The University of Maine at Presque Isle has welcomed 12 new faculty and staff members between last spring and the first part of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Corazon Ardell joins UMPI as the Administrative Specialist at the Houlton Higher Education Center. Ardell has experience not only as an administrative specialist, but also as a bookkeeper, contract administrator, and bank teller. She has additionally served as a volunteer for the English as a Second Language program with the Brownsville Adult Literacy Program in Brownsville, Texas.

Leslie Brown is UMPI’s COVID Testing Coordinator. An Armed Services Veteran, she has worked as a Competitive Skills Scholarship Program Case Manager and a Disabled Veteran’s Outreach Case Manager for the Maine Department of Labor. While in the service, Brown worked with hundreds of soldiers as a senior leader and command advisor.

Dr. Susan Chang joins UMPI as the new Dean of Competency-Based and Degree Completion Programs. Dr. Chang comes to UMPI from Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts, where she was the Dean of the Faculty Center for Professional Development and Curriculum Innovation. She previously held positions as the Director of Assessment and Research at Northeastern University and the Director of Assessment at Framingham State University. Prior to moving to administrative positions, she was an Assistant Professor at Ball State University.

Sydney Churchill is UMPI’s new Athletic Trainer. A 2017 graduate of UMPI’s Athletic Training program, she has worked extensively with athletic teams and within the clinical setting. She returns to UMPI from Texas where she worked as a Health Science/Sports Medicine Practicum Teacher and an Athletic Trainer.

Sloan Dionne joins UMPI as the new Assistant Director of Gentile Hall and Aquatics Director. A 2003 UMPI graduate, she worked for the City of Presque Isle for more than 20 years, serving as the assistant aquatics director for several years and as aquatics director since 2011. Prior to her time with the city, she worked at the YMCA and YWCA in Bangor as an assistant aquatics director. A regional aquatics resource, she trains lifeguards in the area, has conducted the Red Cross CPR classes for the region, and organizes the area’s Special Olympics Aquatics program.

Jonathan Hopkins joins UMPI as a Structural Specialist in Facilities Management. He has extensive construction and structural experience, having owned his own carpentry business and worked with a company installing security and fire alarm systems. He will be responsible for various painting, refinishing and carpentry projects around campus.

Roland Jandreau is the new Administrative Specialist in the Campus Center, working in the mail room. He most recently was a temporary Facilities Maintenance Worker. He previously served as a combat medic for the United States Army.

Spencer McBreairty is the new Director of Campus Engagement. Originally from Allagash, Maine, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Science in Human Relations from Husson University. A former TRiO Upward Bound student, he has worked for the past seven years in Residence Life and Student Affairs. He most recently served as the Residence Director for Sienna College in Loudonville, New York.

Evann Myhre joins UMPI as an Administrative Specialist supporting the Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant and University Advancement. They have extensive secretarial and administrative experience, having worked at Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital and ACAP. They are also a licensed massage therapist with their own practice.

Reed Nonken is the new Assistant Professor of Project and Supply Chain Management in the Business program. He has been a part-time faculty member at UMPI for many years, and brings extensive experience to his new role. He has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of management and leadership positions, including Operations, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Information Technology, and Systems Integration, throughout numerous different business environments (aerospace manufacturing, human and animal health, retail, large/small, foreign and domestic owned, and union/non-union environments).

Shannon Sleeper is UMPI’s new Director of University Experience. She has taught for many years at UMPI as a part-time faculty member. She also brings valuable experience, having worked in the public K-12 sector. She earned a Master of Science in Education with Specialization: Literacy and Learning in Content, and has a certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership.

Kathryn “Kate” Wrigley-White is UMPI’s new Admissions Counselor. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus in child development and is currently working towards a Master’s degree with the same focus. She comes to UMPI with admissions experience in higher education. She is a member of The National Society for Leadership and Success, and was MSAD #1’s representative for the Maine Department of Education’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Board.

Also, last November, UMPI welcomed Betsy Sawhill Espe as its Chief Business Officer. Sawhill Espe comes to UMPI with an extensive financial and higher education background, having worked all over the world at prestigious universities. She most recently worked as the Executive Director for the Laureate Al Kharj Female College of Excellence in Saudi Arabia. She is also an active volunteer, working as a VITA/TCE Tax Volunteer as well as with the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy and Guiding Eyes for the Blind, among others.

The following part-time faculty also have joined campus since Spring 2021: Kristen Murray, Corey Rink, Kristy Nadeau, Kimberly Barnes, Allison Britton, Allyn Ladner, Chip Boaz, Kayla Brown, and Helana Brigman.

In addition to these new faculty and staff, several familiar faces have taken on new titles or accepted new positions: Laurie Boucher, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid; Matthew Bridges, Lead Facilities Maintenance Worker; Jennifer Buzza, Professional Advisor; Jessica Cameron, Senior Admissions Counselor; Jeff Cummings, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Ken Ervin, TRIO College Access Talent Search Advisor/Family and CPP Coordinator; Lynnelle Foster, Bursar; Corey Giberson, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Angelita Hernandez, Library Specialist CL2; Janelle Humphrey, TRIO College Access Services Administrative Coordinator and Data/Tracking Specialist; Mitchell James, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Kimberly Jones, Associate Professor of Business; Al Levesque, Structural Supervisor; Dr. Jacqui Lowman, Professor of English; Dr. Wendi Malenfant, Associate Professor of Education; Kim Masse, Mechanical Supervisor; William More, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Nancy Nichols, Administrative Specialist CL2; Danielle Pelkey, Assistant Director of Financial Aid; Nancy Pierce, Budget Manager and Senior Financial Analyst; Jay Robinson, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Lisa Smith, Special Assistant to the President; Jeff Stevens, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Teri St.Pierre, Director of Early College; Donald Sutton, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Donna White, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2; Mark Woodman, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2.