Photo / Courtesy University of Maine at Presque Isle
Craig Cormier
July 18, 2024
UMPI reshapes advancement office with 2 hires
The University of Maine at Presque Isle has hired two employees for its newly restructured office of university advancement.
Craig Cormier will become the new executive director of university advancement, while Candace Elliott will step into a new role as assistant director of alumni affairs and annual fund.
“Our new Advancement Office is really about getting more strategic and taking advantage of the opportunity we have now — because of our rapid growth in YourPace and our excellent work in NCAA Division III Athletics — to build capacity and infrastructure, so we can provide a truly exceptional experience for our students and alums, our community, and all those who connect with our institution,” said Ray Rice, UMPI president.
Craig Cormier
Cormier comes to UMPI from Northern Light Health, where he served as senior grants consultant and helped to raise $15 million in grant funding during his four-year tenure.
In his new role, Cormier will lead efforts on university giving and external grants and will also work with the director of faculty and programmatic research on STEM-related grants.
He’ll also work closely with UMPI’s foundation board and support their work in helping to advance capital projects and fundraise for major efforts.
In addition to his experience at Northern Light Health, Cormier previously served as editor-in-chief of Our Maine Street, an Aroostook County magazine, and owned a creative services company.
He has participated in Disney Institute trainings on quality service and organizational excellence and is a recipient of the UMPI Distinguished Young Alumni Award.
Cormier graduated from UMPI in 2006 and is a past alumni board president.
Candace Elliott
In her new role, Elliott will focus on expanding reach and engagement with alumni. In addition to responsibilities for the annual fund campaign, gift processing and serving as senior class advisor, she will work closely with the UMPI alumni association board to support its efforts, from homecoming to alumni mentorship with current students.
Photo / Courtesy University of Maine at Presque Isle
Candance Elliott
Prior to joining UMPI, Elliott served in roles with the New York City Department of Education in Brooklyn, where she managed fundraising, grants, and donor relations with the Northside Center for Child Development. She also worked in the advertising industry for Lifetime Entertainment Services and NBC Universal Media.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Norfolk State University and her associate’s degree from the Borough of Manhattan Community College. She is also working on completing her master’s degree in organizational leadership at UMPI.
Elliott served as president of the New York Metro Chapter of the Norfolk State University Alumni Association from 2000 to 2004.
“We’re very pleased to have identified such outstanding hires for these new roles,” said Rice. “UMPI is uniquely poised to advance its strategic planning work and capital improvement goals, which prompted us to reconfigure this office accordingly. We are excited about the experience Craig and Candace bring to bear as we move these efforts forward.”
The University of Maine at Presque Isle is part of the University of Maine System and one of two University of Maine System schools in Aroostook County.
UMPI was ranked No. 15 among Maine's largest colleges and universities in the 2024 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on full-time undergraduate enrollment of 839 in fall 2023.
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