Courtesy / UMaine
Jason Harkins.
March 24, 2023
UMaine’s new business school chief is an entrepreneurship expert
The incoming executive director of the University of Maine’s business school in Orono brings expertise in entrepreneurship and small business management.
Jason Harkins, a University of Maine associate professor of management, was named executive dean of the Maine Business School, effective April 1.
Harkins had been serving as the school’s interim executive dean since July, and as associate dean since 2020.
“At the conclusion of a national search, we are pleased that Jason will continue to provide leadership for the Maine Business School,” John Volin, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, said in a news release.
“His focus on student success and career preparation, entrepreneurial approaches to business education, and engagement with and commitment to the business community in Maine and beyond are important in meeting the state’s workforce and economic needs," Volin added.
The Maine Business School is one of the colleges at the University of Maine.
Harkins succeeds Faye Gilbert as executive dean. She is still on staff at UMaine and teaches MBA courses.
A related division, the Graduate School of Business, which is part of the Maine Business School, is led by Norm O'Reilly, a dean based in Portland (at the new site at 300 Fore St.).
Connecting theory and practice
Harkins, who has a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, joined UMaine in 2008. He founded and served as the CEO of Scratchpad Accelerator, which resulted in over $3 million in increases to the workforce in Maine. In addition to his research on entrepreneurship and small business management, Harkins leads the Maine Business Institute, dedicated to promoting thought leadership and consulting services throughout the state.
He has worked with firms in Maine to gather ideas for students and employees on what organizations can do to enhance physical, mental, social, vocational and financial well-being.
“At Maine’s premier business school, we are innovating with a focus on connecting theory and practice," Harkins said, "developing life-transformative educational opportunities that enhance well-being over a lifetime, and engaging with the businesses to provide expertise that advances economic outcomes in Maine and beyond.”
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