TEW Magazine

Leadership, at its core, is about more than guiding an institution forward — it is about inspiring people, shaping opportunities, and creating spaces where others can thrive. True leaders bring not only vision but also empathy, resilience, and a belief in the power of education and community to transform lives. At a time when higher education faces evolving challenges and shifting expectations, the mark of strong leadership lies in building bridges between tradition and innovation, while keeping students at the center of every decision. At the University of Southern Maine , that leadership is embodied by Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson , the university’s 14th president. Since assuming the role in 2022, Dr. Edmondson has drawn upon more than two decades of academic leadership and a personal journey of being the first in her family to attend college. Her commitment to educational access, student belonging, and the transformative role of the arts and humanities has stabilized USM through challen...