Robert Cobb
Dean, College of Education and Human Development
Professor of Education

Dr. Robert Cobb first joined the University of Maine as a faculty member in Kinesiology & Physical Education in fall 1969.  From 1977 to 2007, as Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, he provided stability, vision and leadership to the University with a rich sense of compassion and humor.

A master collaborator and strategist, Bob has been committed to the land-grant tripartite mission. Through his leadership, advocacy and policy skills, he has firmly established UMaine’s reputation as a statewide asset, and regional and national resource for innovative instruction and research-based response to needs and issues. He never used lack of finances as an excuse to delay serving students, the campus and the state well. 

Despite numerous requests to consider higher leadership positions at UMaine, Bob chose to work through the deanship to strengthen the University’s connections with PreK-12 schools, build partnerships and influence policy at the state level. His leadership style was courageous and inclusive, which is one reason he has been the go-to person for UMaine administrators and state educational leaders seeking his institutional wisdom, foresight, and astute analysis of complex situations. 

His commitment to developing working partnerships between public schools and the University has been instrumental in the establishment of successful collaborative networks and initiatives at the state, regional and national levels. He has helped shape and support policies and processes for continuing educational reform. For example:

• Recognizing that a constant stream of unbiased data is essential to
informed decision making and effective policy, Bob supported the establishment and growth of research, evaluation and intervention units within the College that have far-reaching implications for the University, such as the creation of the national Journal of Rural Education in 1982, the Center for Research and Evaluation in 1985, the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine), the Center for Literacy, and the Institute for the Study of Students At Risk (in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education).

• Appreciating the lifelong lessons gained through participation in sports, Dean Cobb conceived, secured federal funding and oversaw the University’s increasingly popular initiative to enhance the sports learning experience. Sports Done Right ™ is now an emerging national model for guiding the improvement of interscholastic and youth sports programs in Maine and across the country through community-based consensus, commitment and action.

• Setting the standard for expectations that teachers enter the classroom with relevant technology skills, Bob distinguished the University of Maine as the first teacher preparation program in the state to require laptop computers of Education majors in the College.

• Leading efforts between eight area school districts to share resources and knowledge to improve teaching and learning at all levels, Dean Cobb transformed the Penobscot River Educational Partnership (PREP) into a true University/Public School collaboration.  Bob’s inclusive approach to actively involve the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Business, Public Policy and Health as members of PREP has heightened the University’s reputation.

In short, through smart original work, judicious collaboration and total commitment to reaching and serving students of all ages, Bob has represented –and brought – the University’s mission and opportunities to every school and community in Maine, to the media and to the policy makers.

A Maine native with a work ethic shaped on the family dairy farm, he was a benevolent leader with the highest expectations of his colleagues. Thank you Bob Cobb for everything.  You have added immense value to students, the college and the university.