University of Maine System awards tenure to 33 faculty

AUGUSTA, Maine - The University of Maine System (UMS) is recognizing the outstanding teaching, research and public service of 33 faculty members by awarding them tenure.

The tenure applications unanimously approved by the UMS Board of Trustees at their regular meeting held Monday at the University of Maine at Augusta follow multiple levels of review and recommendation, including by peers, leadership of the faculty member's department and university, external stakeholders and the Board's Academic and Student Affairs Committee.

"Conferring tenure is both one of the Trustees' greatest responsibilities and one of our most meaningful opportunities to invest in the long-term strength of Maine's public universities. Tenure recognizes faculty whose teaching, research and service improve the quality and reputation of our institutions," said Chair Trish Riley. "This year's cohort reflects the extraordinary talent across our universities and reinforces the value of a University of Maine System education for tuition and taxpayers."

"Earning tenure is a significant achievement that reflects sustained leadership and excellence in teaching, research and service - and a deep commitment to the success of our students and the state," said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. "I want to congratulate these 33 faculty members, who elevate the academic experience we offer, expand opportunities for our students and advance the workforce and innovations that strengthen Maine's economy and communities. These are a powerful reminder that there is no better place to pursue high-quality, high-value education and cutting-edge research than at Maine's public universities."

The tenure approvals made Monday are effective July 1 for faculty with fiscal-year appointments and Sept. 1 for those with academic-year appointments. Those promoted include:

University of Maine:
Jonathan Barron, Professor (Tenure), English
Noah Charney, Associate Professor with Tenure, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology
Melissa Cuba, Associate Professor with Tenure, Special Education
Katherine Weatherford Darling, Associate Professor with Tenure, Health Science
Philip Fanning, Associate Professor with Tenure, Agricultural Entomology
Kathleen Gillon, Associate Professor with Tenure, Higher Education
Lisa Kerr, Professor (Tenure), Fisheries
Jonathan Malacarne, Associate Professor with Tenure, Agricultural Economics
Gilbert Moss, Associate Professor with Tenure, Mathematics
Neel Patel, Associate Professor with Tenure, Mathematics
Franziska Peterson, Associate Professor with Tenure, Mathematics
Daniel Puhlman, Associate Professor with Tenure, Family Studies
Jane Puhlman, Associate Professor with Tenure, Communication Sciences
Nimesha Ranasinghe, Associate Professor with Tenure, Spatial Informatics
Jessica Salley Riccardi, Associate Professor with Tenure, Communication Sciences
Johanna Bard Richlin, Associate Professor with Tenure, Anthropology
Jane Wang, Associate Professor with Tenure, Mathematics

University of Maine at Augusta
Erin Bellaire, Associate Professor with Tenure, Nursing
Lisa Heald, Associate Professor with Tenure, Nursing

University of Maine at Farmington
Stephen Grandchamp, Associate Professor with Tenure, Literature and Digital Humanities

University of Maine at Fort Kent
Michael Curran, Associate Professor (Tenure), Business
Lisa Lavoie, Associate Professor with Tenure, Behavioral Science

University of Maine at Presque Isle
Richard Simpson, Associate Professor (Tenure), English

University of Southern Maine
Ibukun Alegbeleye, Associate Professor with Tenure, Leadership and Organizational Studies
Scott Eaton, Associate Professor with Tenure, Mechanical Engineering
Brandon Eberly, Associate Professor with Tenure, Physics
Kimberly Giamportone, Associate Professor with Tenure, Social Work
Joseph Lasley, Associate Professor with Tenure, Leadership and Organizational Studies
Meredith Madden, Associate Professor with Tenure, Athletic Training
Ragini Saira Malhotra, Associate Professor with Tenure, Sociology
Catherine Miller, Associate Professor with Tenure, Microbiology
Sarah Wilkinson, Associate Professor with Tenure, Special Education

University of Maine School of Law
Scott Bloomberg, Professor (Tenure), Law

About the University of Maine System

The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state's largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit https://www.maine.edu.

Media Contact:

Samantha WarrenChief External & Governmental Affairs Officer207-632-0389 / [email protected]