EdD, 2019 Kate Maine is the inaugural vice president for marketing, communications and workforce development in a joint appointment between Dalton State University and Georgia Highlands College. Previously, Maine served as the chief of staff in the Office of the President and vice president of university relations at the University of North Georgia, where she oversaw key administrative functions, including state government relations, economic development and community engagement, policy development and administration, institutional communications and marketing, and university events. Maine joined UNG (formerly North Georgia College & State University) in 2008 as director of university relations and has served in a variety of advancement and communications roles since then. A member of the president’s cabinet since 2012, she led the institution’s communications functions through its consolidation in 2012 and 2013 to become the University of North Georgia, including a branding initiative and development of a communications platform and identity focused on the university's leadership development mission. Prior to joining the university, Maine’s career in communications and public relations included positions in the education, government, corporate, agency, and non-profit arenas. Maine is chair of the Advisory Council for Communications and Public Affairs of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities and has twice chaired that group’s annual conference. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Education Advancement and Marketing and earned the 2016 Award of Excellence for Communications and Marketing from the Georgia Education Advancement Council. Maine is a graduate of the University System of Georgia’s Executive Leadership Institute and is professionally accredited by the Public Relations Society of America. She earned her master’s degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University and her bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Georgia.