Volin appointed to NCAA Division I Committee on Academics
John Volin, executive vice president of academic affairs and provost for the University of Maine, has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics, effective immediately. He will be serving in this capacity as part of a three-year term.
The committee oversees various matters that support the NCAA’s academic mission, including Division I policies, eligibility standards and an academic performance program, according to the association. In addition to Volin, who serves as the sole provost on the committee, the group consists of university presidents, including one who serves as chair; faculty athletics representatives; directors of athletics; senior women administrators; conference administrators and a student-athlete.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics and welcome the opportunity to help champion the vital intersection of academics and athletics in pursuit of a brighter future for student-athletes,” Volin says.
Volin joined the UMaine community in 2020. Prior to that, he served in various capacities at the University of Connecticut for 13 years. During his tenure at UConn, he served as a professor of natural resources and the environment, a department head and vice provost for academic affairs.
Under Volin’s leadership, UMaine has implemented numerous new graduate and undergraduate degree programs; established several student success and retention initiatives, such as the Research Learning Experiences for first- and second-year students; launched a new five-year Strategic Framework for Enrollment Management Recruitment and Retention Action Plan and signed partnership transfer agreements with multiple community colleges. In 2021, Volin was selected as one of the higher education leaders nationwide to speak in the first annual conference of the Coalition for Life-Transformative Education (CLTE).
Additionally, Volin chaired a committee that conducted a national search for a new athletics director in 2022, which resulted in the hiring of current Director Jude Killy.
“In getting to know Provost Volin during the search process and through today, I have been so impressed by his knowledge, energy and relentless work ethic,” Killy says. “He will be a great addition to the Committee as he is committed to higher education and the academic mission that drives intercollegiate athletics.”
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu