An accredited public relations professional, Shane Perry brings his extensive experience in marketing and communications to the Maine Business School as the new Lecturer in Marketing.

What inspired you to become a professor?

Dr. Kathryn Lasky at the University of Southern Maine inspired me to want to become a professor. Kathryn was someone who effectively challenged my idea of “settling for good enough.” She got to know me as both my professor and my advisor. She encouraged me to continue my education into grad school and told me I would make a good teacher.

What is your area of expertise?

Marketing and Public Relations.

How did you get interested in your field?

It was an undergrad media criticism course that first sparked my interest in the field of marketing and communications. I found that marketing combined my interest in research and data with my background in the arts. In marketing, creativity can lend itself to unique solutions for real-world business problems. I like being able to use the data and metrics as a starting point for creative output.

What classes do you teach at 91福利?

Introduction to Marketing (MKT 270), both in-person and online.

What are your expectations of your students?

It’s my job to help my students build a solid understanding of the fundamentals of marketing so they are well-prepared for more advanced marketing topics. I hope students will come to class with a curious mind. I think classes are more enjoyable for everyone when there is active participation. I foster an inclusive, welcoming classroom environment, encouraging students to ask and answer questions without fear of judgment. This is an intro class, and there are no stupid questions.

What do you enjoy doing outside of academia?

One thing I really enjoy doing is playing tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons or Settlers of Catan. I have a group of friends I meet with weekly, and we try out new games. Right now, my favorite game is Monster of the Week.

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

Don’t rush your college experience. I dismissed a lot of the “college experience” as partying and didn鈥檛 participate in a lot of campus activities.

Part of the college experience is learning how to engage with other people. Learn how to effectively network. Learn how to be a part of a team and what that means. Learn to appreciate what you bring to the table and advocate for yourself. Learn your weak spots so you can better appreciate other people’s contributions. Learn how to handle rejection in a healthy way. Learn how to get out of your comfort zone.

Dr. Alexandru Roman relocated across the country from California to join the Maine Business School this fall. An Assistant Professor of Strategic Management, Dr. Roman earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside.

What inspired you to become a professor?

My father was a professor. He was the one who inspired me to join academia. He has always instilled in me the value of knowledge, creativity, and the need to uphold high professional and moral values.

What is your area of expertise?

My main areas of expertise and research interest are strategy and strategic management. A particular focus is human capital resources within the context of organizational performance.

How did you get interested in your field of study?

My first Ph.D. was in Public Administration. However, as my career progressed, my interest expanded significantly beyond my original focus on governmental and nonprofit organizations’ performance. As a result, I decided to pursue a second Ph.D. in Strategy and Organizations, in line with my newly developed research interests.

What classes do you teach at 91福利?

I teach Strategic Management and Global Supply Chain Network.

What are your expectations for your students?

My hope is that students will seize the moment and opportunity to reach their highest personal and professional expectations.

What do you enjoy doing outside of academia?

I am a huge sports fan – specifically, football and soccer. I follow Chelsea FC and the Kansas City Chiefs.

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

• There are several things that I wish I would have internalized more as an undergraduate student:
• Have a career plan. It does not need to be perfect, however, typically any plan is better than no plan.
• Most, if not all, large successes start small. Small early inputs (e.g., saving, investments, training, etc.) have significant aggregate impacts – such that success is nothing more than a function of small incremental changes.
• Starting any project (i.e., new skill, business, etc.) is typically the most difficult part. It usually gets easier after the initial struggles.
• There will never be a “perfect time” to succeed. My father used to say that if given enough time, one will always find convincing arguments not do something. As such – don’t give yourself too much time to dissuade yourself from success. As the cliche would have it – just do it!
• Life indeed “happens” while you wait to start living. Those who say that youth may be wasted on the young may have a point. Make it your job to prove them wrong.

In September 2023, Dr. Nick Swim joined the faculty at the Maine Business School. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development – Sport Administration at the University of Louisville, where he was a full-time lecturer. Read on to learn about his research interests, teaching style, and advice.

My original goal was to coach. I loved working with athletes, but then I got into research, which led me to teaching. I realized I could significantly impact a larger group of students in the classroom versus just on the baseball field. There’s a lot of overlap between coaching and teaching, like communication, transparency, holding people accountable, and hard work. What I love about sports is how they can transform people’s lives. Many positive impacts can be made through sport from a manager’s side of things. I love training the next generation of managers. I focus on teaching that sports are inclusive for everyone regardless of age, level, and individuality.

I’ve taught many classes, from sports communication to ethical issues in sports. My research focus is on leadership attainment. I’m focused on researching how to make sports a more inclusive environment from multiple perspectives, such as how we improve access to sports and how it could exclude groups from our populations. From a leadership perspective, how are we hiring and creating systems to support diverse populations to excel at their jobs, especially through supporting people of different races, religions, and international status? And how are we helping these individuals in these spaces? How do we make spaces more inclusive? How do we reimagine sports experiences to ensure fewer people have negative experiences? I see research as a giant puzzle and enjoy figuring out how to assemble things.

The biggest thing for me was always being around sports. Fun fact: my uncle played baseball at 91福利 way back in the day. He was a part of one of the World Series teams in the 80s. That was pretty exciting! My grandpa is a hall-of-fame high school baseball coach in Vermont, and my dad’s side is a golfing family. I’ve been entrenched in sports my entire life. I never really thought I would be working anywhere outside of sports. From an athlete standpoint, I always played multiple sports and, through these different perspectives, learned a lot about leadership.

I am currently teaching Intro to Sport Management. It’s the first class where undergrads are grasping how to move from a fan to a manager, and that is the goal of the sports management degree. In the future, we plan to add a Sport Sales and Sponsorship course focused on the importance of sports selling. I’m also excited to teach an event management course focused on developing sport-focused events. My goal is to bring a positive environment everywhere I am. I don’t want students to come into my classroom with a negative perspective. I want them to come in and say, “Wow, I learned a lot today, and I had fun!”

The most significant part is showing up and being engaged. There’s nothing better than a classroom of students sharing their opinions, giving their perspectives, answering questions, and challenging themselves to improve. If you do that, then you’ll do fine in my classroom and the sports industry!

I was a former college baseball player, so many of my hobbies were sports. I’m also a runner. I’ve run seven marathons with Boston lined up for the spring, which is exciting. Another fun fact about me is that I grew up on a golf course! My father is a golf pro and teaching professional at a local country club in Vermont. I have played and worked at a golf course my whole life, making it a fun hobby for the summer months. It’s a unique way to engage with and meet new people.

As most of my students know, I’m a Swiftie. I’m not a wait-in-the-que-for-hours type of Taylor Swift fan, but I will enjoy her music! For pump-up specific right now, it’s mostly Zach Bryant. I have a high energy level, so music that stays on an even keel is probably where I need to be. I usually have students tell me their walk-up song as an ice-breaker in class, and I share mine, which this semester would be some old-school Drake.

Get more involved on campus. Getting involved in different groups that challenge your perspective is excellent for your development. We sometimes get stuck in doing clubs/organizations that align with our past experiences instead of trying new things! College is about being uncomfortable, so taking on new, unique experiences can really improve you as a person! If I could return to college, I would get involved and do more things to help the campus, the community, and those around me.

Story by Annie Pendergast


 

The Maine Business School is pleased to announce that Dr. Patti Miles and Dr. Meghan Gardner have assumed the roles of Associate Dean and Assistant Dean of Business, respectively.

Dr. Patti Miles, Professor of Management, has been Interim Associate Dean of Business since July 2022. She joined the MBS faculty in the fall of 2008 after completing her Ph.D. at the University of Texas, Arlington. The majority of her teaching has been in operations management at the undergraduate level and data analysis for business in the graduate program.

Originally from Thousand Oaks, California, Dr. Miles played golf at Weber University. She traded her clubs for fatigues, completed Army basic training, and joined the ROTC program. She spent 25 years in the Army, her last post being Lieutenant Colonel and Deputy Bridge Commander in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It’s the service aspect of the Associate Dean role that Dr. Miles connects with. “As a faculty member, I was focused on teaching and research, with minimal service,” she says. “As Associate Dean, the job is all service, with research when I can fit it in.” Her focus in her new roles is on helping staff, faculty, and students succeed.

Dr. Miles lives in Orono with her husband, Dr. Grant Miles, Associate Professor of Management at MBS. She has four kids in their 20s and 30s, and the entire family enjoys outdoor adventures.

Dr. Meghan Gardner joined the Maine Business School in May 2022 as the Academic Advisor and Student Support Specialist for the Graduate School of Business. She assumed the role of Assistant Dean of Business in April 2023. An alum of 91福利, Dr. Gardner earned her master’s in English in 2009. She received her Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Denver in 2014.

Originally from the Boston area, she has lived in Maine for nearly 20 years with her husband, Cory, and their 8-year-old daughter.

“I love that our student and staff communities have such a wide variety of professional, educational, and life experiences,” Dr. Gardner says. “It enriches our programs and the work we do here at the Maine Business School and Graduate School of Business.”

Dr. Jason Harkin, Associate Professor of Management, has been named the Executive Dean of the Maine Business School. Dr. Harkins has been the Interim Executive Dean since July 2022, and was the Associate Dean of Business before that. You can find the official announcement of his hire here. Read on to learn more about our new Executive Dean in his own words鈥�

Where are you from?

Kansas City, Kansas.

Tell us a bit about your family.

My wife and I have three kids, ages 12, 10, and 8. We live in Bangor, Maine. 

You’re an avid reader; what are your top three must-read business books?

• The E Myth Revisited by Michale E. Gerber. I actually keep several copies of this book on my shelf in my office to give to people.
• Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke
• The Prince by Niccolo Machiavellil
• The Hard Thing 91福利 Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
• Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City by Brad Feld

How did you become interested in teaching as a profession?

When I was getting my MBA from the University of Missouri, I tutored large portions of my MBA class across many different business content areas. I found the process of helping someone understand something new to be really rewarding. On top of that, I am and always have been interested in understanding how people make decisions. Teaching strategy and entrepreneurship in business schools is an excellent place to teach exploratory decision-making. 

What are your top priorities as you take over the Executive Dean role permanently?

My priorities are all around student success. I want to ensure that students are being developed not only to get a career but to lead a fulfilling life. I firmly believe in the investment in professional development for students, faculty, and staff. The Maine Business School has an opportunity to engage with the University community and the 91福利 System in developing professional skills where there is some other required background, such as engineering, biology, and education for example.

Why do you think students should choose to study business?

Because everyone is going to work in a business. Every organization at some core level, whether it’s public or private, is an organization that has to deal with the core functions of operating a business. A background in those core business skills not only advances the individual but adds to the organization’s capacity.

What role does the Maine Business School play in the State of Maine?

We are Maine’s premier business school. With a rapidly changing economic and demographic reality, developing the workforce of today and tomorrow will require deep commitment by MBS to deliver a curriculum that is robust in perspective, rigorous in practice, and relevant to the needs of our ever-changing world. We will ensure that our graduates will meet and exceed the needs of employers in Maine and beyond.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

I’m not sure it’s advice, but there are three values that I strive to live by:
1. It鈥檚 essential to focus on the good of the whole rather than what will benefit you as an individual.
2. The notion that you can never sacrifice your integrity for anything. It鈥檚 critical that you stand for what you believe in, and that’s not negotiable.
3. Show up and do the work. 

Jason Entsminger has been named assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation and assistant Extension professor and small business specialist at the University of Maine, effective September 15.

Entsminger comes to 91福利 from the (NERCRD), hosted at Pennsylvania State University. NERCRD is one of four such centers established by USDA to coordinate research and Extension activities that support rural community development. There he led the center’s outreach-oriented mission, engaging with northeast land grant universities and rural development partners.

Entsminger’s research is focused on economic theories of firms and organizations and their strategic decisions. His work is often through the lens of food systems entrepreneurs. As an Extension professional, he pays particular attention to how the university system can support a successful entrepreneurial environment in rural communities. Topics of current interest include the networks used by entrepreneurs, rural forms of innovation, and minority-owned enterprises.

“We’re excited that Jason Entsminger will be engaged in the theory and practice of entrepreneurship in Maine,” says Jason Harkins, interim executive dean at the Maine Business School. “Along with teaching courses in entrepreneurship and innovation, Dr. Entsminger will help support Maine business owners with their needs and bring the experiences in the field into the classroom and his research.”

Through its economic development strategy, Maine has identified innovation and entrepreneurship as critical components of long-term growth and prosperity. As statewide efforts continue to encourage and facilitate the success of small businesses, Jason’s outreach work will strive to create curricula to help entrepreneurs form meaningful networks that will improve the success and performance of food system businesses.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Entsminger will be joining the Maine Business School and 91福利 Cooperative Extension in this new joint position,” shared Hannah Carter, dean of . “This position addresses both academic and industry needs, and we expect Jason will have an immediate impact as he has a great deal of knowledge and experience especially as it relates to small, rural businesses.”

Entsminger earned his Ph.D. in agricultural and applied economics at the University of Missouri. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Florida and a consortium of European institutions. His three bachelor’s degrees are from the University of Nevada, Reno.

The Maine Business School and Graduate School of Business welcome Erika Gabrielsen Neumann as Assistant Dean of Business.

“We are excited to have Erika join us in Portland as our Assistant Dean,” says Dr. Norm O’Reilly, Dean of the Graduate School of Business. “Erika has spent her career developing a robust network from Maine to California. She will bring much to our team as we build out our programs, connections, and industry linkages in Maine and beyond.

In her new role, Gabrielsen Neumann will lead the multidisciplinary collaboration across the University of Maine System to offer world-class undergraduate to graduate level education at Maine’s premier business school.

Gabrielsen Neumann has unique multi-sector expertise, having held leadership positions in the private sector, government, academia, philanthropy, and nonprofits. 

During the height of the pandemic, she served on various Maine-based Covid-19 task forces, including a statewide initiative to increase vaccine equity. For more than a decade, she worked in technology and biotech in the San Francisco Bay Area. She served as a director with global communications agency Ketchum. There she led the San Francisco Corporate Practice, co-founding Ketchum Corporate Social Responsibility. At global biotech firm Genentech, Gabrielsen Neumann led the creation of the Genentech Foundation and was the first executive director. Early in her career, she served as chief of staff to a political science think tank based at Rutgers University. She also worked on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) as deputy press secretary.  

She graduated from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, majoring in Humanities in International Affairs. Gabrielsen Neumann is a past board member for Conscious Capitalism of Portland, Maine, a member of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, and co-founder of the Infinite Kindness Project, a national model for post-pandemic recovery and wellness. 

Dr. Norm O’Reilly, a professor and former assistant dean at the University of Guelph, joins the Maine Business School鈥檚 Graduate School of Business as dean on July 1, 2021. Dr. O鈥橰eilly is a leading scholar in the business of sports. As a professor and CPA, he teaches courses in sport management and accounting. You can find the official announcement of his hire here. Read on to learn a bit more about our new dean in his own words…

Where are you from? 

I was born in Orillia, Ontario, and raised in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada. Both are small towns north of Toronto, Canada’s largest city.

Tell us a bit about your family.

My wife, Nad猫ge, is also a professor and is coming to 91福利 with me. Her area is strategy and management information systems. We have four amazing kids鈥揈mma is 18, Kian 15, and 12-year old twin boys, Thomas and Leland. We also have a dog, Lilly. My parents and close family are still in Lindsay, Ontario, where I grew up, and Nad猫ge’s family is in France. Her parents live near Auxerre, a small city southeast of Paris.

What books or podcasts are on your reading/listening list? 

During COVID, I spent much more time writing than reading/listening and, with co-authors, completed five books in the past year. 

How did you become interested in teaching as a profession? 

It was not my plan. Shortly after my MBA, I worked and got the chance to teach a class part-time at my alma mater, the University of Ottawa, and really enjoyed it. I did that for a few years before moving to academia full-time. Why did I change my plan? Quite simply, I loved it. Being a professor is a platform to do so many great things, teaching and working with students at the top of the list. It is a most fulfilling experience. 

During your collegiate years, did you have a favorite professor? What made them stand out? 

I have had many great professors over my four degrees and CPA. Many. But my favorite for many reasons is the late Dr. Sean Egan, who was a professor, then my boss (I was his research and teaching assistant), my mentor, and a fellow adventurer. He was an inspiration for me and took a significant role in convincing me that there are no barriers one cannot overcome and no challenge too great to tackle. Sean passed away, sadly, deep into his summit attempt to become (at the time) the 2nd oldest person to climb Mount Everest.

What sorts of activities are you looking forward to experiencing during your first year in Maine? 

This may sound a bit boring, but I’m looking forward to integrating into the state, the University, the city of Portland, my kids’ school (sports and otherwise), the community, and getting to know the area. My main hobbies are triathlon and hockey. I look forward to checking out the spectacular state on foot and bike, finding places to play and swim, and signing up for events and races.

What about this role at 91福利 piqued your interest? 

Perhaps of interest is that this was the second time I applied for this job. It caught my eye five years ago and again this past year. Just this time, I was so fortunate as to have been successful! I see myself as bringing value in the external and entrepreneurial aspects of the role, which from what I’ve learned so far, is what is needed. I have been teaching and working with MBA and professional graduate programs and executive education for more than 20 years and feel that I’m ready for the challenge, excited for it!

What are your first impressions of Maine and 91福利? 

In two words, very positive. The state is appealing (ocean, nature, outdoors, people, and more), and the University has a wonderful and successful history and is poised for growth, expansion, and a very positive future. I think it is a great time to join, and I hope to be here for a long time. 

What are your priorities for the MaineMBA next year? 

I can tell you my first goal is to get to know everyone鈥搊ur internal team, our partners, our students, our professors, our alumni, our corporate partners, and our friends. As a second point, the MBA is on a great trajectory, and I want to accelerate that. 

What are you most excited about? 

There is a long list! But, let me give you a few: the downtown Portland location (and vibe), the new building, the Alfond grant, the strength of our faculty at the Maine Business School and Graduate School of Business, and the potential. 

Why do you think it’s important to earn a Master of Business Administration? 

For me, an MBA is the right choice for a professional who is either stuck in their current job or wanting to transition their career. It can be the credential, learning, and networking that can lead to that promotion or new job. Of course, if you are thriving in your career, moving up, getting promoted, and learning, then there is no need to get off the train and do your MBA. But if the train is stalled or if you want to change tracks, it is鈥搃n my mind鈥搖nquestionably the best way to do that. 

What role do you see the Graduate School of Business playing in the State of Maine? 

A vibrant, leading, and innovative MBA can attract new talent to Maine, keep great people in the state, support the success of new and existing organizations. In addition, it can drive advanced business thinking specific to our context and lead efforts related to diversity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and resource generation. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? 

Great question. I’ve been so fortunate to have had many great mentors throughout my career. I have benefited from their advice many times over. But a couple of ‘pearls’ do come to mind that I’ve really adopted in my career. First, “take the time to plan.” It sounds so simple, but I can tell you from experience that having a plan鈥搘hether for your career, personal life, or even a specific goal (e.g., qualify for the Boston marathon)鈥搘orks. If you don’t plan, you’re not likely to succeed, but the odds go up a great deal if you do. Second, one mentor stressed with me the idea to “drop fear from your vocabulary.” If you want something, don’t let anything detract from that鈥揳 person, a challenge, a barrier, or a competitor. And, finally, “invest in yourself.” If you’re a driven career person like I am, investing your time, money, and energy into yourself will pay off and should not be viewed as a cost but an investment. It’s a subtle but important difference. 
 
 

November 9, 2020 鈥� The Maine Business School has promoted Jamie Ballinger to Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs. 

Since her hire in 2018, Ballinger has overseen enrollment management, recruitment, and operations for the Graduate School of Business. Under her leadership, the MaineMBA has risen to become a Top 50 ranked online MBA program and enrollments have grown by more than 150%. She has helped launch nine cutting edge programs as well as the Workforce Partners program. This program brings together the state鈥檚 Chambers of Commerce, business partners, and 91福利 to address unique workforce challenges.

鈥淛amie is directing the Graduate School of Business and is instrumental in providing information, working with students, and planning our marketing strategies for the MaineMBA,鈥� says Faye W. Gilbert, Ph.D., Dean of the Maine Business School. 鈥淪he is already an active part of the leadership in the Maine Business School, and this step acknowledges that.鈥�

Jamie holds bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and classics and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). She is scheduled to complete her PhD in Higher Education Leadership in 2021. Before joining the Graduate School of Business, Jamie was Assistant Director for Enrollment Management at the University of Maine. She also served as the  Assistant Dean of Academics at Thomas College. She serves on many boards and committees, including the , the , and the . 

91福利 the Maine Business School

The Maine Business School鈥檚 mission is to engage students and professionals in academic adventures. The program focuses on evolving business practices through scholarship and connection with the community. An AACSB accredited institution, the Maine Business School has met the most rigorous standards of excellence in business education. US News & World Report has ranked the MaineMBA a Top 50 online MBA program CEO Magazine ranks it #26 among online MBA programs worldwide.