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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Martha-Velerie Wilson, Ph.D., Named Dean of Graduate Studies

The University of New England announces the appointment of Martha-Velerie Wilson, Ph.D., as dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Known for her ability to develop and lead innovative projects, Wilson came to the University of New England in 2004 as director of the School of Social Work. Her online education experience began 11 years ago when she transformed her advanced clinical practice course into a hybrid course for master of social work students in the School’s Presque Isle program.

Seeing a need for expanded access to professional education, Wilson developed the first fully asynchronous accredited online master of social work degree in the United States in 2009. Today there are 19 accredited online social work programs.

With the growth of UNE’s online student population and program offerings, Wilson was charged with creating a more uniform approach to online education at the university.

Established in 2012, the Office of Online Worldwide Learning (OWL) is a business-oriented unit for the marketing, recruiting, and retention of online students that utilizes nationally accepted best practice standards. OWL’s student-centric approach embraces the philosophy that relationship is critical to student success in the online classroom.

To synergize the strengths and opportunities for online learning at the university, Wilson was tasked in 2014 to bring the management of all online programs under the College of Graduate Studies. The framework of the College, under Wilson’s leadership, will enhance, expand, and enrich student learning opportunities and innovation.

Prior to her entry into higher education, Wilson worked in the areas of child welfare, mental health, and developmental disabilities. She has had a number of research projects funded and is published in social work and online education.

She holds a Ph.D. in institutional planning and assessment, as well as a clinical doctorate in social work, and has been a leader in higher education since 1989.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.