In May, 20 students from the Maine Business School (MBS) traveled to the Amalfi Coast of Italy for an unforgettable travel study experience focused on tourism and hospitality. Led by Executive Dean Dr. Jason Harkins, the course brought classroom concepts to life through hands-on learning in one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations.

“Travel study experiences are some of the most powerful learning opportunities we offer our students,” says Dr. Harkins. “When you step outside the classroom and into a place like Italy, concepts become real. Business, culture, and history all come alive in ways that simply can’t be replicated on campus. These trips challenge students to think differently, adapt quickly, and engage with the world around them. After leading several of these trips, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative they can be, both academically and personally.”

The itinerary, developed in partnership with CIS Abroad and in Sorrento, struck a thoughtful balance between academic learning and cultural immersion. Throughout the week, students attended lectures on tourism, economics, and food marketing, and participated in a cooking class, service learning, and guided tours of Naples and Pompeii.

Tourism Industry Research

Before departing Maine, students spent the spring semester building a strong foundation through industry research. Each student team focused on a specific sector—hospitality, food and dining, wellness tourism, small craft producers, curated tours and experiences, and craft beverages—comparing the Campania region of Italy with Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island.

Students also engaged directly with Maine tourism leaders, including Chiara Moriconi from the , Cecil Gardner from the , and Everal Eaton of the . These conversations helped students better understand how tourism operates locally before analyzing it in a global context.

Each group presented its findings to peers prior to departure, creating a shared knowledge base that enriched the experience abroad.

Brendan Matos from Oxford, CT, learned about wellness tourism for this class. “I never really thought about the reasons behind people’s travel choices before,” he says. “The research we conducted before the trip made our trip to Italy so much better because we already had a sense of what we’d experience.”

As part of the course, students were required to keep a reflection journal throughout their time in Italy, reflecting on what they learned and how they think about the differences between Italy and Maine.

“The experience journal is a critical part of the learning process on a travel study course,” Dr. Harkins says. “It pushes students to slow down and reflect in real time, capturing not just what they saw, but what it meant and how it connects to what they’re learning academically. That daily reflection helps turn experiences into lasting knowledge.”

Viva Italia

For some students, the trip marked their first time traveling abroad—adding an extra layer of excitement and discovery.

“When I first heard of a trip to Italy, I was determined to go,” says Mia Voisine from Fort Kent, ME. “For the longest time, I’ve wanted to go abroad to learn and to explore, and MBS gave us that opportunity to see the world.”

The experience began with an orientation at the Sant’Anna Institute, followed by a hands-on gelato-making class, an early introduction to Italy’s rich culinary traditions. On day two, students attended a guest lecture by Dr. Sarah Brown on sustainable tourism in the Campania region, then visited three local hotels to explore different hospitality styles and operations in Sorrento.

“During the three hotel visits, I learned how a different perspective can determine the value you see,” Voisine says. “The way they are unique in their own ways, rather than trying to be similar to each other, is why these hotels can thrive.”

Day three centered on service learning with Caritas Italiana in Naples. Students worked together to prepare a meal for the local community, gaining insight into social responsibility and community-based support systems. In the afternoon, they explored Naples on a guided walking tour, visiting some of the city’s most famous sites.

Later in the week, students attended a lecture by Dr. Davide De Gennaro on Italy’s current economic landscape and trends. They then participated in a guided food tour, learning about the production of mozzarella and limoncello while sampling local specialties. Visits to traditional artisan workshops offered a closer look at Sorrento’s craftsmanship and long-standing production techniques.

Mia Voisine focused on experiential tours for the class. “Before we left for Italy, I learned how impactful tours are to Italy’s economy,” she says. “They’re not just for tourists to learn the best places to eat or where to shop. These tours provide visitors with an impactful learning experience about Italian culture. Tours are also integral to the locals, as they help provide for their families. So much of Italy’s economy comes from tourism, and we saw that firsthand throughout the week.”

Over the weekend, students traveled along the Amalfi Coast, visiting Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. The group also toured Pompeii, gaining historical context that deepened their understanding of the region’s cultural significance.

The program concluded with a final guest lecture from Dr. Ivana Di Leva on food marketing and tourism in Campania. Students explored how culinary identity shapes regional branding and visitor experiences, then participated in a cooking class and a farewell dinner featuring traditional Italian dishes.

“I loved the cooking class because it was so hands-on and interactive!” Voisine says. Matos agreed. “It was a new experience for me because I had never made fresh pasta from scratch before. I learned how much work goes into making traditional Italian food and how important fresh, local ingredients are.”

Through a combination of academic rigor, cultural immersion, and hands-on experiences, the Italy travel study offered students a deeper understanding of global tourism and hospitality. Just as importantly, it created lasting memories, new perspectives, and a stronger sense of connection among the group, hallmarks of the Maine Business School experience.

“Some of my favorite memories and friendships came from this trip,” Voisine says. “I learned so much about myself while also learning about a different culture and way of life.”

In April, students from the Maine Business School’s Sport Management Club traveled to Chicago, IL, to connect with professionals and learn the inner workings of the sports and entertainment industry. 

Organized by Alex Versen, Lecturer in Sport Management and the club’s advisor, the trip portrayed a day-in-the-life at major sports facilities. “It’s one thing to talk about it in Orono, but it’s another to see the grit of gameday operations at an MLB stadium or the scale of a campus like the United Center,” Versen says. “I wanted to give them an industry visit that felt less like a field trip and more like an insider’s look at how these buildings function from the back-of-house. You can’t replicate the feeling of being in these spaces through a textbook.”

Behind the Scenes

It was a whirlwind trip starting with a tour of , home of the Chicago White Sox. Students enjoyed a facility tour and gained an insider’s perspective on professional league and stadium operations. They stayed for a game and participated in a pre-game on-field access.

“This was my first professional baseball game,” says Quincy Clifford, a senior studying Sport Management. “Sitting just nine rows behind home plate was amazing, and the pregame on-field experience made it even more memorable. Seeing the stadium from the players’ and coaches’ perspective was something I’ll never forget.”

The following day, the group visited the , home of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks. Students spoke with industry professionals in event management and professional league sport, including Jonathan Vasquez, Senior VP of Stadium Operations for the White Sox, and Annie Cazarez, VP of Strategy & Development for the United Center. Students learned the technicalities of venue operations and event coordination, gaining an understanding of what it takes to manage one of the most well-known arenas in the country.

“I’m very interested in the operational side of sports, so this was an incredible experience for me,” Clifford says. “I was most interested in what is being built on the residential side of the United Center. A whole community is being realized with new hotels, apartments, and restaurants. I learned so much about project management and infrastructure, and the ways they directly impact venue operations and the overall fan experience.”

Finding a Community

The students wrapped up their visit by attending the Next Game Summit, an annual conference organized by the to build a community of athletes and support the transition to life after sports. By engaging with speakers and attendees, MBS students networked and discussed career paths and development. 

Through facility visits, professional league insight, and networking opportunities, the Sport Management Club’s trip to Chicago provided a well-rounded understanding of what a career in sports looks like and bridged the gap between textbook and real-life operations. 

“The best advice I heard on this trip was to say yes to a new opportunity,” says Ella Roy, a junior studying Sport Management and Marketing. “This trip gave me a stronger sense of self-confidence and community. The professionals we met were eager to share their experiences and seemed willing to help new people interested in entering the workforce.” 

Story by Regan Lawn

Each spring, the Maine Business School and the Graduate School of Business honor our May graduates for their achievements. Each honoree receives a certificate, a blue cord to wear at graduation, and a locally crafted paddle to commemorate their award. We’re proud to announce the honorees of our Spring 2026 awards.

MBS faculty are also honored at this annual event for their achievements over the past academic year.

Academic Achievement Awards

This year, we awarded six students who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during their time at 91¸ŁŔű. We also gave awards to one student in both of our concentrations for having the highest GPA.

Bao Duong
Mia Graci
Sarah Johnson
Samuel Lausier
William Robbins
Jacob Robinson-Smey
Eli Herzog, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Quincy Clifford, International Business

Faculty Awards

This award is chosen by the faculty in our majors and MBA program based on criteria determined by each faculty group.

Emily Ruocco, Accounting
Owen Bolster, Business Information Systems & Security Management
Taylor Katsube, Finance
Ellyson Bourgoine, Management
Bao Duong, Marketing
Quincy Clifford, Sport Management
Isabelle See, MBA

Outstanding Student Awards

Sarah Johnson, Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Samuel Tremblay, Outstanding Undergraduate International Student
Jacob Robinson-Smey, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Athlete
Mikayla Reynolds, MaineMBA Director’s Award
Micaela Sheehan, MBS Advisor’s Award

MBS Faculty Awards

Dr. Nadège Levallet, Carol B. Gilmore Community Impact Award
Dr. Yonggang “Tim” Lu, Thought Leadership Award
Dr. Billy Obenauer, Thought Leadership Award
Dr. Alexandru Roman, Best Paper of the Year Award
Adria LaRose, JD, Teaching Impact Award

In March, 18 members of the University of Maine’s Maine Business School’s Student Portfolio Investment Fund (SPIFFY) and faculty advisor Dr. Sebastian Lobe traveled to New York City to compete in —one of the largest student-run finance conferences in the world.

This annual event is the largest student-run financial conference in the world, with over 135 universities and 1,200 students competing in the Global Portfolio Competition. This year, the 91¸ŁŔű SPIFFY team—a student-managed investment fund that oversees $6.2 million in assets for the University of Maine Foundation—placed third in the Undergraduate Core Portfolio. With over 135 universities and 1,200 students competing in the Global Portfolio Competition, this 91¸ŁŔű win was a significant accomplishment.

“Given their dedication, I am incredibly proud—but not entirely surprised—that SPIFFY has secured this award,” said Dr. Lobe, who has been advising the club since 2016. “These students do not get paid, nor do they earn educational credits for this. They are intrinsically motivated by a desire to master real-world finance, and these metrics prove that their hard work pays off. The credit for these achievements goes to the outstanding SPIFFY teams of the last two academic years. It is also a direct testament to the ongoing support of the University of Maine Foundation, SPIFFY’s founder Dr. Bob Strong, the MBS staff, and Executive Dean Jason Harkins.”

Professional Development at a Leading Student Finance Conference

This year, the Quinnipiac GAME Forum featured over 100 professionals from industry-leading financial services companies. These professionals spoke on panels, led breakout sessions, and served as judges for the student-managed portfolio competition, giving students direct exposure to careers in investment management, financial services, and asset management.

The forum began with keynote speakers Lindsay Hans, president and co-head of Merrill Wealth Management, and Zach Buchwald, CEO of Russell Investments. They set the stage for additional speakers to continue the conversation on financial markets, asset allocation decision-making, portfolio investment, risk management strategy, and more. At the end of all sessions, students were given time to ask questions to the renowned panelists.

“I found it interesting to learn how the keynote speaker prompted AI to get exactly what he wants using the PICO (persona, input, context, output) method and what a difference good prompting makes,” says Ronny Roberge, SPIFFY Sector Head for Information Technology. “I think many people underestimate the versatility of AI tools.”

Molly Graham, SPIFFY Director of Marketing, enjoyed the networking with peers from other schools as well as the professionals and recruiters. “A lot of the sessions offered were about what’s really happening in the global markets today,” she says. “Many of the professionals were honest about how their jobs are affected by uncertainty, and that was really interesting to hear about.”

Student Investment Competition

Menelik Mekonen, SPIFFY Director of Performance, and Molly Graham led the Global Portfolio Competition and Poster Session respectively on day two of the conference.

All schools participating in the competitions sent two students to set up their posters in a large conference room. From noon to 2 pm, students, professors, and professionals were free to wander the room to check out the presentations from each team. “It felt like open office hours,” Graham says. At 2 pm, the doors closed to outside viewers, and the judges moved from table to table. Teams had 60 seconds to pitch their investment portfolio strategies to judges before the room reopened to the public at 4 pm.

“We’re a young team,” Graham says. “No one expected us to win anything, so to come in third place was incredible. I felt so proud!”

Building Connections in the Financial Capital of the World

Beyond the forum was a whole city to explore. Students were able to visit Wall Street, experience Times Square, and become familiar with the financial capital of the world. They were given the freedom to try local restaurants, walk through Central Park, and visit the World Trade Center Memorial, among other things.

“I definitely think we got closer as a group,” says Steve Corrigan, SPIFFY Sector Head for Real Estate. “Before the trip, I knew most of the other sector heads, but more at an acquaintance level. Spending so much time together, grabbing food, navigating the city, and just hanging out helped turn those relationships into something more genuine.”

Molly Graham agrees. “SPIFFY students have different majors and classes,” she says. “We all see each other once a week at our meetings, but we may not run into each other outside of that.” Turning a working relationship into something deeper made the trip more meaningful to her.

“SPIFFY works best when there is real trust and communication,” Corrigan says. “After this trip, it felt like we were no longer just a group managing separate sectors, but a team that understood each other better on both a professional and personal level.”

Experiences like the Quinnipiac GAME Forum highlight how University of Maine business students gain hands-on experience in investment management, build industry connections, and prepare for careers in finance.

Story by Sydney Lavigne

Six groups of first-year business students took center stage at the MBS Shark Tank competition, pitching their innovative ideas to a panel of judges and vying for scholarship prizes. These business ideas, shared by students, included campus cleaning and t-shirt services to custom organization and workout plans. Students spent the semester creating and running their side hustles for their Intro to Business class, competing for the chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

Meet the finalists who impressed the judges with their vision and determination:

Fournier Entrepreneurship Prize: $1,000

This prize was awarded by Executive Dean Jason Harkins to the student or group whose idea demonstrates the most originality and forward-thinking potential.

Fast Refs
Eli Filieo, South Portland, ME
Liam Poland, Brewer, ME
Jacob Pratt, Lewiston, ME
Isabella Tenney, Nottingham, NH

Fast Refs responds to the shortage of referees for 91¸ŁŔű’s club basketball program, one of the campus’s newest clubs. The business supplies certified referees for games, maintaining and utilizing a roster of IAABO-certified officials.

First Place: $1,000

Orono Fitness (pictured above)
Noah Denham, Bangor, ME
Ryan Fernstrom, Bentonville, AR
Fern Giarla, Roslindale, MA
Hewitt Sykes, South Portland, ME
Corbin Voisine, South Portland, ME

Orono Fitness develops individualized workout plans tailored to each client’s goals, abilities, and preferences. Plans include detailed exercises, timing guidance, and considerations for current fitness levels to support safe and effective training.

Second Place: $750

Career Threads
Quentin Ackerson, Wells, ME
Nolan Ainsworth, Bradford, ME
Landan Albair, Caribou, ME
Alex Duprey, Presque Isle, ME
Sofia Pride, Falmouth, ME
Maren Urquhart, Fort Fairfield, ME

Career Threads addresses the gap between students’ need for professional clothing and their access to it. The organization operates a free professional clothing closet stocked with donations from alumni, 91¸ŁŔű staff, and local businesses. Its mission is to remove the financial barriers that prevent students from showing up professionally.

Third Place: $500

Campus Cleaning
Abbey Anderson, Whiting, ME
Dustin Bearce, Waterville, ME
Ryker Beyeler, Scarborough, ME
Joe Donnelly, Windham, ME
Rilyn Sawyer, Falmouth, ME

Campus Cleaning provides affordable, dorm-friendly cleaning services designed to help students maintain a tidy and comfortable living space. Recognizing that many students struggle to keep up with messes, the team offers quick, efficient, and low-cost solutions.

Honorable Mentions

Chucklenuts
Delia Custer, Litchfield, ME
Rigel DeLisle, South Portland, ME
Liam Monks, Topsham, ME
Igor Nganji, Freeport, ME
Ryan Osgood, Wolfeboro, NH
Ayda Sonnenberg, Orono, ME
Shay Tucker, Dover, PA

Chucklenuts offers locally made, custom-designed apparel that provides an alternative to mass-produced clothing. The business aims to give students unique, affordable options that allow them to express themselves through original designs.

OrganizeU
Matt Björkman, Jefferson, MA
Connor Edwards, Island Falls, ME
Chase Knight, Auburn, ME
Ava Spina, Scarborough, ME

OrganizeU focuses on helping students reduce stress and increase productivity. With many students juggling academic demands and social commitments, the business offers personalized schedules designed to make daily life more manageable.

Each December, the Maine Business School and the Graduate School of Business honor our December graduates for their achievements. Each honoree receives a certificate, a blue cord to wear at graduation, and a locally crafted paddle to commemorate their award. We’re proud to announce the honorees of our Winter 2025 awards.

Academic Achievement Awards

This award is given to one student in each of our majors and concentrations for having the highest GPA.
Moses Allen, Accounting
Morgan Tash, Business Information Systems and Security Management
Sophia Michaud, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Robert Landry, Finance
Michelle Cowie, Management
Lauryn Roy, Marketing
Delani McLaughlin, Sport Management

Faculty Awards

This award is chosen by the faculty in our majors and MBA program based on criteria determined by each faculty group.
Ethan Drillen, Accounting
Brady Merritt, Finance
Benton Foglio, Management
Wade Brown, Marketing
Olivia Bammel, Sport Management
Spencer Matteo, MaineMBA

MBS Advisor’s Award

This award is chosen by the MBS Advising team and goes to a student who persevered throughout their time at 91¸ŁŔű.
TJ Lewis, Finance

MBA Director’s Award

This award is chosen by Andrew King, Director of the MaineMBA.
Jane Nicoll, MaineMBA

During our Winter Recognition Ceremony, we also inducted BSBA and MBA students into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society for AACSB-accredited business schools. Click here to see the list of inductees.

The Maine Business School is pleased to welcome Dr. Daehyun Kim to the University of Maine! Dr. Kim, Assistant Professor of Accounting, came to academia from the world of investment banking, managerial accounting, and corporate finance. Finding a lack of work-life balance, Dr. Kim took the advice of his father to pursue his Ph.D. 

What is your area of expertise?

In terms of teaching, I teach managerial accounting. I have taught managerial accounting as a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas at Austin and as a professor at the University of Toronto. I have taught both at the undergraduate and MBA levels, and I thoroughly enjoy it.

For research, I am interested in how the boards of directors govern corporations. Boards are at the pinnacle of the corporate hierarchy, but not much is known about them because board meetings are private and confidential. It is interesting to uncover patterns of their behaviors by analyzing data on individual directors and board structures.

How did you get interested in your field?

You may think it odd that, although I am an accounting professor, I am not a CPA. I jokingly refer to myself as nCnPnA: non-certified, non-public, non-accountant. I have never worked in public accounting as an accountant, and I don’t know much about financial accounting rules. People often picture CPAs and public accounting when they think of accounting, but there is a much greater field in accounting in terms of career opportunities: managerial accounting! Managerial accounting is used by all organizations, for-profit or non-profit. To make profitable business decisions, to motivate people through compensation, and to plan the allocation of resources, organizations use managerial accounting. All the decision-making and control aspect of managerial accounting fascinates me. Moreover, I also worked as a financial analyst. A financial analyst is basically a managerial accounting specialist.

When I first joined the Ph.D. program at the University of Texas at Austin, I thought corporate governance was the most boring topic. However, I had a chance to work with a professor who works in the field and gradually gained interest in the topic. Now, it is the most intriguing topic for me as a researcher.

What classes do you teach at 91¸ŁŔű?

Managerial Accounting! You can meet me in ACC 202 and ACC 305.

What are your expectations of your students?

Challenge yourself. What you will gain in college is not the output (e.g., grades/GPA) but the process in which you obtain it. GPA is not a requirement to have a good, fulfilling career, but the work ethic and resilient attitude are.

Be ethical. Consider what you can lose by compromising the principles. Be a person that the future you can be proud.

Be independent and responsible. Don’t bring a secondary school mentality. You are an adult now. Don’t expect hand-holding in college; relying on that will only hurt you in the workplace.

What do you enjoy doing outside of academia?

Walking in the woods with my wife and our dog-daughter. This is why we moved to Maine! But my wife is a bit afraid of walking in the woods here, because she heard there are black bears in the Maine woods. I told her I see thousands of Black Bears on campus.

What advice do you wish you had received as an undergraduate student?

Experiment with many things. You are young and can afford to make mistakes because you will get many more chances. This applies to any aspect of life, and is also true for careers. If things don’t work out for you, you can always come back to school as a graduate student. I had three different jobs before I returned to school and found my calling as an academic.

Develop a philosophy of life. Deliberate on why you are in this world. What is the purpose of your life? The earlier you begin contemplating, the more meaningful your life will be.

What are your first impressions of Maine?

Trees, trees, trees! It was a clear day when my first flight to Bangor was descending, and all I could see were trees. I expected the greenery, but I did not expect this much greeeeenery.

People are so nice here. I appreciate the kindness and friendliness of Mainers. When I lived in big cities like Toronto and New York, I missed these little things that truly improve the quality of life.

The Maine Business School recently hosted its annual Accounting Firm Night (AFN) at the Buchanan Alumni House, bringing together 61 business students and 11 91¸ŁŔű alumni. Representatives from 10 leading accounting firms across New England shared information about internships and early career opportunities in public accounting.

For many students, the highlight of AFN is the chance to connect with alumni who once stood in their shoes. For the alumni, it’s an equally meaningful opportunity to give back, share guidance, and meet the next generation of business leaders.

Heather Goan, ’20, tax manager at Baker Newman Noyes, loves hearing what students are excited about. “Whether that’s classes, internships, or job prospects, I love being able to answer their questions,” she says. “It’s great to see them taking initiative by attending firm events and starting those conversations early.” 

Riley Andrews ’24, ’25G, a staff auditor at BerryDunn, enjoys the opportunity to relate to what students are going through and share tips and advice she learned during her time at 91¸ŁŔű. “Events like AFN help us build relationships with students who are passionate about the profession and identify future team members who align with BerryDunn’s values and goals,” she says.

“With job sites like LinkedIn and Indeed, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of rĂ©sumĂ©s,” says Craig Blackwell ’16,’ 22G, an audit senior at . “These networking events are where we can meet prospects face to face, giving students another opportunity to showcase who they are off-paper.”

The impact of professional development events goes beyond one evening. Alumni like Riley Andrews encourage students to attend as many networking opportunities as they can—even those outside their major. “Each time a student attends, they not only expand their opportunities but also build confidence in speaking with recruiters,” she says.

Dave Barrett, Lecturer in Accounting at MBS, says that his current students appreciate getting to chat with both the older alumni who have made a successful career in public accounting and the younger alumni who are just starting out. “It also gives the students the chance to ‘interview’ a bunch of different firms so they can figure out where they might feel the most comfortable after graduation,” he says.

Events like Accounting Firm Night underscore the powerful role alumni play in shaping the Maine Business School experience. By sharing their time, expertise, and encouragement, 91¸ŁŔű graduates open doors for current students and strengthen the Black Bear business community.

91¸ŁŔű’s MaineMBA Academy–a flagship experiential program within the Maine Business School–recently celebrated its third successful cohort in Portland, Maine.

Launched in 2023 through the vision and generosity of Mark and Evan Skinner, the MaineMBA Academy offers a dynamic hybrid capstone experience that pairs MBA students with companies in Maine to address real-world business challenges. The program culminates in an intensive, three-day in-person experience at the Maine Center and Graduate School of Business in Portland’s Old Port, where students collaborate with executives and mentors on strategic projects.

For students like Jane Nicoll, the MaineMBA Academy represented the pinnacle of their graduate education. “After weeks of virtual classes, having that time together in person made a big difference,” she says. “It allowed students to build stronger relationships, connect more naturally, and practice essential skills like collaboration, group facilitation, and public speaking—things that are often harder to develop through a screen. That week really brought everything full circle and reminded me how valuable in-person collaboration can be for both personal and professional growth.”

Since its inception, the MaineMBA Academy has grown rapidly—underscoring the value of integrating academic insight with real-world business engagement. To guide its continued success, a dedicated advisory group has been established. Comprising Mark Skinner, Melanie Tinto, Jon Sorensen, Jason Harkins, Richard Bilodeau, and Andrew King, the group has developed a strategic plan focused on long-term sustainability, expanding corporate partnerships, and aligning with the evolving needs of Maine’s business community.

The program’s benefits extend far beyond the classroom. Nicholas Steenberg, Business Development Manager for , joined the 2025 Academy as a business partner, working with two student teams to explore the company’s strategic direction. TEMO, a France-based manufacturer of electric outboard motors, launched its Maine operations in Portland and Scarborough in fall 2024.

“Working alongside the students was eye-opening,” Steenberg says. “They applied frameworks—from the triple bottom line to SWOT analysis—and offered new perspectives on everything from leveraging carbon credits to improving dealer training and exploring influencer partnerships. Their recommendations were both practical and thought-provoking—many were things I wouldn’t have considered otherwise.”

Looking ahead, the MaineMBA Academy plans to amplify its visibility through targeted marketing to prospective students, corporate collaborators, and potential donors. A comprehensive fundraising strategy is also underway, designed to diversify revenue through corporate sponsorships, alumni engagement, and philanthropic support.

“The experience reminded me how energizing it is to engage local students,” adds Steenberg, “and how much there is to gain from their curiosity, analysis, and fresh thinking.”

The MaineMBA Academy reflects the Maine Business School’s deep commitment to innovation and experiential learning—preparing students to lead with insight, agility, and confidence in today’s evolving business landscape. “With the support of our advisory group and the broader university community, we are poised to elevate the Academy’s impact and reach,” says Jason Harkins, Executive Dean of the Maine Business School.

For more information about the MaineMBA Academy and opportunities to get involved, please visit umaine.edu/business/mainemba-academy.​

Seven students from the University of Maine’s Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) traveled to New Orleans, LA, from April 3–5 to attend the (ICC), marking the club’s first time attending since 2019.

Held annually, ICC brings together over 1,600 students from more than 130 collegiate AMA chapters worldwide. The conference offers students the opportunity to compete in national competitions, attend professional development sessions, and network with like-minded peers. For 91¸ŁŔű AMA, it was an opportunity not just to represent their university, but to grow as marketers and bring home a renewed vision for the future of their chapter.

Each of the seven attending members got the chance to apply their classroom knowledge to national competitions, including the JBL Design Lab challenge. “For this challenge, we were given 90 minutes to create a marketing strategy for their college campus influencer program. JBL representatives were there and actually judged our presentation,” says Elaina Eves, AMA Vice President. “I was able to really put my marketing skills to the test in a unique environment.”

Along with competitions, members also gained valuable insights to strengthen their chapter by attending educational sessions led by the leaders of chapters that have excelled in previous years.

“ I really liked that clubs talked about how they were structured and how their structure allowed them to expand and attract high-quality members who were in it for the long term,” says William Chase, AMA director. “We want to bring that back to help us build an involved, high-performing member base.”

Outside of the competitions, there was so much to explore in New Orleans and time to bond as a team. “I had fun on Bourbon Street, which is infamous for hosting Mardi Gras. It was a great way to learn about New Orleans culture and tourism,” Chase says. “Even on an out-of-season weekend, it was really nice to just people-watch walking down the street, it really showed a fun culture of activity.”

The executive board is now excited to implement what they learned. Plans for the upcoming school year include restructuring the board to encourage more member participation and introducing fresh events and initiatives. The ICC experience has set the foundation for 91¸ŁŔű AMA’s next step to growth and success.

Story by: Andie Lovejoy