UMF announces top level leadership positions for 2026-27

FARMINGTON, ME  (September 16, 2026)—University of Maine at Farmington President Joseph McDonnell announced new UMF senior leadership for the 2026-27 academic year.

Dr. Pamela MacRae has been appointed UMF Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, as of July 1, 2026. She has served as a university administrator in both a largely residential campus as well as one with extensive online courses experiences that place her at the center of UMF’s strategic direction.

“The University welcomes Dr. MacRae. She brings substantial experience as an administrator and faculty member to UMF. Over the course of her career she has provided the type of innovative and collaborative leadership that will help support UMF’s mission now and in the future,” said McDonnell.

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

“I am thrilled to serve as the vice president of academic affairs and provost at the University of Maine at Farmington,” said MacRae. “I understand the value of regional public institutions of higher education; they are transformative and social mobility drivers.”

“An accessible, inexpensive, small public university education changed my path, opened doors for me and was a leading factor in making my graduate education and career achievable. I want to ensure those same opportunities persist for students in Maine and beyond. I am excited to be part of the UMF community, to meet more of the faculty, staff and students and to have the opportunity to engage with and support such a special university,” said MacRae.

She 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, an 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.

President McDonnell also announced Dr. Erin Connor’s appointment as interim UMF Dean of the College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation. She will oversee its faculty and staff, programs, accreditation and student and community relations.

Previously, she served the University as the associate dean of graduate and continuing education providing academic leadership for multiple UMF master’s degrees and graduate certificates.

“We are excited about having Dr. Connor accept this new role overseeing UMF’s College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation,” said President McDonnell. “Dr. Connor will bring together the faculty and the larger education community to expand UMF’s programs and strengthen UMF’s reputation as a leader in teacher preparation and school administration.”

Connor worked closely with the dean and president to create programs using employer informed recruitment strategies that more than tripled credit hours in graduate education from 2019 to 2026. She also developed UMF’s Degree Completion Program that has helped non-traditional undergraduate students finish their degree and transform their careers.

“I’m honored to continue to serve the University in this new capacity,” said Connor. “I spent the first 20 years of my career as a classroom teacher. That work continues to serve as my north star. I want to support UMF’s role as the home for all educators in Maine, wherever they are in their careers, to come together to develop the skills and strategies to meet the challenges confronted by our schools.”

Prior to her time at UMF, Connor was the program director of graduate programs in education at the University of New England and an instructional technologist at Colby College. She was an English language arts teacher in Vermont, Massachusetts and at Poland Regional High School in Poland, Maine.

She earned her Ph.D. in Public Policy: Education Leadership and Policy at USM in the Muskie School of Public Policy Service, an M.S. in Education from Harvard University and a B.A. in English Literature from Swarthmore College.

More on University of Maine at Farmington

A nationally recognized regional public university known for its commitment to the creative arts, teacher preparation, the health arts and sciences, the environment, business and public service, UMF provides a challenging yet supportive environment to prepare students for both careers and further study. Located in the heart of Maine’s four-season outdoor recreational region, UMF is a welcoming, close-knit academic community that prepares students for enriching professional careers, engaged citizenship and an enduring love of learning.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:
Image: https://farmington.edu/app/uploads/2026/09/RP267-005A.webp
Photo Caption: Dr. Pamela MacRae
Photo Credit: UMF Image

Image: https://farmington.edu/app/uploads/2026/09/RP267-005B.webp
Photo Caption: Dr. Erin Connor
Photo Credit: UMF Image