In his first in-person address to a joint session of the Legislature since becoming Chancellor in 2019, Malloy highlighted the System’s enrollment and retention growth, and its increasing output of new talent and innovation necessary to power the state’s economy.
AUGUSTA, Maine — Despite the disadvantages of demographics and inadequate infrastructure, the state of the University of Maine System is strong with improving enrollment, retention, and workforce and economic impact, Chancellor Dannel Malloy told a Joint Convention of the Maine Legislature today.
In his first in-person State of the University of Maine System (UMS) address since becoming Chancellor in 2019, Malloy shared that his personal experience overcoming severe learning and physical disabilities impressed upon him the importance of public education and meeting students where they are.
The fact that Maine’s public universities are doing so — with region-leading affordability, expanded early college and online offerings, and innovations in recruitment including direct admissions to high school students and guaranteed admissions for community college graduates — has led to the System’s strength, Chancellor Malloy told the Legislature. He also announced that starting this spring, UMS would be extending direct admission to promising high school students who had completed University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H programs, meaning they would not have to go through a typical application process.
In his remarks, Chancellor Malloy highlighted that Maine’s public universities have increased enrollment for four consecutive semesters and are serving more students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees than ever before. He also noted that last fall, the System achieved its highest student return rate and recognized the Harold Alfond Foundation (HAF) for the investments it has made so UMS can improve student retention and success and better meet state workforce needs.
Guests of the Chancellor were HAF CEO & President Greg Powell; 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year Becky Hallowell, who is an alumna of the University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Southern Maine; and Dan Gawrys, a current University of Maine School of Law (Maine Law) student from Massachusetts who has committed to living and working in Aroostook County after graduating as a result of his experiences practicing there through the school’s rural practice clinic and fellowship program.
A theme of the Chancellor’s address was how Maine’s public universities are innovating and collaborating to better meet the needs of students and the state. One example is the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace online competency-based degree program, which has tripled that institution’s enrollment. UMS now offers more than 200 programs that can be completed entirely online, with plans to double that by 2028, he said.
“The days of an institution dictating to the population how they will be educated are over. So, too, are the days of Maine’s public universities competing with one another,” Chancellor Malloy said. “Leveraging our first-in-the-nation unified accreditation, we’re embracing efficiencies and sharing programs and services. And we’re making sure that a student at any UMS university can access the academic offerings and resources of every UMS university.”
In his address, Malloy celebrated the turn-around of Maine Law, which was on the verge of closure when he became Chancellor in 2019 and is now experiencing its highest enrollment in more than a decade, with a 65% explosion in applications for the coming fall. He also recognized UMaine’s recently reaffirmed R1 designation (External Site) and how the flagship’s innovations are improving Mainers’ lives and livelihoods, from the testing of ticks to reimagining what can be made from Maine wood including 3D-printed houses and boats, bone material and PFAS-free firefighting biogel.
Chancellor Malloy called on the Legislature to support the funding levels for the System proposed by Gov. Janet Mills in her FY26-27 biennial budget and recently endorsed by a bipartisan majority of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
He also implored the Legislature to increase investment in the UMS statewide physical plant, which has $1.6 billion in deferred maintenance due to decades and the System’s commitment to student affordability.
“The condition of our campuses is a crisis. It challenges recruitment, retention and our ability to deliver 21st century education and research-driven innovation,” he said. “Just like roads and bridges, our universities’ classrooms and research laboratories are public infrastructure essential to the mobility of Maine people and our economy.”
He closed by reminding legislators of their power in shaping public perceptions, including about the value of higher education and the University of Maine System.
“Whether in your role as a policymaker or a parent or peer, please promote Maine’s public universities because they are accessible and affordable and because they are excellent,” Malloy said.
Maine Community College System President David Daigler and Maine Maritime Academy Interim President Craig Johnson also spoke at Tuesday’s Joint Convention.
About the University of Maine System
The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state’s largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit www.maine.edu.
Media Contact:
Samantha Warren
Director of External Affairs, University of Maine System
207-632-0389 / samantha.warren@maine.edu