Dr. Edward Serna, an innovative education and business leader currently serving as interim chancellor of the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, begins his UMF presidency July 1.
By Marc Glass with photos by Bob Bailie, May 2019
On Tuesday, May 22, shortly after 1 p.m., the UMF community gave an effusive welcome to the University’s new President.
With his family proudly looking on, Dr. Edward Serna responded in kind by telling a crowd of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community members of his passion for the conversations and work to come.
Dr. Edward Serna responds to well wishes as University of Maine System Chancellor Dr. James Page announces his appointment. At his side, left to right, are his daughter Anna Kate; wife, Lauren; and daughter Caroline.
“I’m excited,” said Serna, who will begin the 15th presidency at UMF on July 1. “I’m eager to get on the ground and start talking to people. I want to talk to you about what you love about this place, what drew you here, what has kept you here, but also what troubles you. I want to talk about great ideas you have, but also the concerns you have. I think that is the path to doing something special here.”
Serna told the gathering that in delivering his remarks he would follow the best career advice he’s ever received — just speak from the heart — given to him by his wife, Lauren, the associate director of development at UAFS.
Serna, who is currently serving as interim chancellor of the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS), brings a diverse and innovative background in business and education to UMF. His professional accomplishments include leading change management and process re-engineering initiatives in public higher education as well as large, private-sector enterprises, the U.S. Army, and NASA. His work at UAFS, a public, four-year university with an enrollment of 6,600 students and an annual budget of $80 million, has included leading initiatives focused on student success, student retention, and data-driven innovation.
Among the recruitment and retention initiatives developed under Serna’s leadership is the UAFS Promise program, which provides students with fixed tuition and a streamlined pathway to graduation in return for a student commitment to make satisfactory academic progress and adhere to advising guidance.
In explaining his vision for UMF, Serna said, “We need to do a great job of going to where the puck will be, as some people say. We need to continue to develop those new programs and those new partnerships that serve the state and the citizens of Maine.”
Serna holds a doctorate of education in higher education from the University of Alabama, a master’s in management information systems from Auburn University, a master of science in industrial management from Clemson University, and a bachelor of science in business administration from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.
After working as a senior business analyst and strategic management consultant in the private sector, Serna entered higher education as an assistant professor of management in Athens State University’s College of Business. Prior to serving as interim chancellor, he was chief of staff and associate vice chancellor for external funding and chief of staff and vice chancellor for strategic initiatives at UAFS.
“Dr. Edward Serna is an innovative and impactful higher education leader with broad experience leading change in both the private and public sector,” said University of Maine System Chancellor Dr. James Page in an announcement of Serna’s appointment to the media. “He shares our commitment to measuring our progress in terms of student and state success. The Board and I were also impressed by many of the initiatives achieved under his leadership in Arkansas, noting how well aligned his accomplishments are with the strategic priorities that will guide and expedite educational reform in Maine over the next five years. It is a pleasure to welcome Edward, Lauren, and their daughters to Maine and the University of Maine at Farmington.”
In explaining what drew him and his family to Farmington, Serna spoke of powerful impressions formed during their two days on campus earlier this spring.
On behalf of the Serna family, Caroline receives a complimentary bag of UMF swag from Chompers at a reception in Mantor Library.
“You can read about the rich history you have as Maine’s first public University, but until you step foot on the ground, as we did a few weeks ago, you can’t really appreciate it. I know we’ve just begun to scratch the surface, but those two days we spent with you meant so much to us,” he said.
“I think the opportunity to speak with students, faculty, and staff was so impactful, because we understood what a special place this is, how much passion and pride there is for it, and how warm everyone was. It’s more than the warmth of just being welcoming. I think it goes to the core of who you are as a community,” he continued. “When Lauren and I got back on the plane to head back to Arkansas, we talked about it and we said this is the kind of community where we want to raise our girls. And this is the kind of community where we think we can have an impact. That means everything to us.”
UMF’s new “first family,” proudly sporting their spirit gear.