Dr. Jeffrey Hecker Appointed to Fill Ongoing Position as Provost
University of Maine President Susan Hunter has appointed Dr. Jeffrey Hecker to fill the position of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost on an ongoing basis.
Last August, Hecker was appointed to the position for a two-year term.
The ongoing appointment culminates an internal search conducted over the past several weeks to evaluate candidate materials and provide opportunities for the UMaine community to participate in this search. Following a daylong interview Sept. 26 and after evaluating feedback from members of the UMaine community, the search committee recommended Dr. Hecker’s appointment to President Hunter.
“Dr. Hecker is an outstanding candidate, and is poised to lead UMaine in a capable and thoughtful manner,” said President Hunter. “Dr. Hecker has had demonstrated success in working to achieve UMaine’s tripartite mission not only as Provost during the past academic year, but as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology. He has an outstanding record of achievement in his academic discipline, as well as in all administrative positions he has held.
“Dr. Hecker is highly regarded by this community and by all of UMaine’s constituencies. He will continue to work diligently and lead UMaine in fulfilling its student centered-mission as well as ensure that UMaine remains a top-100 research university. I am delighted to continue working with him in his capacity as Provost,” President Hunter said.
Hecker received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UMaine in 1986 after earning the B.S. degree (Phi Beta Kappa) in liberal arts and sciences (psychology) from the University of Illinois. He joined the UMaine faculty in 1986 as director of the Psychological Services Center, the training clinic for UMaine’s doctoral program in clinical psychology.
Dr. Hecker is a clinical researcher whose work focuses on understanding and treating anxiety, and more recently on risk assessment for people who have committed sexual offenses, including adolescents. He is the author of two books and scores of journal articles and presentations. A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Hecker has extensive experience in providing research and clinical consultation to the Maine Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services; and as a mental health consultant for the Penobscot Job Corps Center and Penquis CAP Head Start, both in Bangor.
He advanced through the academic ranks to professor of psychology, chairing the Department of Psychology from 2002–07. In 2007, he was named interim dean and, a year later, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Hecker has been honored during his distinguished service to the university, community and profession, with recognition including the 2006 University of Maine College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award for service and outreach, and the 1994 Maine Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Academic Contributions to Psychology.
Contact: Margaret Nagle, 207.581.3745