With the strong support of the campus and community, University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy recently appointed Joseph McDonnell to a two-year term as President of the University of Maine at Farmington. He had previously been appointed to a two-year Interim President position.

In a message to UMF faculty, staff, and students, Chancellor Malloy wrote, “President McDonnell has worked tirelessly and collaboratively over the past two years with faculty, administrators, students, staff, external partners and University of Maine System colleagues to stem UMF’s declining enrollment, stabilize its budget, improve internal communications and position the university for near-term and long-term success.”

“UMF’s extraordinary faculty and staff have stepped up to collaborate and innovate, and we are seeing our efforts deliver new students, revenue, and possibilities,” President McDonnell said.

“I am pleased with the progress we are making — including UMF’s first balanced budget in recent memory — and grateful to be working with such a dedicated group of administrators, faculty, staff, and community members committed to serving our students and western Maine. A vibrant, healthy university is now within our reach, and I look forward to leading UMF into its promising future.”

McDonnell had most recently been a Professor of Policy, Planning and Management in the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine (USM), where he previously served as Dean of the College of Management and Human Services, and later as USM Provost.

Before his service at USM, McDonnell was Interim Dean of the School of Business and was a Research Professor at Stony Brook University in New York. He has also held senior leadership positions in the private sector.

UMF Interim President Joseph McDonnell
University of Maine at Farmington President Joseph McDonnell

McDonnell brings to Farmington higher education executive leadership experience and a track record of creating innovative academic programming through partnerships that meet student and employer needs, including in areas aligned with UMF’s strengths.

At USM, for example, McDonnell initiated a doctoral degree in Education Leadership as a joint venture between the Muskie and Education schools and a growing program in Tourism and Hospitality.

McDonnell’s key priorities as President will be improving student recruitment and retention, pursuing collaborative academic and community partnerships, promoting inclusivity and transparency, producing balanced budgets, and continuing to lead the University’s transition from a four-credit hour operating model to the three-credit model used by all other University of Maine System universities and most higher education institutions.


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
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711