The Muskie School of Public Service congratulates Dr. Carolyn Arcand on receiving this year’s USM Faculty Senate Award, recognizing her many contributions to scholarship, teaching, and service.
Dr. Arcand’s work exemplifies the Muskie School’s commitment to advancing teaching, public service and community-centered research. Her scholarship focuses on care work, labor policy, civic participation, and the ways public policy shapes the lives of working families and caregivers. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy & Management from the Muskie School and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Most recently, Dr. Arcand was recognized for her article in Maine Policy Review titled “Reenvisioning Town Meetings as Accessible to Caregivers of Young Children,” which explores barriers to civic participation and proposes more inclusive approaches to local governance. Her work has resonated broadly and has been highlighted among the journal’s most downloaded papers.
In addition to her research accomplishments, Dr. Arcand is widely respected for her mentorship of students and her collaborative spirit across disciplines. She has contributed to interdisciplinary initiatives across the University of Maine Graduate & Professional Center and continues to support Muskie students through research and applied policy opportunities.