In a time of transition, Leahy steps up to leadership role

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

October 13, 2016 College News, Faculty, School of Forest Resources

Jessica Leahy has been named interim associate dean for research in the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, and interim associate director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station.

She succeeds Frederick Servello, who will assume the position of interim dean for the college, and director of the Experiment Station following Edward Ashworth’s retirement on Sept. 30 after 10 years as dean.

Leahy, who joined the School of Forest Resources as faculty in 2005 and currently serves as an associate professor, will serve a nine-month appointment, Oct. 1-June 30.

In her new role, Leahy will oversee UMaine’s research farms and gardens and work with Servello to lead the college’s research programs.

“Jessica is a rising leader in the college with strong credentials in natural resources management,” Servello said. “She has experience across our land grant mission, with research centers, academic programs, and the Experiment Station’s research council. I am pleased the college’s research programs will be under her leadership while a national search for a dean is underway.”

At UMaine, Leahy has taught courses in human dimensions of natural resources, environmental communication, and rural development. Her current research projects focus on family forest landowners, rural prosperity, public acceptability of forest management, and the influence of media and educational campaigns on environmental attitudes and behaviors.

She served as the Family Forest Program Leader of the Center for Research on Sustainable Forests from 2010-2016, Master of Forestry Program Coordinator in 2015, Ecology and Environmental Sciences Graduate Coordinator from 2012-2014 and Ecology and Environmental Sciences Director in 2014. Prior to joining the University of Maine community, Leahy earned her doctorate at the University of Minnesota and master and bachelor degrees from Oregon State University.