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An alumna from the University of Maine at Fort Kent will lead the University of Maine at Machias, according to press release from the office of University of Maine System Chancellor James H. Page on December 12.

University of Maine System Chancellor James H. Page joined Board of Trustee Member Bonnie Newsom in announcing that the trustees have appointed Dr. Joyce B. Hedlund as the interim president of the University of Maine at Machias. Dr. Hedlund will take office on January 5 and serve until the board identifies a president is identified.

Dr. Hedlund is a graduate of the UMFK, having earned her degree in 1969.

UMFK President Wilson Hess praised the choice. He said, “Joyce is an outstanding example of the leaders that UMFK educates and its influence throughout the state. I look forward to working closely with her.”

The incoming president spent nearly twenty years as a president in the Maine Community College System, leading the Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor and the Washington County Community College. While in the community college system, Dr. Hedlund focused the work of the college advisory board on regional economic development and the role that colleges can play in developing support systems for growth.

In recognition of her distinguished service to the system, both Eastern Maine and Washington County Community Colleges honored Dr. Hedlund as president emeritus.

“I've known Joyce Hedlund and admired her leadership at EMCC for many years. She is a respected educator who will contribute to UMM immediately,” said UMFK President Hess.

“Dr. Joyce Hedlund brings to Machias a record of accomplishment in public higher education,” said Chancellor James Page. “She has worked on the front lines at universities and colleges in Maine, helping to make higher education available and accessible to the people of our state. Her experience in education, her ties to Downeast Maine, and her commitment to public service are what is needed to move the University of Maine at Machias forward.”

Prior to joining the community college system, Hedlund held student support and success positions in Maine's public universities. Early in her career she was the director of admissions and worked on evening and adult education programs at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Hedlund made significant contributions to the UMFK campus. She served on the UMFK Foundation, UMFK Board of Visitors and UMFK's Alumni Association Outstanding Alumna in 1998. At UMaine, Hedlund held positions in financial aid and eventually served as associate dean of students responsible for commuter affairs, retention and new student orientation.

"Dr. Hedlund is an accomplished and proud product of rural Maine,” said UMS Board Chair Sam Collins. “She understands that we must work together to ensure that the University of Maine at Machias continues to provide affordable access to opportunity and four-year degree programs that serve the interests of students and the needs of the Downeast region."

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I welcome President Hedlund to campus,” said BOT member Bonnie Newsom, who spoke at Dr. Hedlund's introduction. “We are grateful for her willingness to serve the university, its students and the people of Maine.”

“I bring to this Presidency close to twenty years as a community college president and broad experiences in higher education in Maine,” said Dr. Joyce Hedlund. “Every higher education institution must be mission driven and financially sound.”

“The mission of a four-year university and that of a two-year community college are distinctly different and their reasons for existing are different,” continued Hedlund. “Washington County needs both types of institutions in order to support the development of an educated citizen, a major ingredient for economic and community development.”

“Joyce Hedlund cherishes Washington County,” said Marjorie Winters, a member of the UMM BOV and Director of Community Caring Collaborative in Machias. “She has the skills, temperament and experience to help lead our university and our region.”

Dr. Hedlund is a University of Maine at Fort Kent graduate and holds a Masters Degree in Education as well as a Ph.D., with a concentration in student personnel services and counselor education from the University of Maine. She and her husband have a home in the Washington County community of Perry, Maine.

Final confirmation of Dr. Hedlund's appointment will be an action item on the January 2015 Agenda of the UMS Board of Trustees.