Building Connections Around the World: Shane Tracy’s Adventures after UMF

For Shane Tracy, a 2012 UMF graduate, UMF immediately felt like family. Recruited to play basketball, Shane remembers his first visit to campus.

“During my visit, everyone was so welcoming and kind, which made me feel like I could truly see myself being part of the UMF community. That sense of belonging is what really made UMF stand out to me.” 

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Psychology, it is this sense of community and interpersonal connection that has stayed with Shane the most.

“I joined the Peace Corps soon after graduating from UMF. My role in the Peace Corps was as a social worker, and I was stationed in Mongolia from 2012 to 2015. After completing my service, I stayed in Mongolia and played for a Mongolian professional basketball team. After meeting my wife in Mongolia, we moved back to Maine in 2016.

After returning to Maine, I became a special education teacher before joining the Air Force. I have now been in the Air Force for eight years and have lived in Germany, Utah, and now Hawaii. 

Today, I work in Human Resource and Administration in the United States Air Force. I thought working in HR would give me a corporate-style structure while allowing me to explore different areas rather than being tied to one specific experience. I enjoy working with people and developing strong, person-to-person relationships.”

In looking back on his time at UMF, Shane reminisces 

“UMF prepared me for my path because of the small, close-knit community it provided. It taught me the importance of giving back and putting other people’s needs above my own. The small-town environment also helped prepare me for life in Mongolia, especially those long, cold winter nights. Looking back, the relationships and values I developed at UMF have continued to shape who I am and the path I have taken.

UMF was a place where I learned a lot, not only in the classroom but also about myself. It was my first time being on my own, but it never really felt that way because of the close-knit community and the connections I made.”

Today, Shane stays in touch with old friends from his UMF days and follows the basketball team, saying “Those relationships have stayed with me long after graduation and are a big part of what makes my UMF experience so meaningful.”

He reminds today’s students to also try new things and build those connections for themselves.

“Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and get involved. Some of the most important lessons you will learn won’t come from a classroom—they will come from the experiences you have, the people you meet, and the things you do. Get out of your room, try new things, build relationships, and make memories. You never know how the experiences you have in college will shape the person you become and the path you take after graduation.”