Aspirations Incubator: 2017–2023 Final Evaluation Report

Authors

Sarah Goan, The Data Innovation ProjectFollow
Elora Way, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Emma Schwartz, Data Innovation Project, University of Southern Maine
Becky Wurwarg, University of Southern Maine, Cutler InstituteFollow

Files

Description

The Rural Futures Fund launched the Aspirations Incubator in 2017 as a six-year pilot initiative aimed at supporting youth development in rural Maine by increasing resiliency, fostering connections to communities, and expanding students’ awareness of opportunities beyond their everyday environments. The program partnered with select rural youth organizations to build capacity for mentoring-based programs serving students from seventh grade through high school graduation. Guided by the Trekkers Youth Programming Principles, the initiative focused on long-term mentorship, meaningful relationship-building, and community engagement. A comprehensive multi-year evaluation conducted by the Data Innovation Project at the University of Southern Maine examined the implementation and outcomes of the program across five rural communities. Findings indicate that participation in the Aspirations Incubator contributed to students’ social and emotional growth, increased their sense of belonging, and supported the development of leadership skills. The program also exposed students to new experiences, including college and career exploration, helping them engage more deeply in their communities and inspiring them to pursue more ambitious post-secondary plans. Overall, the evaluation highlights the potential of structured, mentorship-driven programs to raise aspirations, broaden horizons, and positively impact long-term personal and educational outcomes for rural youth.

Publication Date

5-2024

Publisher

Maine Rural Futures Fund

City

Portalnd, Maine

Keywords

rural youth, career exploration, job readiness, career development, workforce development, Data Innovation Project, Aspirations Incubator, Rural Futures Fund

Disciplines

Art and Design | Digital Humanities | Education | Graphic Design | Interdisciplinary Arts and Media | Statistics and Probability

Comments

Produced by the Data Innovation Project on behalf of Maine Career Exploration program,

Recommended Citation

Goan, Sarah; Way, Elora; Schwartz, Emma; and Wurwarg, Becky, "Aspirations Incubator: 2017–2023 Final Evaluation Report" (2024). Publications. 7.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/dip_publications/7