Program Highlights – Maine Business School

Students Travel to Chicago to Experience Professional Sports Industry

mbrooks — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:47:03 +0000

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

BearTreks Boston: Morgan Stanley, EF, and Meet Boston

mbrooks — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:15:20 +0000

At 7:30 a.m. on March 25, 30 undergraduate students entered the doors of the Donald P. Corbett Business building with luggage in hand. They weren’t heading to class; they were loading a bus bound for Boston.

The trip is part of the Maine Business School’s Bear Treks program, which takes learning outside the classroom and into the offices of major companies to expose students to career opportunities and workplace culture. Students have the chance to connect with industry professionals, many of whom are MBS alumni who once walked the same halls of DPC.

“You don’t learn the world through the classroom; you learn the world by going out into the world,” says Leif Walker, a second-year finance and financial economics student who attended the trip. “To have that perspective is incredibly valuable.”

Morgan Stanley

The exploration began at , where students were greeted by Sundance Campbell, Bangor Branch Manager, Financial Advisor, and Associate Vice President. Campbell led a panel of financial professionals from the Boston office who discussed how to prepare for a career in wealth management while emphasizing that career paths are rarely linear. Panelists shared insights on skill sets and resources that can help students stand out when applying for internships and jobs, followed by a tour of the office.

“I enjoyed learning about their work culture,” Walker says. “Their values were displayed on the wall as we walked in. They mentioned curiosity a lot, as well as hard work paying off, consistency, dedication, and showing up when you don’t want to or when you’re tired.”

Alumni Networking

After Morgan Stanley, students checked into the Omni Parker House, a Boston landmark with roots dating to 1855 and a returning stop from the program’s 2024 Boston Bear Treks. That evening, students suited up for a networking dinner with 10 91�� alumni hosted by First Citizens Bank in Boston’s Financial District. Among the alumni were Josh Francoeur ‘25, and Isabelle Armstrong ‘24, who had both attended Boston Bear Treks during their time as MBS undergrads just years before. Now, on the other side, they were proof that the path from DPC to a career is closer than it might seem.

Lauren Deighan, a junior studying management, sport management, and marketing, said the event went beyond company presentations and allowed for more personal connections. Deighan, a member of 91��’s Swim and Dive team, connected with Zack Magliaro, a former 91�� football player and Vice President of Commercial Banking at First Citizens.

“We talked about the discipline that comes with being a student-athlete and how that helped shape his work ethic and prepared him for his professional career,” Deighan says. “It showed how skills you build in college, even outside the classroom, can translate directly into the workplace and made me feel more confident about how my own experiences can carry over into my future career.”

Education First (EF)

The next morning, students visited the Cambridge headquarters of . The building’s sprawling, multi-floor space featured a cafe, bar, and lush greenery on the lobby level, with each floor showcasing a collaborative and energetic work environment from porch swing seating to bean bag-filled event spaces.

After learning about EF’s range of programs, students heard from a panel of 91�� alumni whose careers brought them to the company. Alumni included Olivia Shipsey, Maggie Smoot, Victoria Nolette, and Kian Murray. The panel was followed by lunch, which gave students time to ask panelists questions and have more in-depth conversations about their individual career paths.

Meet Boston

The trip concluded at , where students heard from Michael D. Munn, Community Engagement Liaison. Munn introduced employees who collectively outlined how Meet Boston manages the behind-the-scenes work of the city’s tourism industry, from attracting travelers to hosting international sporting events.

More Than Just a Trip

Beyond the company visits, Bear Treks gave students the chance to build relationships with peers they might not have otherwise met. Leif Walker said the trip allowed him to deepen connections with fellow MBS students during the unscheduled hours between visits, in addition to continuing relationships with MBS alumni.

“I network with a ‘jump in the deep end’ approach,” Walker says. “You learn to swim quicker than you think you would. Just say you’re going to talk to people, and then it gets way easier. Getting over the initial hump is the hardest part.”

For Lauren Deighan, the trip made a post-graduation path feel less daunting. Seeing different companies and cultures firsthand helped her recognize that the right fit extends well beyond a job title.
“The most valuable thing I learned was that there isn’t just one ‘right’ path after graduation,” Deighan says. “Everyone we talked to had a different story, and it made me realize that it’s okay to explore different opportunities and figure things out as you go.”

That sense of possibility is at the heart of what Bear Treks offers. By stepping off campus and into professional spaces, students leave with a broader vision of what their futures can look like and the confidence to pursue it.

Story and photos by Andie Lovejoy

University of Maine SPIFFY Earns Third Place at 2026 Quinnipiac GAME Forum in New York City

mbrooks — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:55:45 +0000

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�� 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�� 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

Learning from the Experts: Wealth Management Industry Exploration Night at MBS

mbrooks — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:08:49 +0000

This spring, the Maine Business School held Industry Exploration Night: Wealth Management—a professional development event to connect industry professionals and students. The evening of wealth management industry exposure, education, and networking was another success for MBS, with over 50 students in attendance at the Buchanan Alumni House.

Garrett McKnight, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of , our Presenting Sponsor, kicked off the event with a warm welcome. “Events like this allow students to really hear what people’s journeys are like and provide them the opportunity to potentially create relationships that can help navigate their next steps—which could be an internship or their entry into the job market,” McKnight says.

Representatives from Camden National Wealth Management, Acadia Wealth Planning, Barresi Financial, Division of United Insurance, Bigelow Investments, Edward Jones, Guidance Point Retirement Services, LLC, Means Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley, and Skinner Retirement & Benefits Consulting shared their insights during our panel discussion. They discussed their career journeys, their ideas about wealth management before entering the field, and offered advice to students interested in exploring the industry as new college graduates.

“I hope students gained a clearer understanding of what it really means to work in wealth management and the variety of opportunities within the field,” says Erin Barry, ’07, G’08, CEO of Means Wealth Management. “Events like this can help students see that there may be a career path here they hadn’t originally considered.”

Presley Rideout, an Accounting and Management major from Brewer, ME, was excited to learn about how deeply client relationships matter in the wealth management industry. “As a people person, I see myself in a field where the customer relationship is the foundation of success,” she says. “I was happy to learn that these relationships are of importance in the industry.”

Following the panel, students enjoyed refreshments sponsored by while networking with employers. “The ability to hear from experienced members of the community in a relatively relaxed manner is great,” McKnight says. “It provides an easy way to learn more about a field they may be interested in.”

Hallie Taunton, a Finance and Management major from Saratoga Springs, NY, agreed. “My main takeaway was that wealth management isn’t just stocks and numbers, it’s also about connecting with your clients, hearing their stories, and helping them achieve their goals,” she says. “This event helped me fully understand the various opportunities in this industry.”

Professional development events such as Industry Exploration Night continue to help Maine Business School students better understand various careers, gain advice from professionals, connect with alums, and take meaningful steps toward their future goals.

Story by Regan Lawn | Photos by Andie Lovejoy

Maine Business School Second Annual Career Week

mbrooks — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:37:56 +0000

MBS is ready to kick off the Second Annual Career Week, a week of networking and professional development for all business students. Career Week gives students the opportunity to explore summer internships, build connections with top employers, and enhance their professional development. The highlight of the week is the 91�� All Majors Career Fair, held on Wednesday, February 11, at the New Balance Student Recreation Center.

What’s the best part of Career Week?

These events, hosted by MBS and 91��, are completely free for students! This gives all students the chance to take the next step in their careers without any financial strain. The Maine Business School is committed to providing MBS students with every opportunity for success, and Career Week is an ideal time for students and employers to connect professionally at the start of a new semester.

What’s so important about Career Week?

“Career Week is a great opportunity to meet with employers, explore new industries and career paths, and grow your professional network,” says Trina Schuler, MBS Internship Coordinator. If students are actively looking for an internship or job, Shuler recommends they attend the MBS Lunch and Learn with Enterprise and the 91�� Career Fair at the New Balance Student Recreation Center. “This is your chance to make a great first impression on a potential employer,” Shuler adds.

What can you expect?

Our week-long lineup of events starts with improving your personal brand, moves to a Lunch & Learn with a top employer, and ends with a night of networking skills development. Here are the details:

Monday, February 9

Personal Branding Day
12 pm – 1 pm in the Student Success Center
Dress your best for a free professional headshot and networking cards to share with employers and professionals.

Tuesday, February 10

Elevator Pitch Workshop Hosted by AMA
5 pm – 6 pm in DPC 111
Join this interactive workshop to learn how to introduce yourself effectively to employers at the 91�� Career Fair and beyond.

Wednesday, February 11

91�� All Majors Career Fair
10 am – 2 pm at the New Balance Student Recreational Center
Connect with employers from all fields of the workforce.

Thursday, February 12

Lunch & Learn: Enterprise
12 pm – 1 pm in DPC 109
Learn more about the culture and career opportunities at this employer, with office locations across the United States. Free lunch provided.
.

Networking Skills Night
5 pm – 6 pm in DPC 205
Learn how to network with confidence and intention.

Story by Sydney Lavigne

Exploring Maine’s Business Landscape: MBS Students Visit IDEXX and Allagash Brewing on Fall Bear Treks

mbrooks — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 19:54:52 +0000

This fall, the Maine Business School brought 28 undergraduate students to Portland for a Bear Treks trip featuring visits to IDEXX Laboratories and Allagash Brewing Company—two of Maine’s most innovative and successful businesses.

Bear Treks trips are one of MBS’s signature experiential learning opportunities, offering students the chance to explore different industries, connect with professionals, and practice networking in real-world settings. Thanks to generous donor support, these trips are free for all students.

First-year student Esther Penney, from Freeport, joined the trip to learn more about southern Maine businesses and practice her networking skills.

“I 100% would encourage all business students to go on Bear Treks,” Esther says. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to meet people you could potentially work with in the future and to build connections that will be helpful when searching for jobs or internships.”

At , a global leader in veterinary diagnostics, livestock testing, and water quality solutions, students toured the company’s Westbrook headquarters and met with employees, recruiters, and 91�� alumni. With more than 11,000 employees worldwide, IDEXX gave students a firsthand look at how a global company operates—all from right here in Maine.

The second stop brought students to , one of the nation’s most respected craft breweries and home to the award-winning Allagash White. During a guided tour, students sampled Allagash Hop Water and heard from a panel of employees representing HR, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Hospitality, and Engineering.

“From our perspective, hosting the Bear Treks trip was more than just a facility tour—it was a chance to welcome students into the world of Maine’s largest craft brewery,” says Meg Sweet, Recruiting Specialist at Allagash. “We wanted to share what makes our work meaningful, highlight the variety of career paths in the craft beverage industry, and show how creativity, collaboration, and community come together in everything we do.”

The day concluded with an MBS Young Alumni networking event at Allagash, where students connected with recent graduates working in the Portland area.

“Meeting alumni was so helpful,” Esther says. “I had great conversations with other accounting and finance majors who shared advice, contacts, and encouragement. It was really reassuring to hear about their experiences after graduation.”

From global innovation at IDEXX to local creativity at Allagash, the Portland Bear Treks trip gave students an inside look at Maine’s thriving business community—and a chance to imagine their own career paths within it.

Doing Business at Dinner: Building Confidence, One Bite at a Time

mbrooks — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:23:36 +0000

What do handshakes, small talk, and silverware have in common? They were all part of the learning (and fun!) at the Maine Business School’s recent Doing Business at Dinner event.

Held at the , this three-course etiquette dinner gave students the chance to practice professional skills in a real dining setting. Led by etiquette expert Jean Papalia, owner of A+ Etiquette, the evening covered everything from how to introduce yourself with confidence, to what to do if you drop a utensil, to why you should never ask for a to-go box at a business dinner.

For Taryn Asvestas, a fourth-year student from North Andover, Massachusetts, the experience was packed with takeaways. “I learned so many things!” Taryn says. “Jean helped me perfect my handshake, learn how to interact with other diners, and what silverware, plates, and cups to use. I also learned that you should never go to a business dinner hungry, because it’s not about the food, it’s about the connections.”

Logan Spratt, a first-year student from Castine, Maine, said he was impressed by how interactive the event was. “This was my first professional event at MBS, and I loved how hands-on it was,” Logan says. “I’m excited to continue to learn and put the skills I learn into practice.”

For Jean Papalia, the highlight was seeing students dive in and practice what they were learning.

“Many pivotal career conversations don’t take place in a boardroom or on a Zoom call—they happen over coffee, during interview lunches, at business dinners, and at networking events,” she says. “I was truly impressed by the level of engagement from MBS students, especially seeing so many first-year students taking advantage of opportunities like this dinner. Several students came up to me afterward to practice their professional introductions, which showed both initiative and eagerness to grow.”

Both Taryn and Logan agreed that Doing Business at Dinner is an event every business student should sign up for.

“You learn so much, meet new peers, and make connections,” Taryn says. “The skills learned from this event are skills students will have to use in their future,” Logan added. “Why not learn them now?”

In the end, students walked away with new friends, practical skills, and the confidence to shine in future networking and dining situations. And yes—they even figured out which bread plate was theirs.

Photos by Andie Lovejoy

Three Interns Drive MBS Golf Tournament to Second Year of Success

mbrooks — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:29:18 +0000

On May 19, the Maine Business School hosted its second annual MBS Golf Tournament at the Penobscot Valley Country Club. Fifteen teams participated, and 23 sponsors supported the event, helping make the day memorable for students, alumni, and local businesses.

This year’s tournament was organized by three student interns: Olivia Bammel, Ben Carroll, and Lucas Ronco. Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Sport Management Dr. Nicholas Swim and two MBS staff members, Matt Curtis and Melanie Brooks, the interns gained hands-on experience in sponsorship sales, website development, team outreach, marketing campaign creation, budget management, and more.

“This internship made me more confident in developing and marketing a large event,” says Ronco. “Communication is key when working in a group or team. Although each of us had individual tasks, it was crucial that we stayed in close contact about what had been completed and what still needed to be done.”

The event featured a golf scramble, silent auction, gift bags, and catered breakfast and lunch for participants. It was a great opportunity to bring the local business community together in a fun and exciting way. Participants, volunteers, and interns had the chance to connect and network with teams that included 91�� alumni and business partners.

“The support from the community felt incredible throughout this process,” Ronco says. “We had several different sponsors, and I had the opportunity to work with several of them about our marketing material and connect with them at the event. I am beyond grateful that our community donated to this event and allowed for yet another successful golf tournament!”

Events like this align with the Maine Business School’s mission of fostering community, connection, and career readiness. Funds raised from the tournament will support student experiential learning and travel opportunities.

“When students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom through internships in real-world settings, they transform from students to professionals,” says MBS Executive Dean Dr. Jason Harkins. “The MBS Golf Tournament is a shining example of how we integrate classroom knowledge with practical experience to help build confidence, skills, and connections that prepare our students to thrive in today’s business environment. We’re grateful to our community partners who invest in these opportunities and help us shape the next generation of business leaders.”

Story and Photos by: Andie Lovejoy

American Marketing Association’s Immersive International Collegiate Conference Experience

mbrooks — Thu, 15 May 2025 16:29:23 +0000

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�� 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�� AMA’s next step to growth and success.

Story by: Andie Lovejoy