ORONO — Dori Lynn of Norway, a recent graduate of the University of Maine at Augusta, attended the University of Maine NEW Leadership Institute from June 2 to 7.

The nonpartisan public leadership institute is provided at no cost to college women from a wide range of backgrounds and academic majors. It is sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine. The program helps participants develop confidence, learn leadership skills, and build networks that empower them to become civic and political leaders.

Participants toured the State House and met with legislators, advocates and lobbyists. They researched and analyzed current state legislation and learned about policymaking and advocacy through organizing mock press conferences and a public hearing in a legislative committee. They also visited the Margaret Chase Smith Library and learned of the woman from Skowhegan who served in the U.S. House and Senate and later ran for president.

“I’m grateful to have had the privilege of experiencing this amazing life-changing opportunity,” said Lynn. “I developed new leadership skills and established lifelong relationships with my mentors and classmates. It also gave me the opportunity to expand upon my communication, organizational, public speaking and leadership skills. I learned how to network more efficiently, as well as giving me the chance to work on a group project as part of a team.”

Lynn graduated from UMA in May with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in management. This fall she will work toward her master’s degree in leadership studies from the University of Southern Maine. Her goal is to obtain a Ph.D. She plans to work in human resources, management, public administration or labor relations, as well as pursue civic leadership opportunities in public policy planning and politics.