FARMINGTON — In eager anticipation of the new UMF Alpine Operations Certificate program that will launch this fall, the University of Maine at Farmington is pleased to announce the selection of Scott Hoisington as the University’s new Alpine Operations Coordinator and Ski Coach.

“We are thrilled to have Scott at the helm of this exciting new chapter in UMF’s commitment to the Alpine industry,” said Kathryn A. Foster, UMF president. “UMF is in a unique location in Western Maine where opportunities for four-season recreation and educational pursuits abound. The Alpine Operations program exemplifies how UMF students can engage the region’s rich outdoor experiences as they prepare for successful careers in Maine and beyond.”

In this key position, Hoisington will coordinate all aspects of the Alpine Operations Certificate program with the goal of providing students with the best preparation for a professional career in the ski and snowboard industry.

His responsibilities will include teaching introductory courses and on-mountain ski instruction methods and serving as an advisor for students pursuing the Alpine Operations Certificate. As head ski and snowboard coach, he will conduct all aspects of coaching UMF’s competitive ski program and coordinate and administer the learn-to-ski program for area youth in collaboration with Farmington’s Titcomb Mountain.

In addition, Hoisington will cultivate and maintain relationships with representatives of the area mountains and other recreational organizations to assure students of quality internship and on-mountain experiences and classroom guest lecturer opportunities. He will also work closely with Mainely Outdoors, UMF’s popular four-season outdoor recreation program, to help advance outdoor activities as a core element of the UMF experience.

“I am so excited for this new opportunity to help campus and community members learn and enjoy Alpine snow sports,” said Hoisington. “Winter in the western mountains of Maine is such a beautiful season, and with the support of resort and snowsports leaders, this program will help everyone participate, from school children to career-minded students.”

One of only a handful of similar programs in the U.S., UMF’s innovative Alpine Operations Certificate program is designed to prepare students for a professional career in the snow sports industry while they continue to pursue their undergraduate college degree. It was developed in collaboration with ski-industry partners in Western Maine and is open to UMF students of all majors and also those pursuing the certificate only, beginning in fall 2015.

This interdisciplinary certificate program combines business and ski classes with on-mountain instruction experience and an industry internship. Students will also receive skiing and snowboarding instructor and coach experience to help prepare them to earn Level 1 PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) certification.

Prior to this, Hoisington was a UMF faculty member teaching classes in community health and recreation and this past year was recruited to serve as the head coach of UMF’s Ski and Snowboard teams. In his new role, he will continue as the head coach of the racing programs.

“We are so fortunate to have Scott continue as coach. He brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the sport and creates an experience that nurtures a life-long love of skiing in our athletes,” said Julie Davis, UMF director of athletics, fitness and recreation. “In a short period he became a great asset to the Athletics department and we know this will continue. We expect beneficial synergy across the programs he will lead.”

In the past, Hoisington has worked at Sugarloaf Ski Resort, Carrabassett Valley Academy and golf courses throughout Maine in four-season sports coaching, program direction and event and retail management.

He was inducted to the UMF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. During his college years at UMF where he received his bachelor of science, he was named captain of both UMF Ski and Golf Teams and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics College golfer (1979) and skier (1978) of the year.

For more information on UMF’s new Alpine Operations Certificate, visit http://www.umf.maine.edu/majors-academics/alpine-operations/.