Dunn named UMaine chief of staff

Diane Dunn, senior advisor for special initiatives in the University of Maine Office of the President, has been named chief of staff to President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, effective March 23, 2023.

The UMaine alumna with 33 years of military service has been a senior advisor reporting to the president since January 2022. In her role as senior advisor, she worked closely on DEI, research security and compliance, UMaine Machias integration initiatives and presidential special events. Dunn is retired brigadier general who served as the assistant adjutant general of the Maine Army National Guard. She retired from the Maine Army National Guard Dec. 31, 2021.

Dunn was the first female general officer in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard. She also was the first female to command a brigade in the Maine Army National Guard.

“We are pleased that Diane will continue to share her leadership and talents as a member of the President’s Office team, now as chief of staff,” says President Ferrini-Mundy. “It has been a pleasure working with Diane and we look forward to continued collaboration to benefit UMaine, UMaine Machias and Maine.”

Dunn joined the Maine National Guard in 1988, serving as a traditional member from 1988–97, then becoming a full-time member. During that time, she also was a UMaine assistant professor of military science for three years. She holds a Master of Public Administration from UMaine and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.

Dunn’s daughter, Kayla, is a 2012 UMaine graduate and her son, Marcus, is a member of the class of 2023 and a UMaine Army ROTC contracted cadet.