President’s Message

Dr. Joseph Szakas, Interim UMA PresidentI am pleased to welcome you to the University of Maine at Augusta.  UMA has a proud history of providing opportunities for members of our communities, all across Maine, to transform their lives through the power of higher education.

Our extraordinary faculty and staff provide a quality educational experience for our students, meeting them where they are and on their schedule, offering classes onsite, online, through video conference, and at UMA Centers. Students can balance their studies with competing demands of work and family, while achieving their educational goals.

While we have more than 30-years’ experience in distance education, nearly a third of UMA’s students make up a traditional aged cohort who take part in a variety of on-campus activities, including collegiate sports. We also have a limited number of residence hall opportunities for full-time students attending the Augusta campus.

Financial support is available to our Pell eligible students through the Pine Tree State Pledge. This zero tuition pledge removes the financial barrier to completing a degree for many students. Scholarship opportunities are also available and our financial aid staff is ready to review these options with you.

On behalf of the faculty and staff, I look forward to welcoming you to the UMA Moose family!

Best regards,

Dr. Joseph Szakas


The President’s Office is located in the Alumni Center on the Augusta campus.

Dr. Joseph Szakas (President) – 207-621-3041
Joyce Blanchard (Executive Director of Advancement & Strategic Projects) – 207-621-3403 or joyceb@maine.edu
Terry Lawson (Academic Associate, Provost Office and College of Professional Studies, Coordinator of Applied Science Program) – 207-621-3288 or tlawson@maine.edu