UMF student selected as Peace Corps Campus Ambassador by national program
FARMINGTON, ME (October 19, 2026)—Maygin Leighton, a University of Maine at Farmington junior from Baileyville, has been selected by the national Peace Corps program to serve as UMF’s Peace Corps Campus Ambassador. Leighton is a biology major with minors in climate change solutions and international & global studies.
Campus ambassadors are degree-seeking students who have been selected to raise the Peace Corps’ profile on campus and introduce the agency’s mission to student groups. They serve as local points of contact for students, faculty, and campus organizations and share information about Peace Corps opportunities and benefits.
Leighton has always been interested in helping people. She comes from a small town in Maine where community is a shared set of values that connect you with your neighbor. It was only natural that she would be interested in learning more about the Peace Corps program and how her concern with helping people could impact an even wider community.
“Coming from a small town, I’m very community-minded,” said Leighton. “One person can have a huge impact in this world. My high school experiences helped me to be more confident and outspoken, and I have brought those strengths with me to my UMF experience.”
In addition to being named a Campus Peace Corps Ambassador, Leighton has also been admitted to the Peace Corps Prep certificate program at UMF. As Maine’s only Peace Corps Prep program, UMF prepares students for international development fieldwork and service with interrelated coursework, hands-on experience and professional development support.
The program is available to undergraduates, regardless of their major, and requires that they complete courses related to one of six Peace Corps service sectors, gain practical experience through volunteering or internships, develop intercultural competence, and strengthen their leadership and professional skills. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate from the Peace Corps that recognizes their preparation for international service and gives them a competitive edge when pursuing Peace Corps service.
In addition to her Peace Corps involvement, Leighton also worked with several other UMF students to create the UMF to create the UMF Global Connections Club to promote global service on campus. She currently serves as the club president.
More on University of Maine at Farmington
A nationally recognized regional public university known for its commitment to the creative arts, teacher preparation, the health arts and sciences, the environment, business and public service, UMF provides a challenging yet supportive environment to prepare students for both careers and further study. Located in the heart of Maine’s four-season outdoor recreational region, UMF is a welcoming, close-knit academic community that prepares students for enriching professional careers, engaged citizenship and an enduring love of learning.
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
Image: https://farmington.edu/app/uploads/2026/10/RP267-012A.webp
Photo Caption: Maygin Leighton
Photo Credit: UMF Image
Image: https://farmington.edu/app/uploads/2026/10/RP267-012B.webp
Photo Caption: Maygin Leighton
Photo Credit: UMF Image
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