Meet the Team

Primary contacts:

Jeffrey St. John

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
Email: jeffrey.stjohn@maine.edu

Professor Claire Sullivan, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badging and Micro-Credentials
Email: claires@maine.edu

Photo of Claire Sullivan

Professor Claire Sullivan, Ph.D., co-chairs the University of Maine System Steering Committee on Micro-Credentialing, which is implementing a Systemwide approach to micro-credential development and is the lead for a Lumina Foundation-supported statewide “All Learning Counts – Maine” initiative which is developing a statewide micro-credential ecosystem. Dr. Sullivan is collaborating with the national non-profit, Education Design Lab, to offer a suite of 21st Century Skills badges to aid learners and employers in the hiring process. Dr. Sullivan developed the Engaged Black Bear Digital Badging Initiative that informed the statewide and University of Maine System work. She is uniquely knowledgeable about digital badging and micro-credentials and is breaking new ground in ecosystem development. She has presented at conferences across the country on digital badging in higher education. Prior to this work, she was a tenured Associate Professor and Coordinator of Community Engagement at the University of Maine. She was also served as the Associate Dean for Community Engagement, for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine. Claire holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication from the University of Washington. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development, as well as a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Connecticut.

Staff:

Leslie Ellis

Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Credential Attainment
Email: lellis@maine.edu

Photo of Leslie Ellis

Leslie assists in various departments within the Student Success and Credential Attainment area, including work with the UMS Micro-Credential Initiative and the new Student Success Center. Leslie has worked for the University of Maine System for thirty years. For the first twenty-five she worked with the Human Resources office at the University of Maine at Augusta, and the last five were with the University of Maine System.

Meredith Eaton

Project Specialist
Email: meredith.eaton@maine.edu

Meredith Eaton

Meredith Eaton is the Project Specialist with the University of Maine System Micro-Credential Initiative. In this role, she supports teams from across the state in developing and implementing micro-badges and micro-credential pathways, assists learners, and maintains the badging platform with its 200+ badges and over 6,100 awards.

Meredith joined the team in spring 2024 after most recently coordinating peer tutoring and academic coaching through the Office of Student Academic Success at the University of Maine. Prior to that, she spent eight years as Program Manager with Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, where she trained and supervised hundreds of volunteer tutors helping area adults improve reading, writing, and English-language skills. Previously, she was a Senior Planner with the Maine Commission for Community Service, as well as completing two years of service with AmeriCorps*VISTA. She holds a Bachelor of University Studies from the University of Maine.

When not at work, Meredith is often found reading (favorite genres include memoir and long-form journalism), tending to projects around her home and garden, or exploring Maine’s riverbanks and coastlines.

Jae Allain, MEd

Learning Experience Designer & Micro-Credential Specialist
Email: : jae.allain@maine.edu

Jae Allain

Jae Allain is an experienced Instructional Designer with a broad range of expertise in the learning technology field. Over the last decade, Jae has created educational materials and developed eLearning for various audiences and environments, including K-12, workforce development, corporate training, and higher education.

Jae has an eclectic educational background with a BA in Film Production and Communication from Keene State, a Computer Technology degree from Southern Maine Community College, and a master’s in Educational Technology from UMaine.

She splits her time with the UMaine System Micro Credentialing Initiative and UMA. When not on a computer, she can be found gardening, watching live music, snowboarding, or doting on her cat.

Steering Committee

The UMS Micro-Credential Steering committee is comprised of the below individuals, in alphabetical order:

Chair

  • Claire Sullivan (claires@maine.edu) – Assistant Vice chancellor for Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, University of Maine System

Members

  • Susan Chang (susan.chang@maine.edu) – Dean of Competency-Based and Degree Completion Programs, University of Maine at Presque Isle
  • Paul Cochrane (paul.cochrane@maine.edu) – Executive Director of Digital Learning Strategy and Programs, University of Southern Maine
  • Michael Curran (michael.curran1@maine.edu) – Assistant Professor of Business, University of Maine at Fort Kent
  • Rebecca Fisher (rebecca.fisher@composites.maine.edu) – Program Manager -Student Research Program Experience, University of Maine
  • Grace Garland (grace.garland@maine.edu) – Program Director – UMS Transforms, University of Maine
  • Andrew Kaufman (andrew.kaufman@maine.edu) – Professor of Practice and Director of the Compliance Certificate Program, Maine Law
  • Renee Kelly (rwkelly@maine.edu) – Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development, University of Maine
  • BJ Kitchin (robert.kitchinjr@maine.edu) – Executive Director of Academic Services, University of Maine at Augusta
  • Alana Margeson (alana.margeson@maine.edu) – Dean of Academic Affairs, University of Maine at Presque Isle
  • Andy Osheroff (andrew.osheroff@maine.edu) – Director, Career & Employment Hub, University of Southern Maine
  • Raymond Rice (raymond.rice@maine.edu) – President – University of Maine at Presque Isle, University of Maine at Presque Isle
  • Eleanor Udeh (eleanor.udeh@maine.edu) – Director of Professional Development Programs, University of Southern Maine
  • Laura Wilson (laura.wilson@maine.edu) – 4-H Science Youth Development Professional, University of Maine

Assisting the UMS Micro-Credential Initiative

  • Leslie Ellis (lellis@maine.edu) – Special Assistant to the Office of Student Success and Credential Attainment, University of Maine System
  • Meredith Eaton (meredith.eaton@maine.edu) – Project Specialist, UMS Micro-Credential Initiative
  • Jae Allain (jae.allain@maine.edu) – Learning Experience Designer UMA & Micro-Credential Specialist

Contact Us

Do you have a question? Email us at ums.mc@maine.edu.

Last update: 5/2/2024