About the program
The Presidential Ambassadors program at the University of New England is a leadership training program for a group of select students who work directly with President James Herbert and First Lady Lynn Brandsma, Ph.D., to champion the University to prominent partners including donors, alumni, governmental leaders, and friends. Presidential Ambassadors provide valuable insight into the UNE student experience to our partners at events, both on and off campus.
Meet the Presidential Ambassadors
Will Ledbetter, Applied Exercise Science ’26
Co-President
Will is from Windham, Maine, and aspires to pursue a clinical role in the medical sales industry. In addition to being a Presidential Ambassador, he currently serves as a resident advisor for first-year students, works in Undergraduate Admissions as a Student Ambassador, and has previously worked in Conference Services and Events. As a Dean’s List student and an All-Conference Academic Selection, he is a member of the UNE football team and part of the UNE Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He enjoys snowboarding and spending time with friends and family in his free time.
Ariane Leon, Biological Sciences ’25
Co-President
Ariane, from Kensington, Maryland, aspires to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree after graduating from UNE. Currently, she serves as a residential advisor, the 2025 Class Representative for the Undergraduate Student Government, and the student chair of Meals for Maine and Student Affairs and Services. Additionally, she is the treasurer for the Female Athlete Alliance and a member of the 2025 Class Council. Ariane had an incredible study abroad experience in Morocco and participated in a travel course to Panama in May 2024. She is fluent in Spanish and French and plays for Mexico’s National Women’s Lacrosse Team. In her free time, she enjoys sailing, skiing, and hiking with her dog, Hugo Boss.
Nate Chickering, Medical Biology ’26
Vice President
Nate is studying Medical Biology while minoring in Anthropology and Health, Medicine, and Society with hopes of attending medical school. On campus, he is the financial manager for the Undergraduate Student Government and volunteers as an EMT for the student body. He also works at Dartmouth Hospital in New Hampshire as an ED technician. Nate is a forward on the men’s varsity ice hockey team and in his free time, he enjoys hiking and fly fishing.
Olivia Chase, Medical Biology ’26
Olivia, from Hartland, Vermont, is on a pre-med track and plans to attend physician assistant school. She is a dean’s list student who is a member of the pre-PA club and Portuguese club. Olivia is also a student athlete on the women’s Track and Field Team, she throws hammer, discus, and shot put. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, snowboarding, music, art, and spending time with her friends and family.
Naomi Cote, Neuroscience ’25
Naomi is from Caribou, Maine, and loves to answer all of the questions about Aroostook County. She is a Dean’s List student on a pre-medicine track and plans to attend medical school after graduation. In addition to being a Presidential Ambassador, Naomi works on campus as a Student Organization Manager and an Orientation Leader. She is the Neuroscience Club president; PULSE: UNE Medical Missions president; Partners for World Health social media chair; Activities Programming Board membership and communications director; research assistant in the Lab of Kerry L. Tucker, Ph.D.; and a Leader Scholar. In her free time, you will probably find her at the beach with a book in hand, figure skating, or maybe even out in the fields picking potatoes.
Jordyn Holbrook, Psychology and Medical Biology ’25
Jordyn hails from Chateaugay, New York. She is a Dean’s List student obtaining a dual degree in Psychology and Medical Biology, with hopes to attend medical school after graduation. She holds multiple positions on campus, including work as a lead student with the Office of Safety and Security and a peer advisor with Global Education. She is a co-chief and responder with UNE EMS, president and co-founder of club women’s soccer, Leader Scholar intern, treasurer of the club sports e-council, vice president of PULSE: UNE medical missions, and orientation leader. She has traveled and gained cultural experience multiple times through UNE Global to Morocco, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Kenya. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, hiking, exploring new places, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Jacob Pellerin, Sport Leadership and Management ’26
Jacob is from Windham, New Hampshire. He is a UNE varsity hockey player and a Sports Leadership and Management major with minors in Business and Coaching. In addition to his studies, he is involved in several entrepreneurial endeavors, including The Underdog Brand. Jacob is dedicated to promoting the growth of hockey, with a special focus on expanding opportunities for women in the sport. He enjoys playing golf, exercising, and cooking in his free time.
Emme Perry, Biological Sciences ’27
Emme, from Windsor, Connecticut, is a Biological Sciences major with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in Business Administration. She aspires to work in immunology, supporting individuals with severe food allergies, like herself. She serves as the president of Undergraduate Student Government where she pioneered a partnership with Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) a non-profit dedicated to food allergy awareness. Emme also serves as a student organization manager, sophomore scholar, and the activities programming board fall and spring fest director. She enjoys the outdoors, fly fishing, paddleboarding, and searching for sea glass.
David Wilcox, Business Administration ’26
David is from the northern suburbs of Chicago. He is a Business Administration major with an interest in the medical sales industry. He is a Dean’s List student and part of the UNE Athletics’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Much of his time at UNE is spent at the Athletic Forum as a two-sport varsity athlete, playing defense for both men’s ice hockey and lacrosse teams. In his free time, he loves spending time with friends and family, watching sports, listening to music, and going to the beach.
Former Presidential Ambassadors
2023–2024 Presidential Ambassadors
- Grace M. Curley ’24, Co-President
- Aidan Hosein ’24, Co-President
- Nate Chickering ’26
- Will Ledbetter ’26
- Ariane Leon ’25
- Abigail Murphy ’24
- Arielle Sedman ’24
- Dawson A. Turcotte ’24
Contact
For more information about the Presidential Ambassadors program, email presidentialambassadors@gregorybgallagher.com.