Leadership, at its core, is about more than guiding an institution forward — it is about inspiring people, shaping opportunities, and creating spaces where others can thrive. True leaders bring not only vision but also empathy, resilience, and a belief in the power of education and community to transform lives. At a time when higher education faces evolving challenges and shifting expectations, the mark of strong leadership lies in building bridges between tradition and innovation, while keeping students at the center of every decision.
At the University of Southern Maine, that leadership is embodied by Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, the university’s 14th president. Since assuming the role in 2022, Dr. Edmondson has drawn upon more than two decades of academic leadership and a personal journey of being the first in her family to attend college. Her commitment to educational access, student belonging, and the transformative role of the arts and humanities has stabilized USM through challenging times and set it on a path of purposeful growth.
With a vision rooted in equity and opportunity, she continues to shape USM into a place where students, faculty, and the broader community feel seen, supported, and inspired to achieve their full potential.
Leadership Rooted in Experience and Passion for Learning
Having been a first-generation college student, Dr. Edmondson fully grasps the potential of education to change lives; consequently, she has devoted her career to enabling the success of others. She began as a preschool and kindergarten teacher, where she developed a passion for how children acquire reading, writing, and language skills. This interest motivated her to pursue further studies, and with encouragement from her graduate professors, she earned her Ph.D.
Her professional journey led her to Penn State University in 2000 as an assistant professor, followed by a succession of leadership positions with increasing responsibility. In 2017, she accepted the challenge of leading a Penn State campus and is proud of initiating impactful programs there, including community partnerships to bridge community divides, advancing students’ digital fluency, and supporting local entrepreneurship. After the pandemic, Dr. Edmondson sought new opportunities and found her next chapter at the University of Southern Maine, an institution she recognized for its growth and potential.
Navigating the Challenge of Voice for Women Leaders
Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson acknowledges that finding and using one’s “voice” can be especially challenging for women in leadership roles, and she regularly engages in conversations with other women about their experiences of being heard, understood, and respected as they take on more responsibility.
She shares, “There have been times when I have had women say to me that they need to ‘talk like a man,’ and I’m never sure if that means a woman needs to have a deeper or louder voice to be heard (although not all men have deep and loud voices) — or does this mean that women need to be more direct in their communication, particularly when they are at tables where there are mostly, if not all, men (again, recognizing that not all men communicate in a direct style)?”.
As she continues to navigate these challenges, Dr. Edmondson focuses on communicating effectively with diverse groups. She notes, “I am a soft-spoken person, and I don’t aim to change that in any way. Yet when I am in conversations, I find myself strategizing about how I can most effectively use my voice and be heard. Often, I find that I work hard to use as few words as possible to make my point. I don’t know if that is really about my gender and my voice, but instead, if I am in a meeting, it is probably more about the fact that time can be limited and I want to be sure as many voices as possible are heard”.
Notable Achievements of Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson at USM
- The Crewe Center for the Arts & All-Steinway School
- Creation of the Office for Commercialization
- Stabilized Enrollment and Budget
- Established a Strong Leadership Team
- Strengthened Partnerships with the University of Maine System and with community and business organizations.
Integrating Arts and Humanities Across Disciplines
Dr. Edmondson prioritizes placing the arts and humanities at the heart of the University of Southern Maine’s mission. She believes that creativity and innovation are essential for the future, and that students will become better professionals—whether as nurses, teachers, engineers, or business leaders—when they have meaningful experiences with the arts. To advance this vision, she is leading the formation of an Arts & Humanities In Action Committee this year, tasked with developing strategies to expand and deepen the impact of the arts and humanities across USM.
Rooted in Community, Focused on Innovation
The University of Southern Maine is fully committed to innovation, community engagement, and social impact. As a public regional institution, USM’s core mission is committing to equity and excellence. It advances a culture of inquiry and belonging in which research, creativity, and innovation accelerate transformational development in its students, on the campuses, and in its communities. Rooted deeply in the community, the university actively serves local workforce and societal needs. USM’s social impact extends beyond education by providing transformative experiences for students while influencing the world through impactful research and innovative solutions.
University of Southern Maine: Key Statistics
- First All-Steinway institution in Maine
- 6% growth in incoming undergraduate class
- 4 new degree programs (pending confirmation)
- 75% of in-state tuition & fees covered by Gift Aid
- 60% of out-of-state tuition & fees covered by Gift Aid
- 36% of graduating undergraduates complete their degrees debt-free
- Over 90% of students receive some form of Gift Aid
Building Bridges for Collaborative Innovation
The University of Southern Maine has launched a new partnership with the New England Ocean Cluster to create the Office of Commercialization, marking a significant investment in Maine’s economic future. This office supports students, faculty, and alumni in transforming ideas into real-world innovations across all disciplines. Whether an idea arises in a lab, a business plan, or a casual conversation, the university provides the resources, connections, and guidance necessary to help these innovations grow.
Through the Office of Commercialization, USM aims to help innovators protect intellectual property, connect entrepreneurs with funding, partners, and markets, and offer expert advice on business models and scaling strategies. A key focus is fostering a collaborative community where people from diverse fields can share knowledge and support each other throughout their growth stages.
Additionally, USM is launching the USM Forum on American Democracy, a year-long public series hosted by President Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson. The forum engages the campus and broader community in discussions on the foundations and future of democracy. The inaugural theme is pluralism, exploring its impact, challenges, and potential to shape civic life today. The first event, featuring speaker Eboo Patel, will take place on September 3rd.
Connecting Learning to Real-World Careers
Dr. Edmondson believes that some of the greatest challenges in higher education today are also opportunities for growth and innovation. The landscape is evolving with increased public skepticism about the value of higher education, questions about return on investment from prospective students, advances in artificial intelligence creating information faster than traditional methods, and shifting federal policies affecting research funding and financial aid. This moment represents an inflection point that calls for adaptation to continue fulfilling the core mission of educating the public.
At USM, the approach is to meet these challenges head-on by prioritizing professional programs such as nursing, education, engineering, and business, while ensuring that the arts and humanities remain integral to every student’s education. The university promotes polymathy to equip students for future jobs and the rapidly changing world. Early and ongoing opportunities for internships and career connections help students see how their academic interests translate into real-world employment. USM is also focusing on communicating its broader impact on Maine’s economy and quality of life, highlighting how research, teaching, and service positively affect people and communities.
Celebrating Leadership Through Media
Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson’s leadership and the University of Southern Maine have been featured in several notable publications. She co-authored an article in University Business, and she has also been interviewed by CEO Magazine. These pieces provide valuable insights into her vision and accomplishments at USM and reflect the university’s ongoing impact and growth.
Building Empowered Women Leaders in Higher Education
Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson believes that empowering women leaders in higher education starts with establishing a clear vision that they truly believe in and then rallying others to support it. She emphasizes that being heard and respected is essential for effective leadership. To achieve this, she stresses the importance of always being well-prepared, thoughtfully considering strategies and priorities, and communicating in a concise and clear manner.
Leadership Built on Talent and Collaboration
Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson is fortunate to work with an exceptionally talented Cabinet and group of deans at USM. She believes in hiring the smartest, most creative, and motivated individuals, then creating an environment where they can thrive and perform at their best. It is essential that her leadership team shares a strong commitment to the university’s mission. When united by this commitment, they are able to collaborate effectively, solve problems, and advance USM’s goals—even when they don’t always agree. The professional relationships within the leadership team are a vital component of the university’s continued success.
Leading with Scholarship and Purpose
Dr. Edmondson approaches her leadership much like her academic work as a scholar. She prioritizes making time to read, think, write, and study, which helps her maintain perspective by understanding both the historical context and the current landscape of higher education. Coming to leadership from a strong academic background, she believes that the knowledge, skills, and habits developed as a scholar should continue to guide her work in higher education leadership.
She also constantly reminds herself of the vital role education plays in a democratic society. Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson is deeply committed to public education, believing it to be every citizen’s right and responsibility. She takes pride in leading a public institution that offers accessible and affordable education, while also engaging the wider community through programs such as those for K-12 students, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and other public offerings
Open Letter for Emerging Leaders
Dear Emerging Leaders,
I believe it is essential to always remember the privilege inherent in working in higher education. As academic leaders, we are surrounded by some of the smartest and most innovative individuals, all dedicated to advancing knowledge and educating the next generation. Each day offers new opportunities to learn and to deepen our understanding in meaningful ways.
I also encourage seeking out the ‘quiet people.’ Often, in leadership roles, the loudest voices are those expressing concerns or challenges. Yet, many individuals quietly do excellent work and find joy in their roles. Spending time with these individuals can provide much-needed inspiration and perspective.
With these thoughts, I offer encouragement to the next generation of leaders to embrace both learning and connection as they lead with purpose and empathy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson
5 Key Takeaways from Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson’s Inspiring Journey
- She’s a first-generation student herself. Dr. Edmondson knows firsthand the power of education to change lives because she was the first in her family to go to college. This experience fuels her passion for making higher education accessible to everyone.
- She’s a leader who listens and adapts. Dr. Edmondson is a self-described “soft-spoken” leader who works hard to make her voice heard effectively. She believes in using as few words as possible to make her point and values the importance of hearing from many different voices in a room, not just the loudest ones.
- She values the arts and humanities. While USM is expanding professional programs, she strongly believes that the arts and humanities are essential for all students, no matter their major. She thinks these subjects help students become more creative, well-rounded professionals.
- She is a collaborator. Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson’s leadership style focuses on teamwork. She hires talented people and creates an environment where they can succeed, emphasizing that a shared commitment to the university’s mission is key to working together effectively, even when there are disagreements.
- She wants to make a real-world impact. Under her leadership, USM is focused on connecting learning to careers. The university is creating new partnerships and offices, like the Office of Commercialization, to help students and faculty turn their ideas into real-world innovations that benefit the community and the economy.
