Longtime University of Southern Maine Director of Athletics Named Mitchell Institute Higher Education Professional of the Year

PORTLAND, Maine — The Mitchell Institute, a Maine-based college scholarship foundation created by Senator George J. Mitchell to improve college access and outcomes for students from every community in Maine, recently announced that longtime University of Southern Maine Director of Athletics Al Bean has been selected as the organization’s 2024 Higher Education Professional of the Year. Bean, who retired from a 31-year career as USM’s Director of Athletics in late August, is now Commissioner of the NCAA’s Division III Little East Conference, comprising the varsity athletic teams of nine New England colleges and universities.

Now in its third year, the award recognizes higher education professionals whose extraordinary service to students supports the Mitchell Institute’s mission of helping young people from Maine to pursue, afford, and achieve a college education.

“Our honorees are the advisors, coaches, career counselors and members of admission, financial-aid and student-life staff who are boots on the ground and working longer than normal days to lift up and support Maine students,” said Mitchell Institute President and CEO Jared Cash. “Throughout Al’s 45 years of coaching and leadership in athletics at the University of Southern Maine, he has always emphasized the student in student-athlete, ensuring that young people participating in USM athletic teams put academics first and develop character and leadership through teamwork. It is my great honor to announce that the selection committee has named him our 2024 Higher Education Professional of the Year.”

Named USM’s Director of Athletics in 1993, Bean oversaw the unprecedented growth and success of the Huskies’ Athletics program, which now fields 23 varsity teams comprising nearly 500 student-athletes. While USM’s Athletics programs prospered under Bean’s leadership – as evinced by hundreds of NCAA tournament bids and appearances and myriad conference championships by teams and individuals over the past 31 years – student-athletes’ academic success also flourished. The number of William B. Wise Scholar Athletes at USM (an honor presented to the school’s student-athletes who have achieved at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA for the fall and spring semesters) grew from 34 at the inaugural ceremony in 1988 to a record 257 recipients during the 2023 celebration. USM Athletics also boasts 16 individual prestigious Academic All-American citations, including 2007 College Academic All-American of the Year Ashley Marble of the women’s basketball program, and two-time first-team Academic All-American and USM’s first-ever Elite 90 Award Winner Dan Del Gallo.

Under Bean’s leadership and encouragement, varsity teams have also fostered a strong commitment to community among student-athletes. The Huskies’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has received more than a dozen national citations for its community service efforts from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA).

Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President of the University of Southern Maine, lauded the student-centered culture Bean created through his leadership.

“When we talk about making higher education accessible and meaningful for Maine students, Al Bean’s work stands as a shining example,” Edmondson said. “His leadership has created a culture where athletic achievement and academic excellence reinforce each other. Through his guidance, generations of student-athletes have learned that their greatest victories include lifting up others along the way.”

Following Bean’s retirement from USM, 1998 USM graduate Heather Gilmour, who is now associate professor and chair of the Department of Sport Management and Recreation at Springfield College, captured the sentiments of countless student-athletes whose lives were impacted by him.

“My 26-year career working in higher education is entirely because of Al Bean,” said Gilmour, who was a standout field hockey player at USM and received the school’s Paula D. Hodgdon Leadership Award, given annually to a student-athlete who exemplifies dedication and commitment to the team, the sport and USM.

“I learned so much during my time working with him, both as his intern, and then working in the Athletic Department after graduation. I still call his lessons to mind today when I am in the classroom, working with my own students at Springfield College. His impact upon the university and Division III athletics has been tremendous. He will always be the person who inspired me to teach, but more importantly, to care about the students, first and foremost.”

Bean’s selection as the Mitchell Institute’s Higher Education Professional of the Year follows a call for nominations from student-facing personnel at colleges and universities statewide that opened in August 2024.

“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to be the recipient of this prestigious award from the Mitchell Institute. I’m fully aware of the countless deserving people who work in higher education to help guide and support students along their pathway to achievement and success,” Bean said. “For the past 45 years, I’ve had the distinct pleasure to work alongside incredible professionals who have worked tirelessly to support student success, learning and personal growth. Being the recipient of this award is truly humbling. I am most appreciative of this recognition and want to thank President and CEO Jared Cash, the Mitchell Institute, and all who felt I was worthy of this distinction. Without question, this acknowledgement of my commitment to student success and higher education will most certainly be among the highlights of my professional career. Thank you again for this truly amazing recognition.”

Bean graduated from USM in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in education and history. He then earned a master’s degree in education from the school in 1992. A standout baseball player at USM, Bean worked as an assistant baseball coach, sports information director, and assistant athletic director with the Huskies before being named the school’s athletic director.