ORONO — Gabriel Paquette has been appointed executive vice president for academic affairs and provost of the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias, effective April 1.

The appointment was announced by UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy in a letter to the campus community.

“Dr. Paquette is a proven academic leader and a prominent scholar,” said President Ferrini-Mundy. “In his time at the University of Maine, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of academia, a commitment to excellence and opportunity for our students, and unwavering respect for the important work of our faculty. I am especially grateful for his thoughtful and transparent leadership in our ongoing Strategic Re-Envisioning initiative, which will position Maine’s flagship to most effectively serve our students and state as a learner-centered R1 far into the future.” 

Paquette had served as interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost since July 1, 2025. He joined UMaine in 2023 as associate provost for academic affairs and faculty development, later serving as senior associate provost. Prior to UMaine, he held leadership roles at the University of Oregon, including vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Clark Honors College. Earlier in his career, he directed the Latin American studies program at Johns Hopkins University.

“It has been a privilege to serve as interim provost and to work closely with colleagues across both campuses,” said Paquette, in a UMaine news release. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue building on that work, supporting faculty and students, strengthening our academic programs and advancing our shared mission.”

The Adelaide C. and Alan L. Bird Professor of History at UMaine, Paquette is a scholar of European, Latin American and international history. He is the author of three books and has taught or held research appointments at Trinity College (University of Cambridge), Harvard University, Wesleyan University, the University of Notre Dame, and King’s College London. His work has also appeared in The Chronicle of Higher Education and Times Higher Education.

As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.