Academic Affairs Leadership Updates

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share several important leadership updates.

First, I am delighted to announce that Dr. Ezekiel Kimball will serve as dean of the Graduate School effective August 1. Since joining 91¸£Àû as associate dean for Undergraduate and Teacher Education in 2022, Zeke has helped lead the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) through several curricular, organizational, and leadership changes. Most recently, Zeke has served as dean of COEHD. An accomplished educational researcher and administrator, Zeke has also helped secure federal funding for projects focused on educator resilience, STEM teacher recruitment, and interdisciplinary educational research. My thanks to Deputy Provost Hannah Carter for leading this search.

Second, it is a pleasure to announce that Dr. Christopher Nightingale will serve as interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development effective August 1. I am grateful to Chris for taking on this crucial assignment. Chris has served as director of the School of Kinesiology, Physical Education, and Athletic Training at the University of Maine since 2025 and is an associate professor in COEHD. He has been a faculty member since 2008 and has served in several roles, most recently as program director for Athletic Training beginning in 2021. He holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Health Education from Boston University and has devoted his career to advancing excellence in athletic training, physical education, and kinesiology. A national search for a permanent dean will begin this fall.

Third, I am thrilled to inform you that BJ Marshall will serve as the interim dean and campus director of 91¸£Àû Machias (UMM) from July 1 through September 30. After retiring as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force in May 2015, BJ became involved with the UMM women’s soccer program in the fall of 2015 and eventually served as head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams. She joined the Office of Student Records in 2019 and currently serves the UMM community as assistant dean for academic affairs and associate registrar. Details regarding leadership for the 2026-27 academic year will be shared as they become available. 

Fourth, I am pleased to share the excellent news that Professor Jessica Miller (CLAS-Philosophy) will become director of faculty development effective August 1. This 0.25 FTE position was previously held by Sabrina DeTurk. Jessica has served in numerous leadership roles, including chairing two departments and serving as both associate dean of CLAS and associate provost for Academic Affairs. Most recently, Jessica was the faculty director of the EMPOWER program.

Fifth, I would also like to congratulate Lisa Applegate and Ryan Weatherbee on their promotions within the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA). Lisa (who has served in OIRA since 2017) is now the associate director for institutional research, and Ryan (who has served in OIRA since 2019) is the associate director for assessment. Their promotions reflect OIRA’s growing role in expanding access to institutional data and assessment resources across campus.  

Sixth, and last but certainly not least, Jade Smickle, special assistant for academic affairs, will leave the Office of the Provost (and 91¸£Àû) in early July. Jade has been an integral member of our team, making numerous contributions that have strengthened the university and will have a lasting impact. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Please join me in congratulating these colleagues on their new roles and thanking them for their service to the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias.

Sincerely,

Gabe Paquette

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias