VPAA candidate drops out; committee names replacement

One of three finalist for the vice president of academic affairs vacancy, Daniel P. Donaldson, withdrew his candidacy and is replaced by Bruno G. Hicks, dean of the school of education, Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts.  

Donaldson, of San Diego, scheduled for an on-campus interview Tuesday, withdrew his candidacy after accepting a position at another institution. VPAA Search Committee Chair Ann Burke notified the campus about Donaldson’s withdrawal and Hicks’ selection in an email Monday morning. He was among the 24 candidates who applied for the VPAA position, left vacant after Charles Snare announced his January retirement back in August.  

The other two finalists are James Powell, dean of professional studies and applied sciences at CSC, and Karen A. Meisch, interim dean of the college of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee. 

Powell’s on-campus interview is scheduled for today and Meisch’s is set for Nov. 12.  

Hicks’ CV states he earned his Doctorate of Education from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1995. He is scheduled for an on-campus interview on Nov.19.  

Before serving as dean at Fitchburg State, he was a professor of education and environmental studies and chair of the division of education at UMFK, 1999-2010 and 2013-16. He served as co-director of the environmental studies and the director of field studies program at UMFK, 2011-16. He was the director of expedition studies at UMFK, 1983-87. 

He also is a graduate faculty member at the University of Maine, 2015-present, and at the University of Southern Maine, 2010-present.