Dean’s Office
Jeff Hecker
Dean
Professor of Psychology
jeff.hecker@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-1954
Jeff Hecker, Dean and Professor of Psychology, oversees the departments, interdisciplinary programs, and centers that make up the multi-faceted College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He supports the College’s faculty, staff and students in their teaching, scholarly and service pursuits, as he promotes the liberal arts and sciences as fundamental to an educated citizenry and modern workforce.
Associate Deans
Virginia Nees-Hatlen
Associate Dean for Academic and Student Services
Associate Professor of English
virginia.nees@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-3844
Virginia Nees-Hatlen works with undergraduate students and the faculty on academic projects and policies. She likes to solve problems for students and faculty members and collaborate on innovative curricular development. She has taught writing and literature courses and conducted research on school composition, real-world writing, and methods of teaching writing at the university level. She has served as coordinator of college composition and coordinator of undergraduate studies in the English Department, as well as spending four years as Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence.
Kristin Sobolik
Associate Dean for Research and External Affairs
Professor of Anthropology and Climate Change
sobolik@maine.edu
(207) 581-3583
Kristin Sobolik supports the college’s research mission and participates in program development, community engagement, and outreach efforts. She promotes the liberal arts and sciences and increases connections with faculty, research, programming, and service across campus. Sobolik’s scholarly research centers on archaeobiology, which is the analysis of biological remains from archaeological sites. A summary of her research is found at http://www2.umaine.edu/anthropology/Sobolik.html.
Student Support Services
Mindy Kezis
Student Academic Services Coordinator
mindy.kezis@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-1987
In concert with the associate deans, Mindy Kezis advises faculty and students (including prospective students) on all matters pertaining to academic policies and procedures in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Ms. Kezis serves as the primary contact for questions regarding academic standing, eligibility for readmission after an academic suspension, exceptions to academic policies and deadlines, general education course waivers and substitutions, study away (domestic and international), transfer credit equivalencies, and requests for retroactive withdrawals with or without tuition reimbursement. Ms. Kezis is available to speak with students by appointment or on a walk-in basis.
Donna Taylor-Schmidt
Administrative Associate
donna.taylor-schmidt@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-1961
Donna Taylor-Schmidt is responsible for the day-to-day management of student services in the dean’s office. These include orientation and assigning advisors for new first-year students, transfer students, graduation checks, changes of colleges, majors and minors; incomplete grades, NCAA certification forms, registration, adding and dropping courses and general advising. Schmidt provides information in person and by phone to students, parents, faculty and staff.
Carol Rickards
Administrative Assistant
carol.rickards@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-1952
Carol Rickards is the first person to greet visitors to the main college office in 100 Stevens Hall. She answers questions for parents and students by phone and in person, helping with everything from registration and readmission to study away and changing majors. Rickards also assists office staff with other projects as needed.
Elaine O’Leary
Records Technician II
elaine.oleary@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-1959
Elaine O’Leary maintains and updates the new first year student list, is responsible for mailings to prospective and newly matriculated students, and other projects as needed in the Student Services office.
Administrative Support
Catherine Metivier
Administrative & Financial Officer
catherine.metivier@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-3846
Catherine Metivier manages human resource activities dealing with all faculty, professional and classified staffing. She monitors financial matters working closely with the budget analyst and the dean in setting college priorities. Metivier also provides training and consultation to chairs and directors in the college on a wide array of issues crucial to the management of academic departments/units.
Debra Abbott
Budget Analyst
debra.abbott@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-3589
Debra Abbott works with the dean, department chairs, and administrative staff in the compilation of information related to expenditures and revenue budgets, including grants, contracts, endowments, general funds, revenues, and gift accounts. She assists in the development of budgets and budget projections. Abbott also reviews and processes payroll and accounting transactions and verifies budgets and expenditures to ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.
Tonya Corriveau
Administrative Assistant
tonya.corriveau@umit.maine.edu
(207) 581-1954
Tonya Corriveau provides administrative and clerical support in the Dean’s Office. Duties include coordinating Dean’s and Associate Deans’ calendars, updating College website, approving classified staff payroll, account reconciliation, preparing correspondence and reports, maintaining databases, coordinating College Committees and elections, taking committee minutes, scheduling meetings, travel arrangements, and other general office duties.
