Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award Committee

Function

Since 1982, in recognition of the mission of public service at the University of Maine, the
President has annually presented the Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award to an individual University of Maine faculty or staff member who has demonstrated distinguished achievement in public engagement as part of their university work. Tenured UMaine and Cooperative Extension faculty, full-time lecturers (in their sixth year of service or beyond), and staff (in their sixth year of service or beyond) are eligible for this award.

Public engagement is the application of the special knowledge and skills associated with one’s professional life at the University of Maine to enhance the public good, whether through public education, direct assistance in specific situations, or long-term commitment towards achieving particular public service goals. Hence, the definition excludes some forms of “community service,” such as serving as a scout leader or participating in other service activities that do not necessarily require one’s professional expertise or specialized knowledge of the University. However, this definition is meant to include service that advances the effectiveness of or contributes to the mission of the University even if it does not require the discipline-specific expertise of the nominee.

The Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award acknowledges and celebrates public service responsive to the needs of our fellow citizens at the present moment. The awards process will give special consideration to nominees whose efforts have produced tangibly positive outcomes for the University community and/or the broader community. The recipient receives a medallion and monetary award.

Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award Nomination Form and Guidelines:

Membership

• Representative from the President’s Office, ex officio
• Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, ex officio
• One faculty member from each academic college (nominated by the dean)
• Professional employee representation from the following areas (nominated by the dean/director):
  • Cooperative Extension
  • Division of Lifelong Learning
  • Research
  • Fogler Library
• Previous year award recipient

All are appointed for 3-year terms.

Current membership

Meredith Whitfield

Jessica Miller

Patti Miles

Susan Bennett-Armistead

Jean MacRae

Liam Riordan

Amy Booth

Angela Hart

Monique LaRocque

Ace Barrera

Matthew Revitt

James Dill