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University of Maine at Fort Kent

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Enrollment & Advancement Center • University of Maine at Fort Kent • 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743

University of Maine at Fort Kent Presidential Search Committee Selects Four Finalists for Campus Visits in December

November 24, 2015

Note: this is an archived news release. As such, the information provided may no longer apply.

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Finalists chosen from talented pool of 46 candidates who responded to National Search

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Presidential Search Committee has selected four finalists and announced the candidates will be visiting the campus in December to meet with students, staff, faculty and community members. The four finalists were chosen among 46 candidates who responded to a search process that included a national solicitation of candidates, an initial screening, background check and offsite interviews of several candidates with the search committee.

The search committee, which consists of representatives from the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, the community, the Board of Visitors and a designee of the Chancellor, began its national search for a new leader over the summer. Throughout the process input was sought from the campuses and broader communities to help shape the direction of the search.

“We are pleased that so many talented, proven educational leaders expressed an interest in serving as the next President of the University of Maine at Fort Kent,” said Norman Fournier, UMS Trustee and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “Our campus leadership team and our community stakeholders have worked hard to establish UMFK as Maine's Rural University and as a service leader in the St. John Valley. All that has been accomplished here represents a great foundation for success for the next president of the university.”

“There has been a great deal of work done by the search committee thus far and on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor, I wish to thank everyone for their contributions,” continued Trustee Fournier. “Now it is time for broader campus and community engagement in the search process. We encourage and welcome the involvement and feedback of everyone who values the role UMFK plays in shaping the lives of our students and our region of Maine.”

The four finalists are presented in order of their scheduled visits below along with the dates, times and locations for public sessions. Photographs and background materials on the candidates will soon be available on the UMFK Presidential Search Site. Those interested in participating in the campus visit should check the website for schedule updates and to access survey tools. While the scheduled sessions are intended for specific audiences, they are open to anyone wishing to attend.

Dr. Sharon Hart currently serves as President of the Northern Marianas College. Prior to her current position she was Deputy President, University College of the Caribbean, held a position in the private sector, was President of North Dakota State College of Science, and President of Middlesex Community College. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Tuesday December 1, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Faculty: 9:30 – 10:30 am, Nadeau Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Students: 10:45 – 11:45 am, Nadeau Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Staff: 3:30 – 4:30, Nadeau Conference Room

Wednesday December 2, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Community: 10:30 – 11:30 am, Powell Classroom 123

Dr. John Short is CEO and Dean, University of Wisconsin Fond du Lac. He previously served as Dean and Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Millersville University, and Dean and Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arkansas at Monticello. He holds the Doctor of Arts in Government from Lehigh University.

Thursday December 3, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Faculty: 9:30 – 10:30 am, Nadeau Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Students: 10:45 – 11:45 am, Grindle Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Staff: 2:30 – 3:30 pm, Fox Auditorium

Friday, December 4, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Community: 10:30 – 11:30, Fox Auditorium

Dr. Eunice Bellinger was Vice President for Academic Affairs at Niagara Community College. Her prior positions include Executive Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Genesee Community College, Interim Provost of Massachusetts Bay Community College, Dean of the Long Island Center of SUNY Empire State College, and Dean of Graduate Programs in Education and Director of the English Language Institute at Abu Dhabi University.

Monday December 7, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Faculty: 9:30 – 10:30 am, Nadeau Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Students: 10:45 – 11:45 am, Grindle Conference Room

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Staff: 8:30 – 9:30 am, Nadeau Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Community: 9:30 – 10:30, Nadeau Conference Room

Dr. Lenore Koczon is currently Vice President for Academic Affairs at Minot State University. She previously served as Academic Dean at Rosemont College, and Director of University College at Northern State University. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Thursday December 10, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Faculty: 9:30 – 10:30 am, Nadeau Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Students: 10:45 – 11:45 am, Grindle Conference Room
  • Open Meeting with Staff: 1:00 – 2:00, Nadeau Conference Room

Friday, December 11, 2015

  • Open Meeting with Community: 10:30 – 11:30, Nadeau Conference Room

Following the campus visits the search committee will reconvene to consider community comments and finalize findings that will be forwarded to University of Maine System Chancellor James Page. It is expected that the Board of Trustees will consider the Chancellor's recommendation at its January 2016 meeting with the new president arriving on campus early next year.