Progress Tracker
Revised Sept. 16, 2026
Academic Portfolio Review
Capital Project and Facilities investment
Status:
In Progress
UMaine invested in major capital projects and facilities upgrades to support research capacity, teaching excellence, and workforce development. These investments modernize infrastructure and align physical spaces with strategic academic priorities, including our commitment to learner success and access to research opportunities.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Space Allocation (#1)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contact: Jenny Boyden
Supports Machias Regional Campus
COEHD Academic Portfolio Review
Status:
In Progress
The College of Education and Human Development is approaching the end of the teachout for an undergraduate minor and an MAIS concentration in Peace & Reconciliation Studies. Formal proposals to close a paused MS in Human Development and an undergraduate degree in athletic training are in progress. Redesign of undergraduate programs in Kinesiology and Physical Education, Child Development & Family Relations, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education have resulted in more shared degree requirements, reduced section count, and a metamajor approach in Human Development Sciences drawing on coursework from across the College.
Sept. 16, 2026 update: The undergraduate athletic training degree program has been closed, a Human Development Sciences metamajor has been approved and is accepting students, and teachouts continue for some programs.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Academic Programs (#2)
Project Lead: College of Education and Human Development
Contact: Chris Nightingale
Supports Machias Regional Campus
College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences (ELH) College Aware Refinement of Teaching (CART)
Status:
In Progress
ELH has launched the “College-Aware Refinement of Teaching” (CART) curricular review. The goal is to support units to sustain and strengthen agile, collaborative, and relevant curricula that can pivot to meet new career tracks and prospective student interest while managing the delivery of essential student credit hours with changing resources. The process has started with full college-wide course mapping by unit and an AI review of syllabi for potential collaborative approaches across disciplines.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Academic Programs (#2)
Project Lead: College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
Contact: Heather Hamlin
Future Faculty Fellows program in MCEC
Status:
In Progress
The Future Faculty Fellows program was created to support graduate students interested in academic careers through mentoring, professional development, and teaching experience. The program strengthens faculty pipelines and advances inclusive excellence in teaching and research. As we welcome our fourth cohort of fellows, the program continues to grow and adapt every semester. We are also collaborating with CITL to design a comprehensive training program to prepare fellows before they step into the classroom.
Sept. 16, 2026 update: As we welcome our fourth cohort of fellows, the program continues to grow and adapt every semester. We are also collaborating with CITL to design a comprehensive training program to prepare fellows before they step into the classroom.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Academic Programs (#2)
Project Lead: Maine College of Engineering and Computing
Contact: Giovanna Guidoboni
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Growing RLEs and Bridge Week
Status:
In Progress
UMaine expanded Research Learning Experiences (RLEs) and enhanced Bridge Week programming to support student engagement and academic belonging. These initiatives provide early, structured opportunities for students to connect coursework with research, creativity, and community.
Sept. 16, 2026 update: UMaine Machias is exploring ways to grow and expand their Bridge Week programming for the future.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Learner-Centered R1 (#10)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contact: Scott Marzilli
Guidelines for Teaching and Learning with AI
Status:
In Progress
The University Teaching Council developed (and annually updated) guides for faculty to use to navigate the approach they wished to take to the role of AI in their course curriculum and their expectations for students use of AI.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: GenAI Literate University (#9)
Project Leads: University Leading Council
Contacts: Peter Schilling
Honors College Curriculum Revision
Status:
In Progress
In fall 2025 the Honors College launched a new four-year “Curriculum for Inquiry.” By introducing research learning in the first semester and developing skills in research and inquiry each semester thereafter, the curriculum prepares students for the culmination of their Honors experience: a work of original research, scholarship, or creative activity.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Learner-Centered R1 (#10)
Project Lead: Honors College
Contact: Ellen Weinauer
Honors College Student Leadership Council
Status:
In Progress
Replacing the Honors College Student Advisory Board, the Honors College Student Leadership Council will provide opportunities for 50+ students to shape the activities, initiatives, and curriculum of the Honors College and to advise college leadership.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Learner-Centered R1 (#10)
Project Lead: Honors College
Contact: Ellen Weinauer
National Institute for Student Success (NISS)
Status:
In Progress
UMaine has partnered with the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) to create the UMaine Student Success Playbook, an evidence-based roadmap designed to strengthen retention, graduation, and equity outcomes.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Optimize Student Support Services (#11)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contact: Scott Marzilli
Business and law Clinic
Status:
Implemented
Launched the Business and Law Clinic in partnership with Maine Law to provide free business and legal advisory services to Maine’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Academic Programs (#2)
Project Lead: Graduate School of Business
Contact: Jason Harkins
Catalog Reform
Status:
Implemented
A cross-campus task force reviewed and restructured the undergraduate catalog to improve clarity, accuracy, and usability for students and advisors. The reform supports timely degree progress, reduces barriers to completion, and improves alignment across programs. The revised catalog was published in fall 2025.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Optimize Student Support Services (#11)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contact: Jack Campbell
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Changes to pre-engineering program to broaden access
Status:
Implemented
The pre-engineering program was redesigned to broaden student pathways and improve transfer and degree completion outcomes, including a new pathway at UMaine Machias. Changes emphasize flexibility, advising clarity, and alignment with multiple engineering and STEM disciplines.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Academic Programs (#2)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contacts: Giovanna Guidoboni; Megan Walsh
Supports Machias Regional Campus
College of Education and Human Development Reorganization
Status:
Implemented
To better align the College’s shared governance structure with available resources, the College’s faculty shifted from operating as three distinct to one single unit. Doing so reduced the need for administrative course releases in the short-run and maximized available instructional time while promising to reduced decision timelines in the long-run.
Sept. 16, 2026: The reorganization has been implemented and the three school system has been disbanded. All goverance is now administered in a single unit.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Lead: College of Education and Human Development
Contact: Chris Nightingale
Fogler Landscape Design Service Learning Project
Status:
Implemented
PSE 430 student is working with Joshua Young of Facilities and UMaine Libraries’ Space and Environment Committee to develop 3 landscape design proposals for the north and east sides of Fogler Library. The design will incorporate native species adapted to Maine’s climate and fall within the scope of the UMaine grounds crew’s maintenance capacity as well as UMaine Libraries Sustainability Policy, which allows employees to volunteer for projects on campus two work days a year. This project aligns with the Libraries’ Sustainable Libraries Initiative certification.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Campus Beautification (#12)
Project Leads: Facilities Management; Fogler Library
Contacts: Josh Young, Daisy Domínguez Singh
Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Arts, and Museums (GLAAM) Group
Status:
Implemented
The GLAAM group was convened to strengthen coordination among UMaine’s cultural and knowledge-based units. The effort supports shared infrastructure, collaboration, and visibility for teaching, research, and public engagement.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Evaluating Performing and Visual Arts Facilities (#6)
Project Lead: Fogler Library
Contact: Daisy Domínguez Singh
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Gen Ed Reform
Status:
Implemented
UMaine undertook a comprehensive reform of its General Education curriculum to better align with learning outcomes, student success, and institutional priorities. The revised framework emphasizes coherence, flexibility, and skills essential for academic and professional pathways.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Academic Programs (#2)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contact: Gabe Paquette
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Honors College Transfer Pathway
Status:
In Progress
Effective Fall 2027, the Honors College will provide a second point of admission for students who have already begun their college career. Whether coming from within UMaine or transferring from another institution, students who are interested in advanced research, scholarship, or creative activity can join the Honors community and take advantage of the coursework and student success supports that we provide.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Learner-Centered R1 (#10)
Project Lead: Honors College
Contact: Ellen Weinauer
Maine College of Engineering and Computing Student (MCEC) Advisory Board
Status:
Implemented
The Student Advisory Board was established to allow undergraduate and graduate students to provide valuable input on the Maine College of Engineering and Computing.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Learner-Centered R1 (#10)
Project Lead: Maine College of Engineering and Computing
Contact: Giovanna Guidoboni
University Teaching Council (UTC), in conjunction with Faculty Senate
Status:
In Progress
UTC revised the UMaine Guidelines for Teaching and Learning with GenAI. UTC shared the information with the Faculty Senate. Review and discussions are planned for Fall 2026.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: GenAI Literate University (#9)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contact: Gabe Paquette
Workforce Training in Business
Status:
Implemented
The Maine Business School developed micro-badges and professional development training for individuals and companies focused on foundational knowledge and skills in business. Examples include Finance in a Flash, SustainME, Buy ME a Business, and Build a Better Maine.
Implementation Group: Academic Portfolio Review
Theme: Economic Development (#8)
Project Lead: Maine Business School
Contact: Jason Harkins
Administrative Business Services
Campus Safety
Status:
Implemented
UMPD continues to improve student safety (Black Bear app improvements; “Blue Light” improvements; implemented event wanding/screening for safety); UMaine formalized incident management procedures for campus safety.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Optimize Student Support Services (#11)
Project Leads: UMPD; Student Affairs
Emergency Notification
Status:
In Progress
UM continues to improve on emergency notification capabilities (updated emergency notification procedures and in the process of implementing improved SMS messaging software).
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Leads: UMPD
Faculty Activity Reporting
Status:
Implemented
UMaine is implementing Interfolio, a centralized faculty activity reporting system to streamline data collection and reporting. The system supports accreditation, annual review, workload planning, and strategic decision-making.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Lead: Academic Affairs
Contact: Deb Allen
Supports Machias Regional Campus
New UMaine Arts Website
Status:
Implemented
UMaine has created a dedicated arts website to better showcase academic programs, events, opportunities, and creative work across the arts. The site improves visibility and communication for students, prospective students, and community audiences while strengthening a unified identity for UMaine arts.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Evaluate Performing and Visual Arts Facilities (#6)
Project Lead: Division of Marketing and Communications
Contact: Brenn Borror
Strategic Marketing and Communications Integration
Status:
In Progress
UMaine advanced a more coordinated and strategic approach to marketing and communications across units. The initiative improves message consistency, enrollment outreach, and institutional storytelling.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Lead: Division of Marketing and Communications
Contact: Brenn Borror
Enterprise GenAI Access
Status:
Implemented
UMaine is expanding enterprise access to generative AI tools to support teaching, learning, research, and administrative work in a secure and responsible way. The initiative focuses on establishing shared access, guidance, and support through a rollout of enterprise license access to Gemini occurred in summer 2025.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: GenAI Literate University (#9)
Project Lead: IT
Contact: System Office
Collins Center for the Arts (CCA Task Force)
Status:
Implemented
The CCA Task Force was convened to evaluate the structure, operations, and future direction of the Collins Center for the Arts. The work informs recommendations that align arts programming with academic mission, community engagement, and financial sustainability.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Evaluate Performing and Visual Arts Facilities (#6)
Project Lead: President’s Office
Contact: Emily Haddad
Improvement in Admissions Processes
Status:
Implemented
Admissions processes were reviewed and improved to reduce friction for prospective students and increase efficiency. Changes support clearer communication, faster decision-making, and improved enrollment outcomes.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Lead: Enrollment Management
Contact: Kevin Coughlin
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Online “Student Success Coaches”
Status:
Implemented
All UMaineOnline Advisors are now International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified “Student Success Coaches.” This professional certification allows advisors to provide fully online students with personalized support in various areas to help them achieve their goals within the online learning environment.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Optimize Student Support Services (#11)
Project Lead: Division of Lifelong Learning
Contact: Hannah Carter
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Presidential Administrative Excellence Advisory Committee
Status:
Implemented
The Presidential Administrative Excellence Advisory Committee was appointed to identify opportunities for improving administrative effectiveness and service delivery. The initiative supports process improvement, cross-unit collaboration, and operational efficiency and builds on the work of the Administrative Barriers Task Force.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Lead: President’s Office
Contacts: Gabe Paquette; Jenny Boyden
Supports Machias Regional Campus
UMaine.edu Website Redesign
Status:
Implemented
UMaine redesigned its website to improve accessibility, navigation, and alignment with institutional branding. The project enhances the user experience for prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, and external audiences.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Lead: Division of Marketing and Communications
Contact: Brenn Borror
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Virtual “Student Services” Hub for Fully Online Students
Status:
Implemented
UMaine has developed a centralized virtual hub that makes it easier for fully online students to find and use key student services in one place. The hub is intended to reduce confusion, improve responsiveness, and ensure online students can access support comparable to on-campus students.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Optimize Student Support Services (#11)
Project Lead: Division of Lifelong Learning
Contact: Hannah Carter
Supports Machias Regional Campus
Athletics Website Redesign
Status:
Implemented
GoBlackBears.com has been redesigned to better align with customer needs and more accurately reflect the university’s current brand system. The redesign brings the website into Title II compliance.
Implementation Group: Administrative Business Services
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Lead: Athletics
Contact: Jude Killy
Manufacturing, Materials, and Workforce Acceleration
B.O.T. Loft & Microcredentials
Status:
Implemented
The Advanced Manufacturing Center opened the B.O.T. Loft in fall 2025 to provide workforce training, microcredentials, and K-12 programming in automation, robotics, and networking. These initiatives respond to workforce needs and provide alternative credential pathways for students and professionals.
Implementation Group: Manufacturing, Materials, and Workforce Acceleration
Themes: Economic Development (#8); Enhance Academic Programs (#2)
Project Leads: Maine College of Engineering and Computing; Office of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources, and Engagement
Contacts: Giovanna Guidoboni; Jake Ward
Research Portfolio Review
PFAS Activity
Status:
In Progress
UMaine coordinated research, testing, and outreach activities related to PFAS to support public health, environmental stewardship, and state needs. The work integrates research expertise with community and policy engagement.
Implementation Group: Research Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Research Centers (#5)
Project Leads: Multiple
Consumer Response in Agriculture
Status:
In Progress
Controlled Environment Agriculture start-ups and support ecosystem actors face uncertainty over market acceptance due to a lack of understanding on how buyers assess and value CEA-derived product attributes. This limits knowledge of strategic positioning and holds back scaling of CEA ventures and related investment. This project surveys a national sample of food purchasers and members of the produce supply chain to measure attitudes toward the new technology and the resultant products,
Implementation Group: Research Portfolio Review
Theme: Economic Development (#8)
Project Lead: Maine Business School
Contact: Jason Entsminger
Dean of Graduate School moved to report to Provost
Status:
Implemented
The reporting structure for the Dean of the Graduate School was updated to strengthen alignment with academic leadership and strategic priorities. The change supports improved coordination of graduate education and research initiatives.
Implementation Group: Research Portfolio Review
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Leads: Office of the Vice President for Research; Academic Affairs
Contacts: Gabe Paquette, Giovanna Guidoboni
VEMI Lab Restructuring
Status:
Implemented
The VEMI Lab underwent a strategic restructuring to better align with evolving funding streams. By optimizing communication and financial efficiency, the lab now empowers staff and faculty to deliver industry-standard results in both quality and turnaround time.
Implementation Group: Research Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Research Centers (#5)
Project Leads: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Maine College of Engineering and Computing
Contacts: Giovanna Guidoboni; Emily Haddad
Discontinuation of Portland Gateway
Status:
In Progress
The functions of the Portland Gateway will become an integral part of the mission of the Office of the Vice President for Research, discontinuing the Portland Gateway as a separate unit. This evolution allows us to advance the creation of innovative, interdisciplinary environments that foster learner success by integrating UMaine’s academic, research, and community engagement endeavors across the region.
Implementation Group: Research Portfolio Review
Theme: Organizational Effectiveness (#14)
Project Leads: Research
Contacts: Pips Veazey
Research Center Evaluations
Status:
In Progress
Establishing a consistent, transparent framework for the creation, operation, review, renewal, and closure of centers and institutes at the University of Maine. It ensures that centers align with the University of Maine’s strategic priorities, maintain academic and ethical standards, secure adequate resources, and contribute meaningfully to the institution’s research, education, and public-service missions.
Implementation Group: Research Portfolio Review
Theme: Enhance Research Centers (#5)
Project Leads: Research
Contacts: Sandra De Urioste-Stone
Research & Development Strategic Plan
Status:
In Progress
To establish a forward-looking, institution-wide vision and set of priorities for research and development at UMaine. The strategic plan will help identify opportunities to strengthen our research enterprise, support faculty and student success, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, enhance external partnerships and funding, and position UMaine for continued growth and impact.
Questionnaires have been conducted in the last year to develop a starting point for this process.
- Faculty questionnaire and sharing of results (barriers experience when conducting research, prioritization of efficiency recommendations; current collaborations with centers-benefits derived and potential strategies for enhancing collaborations)
- Comparative analysis of perspectives from faculty; chairs of schools/departments; directors of centers and institutes. The analysis resulted in the identification of thematic research areas of strength; key barriers to the research enterprise as experienced by all groups; prioritization of efficiency recommendations to address concerns raised by all groups.
- Research staff questionnaire will be launched this month
- For all these efforts (i.e., questionnaires, center assessment protocol) we have created planning and implementation processes that bring together diverse members of the UMaine community to help lead the collaborative efforts
Implementation Group: Research Portfolio Review
Theme: Optimize Space Allocation (#1); Enhance Research Centers (#5); Optimize External Economic Development Activities and Outreach (#8); Integrate Teaching and Research (#10); Cross-cutting Enhance Organizational Effectiveness (#14);
Project Leads: Research
Contacts: Sandra De Urioste-Stone
