Faculty Spotlight – Noel Abrahamson

We’re thrilled to introduce Noel Abrahamson, our new Industry Partner, and Program Coordinator, a grant funded position at Washington County Community College. Noel brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom, as she’s passionate about teaching and guiding students through the fascinating world of aquaculture. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, Noel is excited to share her expertise in sustainable aquatic practices and help students explore the possibilities within this rapidly growing field. 

 

A Day in Noel’s Role 

As our Aquaculture Instructor, Noel plays a key role in introducing students to Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), a revolutionary technology that recycles water for the high-density farming of fish, oysters, seaweed, and more. RAS allows students to practice sustainable aquaculture techniques on a small scale while using minimal land and water resources. This system is particularly exciting because it opens doors to various species growing in areas that were once considered unsuitable for aquaculture. This is an incredible opportunity for students to learn sustainable practices and explore a rapidly growing field.  

 

What She Loves Most About WCCC 

Although Noel is a new instructor, Noel loves watching students grow and overcome obstacles. “It’s rewarding to see someone face a challenge, work through it, and then watch things start to click. The more you practice, the easier it gets,” Noel says. She values the strong sense of community at WCCC and enjoys being an approachable resource for both students and staff. “Don’t hesitate to reach out! I love to be approached and respond quickly to emails or calls,” she encourages. 

 

Three Words to Describe Noel

Flexible, Kind, Fun 

Outside of Work

Outside of teaching, Noel is an avid yoga instructor, teaching classes online to help others stay centered and healthy. Born in Turkey, she has also lived out her passion for sustainable farming by moving to Maine to become a seaweed farmer. When she’s not teaching or practicing yoga, you’ll likely find Noel scuba diving or exploring the wonders of the ocean.

Looking Toward the Future 

Noel hopes to continue expanding the aquaculture program at WCCC and dispel any misconceptions about what aquaculture truly is. “Aquaculture is humans growing fish, oysters, mussels, seaweed, and other marine life for food or value-added products,” Noel explains. She’s excited to show students how this field is not only environmentally sustainable but also a critical part of the future of food production. 

Thank You, Noel! 

Thank you, Noel, for shaping the future of WCCC students!