research Institute; Caleb Krantz, Mercy Hospital; Joseph Mushishi, Spurwink Services; Heather May Pond, VNA Home Health Hospice; Sara Smith, Bowdoin College; Jessica Stover, Coastal Enterprises Inc.; Daniela Todorova, Mercy Hospital; Sara Tompkins, Spurwink Services

• Franklin — Jessie Walker, Sugarloaf

• Kennebec — Carrie Bartunek, Southern Kennebec Child Development Corp.; Cheryl Doucette, Johnny’s Selected Seeds; Heather Spry, New Dimensions Federal Credit Union

• Lincoln — Breanne Hatch, Damariscotta Bank & Trust

• Penobscot — Carrie Hart, OHI; Bruce Hews Jr., Penobscot Community Health Center (Hope House); Stephanie Mishou, Beal College; Kyle Santosuosso, LifeFlight of Maine; Danielle Thompson, Penobscot Community Health Center

Next Step Maine received donations and grant support from Bangor Savings Bank, Cianbro, Maine Chapter Association for Talent Development, Maine Community Foundation, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Pratt & Whitney, Renys, Saint Joseph’s College, and SHRM Maine State Council.

Since 2013, the Next Step Maine program has contributed more than $63,900 in scholarships and helped more than 50 Maine employees attain advanced education in their field. Recent alumni of the program have experienced success in a variety of ways, including pay increases, promotion and career advancement. The goal of the Next Step Maine scholarship program is to support and recognize working adults who are going to school while managing jobs, families and other responsibilities.

Scholarships are available for employees of Next Step Maine employers — committed employers who have joined a no-cost statewide initiative to advance the educational attainment of Maine’s workforce.

To learn more about Next Step Maine and how to become a Next Step Maine employer, visit nextstepmaine.org.

June 10 ceremony

• THE NEXT STEP MAINE 2016 scholarship winners are from seven different counties across the state from a wide range of businesses and educational institutions. Scholarship amounts for each individual range from $600-$2,000. Scholarship recipients, their employers and family members will be recognized at a breakfast awards ceremony on Friday, June 10, at the Senator Inn & Spa in Augusta.