MACHIAS, Maine — Joyce Hedlund has resigned as interim president of University of Maine at Machias, effective Friday, Dec. 11.
Hedlund, 67, was admitted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor in mid-October to undergo heart bypass surgery. She was expected to be away from campus during her recovery, which was estimated to last six to eight weeks.
“At a campus forum today at the University of Maine at Machias, I shared the news that I have received and accepted Joyce Hedlund’s resignation as interim president of UMM, effective Dec. 11,” University of Maine System Chancellor James H. Page said Monday in a prepared statement.
The statement did not say why Hedlund resigned but indicated that the university community wishes “her well as she continues the recovery process following her recent medical procedure.”
Hedlund could not be reached for comment Monday, but she passed along a statement of her own through the university later in the day.
“It has been a great privilege connecting the people of Maine and the [Down East] region to public higher education for nearly forty years,” she said. “While my focus now has to turn to my own recovery, I wish to thank the talented faculty and dedicated staff at the University of Maine at Machias for their hard work, their commitment to Washington County and their friendship.”
A Fort Kent native, Hedlund was appointed to the UMM position in December 2014 and began her duties Jan. 5. It was unclear how long her tenure was supposed to last, but it was estimated to be six to 18 months.
She got her start at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where she served as admissions director. She went on to earn her doctorate in education at the University of Maine in Orono, where she served as a financial aid counselor, as assistant director of scholarships and later as associate dean of students.
She moved on to the state’s community college system, where she worked for 25 years. She joined eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, today’s Eastern Maine Community College, in 1987 as a student support services counselor and worked her way through the ranks, becoming president in 1994. In 2010, she accepted a position as president of Washington County Community College in Calais.
“Joyce has added great value at UMM and in the president’s council during her tenure. We are grateful for her service,” Page said.
Stuart Swain, provost and vice president of academic affairs, will continue his role as acting president, the chancellor said. Swain was appointed acting president when Hedlund was hospitalized.
“I am in discussion with him and with staff as to how best to provide campus leadership in this next period,” Page said.