President, University of Southern Maine

David Daigler is committed to building strong relationships with the state’s employers and leaders that lead to transformational educational opportunities for all Mainers.

As president of the Maine Community College System since 2019, he has put that belief into action, overseeing the dramatic expansion of what community colleges offer and creating new educational opportunities that are more effective, efficient, affordable, and accessible to Maine people.

Maine’s seven community colleges serve more than 30,000 people a year, through two-year associate degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term workforce training, early college programs, advanced certificates, and other learning opportunities.

During his tenure, Daigler guided the colleges to record high enrollments, historic new transfer agreements with both public and private colleges in Maine, doubled the capacity of the system’s nursing programs, launched the Maine Free College initiative, and attracted more than $125 million in public and private investments exclusively for short-term workforce training programs. He is also the co-chair and founding member of the Maine Defense Industry Alliance, a public-private alliance coordinating workforce development for Maine’s defense manufacturers.

Daigler also serves on several boards including the New England Board of Higher Education, the Alfond Scholars Board, New England Delta Dental, and the Finance Authority of Maine. He is also an advisor to the Boston Federal Reserve Maine Working Communities Challenge and the Maine Economic 10-Year Plan Steering Committee.