Birds eye view of Merrill Hall building in the fall.

Leadership Team

University of Maine at Farmington Leadership

The leadership team at the University of Maine at Farmington is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. Led by the university’s president, the team includes administrators who oversee key areas such as academic affairs, student life, finance and administration, enrollment, and diversity and inclusion.

Smiling middle-aged man in a pink shirt and red tie signs a document at his desk, with a computer monitor and lamp in the background.

Dr. Joseph McDonnell – President

Dr. Joseph McDonnell is the President of the University of Maine at Farmington, bringing extensive experience in higher education leadership and innovation. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Professor of Policy, Planning and Management at the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine (USM), where he also held roles as Dean of the College of Management and Human Services, USM Provost, and Interim Dean of the School of Business.

Before his time in Maine, Dr. McDonnell was a Research Professor at Stony Brook University in New York and held senior leadership positions in the private sector. Known for building academic programs that respond to workforce needs, he has led initiatives such as a doctoral program in Education Leadership and a Tourism and Hospitality program—examples of the student- and community-focused partnerships he champions.

At UMF, Dr. McDonnell supports the university’s mission of academic excellence, public service, and innovation.

Dr. Pamela MacRae – Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost

Dr. Pamela MacRae serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost at the University of Maine at Farmington. Dr. MacRae has served as a university administrator in both a largely residential campus as well as one with extensive online courses – experiences that places her at the center of UMF’s strategic direction.

Dr. MacRae comes to UMF from the University of Maine at Augusta where she served as Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Environmental Science and Biology. She previously held the position of Distance Education Dean of Environmental Conservation and Research and Dean of the School of Biodiversity Conservation at Unity College, where she also served as the Director of their Honors Program and as a faculty member.

Dr. MacRae earned a Ph.D. in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University, a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Toronto and B.S. in Biology and Honors Certificate from Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia. She conducted her postdoctoral scholar research at Florida State University. Dr. MacRae is a field-based fish community ecologist, and her research has focused on exploring the links between fish community structure and environmental variables in marine, freshwater and estuarine habitats.

At UMF Dr. MacRae oversees the Offices of the Registrar, Disability and Testing Services, Mantor Library, Teaching and Learning Collaborative, Advising and Academic Affairs.

Dr. Christine Wilson – Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

Dr. Christine Wilson serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at the University of Maine at Farmington. She brings over 25 years of experience in student affairs, with a strong background in leadership development, Title IX administration, student engagement, and residential life.

Before joining UMF, Dr. Wilson held several leadership positions, including Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Student Activities at the University of Connecticut, where she also taught in the graduate program in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Her previous roles span multiple institutions, including the University of Rhode Island, University of Baltimore, SUNY–New Paltz, and Penn State University.

Dr. Wilson earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Rhode Island, a Master’s in College Student Personnel, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Indiana State University. At UMF, she is dedicated to enhancing the student experience and supporting student success across campus.

Laurie Gardner – Chief Business Officer

Laurie Gardner serves as the Chief Business Officer at the University of Maine at Farmington, where she has been a dedicated member of the campus community since 1989. Over the years, she has held a variety of roles, ultimately leading to her current leadership position overseeing the university’s financial and administrative operations.

Gardner is deeply committed to UMF’s mission of personal growth and student-centered learning, and she values working at an institution that supports the success of every student.

Beyond UMF, she actively contributes to the broader community. She serves on the Board of Directors for Franklin County Network (fcNet), which promotes higher education opportunities in the region, and is the Treasurer for Western Maine Community Action (WMCA), a nonprofit focused on addressing economic hardship and advocating for systemic change to reduce poverty.

Katherine Yardley – Dean of Education, Health and Rehabilitation

Dr. Katherine Yardley is the Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Rehabilitation at UMF, a role she assumed in 2023. She has held leadership positions at UMF since 1995, including Associate Provost, Dean, and Chair of the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Beginning her UMF career in 1987 as an Assistant Professor and Educational Director of the Sweatt-Winter Child Care Center, she earned tenure in 1992 and became a full professor in 1998.

Dr. Yardley has been deeply engaged in institutional leadership and teacher education accreditation at both state and national levels. She has served on numerous leadership councils, developed graduate education programs, and contributed to accreditation efforts for UMF and the State of Maine. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Bowdoin College and an M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Steven Quackenbush – Dean of Arts & Science

Dr. Quackenbush is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Steven Quackenbush completed his Ph.D. in social-personality psychology at Kansas State University in 1996. As a UMF faculty member, Dr. Quackenbush has taught a broad range of courses, including General Psychology (PSY 101), Adulthood and Aging (PSY 226), and Cognitive Psychology (PSY 314). His scholarly interests include the history of psychology and narrative approaches to the study of lifespan personality development. Dr. Quackenbush’s recent publications have explored issues relevant to the narrative structure of personal identity as well as the general problem of theoretical unification in the social sciences. Of his various accomplishments, Dr. Quackenbush is especially proud of his long track record of involving undergraduate students in original research.

Contact the Office of the President

University of Maine at Farmington
Merrill Hall
224 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938
tel 207-778-7256
fax 207-778-8189
TYT (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711