25th Anniversary of the Island Institute Fellows Program
An extra set of hands—a legacy of community development
Launched in 1999, the Island Institute Fellows program aimed to bring human capacity and fresh perspectives to island and coastal communities in Maine. The program pairs recent college graduates with local town governments and nonprofits to take on exciting projects under the mentorship of a community advisor.
Twenty-five years, and 149 fellows later, the program has become nationally recognized as a vehicle for youth to expand their skills, gain valuable professional experience, and build deep community connections, setting them on paths to meaningful careers in Maine and beyond.
Island Institute’s Fellows program is part of the organization’s broader efforts to sustain Maine’s coastal communities by connecting them to resources, capital, talent, and new perspectives to grow stronger in a changing world.
“I can testify to the power of having a Fellow in the community and living within the community. There are a scarce number of resources to do all that needs to be done, and the Fellows Program is a great way to address this issue.”
-Linda Nelson, Fellows Advisor, Deer Isle-Stonington
The Lasting Impact of Island Institute Fellows
To date, 149 fellows have engaged with communities along the coast and the 15 year-round unbridged islands of Maine. Coming from around the country, each fellow integrates into their host community bringing enthusiasm, vitality, and a passion for community development.
After their 2-year fellowships, many alumni pursue careers directly related to what they learned in their communities. School administrators, climate policymakers, town managers, and leaders in the marine economy are only a handful of the diverse livelihoods pursued by fellow alumni, all of whom trace the beginning of their impactful careers to their fellowship.
Career Journeys and Community Contributions of Fellow Alumni
Each month of 2024, we will reconnect with fellow alumnus and share their stories
Jes Stevens, 2000
Jes moved to Monhegan for her fellowship in 2000, as a part of the very first Island Institute Fellow cohort. During her fellowship, she did lobster research, worked in the island school, and designed an exhibit for the Monhegan Museum. She married a Monhegan fisherman and has lived on the island ever since. She has raised a family there and has taken on several community responsibilities.
HEAR FROM JES AS SHE TELLS HER ISLAND STORY:
Mike Felton, 2000
Island Institute fellow Mike Felton worked with the Town of Vinalhaven from 2000 until 2002, where he worked with the public school. Today, he is the superintendent of the Saint George Municipal School Unit, a job which he describes as the perfect intersection of his three passions: education, community, and policy.
HEAR FROM MIKE AS HE REFLECTS ON HIS POST-FELLOWSHIP CAREER:
Molly Siegel, 2018
Molly Siegel worked with Isle au Haut from 2018 until 2020 as an Island Institute Fellow where she assisted the island with key community projects including telehealth, workforce housing, and the island’s power grid. Currently, she serves as the Maine Climate Council Coordinator in the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation, and the Future.
HEAR FROM MOLLY AS SHE REFLECTS ON WHAT SHE LEARNED AS A FELLOW:
Island Institute Fellows on Instagram
Keep up to date with our current Island Institute Fellows by following them on social media. Their Instagram page features regular updates the fellows in the field.
Support our Fellows
The Island Institute Fellows program is made possible by the generous support of our donors. Make a gift today to help sustain Maine’s communities and develop future leaders!
Sustainable Communities
One of Island Institute's key priorities is community sustainability. Learn more about this work and how the Fellows program fits into our broader mission.
