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ASA committee approves multiple new degree programs and forwards them to the full Board
Summary
The Academic and Student Affairs committee approved and forwarded several new degree proposals — including an MS in athletic administration, THOR bachelor’s and associate degrees, and new education and associate programs — to the July 13, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting after brief presentations and roll-call votes.
The University of Maine System Academic and Student Affairs committee on a unanimous roll-call vote forwarded a slate of new academic programs to the full Board of Trustees for consideration at the July 13, 2026 meeting.
Committee members approved the committee recommendation to forward the Master of Science in Athletic Administration at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK). President Dean described the online, practitioner-focused program as preparing current and aspiring athletic leaders for administrative roles and aligning coursework with professional certification pathways such as the Certified Athletic Administrator exam.
Provost Marges presented two THOR (tourism, hospitality and outdoor recreation) proposals — a Bachelor of Science and an Associate of Science intended for delivery through the system’s competency-based “yourPace” modality and developed in collaboration with the THOR Institute. Marges outlined projected enrollments and revenue scenarios and said the curriculum includes modules in sustainable tourism, hospitality management and outdoor recreation. Trustee Kates asked whether a Davis Foundation grant tied to the initiative could be used across the proposed modalities; presenters said they would confirm specific grant restrictions and provide a fuller description to the trustee.
The committee also approved forwarding a Bachelor of Science in Art Education at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF). Provost Yardley said the program addresses an identified state shortage and will rely on shared coursework and collaborations with sister campuses; presenters said no new resources or faculty hires would be required at launch.
Two additional associate-degree proposals were forwarded: an Associate of Applied Science in Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, described by presenters as filling a statewide credential gap and leveraging existing facilities and curriculum, and an Associate of Applied Science in Business that would reuse existing business-administration courses and offer both high-flex and yourPace modalities.
Each motion was moved and seconded and carried on roll-call votes with the trustees recorded as voting yes: Trustees McMahon, Alexander, Riley, Kaine, Martin, Kates and Baldachi. The committee read the text of each proposed resolution and recorded the committee’s recommendation to forward the items to the full board for final action on July 13.
What happens next: These items will appear on the full Board of Trustees agenda on July 13, when the full board will consider final approval. The committee requested follow-up information on the Davis Foundation grant restriction for THOR and additional enrollment projections for the yourPace modality.
Sources and attributions: Quotes and attributions are from committee discussion and presentations to the Academic and Student Affairs committee (committee presenters: President Dean; Provost Marges; Provost Yardley).
