Kathryn Olmstead
Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Kathryn Olmstead has had a long and distinguished career in academia and as a journalist. At the University of Maine she was the founding director of Maine Center for Student Journalism and ran the Center for ten years. During that time, she organized regional groups and activities around the state, created a speakers bureau to bring together journalists with classes and school newspaper staffs, started a newsletter, and developed an annual student newspaper contest.

Kathryn joined the Dean’s office five years ago and has been a warm and welcoming presence in the College - always calm, cordial, attentive, respectful and positive. She has a knack for conveying sincere empathy while also promoting quality and high standards. In addition to carrying out the varied associate dean responsibilities needed to keep the college running, Kathryn was the driving force behind new programs that have enriched the lives of students, faculty and alumni. For example, the college’s annual “Top of the Class” celebration of first year students with outstanding first semester GPAs was Kathryn’s brainchild. This program will live beyond Kathryn’s tenure in the college and is just one example of her lasting impact.

Kathryn’s passion for journalism, community and enriching the lives of others has an outlet in her quarterly magazine, ECHOES: Rediscovering Community which she founded over twenty years ago. She continues to serve as the magazine’s editor, distributor and the center of the community that keeps it going.

While Kathryn is retiring after twenty-five years at UMaine, she will continue to add to the quality of the lives of the small legion of people to whom she is a dear friend. Kathryn, the University of Maine is a better place because of your dedication to our mission. Thank you for your service and best wishes in retirement.