Preparing students to lead in the fast-evolving digital landscape. By blending technology and creativity, the program equips graduates with skills to design, code, and innovate while solving real-world problems.
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New Media Overview
The University of Maine’s New Media Program is where creative minds meet cutting-edge technology to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. In this innovative major, students gain a deep understanding of the social and economic impact of emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence to augmented reality, while developing the technical and creative skills needed to thrive in today’s digital-first industries.
With a hands-on, project-based curriculum, New Media students collaborate on real-world problems, design interactive experiences, and master a range of tools—from coding and digital design to video production and wearable tech development. The program emphasizes versatility, preparing graduates for diverse career opportunities in technology, media, and beyond.
Whether you’re interested in creating immersive apps, crafting compelling stories, or coding groundbreaking solutions, New Media fosters the skills, curiosity, and leadership needed to navigate and shape a rapidly changing world. A year-long capstone project crowns the experience, ensuring students graduate with a portfolio that showcases their ability to innovate, collaborate, and make a difference.
Department Information
Department Chair: Penny Rheingans
School of Computing and Information Science
5711 Boardman Hall, Room 348
Orono, ME 04469
Tel: 207.581.2188
Fax: 207.581.2206
kkidder@maine.edu
School of Computing and Information Science
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the need for skilled professionals in computing and information science has never been greater. The future of business and society in Maine and beyond will be shaped by technological advancements, global competition, and increasingly complex, interconnected markets. These changes will require experts who can design, develop, and implement innovative systems, manage complex data, and collaborate across diverse teams. At the School of Computing and Information Science, we prepare students to lead in this dynamic landscape—equipping them with the technical expertise and communication skills needed to drive progress and solve real-world challenges.
Explore our cutting-edge undergraduate and graduate programs in Computer Science, Human-Centered Technology Design, New Media, and Information Science to be part of the technological revolution.
School of Computing and Information Science Research
Computer Science research is organized around several laboratories, each run by one or more professors. The labs allow students working on related research to interact closely with each other and with their advisors. At the time of writing, there are laboratories focusing on: artificial intelligence (multiagent systems, intelligent agent control, interagent communication, and computational ecology); high-performance computing; databases (autonomous and semistructured databases); software engineering; computational modeling; learning tools and environments for K-12; cybersecurity and homeland security.
Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Systems
Computational Ecology & Climate Studies
Computational Tools & Techniques
Our Faculty and Staff
At MCEC, our faculty is the heartbeat of our academic community. Dedicated, inspiring, and deeply knowledgeable, our professors go beyond the traditional classroom experience to foster real-world skills and a passion for learning. Whether mentoring, leading innovative research, or providing personalized support, our faculty members are committed to empowering students to achieve their highest potential
Penny Rheingans
Professor of Computer Science, SCIS Director
Kate Beard-Tisdale
Professor of Spatial Computing
Joline Blais
Associate Professor of New Media
Aaron Boothroyd
Associate Professor of New Media
Sudarshan Chawathe
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Chaofan Chen
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Phillip Dickens
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Chris Dufour
Lecturer of Computer Science
Sepideh Ghanavati
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Nicholas Giudice
Professor of Spatial Computing
Laura Gurney
Lecturer of Computer Science
Torsten Hahmann
Associate Professor of Spatial Computing, Associate Director
Greg Nelson
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Jon Ippolito
Professor of New Media
Silvia Nittel
Associate Professor of Spatial Computing
Nimesha Ranasinghe
Assistant Professor of Spatial Computing
Salimeh Yasaei Sekeh
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Roy Turner
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Manuel Woersdoerfer
Assistant Professor, SCIS and Collaborating Assistant Professor, Maine Business School
Terry S. Yoo
Associate Professor of Computer Science and Graduate Coordinator of Computer Science
Karen Kidder
Administrative Support Supervisor
Velma Figgins
Administrative Specialist, New Media
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