Photo / Courtesy University of New England
Wesley Renfro will begin his new role as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNE this spring.
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UNE recruits College of Arts and Science dean from Connecticut's Quinnipiac University
The University of New England has hired Wesley Renfro as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Renfro, who most recently served as senior associate dean for academic affairs and strategic initiatives at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, will take over the UNE role this spring.
“The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New England demonstrates the transformative power of a mission-driven, student-centered approach," said Renfro. "UNE’s growth and rising reputation strongly signal that this is a forward-thinking institution delivering a 21st-century education and the results are clear.”
About Renfro
Renfro joins UNE with a decade of leadership experience in higher education.
His background includes roles as associate dean at Quinnipiac University, director of core curriculum and chair of the political science department at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, NY.
While at Quinnipiac University, he spearheaded the creation of 12 accelerated and dual degree programs, linking undergraduate majors with graduate offerings.
He established seven new majors, including health, medicine, society justice and community engagement. Renfro also initiated five undergraduate and one graduate certificate, addressing emerging fields and professional needs.
In 2022, Renfro founded a program to support faculty development and curricular innovation, which awarded 46 course and program innovation grants.
“Wesley’s dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration is evident in his initiatives to develop programs that integrate multiple disciplines, as well as his strategic efforts to align foundational courses in the College of Arts and Sciences with the educational outcomes of partner schools, including business, nursing and health sciences,” said Gwendolyn Mahon, UNE's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Renfro earned his Ph.D. and master’s in political science from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy from Heidelberg University.
UNE includes the state’s only medical college and only dental college and offers a variety of other health care degree programs. The university has 2,114 undergraduate full-time enrollment students.
UNE was ranked No. 7 among Maine’s largest colleges and universities in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on full-time undergraduate enrollment as of fall 2024.
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