FORT KENT, Maine — The University of Maine at Fort Kent Presidential Search Committee has selected four finalists who 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 national solicitation, initial screening, background check and off-site interviews.
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.
“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,” said Norman Fournier, UMS Trustee and search committee chair. “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 detailed below. Background materials 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 is currently in the area. She 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 and was president of North Dakota State College of Science and Middlesex Community College. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Hart met with faculty, students and staff yesterday, and will be at an open meeting with the community today, Dec. 2, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Powell Classroom 123.
Dr. John Short is CEO and dean at 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 a Doctor of Arts in Government from Lehigh University.
He will be at UMFK Thursday, Dec. 3, for open meetings as follows: with faculty, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Nadeau Conference Room; with students, 10:45-11:45 a.m., Grindle Conference Room; and with staff, 2:30 — 3:30 p.m. in Fox Auditorium. An open meeting with Short and the community is slated Friday, Dec. 4, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Fox Auditorium.
Dr. Michael Laliberte is vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. His prior positions include vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Boise State University, and associate vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Dr. Laliberte holds a doctor of education from Johnson and Wales University.
His visit begins Monday, Dec. 7. Open meetings will be with faculty from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Nadeau Conference Room, and with students from 10:45-11:45 a.m. in the Grindle Conference Room. On Thursday, Dec. 8, Laliberte will be available at open meetings with staff from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and with the community from 9:30-10:30 a.m., all in the 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.
On Thursday, Dec. 10, she will be present at an open meeting with faculty from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Nadeau Conference Room, with students from 10:45-11:45 a.m. in the Grindle Conference Room, and with staff from 1-2 p.m. in the Nadeau Conference Room.
Her open meeting with the community is scheduled Friday, Dec. 11, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the 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.
