A new president has been named for Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.
The state community college system’s board of trustees confirmed Julius Edwards, who was recommended by Maine Community College System President David Daigler, according to a Friday announcement.
Edwards succeeds Elizabeth Russell, who died last year shortly after retiring as the college’s president. Janet Sortor, the community college system’s chief academic affairs officer, has served as interim president.
He will take the helm April 1.
The board’s chair, Peter DelGreco, praised Edwards for his “deep and broad experience,” his commitment to students and focus on innovation.
“Dr. Edwards has outstanding experience leading initiatives that are directly tied to our priorities at Maine’s community colleges,” Daigler said in a statement.
Edwards comes to Bangor from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, where he’s held numerous leadership roles over the past 15 years. He most recently served the school’s vice president.
Before that, Edwards had stints as the college’s vice chancellor of academic affairs, dean of its School of Business and Supply Chain Management, director of the transfer center, and assistant director of the financial aid office.
During his time there, he oversaw a diversity of academic programs, including agriculture, advanced automation and robotics, supply chain management, culinary arts, and commercial driving.
Edwards will likely find a more tight-knit community at the Bangor college; Ivy Tech boasts more than 168,000 students spread across 19 campuses, while Eastern Maine has just 2,700 students in Bangor and an off-campus center in Millinocket.
“I have spent my career working in a multi-campus community college, keeping access, student success, and workforce relevance at the center of every decision. Along the way, I have worked to strengthen academic quality, build meaningful employer and transfer partnerships, and secure resources that expand students’ opportunities,” Edwards said. “Those experiences have shaped how I approach leadership and will guide my work alongside the Eastern Maine Community College community as we support students, employers, and the region together.”
Edwards has a doctorate in higher education leadership from Indiana State University, a master’s in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Indiana University and Purdue University at Indianapolis.