The University of Maine at Presque Isle welcomes two new employees and one new appointment this spring semester.
Leigh Belair joins the University as co-director and assistant professor for medical laboratory technology. Belair has been a longtime instructor with UMPI’s MLT program, and also served as a science teacher at Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School from 2000-14. She previously worked as a medical technologist at TAMC.
Belair earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science in 1994, and her master’s in education degree in instructional technology in 2009, both from the University of Maine in Orono.
Pam Easler joins UMPI as the administrative specialist in the TRiO Upward Bound office. She comes to the university with experience in customer service, business management and as a health center administrative assistant at Northern Maine Community College.
Easler earned her associate in applied science degree from NMCC in 2013.
The university is also welcoming a familiar face to lead its academic affairs office.
Dr. Raymond Rice is serving as UMPI’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, following the announcement that Dr. Michael Sonntag would be stepping down from the post to accept the top position at the University of South Carolina Sumter.
Dr. Rice has served as a member of the English faculty for more than a decade and as the chair of the College of Arts and Sciences for the past five years. In his work as chair, he has served on several system-wide task forces and committees.
Dr. Rice earned his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in 1989. He earned his master’s degree in 1993 and his Ph.D. in 1998, both from the University of Connecticut.
