In the early 1900s, the
University of Maine—bolstered by its
land grant institute status—was expanding its
liberal arts programs to accompany its
engineering and
agricultural programs. In 1902, Colvin became the first female faculty member at the university, serving as a professor of history. Colvin was named the chair of University of Maine's Department of History and Government in 1906, Colvin was awarded an honorary
Doctor of Laws degree in 1927. She retired from her position as department chair in 1932 and was granted
emeritus status. ==Later life and death==