PORTLAND — Officials at the University of New England have announced that James Herbert will assume presidency of the institution upon President Danielle Ripich’s retirement at the end of the academic year.

University officials made the announcement to a packed room of students, staff and members of the media at the university’s Portland campus on Tuesday.

Ripich in May announced she would retire after 11 years at the helm of the private university, which has seen unprecedented growth over the course of her tenure.

Since Ripich came on board in 2006, the university has increased its enrollment by more than 6,000 students — bringing totals to over 10,000 — in addition to the construction of new residence halls, athletic facilities and a study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco.

“As you can tell, I love the school,” a visibly emotional Ripich said to the crowd Tuesday. “UNE is very special to me and, for that reason, this is a wonderful day because I am able and could not be more pleased to introduce to you James Herbert as the university’s next president.”

Herbert — who holds both master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro — has for the past 15 years held various positions at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he currently serves as executive vice provost and dean of the Graduate College.

Past administrative roles Herbert held at Drexel include: interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs and head of the Department of Psychology, among several others.

Ripich praised Herbert for his “forward-looking” vision and caring temperament.

“The president is the vision holder of the institution. They have to be the person who says where we’re going,” she said. “I think (Herbert) will be excellent at this. He will continue to empower our faculty and staff to think together in new ways.

“He is a caring person and will care deeply about our students,” she continued. “That’s at the heart of what all of us do and why we’re here.”

Herbert said he was “both humbled and exhilarated” by being selected as the next university president.

“Over the past few months, I have gotten to know UNE through my interactions with members of the search committee, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and student body. And I have been incredibly impressed,” Herbert said, addressing the crowd. “With each and every glimmer of pride I’ve seen sparkling in their eyes, and with each warm smile I’ve seen rising to their faces, they have convinced me that UNE is the place for me.”

Herbert said, while he had always been satisfied during his time at Drexel University, he felt compelled to apply for the presidency at UNE due to its remarkable growth over the last decade. He said, under his leadership, he wants to see that growth continue.

“At a time when the number of Maine high school graduates has been declining each year, UNE has grown its enrollment, its academic programs, its athletic programs, its cash reserves, and its reputation for the return on investment it offers students,” he said. “It is essential, I believe, that we continue to look into the future in such a way and to design our programs accordingly.”

Herbert acknowledged the university would not be without its challenges in the coming years.

He said factors including economic growth, university pricing and competition for students and the uncertainty about the future of health care are all obstacles the university will have to overcome.

“The students and parents who entrust us to provide a first-rate education expect us to deliver on that promise, and they deserve nothing less,” he said. “UNE’s nimble and innovative spirit will be more valuable than ever. If we work together, and remain focused on the future, we are well-positioned to confront the challenges ahead.”

Herbert will assume office on July 1, immediately after the close of Ripich’s tenure.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.