WATERVILLE, MAINE, August 29, 2024 — Thomas College is proud to announce it has selected its 6th President of the College: Dr. Jeannine Diddle Uzzi. Uzzi will serve as President-elect until November 1, 2024, when current President Laurie G. Lachance will officially step down. A seasoned leader in higher education and a distinguished professor of classics, Uzzi is widely recognized for her dedication to expanding access to the life-changing benefits of a college degree for students, their families, and their communities.
Uzzi brings a wealth of experience to the role of president. She joins Thomas College from Adler University where she served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs leading the university’s strategic visioning, planning, and communications.
Prior to Adler, she served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Southern Maine (USM). There she played a pivotal role in guiding the institution out of financial difficulties, revitalizing faculty engagement in governance, and shaping a forward-looking academic vision. Under her leadership, USM saw significant gains in student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Uzzi chaired both the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures and the Faculty Senate and was repeatedly recognized for fostering a culture of student success and belonging, ensuring that all students have the support they need to thrive academically and personally. “I am so excited to join the Thomas College community because of the people and the students at the core of the community,” said Uzzi.
Uzzi’s vision for Thomas College is to be a top choice college for Maine students and beyond.
“Dr. Uzzi brings to Thomas a wealth of experience in higher education, a strong commitment to our mission, and a deep understanding of the critical role we play in producing the next generation of talented graduates for Maine’s workforce and beyond,” said current Thomas College President Laurie G. Lachance. “Dr. Uzzi’s appointment fills me with great excitement and a profound sense of optimism for the future of Thomas College under her leadership.”
Lachance announced her intent to retire earlier this year.
“Dr. Uzzi has spent the better part of 20 years living and working in Maine and I feel confident in Dr. Uzzi’s understanding of both the Maine business and education climate. She has demonstrated strong leadership and visionary attributes, and it is clear to me that she is a team player who values input and others’ ideas, but still is willing to roll up her sleeves to affect positive change in a timely manner. She will be an innovative go-getter as Thomas College’s new president,” said President and CEO of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Kim Lindlof.
“We all know this is a tough time for higher education, and my top priority is making Thomas College sustainable by building on its core mission of access to education. By leveraging my experiences, I see opportunities to make Thomas a more inclusive community that serves students from all backgrounds — whether they are from Maine or beyond — who are seeking a place where they truly belong,” said Uzzi.
Uzzi earned her bachelor’s degree in classical languages from Hamilton College and her Ph.D. in classical studies from Duke University, where she was honored as the William H. Willis Instructor of Classical Studies. She is also an alumna of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome and has completed advanced leadership training through the American Council on Education’s Institute for New Chief Academic Officers and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Millennium Leadership Institute.
Beyond her academic roles, Uzzi is deeply involved in community service. She recently led reading groups on classical literature for combat veterans in collaboration with the Maine Humanities Council and the Portland Veterans’ Center for which she was awarded a Certificate of Achievement from the Maine Military and Community Network. She also serves as the pronouncer for the Maine State Spelling Bee and is the Board Chair for the Gym Dandies Children’s Circus.
In her personal life, Uzzi enjoys outdoor activities such as running, rowing, biking, hiking, and snowshoeing. She practices yoga and is trained in trauma-informed group facilitation. She resides in Waterville, Maine.
About Thomas College:
U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks Thomas College as a top college in Maine for social mobility. Our clear career focus and one-of-a-kind Guaranteed Job Program™ makes it possible to advance faster in the arts and sciences, business, and education. Earn an undergraduate degree in three years and then choose from a variety of in-person or online graduate degree programs that can be completed in one-year or two. Located in Waterville, Maine, Thomas College is your pathway to a promising future, guaranteed. For more information visit thomas.edu or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at [email protected] or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.