Business School Receives Grant to Strengthen MBA Business, Sustainability Program

Contact: Terry Porter, 581-1990

ORONO — The Maine Business School’s Business and Sustainability Program recently received a Learning Circle Grant from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Assessment (CETA) at UMaine to explore and develop ways to enhance sustainability in the business school curriculum and program.

The grant will allow members of the MBS Learning Circle Committee — faculty members Terry Porter, Scott Anchors and Nancy Forster-Holt, along with graduate student Cassie Vaillancourt — to consider potential initiatives to strengthen the program. Such initiatives include providing opportunities for students to travel to sustainability-related events and conferences, increasing participation by undergraduate students considering the MBA sustainability track, and possibly a certificate in business and sustainability for non-degree students. It also will help bring in guest speakers, faculty development, networking with other departments, student groups and other colleges and universities, including the possible start-up of a Net Impact chapter. Net Impact is an international student-based business and sustainability organization with 16 member campuses already established in New England. The modest grant will go a long way toward supporting and improving the Business and Sustainability program, now in its third year with 12 MBA student members, says Porter.