Linda Schott leaving post as UMaine Presque Isle president

The president of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Linda Schott, announced that she would be leaving her position at the public university to become president at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Ore.

Schott began her leadership role at UMPI in 2012 after a search that drew 77 applicants. Before her UMPI presidency, Schott had been the dean of the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., since 2008. Before that, she held several positions at Eastern Michigan University from 2003 to 2008.

“With all that we have accomplished together at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, it was a very difficult decision to consider and accept a new position at a new institution,” Schott said in a prepared statement. “Exploring new professional challenges at an institution serving a similar but larger student body and delivering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees is an opportunity I need to pursue.”

Schott will begin her role at Southern Oregon University before the start of the 2016-2017 academic year. UMaine Chancellor James Page will be visiting the Presque Isle campus before the end of June to talk to campus and community leaders about maintaining the institution’s momentum under transitional leadership. The chancellor anticipates naming an interim president for UMPI before President Schott concludes her service in Presque Isle, according to a release.

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