Thank You for 31 Years, President Russell

“Thank you.” Two simple words, just eight letters, yet they can leave a lasting mark. They are easy to say, but not always easy to accept, because we do not always recognize the difference we make in the lives of others or how much we mean to them.

Thank you, Liz Russell. Thank you for everything.

After 31 years of helping Eastern Maine Community College flourish, President Liz Russell is retiring. EMCC and the region are stronger because of her. No matter the role, president, vice president of academic affairs, dean of student success, associate dean of enrollment management, director of admissions, or friend, Liz has always inspired growth.

The programs and initiatives she has championed have shaped the college into what it is today. TRIO, the student services program she helped establish by writing EMCC’s first grant, continues to expand and provide much needed support. She created the model for our Student Success Center, a thriving hub where students find the guidance and support they need in one welcoming place. She was an early member of the MCCS digital badge team and instrumental in launching micro-credential offerings at EMCC, leading to the award of over 10,000 badges which help EMCC learners to share their skill sets with employers.

Her leadership has always been rooted in listening to the needs of Maine and responding with action. As president, Liz secured millions of dollars in Congressionally directed funding, all invested in making education more accessible and more responsive to the state’s workforce. Those resources rebuilt the Penquis Childcare Center at the Katahdin Higher Education Center in East Millinocket, giving families new access to affordable childcare. They expanded allied health programs, equipping classrooms with state-of-the-art technology and connecting rural communities to high-quality instruction. They put an ambulance on the road so EMCC can bring EMS training directly to the communities that need it most.

As Senator Susan Collins reflected, “Liz Russell has been an outstanding president of Eastern Maine Community College. As a Maine native and devoted educator, Liz has a deep understanding of the educational needs of EMCC students and the workforce requirements of our state’s employers. Her leadership and dedication will be greatly missed.”

And yet, Liz’s greatest impact is not measured in dollars or equipment. It is in the spirit she brings to everyday moments. The first week of the school year will always be her favorite. She loves the bustle of new beginnings and never hesitated to pitch in whether helping register students, walking someone to their classroom, or even grabbing a shovel after a snowstorm. That willingness to roll up her sleeves has set the tone for EMCC for decades.

As Cornel Plebani, Criminal Justice Department Chair, shared: “In every role she ever performed at EMCC, Liz Russell was the tireless embodiment of selfless, compassionate, people-focused service. Her commitment to the faculty and staff is second only to her care and concern for our students. She is Eastern Maine Community College through and through, leaving a legacy that is both well-deserved and absolutely unparalleled.”

Her influence continues in the people she has inspired. Faculty who model her openness. Staff who emulate her care and persistence. Students who leave here knowing that they were seen and heard. Liz has built more than programs and partnerships. She has built a culture of kindness, respect, and belief in others.

Her retirement closes a remarkable chapter, but the story she has written continues on in the lives of the people she inspired. That is the heart of Liz Russell’s legacy.

And so we say again, with deep gratitude from all who have learned, worked, and dreamed under her leadership, thank you, Liz Russell.