I am delighted to share the news that I have appointed Dr. Giovanna Guidoboni as Vice President for Research (VPR) through June 30, 2027. Dr. Guidoboni has served with distinction since stepping in as interim VPR in November 2025. In a mere ten months, she has successfully helped the university navigate a rapidly changing and complex research funding landscape and realize new opportunities that advance our learner-centered R1 mission. A bold leader with fresh ideas, she has been a valued partner to me, my leadership team, center and institute staff, deans, and faculty, as well as key external research partners in Maine and across the nation. 

While serving as VPR in AY26-27, Dr. Guidoboni will temporarily step down as dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), though she will continue to serve as the lead for the University of Maine System (UMS) TRANSFORMS project initiative for advancing engineering and computing statewide. Provost Paquette has appointed a leader to serve as interim dean of MCEC in AY26-27, an announcement will be made later today.

At the beginning of the spring 2027 semester, I will launch an internal search within the System for a permanent VPR, who would have an expected start date of July 1, 2027. The prospectus for this position will draw directly from spring and early summer campus-wide discussions on the future of the Office of the Vice President for Research. In advance of launching the search, I look forward to engaging with the Faculty Senate, research center staff, and VPR staff, and will invite their participation in the search process. Further details on the search process and timeline will be forthcoming.  

Please know we will also invite faculty, staff, and student involvement in the national searches launched this semester for deans of the colleges of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences and Education and Human Development. 

Our entire scholar and research community will benefit from the momentum VPR Guidoboni built during her interim tenure and will carry forward in the coming months. Please join me in thanking her for her willingness to assume this fixed-length appointment.

Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

Hello Black Bears,

Welcome to a new academic year at the University of Maine!

While summer was a busy and active time at 91¸ŁŔű, the start of a new academic year always brings a special sense of energy and possibility.

As 91¸ŁŔű begins its 161st year, we are excited for what lies ahead for learners across our campuses, online, and wherever they engage with 91¸ŁŔű. This is a time to reconnect, look ahead, and think about what we can accomplish together.

For those returning to Orono, one thing will be clear: campus looks different than it did when you left in May.

The Mall pathway has been repaved, and work across North Campus is improving roads, parking, and the areas around our athletics facilities. The new GEM facility is open, creating special opportunities for learning, research, and collaboration. The Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce Innovation Center is also open, helping prepare students for careers in one of Maine’s key industries.

More improvements are underway.

Morse Arena continues to rise as part of the future Harold Alfond Athletics Village. Improvements to Boardman and Jenness Halls, including the new Forest Biomaterials Innovation Center, will support teaching and research across engineering, computing, nanocellulose and PFAS research, and so much more. In Machias, work has begun on the Early College Student Success Center, which will help high school students prepare for college and careers.

These changes are about more than buildings. They are investments in our students, our faculty, and the future of Maine.

At the same time, our research mission continues to gain national recognition. On Friday, we launched 3Dirigo X, our latest advancement in large-scale 3D printing and advanced manufacturing.

We are solving challenges through the Maine Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub. We are serving as a lead partner in the National Science Foundation-funded Seafood Engine. 91¸ŁŔű faculty were also selected to take part in the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, and the university is moving forward with a new Health and Life Sciences Complex.

We are grateful to the faculty and staff whose work has helped make these opportunities possible, as well as to Maine’s congressional delegation for its continued support. Together, these efforts will create opportunities for students and strengthen Maine’s healthcare, forest products and seafood industries, as well as its coastal communities.

We are proud of these positive developments, and there are more to come. As you may also know, we face challenges related to our budget and the ongoing need to modernize our campus infrastructure. We are navigating this together, with input and solutions coming from across the university. These challenges notwithstanding, 91¸ŁŔű’s future is bright. 

There is much to look forward to as a community this fall, including Homecoming, Family and Friends Weekend, athletic events, concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and more. 

That same spirit of excitement and discovery begins during a learner’s first days at 91¸ŁŔű. This year, many students took part in our first Black Bear Bridge Week, and many of those students also participated in Research Learning Experiences, where they were immersed in our learner-centered R1 mission. We concluded the week with a wonderful academic convocation in the Alfond. I want to thank all of the faculty, staff, and students who played important roles in these events by leading, coordinating, and volunteering to support the class of 2030.

To our newest Black Bears, welcome. To our entire community, a hearty Maine Hello. Thank you for all you do to move 91¸ŁŔű forward.

Let’s make this a great year!

Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

We are deeply saddened by the , a devoted alumna and generous benefactor whose commitment to the University of Maine touched generations of students, members of our community, and well beyond.

Anne, a proud member of the Class of 1961, met her husband, Richard “Dick” Collins ’59, while they were students here. They married soon after and maintained a close connection to their alma mater throughout their lives.

Anne and Dick’s philanthropy helped transform the former Maine Center for the Arts into what is now the Richard R. and Anne A. Collins Center for the Arts. Their gifts made possible significant renovations to the facility and strengthened its role as a cultural centerpiece for the university and the state. They also helped meaningfully advance Black Bear Athletics, including improvements to Memorial Gym.

Anne took an active role in advancing the Collins Center project and saw the arts as a powerful way to educate, inspire, and bring people together. She and Dick envisioned the center as a place that would serve not only 91¸ŁŔű students and the university community, but people from across Maine. In 2007, they received the Stillwater Presidential Award in recognition of their extraordinary dedication to our university.

Anne will be remembered for her incredible generosity and for creating opportunities for others. Her impact can be seen in everyone who gathers at the Collins Center and in the many ways her support continues to benefit the university.

I never had the opportunity to meet Dick Collins, but my husband, Rick, and I had the great fortune to get to know Anne. I will miss her kindness and wise counsel.

My thoughts are with Anne’s family and loved ones and with those who had the privilege of knowing her. We are grateful for her commitment to 91¸ŁŔű and for the enduring legacy she leaves at our university and across our state.

Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

I am pleased to announce that Dr. James “Jim” Pete will join the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias as chief of staff, effective August 1.

In this role, Dr. Pete will work closely with me, our executive leadership team, and colleagues across our campuses to strengthen collaboration, communication, and organizational effectiveness as we advance our shared priorities.

Dr. Pete brings more than 28 years of leadership experience in the military and higher education. Throughout his career, he has led organizations through periods of change, built strong relationships across diverse constituencies, and helped leaders navigate complex challenges. He is known for listening thoughtfully, fostering collaboration, and supporting effective decision-making while keeping people at the center of the work.

Most recently, Dr. Pete served as a professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he taught senior military leaders and government officials while contributing to curriculum development. His experience translating strategy into action and bringing people together around shared goals will be invaluable as we continue advancing our mission as Maine’s learner-centered R1 flagship university, and land, sea, and space grant institution.

Dr. Pete holds a doctorate in education from Creighton University, a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, a master’s degree in human resource management from Webster University, and a bachelor’s degree in English communications from Lebanon Valley College.

We are fortunate to welcome a leader whose experience, commitment to service, and collaborative approach will strengthen our university community and help advance our strategic priorities.

I also want to thank William Biberstein for his dedicated service as interim chief of staff and for his steady leadership and support during this transition.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. James “Jim” Pete.

Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

Summer is anything but quiet at the University of Maine and its regional campus in Machias. New students are beginning their 91¸ŁŔű journey, our financial services team is working to implement new aid regulations and maintain learner access to our institutions and opportunity, educators are sharing best practices, and young people are exploring engineering, the arts, athletics, and the outdoors. 

Behind each of these experiences are faculty, staff, and students whose dedication makes our university a vibrant place to learn, discover, and connect.

Thank you!

One of the highlights of the summer has been welcoming our incoming students and their families to Orono for New Student Orientation. They explored residence halls, met future classmates, attended information sessions, and, for many, began to picture 91¸ŁŔű as home.

That same spirit continues across our campuses and centers all summer long. We recently welcomed educators from around the world for the Summer Educators Institute and the Leadership for Professional Learning Symposium, fostering the needed exchange of ideas about teacher recruitment and retention, educator leadership, and the future of schools.

Experiential learning is also taking place in Machias, where a partnership with our marine field station, the Downeast Institute, offers students a two-week introductory oceanography course. Students earn university credit while exploring Maine’s marine environment through hands-on learning along the beautiful Bold Coast.

Summer also brings a wide range of programs for Maine PK-12 students, who we hope will be future Black Bears. These include engineering and computing experiences, Upward Bound college-preparation programs, arts and cultural opportunities, athletic camps, and 4-H youth development programs across the state — including Bryant Pond Camp, the Tanglewood Learning Center in Lincolnville, Greenland Point Conservation Camp in Princeton, and Blueberry Cove in St. George.

These activities demonstrate the many ways our university fulfills its teaching, research, and public service mission throughout the year.

One thing that has stood out to me this summer is that visitors are not simply hearing about our future; they are experiencing it firsthand. They see a university addressing deferred maintenance, expanding opportunities, and strategically preparing for the future. Despite the broader pressures facing higher education and our university, we remain committed to advancing student success, serving Maine, and keeping our mission front and center because Maine’s success depends on its flagship university and largest driver of educational attainment and economic development.

As visitors make their way across our Orono campus, they pass the nearly completed GEM facility and Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce Innovation Center. Nearby, Morse Arena continues to rise as part of the future Harold Alfond Athletics Village. In Machias, planning is also underway for a new Early College Student Success Center, which will provide high school students with a dedicated space to connect, access academic support, and strengthen their transition to college and careers.

Together, these capital projects represent one of the most significant periods of investment in our university’s history. This support from our federal, state, philanthropic, and private partners reflects confidence in our mission and strengthens our ability to serve our students and Maine for years to come.

We look forward to welcoming a new class of students to both campuses next month. In Orono, Black Bear Bridge Week will introduce incoming students to campus life before the academic year begins. In Machias, New Student Orientation will welcome new and transfer students the weekend before classes begin.

Whether someone visits for orientation, a conference, a camp, or another program, they experience an R1 learner-centered university that is continually investing in its students, its employees, and in Maine’s brighter future. That progress is made possible by our faculty and staff. Through your dedication, care, and daily efforts, you help ensure that everyone who spends time on our campuses and centers sees and experiences our public university at its best.

Thank you.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

As another academic year comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude for the care, creativity, and commitment you bring to the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias every day. Over the past year, your work has supported our students, enriched our university, and advanced our mission in deeply impactful ways.

Your efforts help shape our learner-centered R1 university and are reflected in encouraging signs for the coming year. New first-year student enrollment is running ahead of last year at this time, with strong growth among Maine high school graduates. Undergraduate enrollment and student credit hours are also trending positively. We all need to sustain these efforts to attract learners to this great university, throughout the summer and beyond.

These trends reflect the outstanding work already being done across our community to support student success and the student experience, particularly at a time when higher education institutions across the country continue to face demographic and financial headwinds. With the FY27 budget now approved, we are well-positioned to continue this important work, even as we work collaboratively to strengthen our long-term financial sustainability.

This momentum is also reflected in the continued strength of research and creative activity, with summer serving as an important season of discovery and preparation for the year ahead.

I also want to recognize several colleagues whose commitment has made a lasting impact on our universities. Please join me in thanking Scott Delcourt for his decades of leadership in graduate education and research at 91¸ŁŔű, Jeff Mills for his transformative leadership of the 91¸ŁŔű Foundation, and Megan Walsh as she prepares to begin a new senior academic role at Edgewood University following her service to 91¸ŁŔű Machias. Their contributions have advanced our mission and strengthened our universities in meaningful ways.

I am also pleased to welcome Susie Monagan as the new executive director of the Collins Center for the Arts. Susie brings extensive experience in arts leadership and community engagement, and I know she will help continue the Collins Center’s role as a vibrant cultural gathering space for the university and the state.

I hope the summer months provide opportunities for research, renewal, and time with those who matter most to you. Thank you again for everything you do for our students, our universities, and the people of Maine. I look forward to seeing those who are here this summer, and to welcoming many of you back to our campuses in August as we gather once again for blueberry pancakes, the start of a new academic year, and Maine Hello welcoming another outstanding class of Black Bears.
Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to making our 2026 Commencement a resounding success. It was an incredible weekend of celebration for our graduates, beginning with an action-packed Hearty Maine Farewell and finishing with a memorable ceremony at our regional campus in Machias.

It was great to be back in Alfond Arena this year for our Graduate School and undergraduate ceremonies, returning to tradition and celebrating in the beautifully renovated arena. I know this meant a lot to our students, and I thank all who made this return possible.

To our nearly 150 volunteers, including students, faculty, and staff, we are grateful for your contributions to making this weekend an enjoyable experience for our graduates, their families and our greater community. I was proud to see so many talented researchers and educators represent the university as faculty marshals. We simply can’t achieve the level of excellence we are able to provide without your significant contributions.

This year’s Commencement Steering Committee did a remarkable job coordinating logistics, ensuring a smooth and well-run weekend. I specifically want to thank Kevin Coughlin, Mallory Morehouse, Dianne Avery, Kathleen Harding-Heber, and the President’s Office staff for their efforts. To the team who coordinated the Machias ceremony, including Danielle Wormell, Sarahmarie Abernethy, BJ Marshall, Linda Patryn, Kristen Bono, and Hope Shore, I thank you for your hard work.

Commencement unites this university under our common mission as a learner-centered R1, and that mission was on full display. It was great to see the collaborative work among our colleges, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Life, the Graduate School, Facilities Management, Marketing and Communications, Athletics and many more units to make this weekend come to fruition.

You have all outdone yourselves. 

Now, I ask that you take some time to rest and recharge as we prepare to welcome the Class of 2030 and all of our new and returning students with a Hearty Maine Hello in a few short months.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Gifford as Dean of Students for the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias.

Over the past year, Dean Gifford has served with distinction as Interim Dean of Students. In that role, she has provided compassionate leadership and steadfast guidance for students across our campuses, fostering a climate that embraces belonging and student success while guiding critical student and crisis response efforts.

Dean Gifford brings more than three decades of experience at 91¸ŁŔű, with extensive expertise in student affairs, academic advising, crisis management, student advocacy, and university administration. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting students and strengthening the university community through thoughtful leadership and service.

Since joining 91¸ŁŔű in 1991, Dean Gifford has served in a variety of leadership and administrative roles across the university. Prior to her appointment as Interim Dean of Students, she served as Senior Associate Dean within the Division of Student Life. She currently serves as chair and case manager for the Student Behavior Review Team, helping lead the university’s threat assessment and care management efforts for both 91¸ŁŔű and 91¸ŁŔű Machias.

Earlier in her career, Dean Gifford served as an instructor for Academic and Career Exploration and held positions within the Division of Lifelong Learning and the Division of Administration and Finance.

Dean Gifford’s deep institutional knowledge, student-centered approach, and dedication to fostering a supportive campus environment have made a lasting impact on countless students, faculty, and staff. Her leadership has strengthened the university’s ability to support student well-being, academic achievement, and community engagement.

Dean Gifford earned her master’s degree in education and student development and bachelor’s degree in business administration from 91¸ŁŔű.

We are fortunate to have such an experienced leader serving our university community. I look forward to continuing our work together to support the success of our students and to advance the mission of 91¸ŁŔű and 91¸ŁŔű Machias.

Please join me in congratulating Andrea Gifford on this well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jenny Boyden as Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Business Officer of the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias.

Over the past year, Jenny has served with distinction as Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Business Officer. In that role, she has provided thoughtful leadership and steady stewardship for the university’s finance and administration division, overseeing budget and accounting operations, auxiliary enterprises, and facilities management and planning.

Jenny brings to this position nearly three decades of experience in financial leadership, public administration, healthcare finance, and strategic budgeting. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional expertise in budget development and analysis, operational planning, and organizational leadership across governmental and nonprofit sectors.

Prior to joining the University of Maine System, Jenny served as Associate Commissioner for the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, where she also served as department lead for the Maine Jobs and Recovery Team. Earlier in her career, she held a number of senior financial leadership positions within Maine state government and healthcare organizations.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities at 91¸ŁŔű, Jenny currently serves as Head of Finance for UMS TRANSFORMS, helping guide the financial administration of this important systemwide initiative.

Jenny’s collaborative leadership style, deep knowledge of public finance, and strong commitment to the mission of public higher education have already made a significant impact on our university community. She has provided important leadership in facilities planning and capital investment efforts, including the development of a comprehensive master planning process designed to align our physical infrastructure with the university’s long-term goals for education, research, student life, and athletics.

Jenny earned her MBA from Thomas College and her bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Bentley College.

We are fortunate to have such a skilled, dedicated, and experienced leader serving our flagship university. I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen the university’s financial foundation and support the success of our students, faculty, staff, and broader community.

Please join me in congratulating Jenny Boyden on this well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias

I am writing to share the bittersweet news that Dean and Campus Director of 91¸ŁŔű Machias Dr. Megan Walsh has accepted a new position as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Edgewood University in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dr. Walsh joined the Machias community in 2022 during a time of significant change. Our campuses were working to align on several fronts, including academics, student services, and culturally as we grew together as Black Bears.

Her leadership has been steady and collaborative, ensuring that all voices were considered in decision making, whether from students, faculty, staff, or long-standing community members. Dr. Walsh’s commitment to the Town of Machias and the greater Downeast region was exemplified in every strategic decision she made.

Dr. Walsh’s dedication to student recruitment helped to stabilize enrollments after a period of decline, and we are excited about the future of 91¸ŁŔű Machias as we continue to see local and out-of-state students choosing to join the one-of-a-kind community at our coastal campus.

In addition to these great accomplishments, Dr. Walsh also oversaw the renovation of Reynolds Gymnasium, an important community hub in Machias. She has also overseen continued improvements to campus housing and the upcoming development of the Early College Student Support Center.

I am also personally grateful for her support as Interim Chief of Staff last summer during a period of transition in my office. 

We wish Dr. Walsh well as she steps into this new leadership role, and thank her for all of the incredible work she has done for 91¸ŁŔű and 91¸ŁŔű Machias. Her last day will be June 30, 2026.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Walsh.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ĚýPresident
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias