Meet Husson's 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Breanne Barton
BS Nursing

Breanne Barton of Houlton, Maine, has studied nursing at Husson and completed her clinical in the critical care unit at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta. She has also served as the president of the Husson Student Nurses Association. Her favorite course at Husson was pathophysiology taught by Dr. Robert Brooks, which she said was challenging and insightful. “It set a great foundation for my nursing classes and challenged me to critically think about what is actually occurring in the human body when disease and illness strike,” she said. Breanne has accepted a position at MaineGeneral Medical Center, with the goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Ruth Damashek
BS Biology, BS Psychology, Certificate in Criminal Justice

Ruth Damashek of Chantilly, Virginia, has studied biology, psychology and criminal justice at Husson. She said learning lab techniques in her microbiology lab as well as completing a neuroscience research project as her capstone were among the highlights of her time here. She also was a co-founder of the Crafting Club. “I'm glad we were able to make a space for people to relax from schoolwork and learn some new hobbies, and I'm so happy that it will be continuing on even after I leave," she said. Ruth plans to pursue a master's degree in neuroscience in Europe before completing her PhD.

Emmalyne Morgan Godin
BS Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice Administration

Emmalyne Morgan Godin of Houlton, Maine, has studied criminal justice at Husson. She said the open dialogue of her classes including Juvenile Justice taught by Professor Carolyn Adams really made the experience special. “This class stood out to me because of Professor Adams’ engaging teaching style and the way she fostered meaningful discussion. She encourages all of her students to think critically about complex issues and consider multiple perspectives, which makes the material more impactful and relevant,” she said. Emmalyne has accepted a commission as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the United States Air Force with the Maine Air National Guard and is presently deployed.

Kyra Levasseur
BS Secondary Education - English

Kyra Levasseur of Essex, Massachusetts, has studied secondary education - English at Husson. Her favorite course at Husson was Introduction to Poetry taught by Clinton Spaulding. “I really enjoyed the content and vibe of the class,” she said. She also enjoyed the close relationships she developed with her peers and professors, who showed their care in and out of the classroom. Kyra is returning to Massachusetts this summer to apply to teaching positions and begin her career. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in the future.

Laura Martel
BS Healthcare Administration and Public Health

Laura Martel of Westport, Massachusetts, studied healthcare administration and public health at Husson, while preparing to complete her master’s degree in occupational therapy. She said that experiential learning has been a highlight of her Husson career. “Professors in the occupational therapy department prioritize going out into the community to practice skills with real clients in a variety of settings, including pediatrics, rehabilitation, and mental health,” she said. She was also a member of the women’s soccer team and fondly remembers winning the North Atlantic Conference Championship. Laura will be returning to Husson in the fall to complete her MSOT degree.

Camryn Neal
BS Financial Planning, Master of Business Administration, Certificate in Accounting 

Camryn Neal of Hampden, Maine, has studied financial planning and business at Husson. One of the highlights of her Husson education has been the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in practical settings. She conducted equity research through the student-directed investment fund and credits Financial Plan Development as her most meaningful course. "It provided me with the opportunity to create a comprehensive financial plan and apply the skills and knowledge I gained throughout my degree curriculum in a practical, real-world setting," she said. After graduation, she will begin her career at First National Bank in the Wealth Management Department. She also plans to pursue the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.

JoHannah Philbrook
BS Forensic Science, Certificate in Criminal Justice

JoHannah Philbrook of Winterport, Maine, has studied forensic science and criminal justice at Husson. She said the opportunities for internships at Husson have given her key insights into her future career. She interned at the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory and was also part of the Husson Cold Case Internship. “Both of these experiences allowed me to gain insight into what it was like to be a forensics professional. With the internship at the crime lab, I watched analysts perform work while helping organize papers and input offenders into CODIS,” she said. JoHannah hopes to become a Forensic DNA Analyst at the Maine State Crime Laboratory.

Kyara Rutledge
BS Criminal Justice - National/Corporate Security, MS in Criminal Justice Administration, Certificates in Forensics and Leadership

Kyara Rutledge of North Concord, Vermont, has studied criminal justice at Husson. She said the strong support of the legal studies faculty as well as the close-knit environment have been a highlight of her Husson experience. “The professors truly care about their students and are always willing to help us succeed. Their real-world experience and the stories they shared in class made the material more engaging and meaningful,” she said. Kyara participated in Husson’s Cold Case Internship, which allowed her to apply her classroom knowledge to a real Maine State Police case. She also served as president of the Legal Studies Organization. Kyara plans to return to Vermont to recharge before applying to criminal justice positions.

Trinity Sharp

BS Legal Studies, Certificates in Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Paralegal Advanced Criminal Practice and Advanced Civil Practice

Trinity Sharp of Morris, Illinois, studied legal studies at Husson. She credits faculty members Jay PElletier and Leane Zainea as incredible mentors throughout her academic career. “What truly sets them apart is their unique ability to combine deep professional expertise with a genuine, palpable passion for student success. They didn't just teach the material, they invested in our potential, offering the kind of personalized support that builds confidence and critical thinking,” she said. “I am certain that I will always attribute a significant portion of my future academic achievements and personal growth to the foundational guidance they provided.“ Trinity will attend law school after graduation.

Madelyn Faith Benner

BS Psychology, Certificates in Animal Assisted Therapy and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Madelyn Faith Benner of Nobleboro, Maine, studied psychology at Husson. She said that the opportunities through her degree to ask questions and really understand her career options were invaluable. Her favorite course was Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy, which was taught by Jim LaPierre, LCSW. “It was amazing to be able to communicate with someone actively working in the field as he answered many questions I had relating to counseling services. Furthermore, I also learned about subjects such as substance abuse and how counseling services can assist those who are struggling,” she said. Madelyn will pursue a Master of Social Work to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker following graduation.

Connor LaMontagne

BS Sport Management and Master of Business Administration

Connor LaMontagne of Canaan, Maine, has studied sport management and business at Husson. He particularly enjoyed the hands-on application of classroom knowledge in his courses, and the relationships he forged with professors and peers. “Leadership in Sport Organizations helped me immensely with determining my own leadership style and learning how best to engage with those working with me. Recreational Programming and Event Management helped show me the amount of work that goes into planning and executing events and allowed me, with some of my peers, to plan and execute a basketball tournament that I greatly enjoyed. Connor plans to seek full-time employment in recreational, collegiate, or facility/event management after graduation.