Paul Austin

Paul Austin is an Adjunct Professor and Leader-in-Residence for the Rural Thrive project at the University of Maine's College of Education and Human Development since February 2025. With over 30 years of experience in PK-12 education, he previously served as a superintendent in Regional School Unit 3 (Maine), Hingham Public Schools (Massachusetts), and RSU 67 (Maine).

• Education: University of Maine (Certificate of Advanced Study, 2004), University of Southern Maine (Ph.D. in Public Policy, 2016)

His research focuses on school leadership resilience and implementation of Response-to-Intervention Multi-Tiered System of Supports (RTI MTSS) in public schools. He mentors graduate student interns and collaborates with superintendents in the Maine Small Schools Coalition.