PORTLAND — The University of Southern Maine has named a dean from Northern Arizona University as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Michael R. Stevenson, dean of Northern Arizona University’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, will replace John R. Wright, who is retiring this summer after 12 years at USM.

Stevenson, who has a doctorate in developmental psychology from Purdue University, was selected from a pool of 93 applicants, according to a news release from USM.

He was chair of the psychological science department at Ball State University, where he founded and directed the Diversity Policy Institute, and then associate provost at Miami University, where he was the first person to serve as chief diversity officer.

At Northern Arizona University, where he became a dean in 2007, Stevenson led an $8 million campaign to build the Native American Cultural Center, according to the release.

He is the founding editor the The Journal of Diversity in Higher Education and a Fulbright Senior Scholar.

“Dr. Stevenson brings a distinguished record of scholarly achievement and a well-earned reputation as an administrator with exceptional communication, advocacy and mediation skills. We are fortunate to have him,” USM President Selma Botman said.