Provost of Stockton University in New Jersey is new president of University of Southern Maine

Harvey Kesselman is the new president of the University of Southern Maine.

Kesselman, who starts his new position July 1, is the provost and executive vice president at Stockton University in New Jersey. He has held many positions at the university over the last 35 years.

Chancellor James Page was making the announcement Wednesday.

University of Maine at Augusta president Glen Cummings was a finalist. Zito Sartarelli, dean of the business school at West Virginia University, previously withdrew his name.

The current president, David Flanagan, says USM will likely continue to face difficulties.

Flanagan oversaw cuts at the university aimed at closing a $16 million budget gap, including the elimination of 51 faculty positions and five academic programs. He told trustees this week those efforts bought a reprieve of only one year before problems resurface.