University of Maine at Presque Isle President Don Zillman announced Friday that he will resign at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year and return full time to academic pursuits. He has served as UMPI’s president since 2006.

The University of Maine System Board of Trustees had renewed Zillman’s contract to serve as UMPI’s President until June 30, 2013; however, Zillman has decided to step down after graduation in Spring 2012 for a number of reasons. The move will give him more flexibility to spend time with his family in New Mexico. It also will allow him to return to his position as tenured Edward S. Godfrey Professor of Law at the University of Maine School of Law. His option to return to that position expires on June 30, 2012.

“This is a good time for new leadership at UMPI,” President Zillman said. “We have accomplished much in troubled times over the last five years. We will do much more this year that we will be announcing soon. But, much remains to be done under strong, new leadership.”

The UMS Board of Trustees will review President Zillman’s resignation during its Sept. 19 meeting. A search committee then will be formed to begin a national search during the 2011-2012 academic year, with the successful candidate expected to begin work in summer 2012. The new president would come on board at the beginning of a new Chancellor’s leadership at the University of Maine System.

Reflecting on his time at UMPI, Zillman said, “I have richly enjoyed working with the campus and the Aroostook County community during the past several years. What started as an emergency fill-in for two years has been the most rewarding and challenging work in my career. I will miss it greatly and look forward to staying connected with UMPI when I return to full time teaching and academic research in Maine.”