University of New England

Nexus

New faces, new roles

As the University continues to evolve, many new faces have joined the faculty and administration, and existing staff have been promoted to new roles. Among these are a new dean of the College of Health Professions, dean of the new College of Pharmacy and the newly-created provost and associate provost positions.

John Cormier, Pharm. D.
Dean of the College of Pharmacy
This fall, John Cormier, Pharm. D., was named founding dean of UNE’s College of Pharmacy. Former dean of the College of Pharmacy at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), he retired in 2004, but continued as clinical professor of pharmacy and clinical sciences.

Cormier has had much professional experience as a clinical pharmacist and university research pharmacist, and has also served in many community practice positions, including founding and operating a pharmacy at the Interfaith Crisis Ministry Homeless Shelter in Charleston, South Carolina, where he provided pharmacy services for seven years. Cormier earned his doctor of pharmacy from MUSC, his master’s degree from Northeastern University and his bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

Dean Cormier resides on the Westbrook College Campus on College Street. Moving to Maine was a definite change after living in South Carolina for more than 30 years, where his family still resides. The snow, ice and frigid weather have kept him from riding his motorcycle – at least until spring– but he says his on-campus residence means he has no excuse for missing work when the University has a “snow day.”

Semi-retired when offered the position of dean by President Ripich, Cormier decided to take the job because of the unique opportunity it would provide him. “Most of us never have the opportunity to create a new enterprise,” he said. “As I’ve depicted myself to many people: I’m a dean without faculty, without students, without a college building, but that’s part of the task at hand. I think that was the draw for me.” Cormier also credits the spirit at UNE for luring him to Maine, saying that it was refreshing to see the current faculty excited about the new opportunities the College of Pharmacy would provide for them, the students and the community at large.

David Ward, Ph.D.
Dean of the College of Health Professions
Following a national search, David M. Ward, Ph.D., of Charleston, South Carolina was selected as the new dean of the College of Health Professions. Ward previously served as associate dean for academic and student affairs with the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Ward earned his M.P.A. and Ph.D. at New York University and his undergraduate degree from Colgate University.

Ward is also a researcher and recognized scholar in his areas of expertise, which include the management, allocation and cost-analysis of healthcare resources. He has co-written several books on cost accounting for healthcare organizations, one of which is considered the standard textbook on the subject.

As the new dean, Ward plans to maintain the strength of the College’s academic programs while pursuing strong faculty research opportunities that will provide important learning opportunities for students. Ward is also interested in pursuing a stronger link with the community to provide high-quality clinical activities to the benefit of both students and community members.

Ward cites the College’s faculty, from nursing, to traditional allied health programs such as dental hygiene and physical therapy, to social work, as having drawn him to the position. “To me, the opportunity to become engaged with a faculty that spans all these different disciplines is really exciting.”

Having been interested in social service issues since he worked at the Office of Management and Budget in New York City years ago, Ward is also interested in how UNE’s programs focus on the direct interplay between social welfare and health. Currently, Dean Ward is getting acclimated to Maine and is looking forward to bringing his wife and three daughters up from South Carolina.

Jacque Carter, Ph.D. and Ellen Beaulieu, Ed.D.
Provost/VPAA and Associate Provost
UNE recently established a new Office of the Provost, which will house the new provost and vice president for academic affairs, as well as the newly-established position of associate provost for planning and assessment. This winter, two long-time and highly-regarded members of the UNE community were appointed to these important positions.

Jacque Carter, Ph.D., was appointed UNE’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. He had been serving as interim VPAA for the past year and was previously dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. As the University’s chief academic officer, he is responsible for all aspects of the University’s academic mission. He also directs the University’s planning process and provides leadership and direction to various centers and institutes. The provost serves as president in her absence, advises her, and works with other university officers as a member of the senior administrative staff.

“As Provost I hope to provide an environment where teaching and learning, service and outreach, and discovery and creativity can flourish,” said Carter. “In this role I support the efforts of the faculty and staff who work to ensure that the mission of the University, academic excellence, is achieved. If I do my job well, our students will graduate knowing that information alone is not enough to be well educated in the 21st century. What matters most is what you do with this knowledge. Albert Einstein once said, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’ Similarly Walt Disney said, ‘It is fun to do the impossible.’ They were both right!”

Carter joined UNE in 1989 as a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. His professional expertise is in systematics, ecology and conservation of marine fishes. In the past he has led a UNE-based research project to study the migratory habits of striped bass, Maine’s premier sports fish and an important part of the state’s marine ecosystem.

He also received a prestigious Lindbergh Grant from the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation for his ongoing research in Belize focusing on the conservation and biology of Nassau grouper, another sport fish. Not surprisingly, Carter is an avid fisherman.

Ellen Beaulieu, Ed.D., was appointed to the newly-created position of associate provost for planning and assessment. She had been serving as the interim dean for the College of Health Professions since 2005 and previously served as associate dean of the College beginning in 2001.

As associate provost, Beaulieu will work closely with the provost to integrate assessment of the institution and its programs more fully into the planning process. Working closely with the respective deans, department chairs and faculty, Beaulieu will also work on contacting, negotiating, contracting and expanding clinical experiences for the University’s health professions students. She will lead the effort to establish a greater emphasis on integration and coordination of healthcare education across the University system.

“As associate provost, I plan to bring the knowledge and experience I have gained as a professor, program director and interim dean to enhance the university by coordinating and organizing the systems we use for quality improvements,” said Beaulieu.

Beaulieu will further be working to help integrate and coordinate institutional research activities currently underway in a variety of
offices and units by helping to provide the University with accurate and timely information to support decision-making and institutional effectiveness efforts.

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