Harkins’ role expands to include leadership of statewide Graduate School of Business 

Jason Harkins has been named dean of the Graduate School of Business (GSB) in addition to his current role as the executive dean of the Maine Business School (MBS).  

The GSB is based at the Maine Center in Portland. It’s the center of graduate business education statewide and home to the MaineMBA, one of the top MBA programs nationwide that was launched in 2019 with the support of the Harold Alfond Foundation. 

Harkins continues his role as executive dean of MBS based in Orono, and will lead both the undergraduate and graduate business programs at the University of Maine. Since joining UMaine in 2008, Harkins has held multiple leadership positions as associate dean of business and interim executive dean of MBS. He became executive dean of MBS in 2023. 

With his additional role as dean of GSB, Harkins can use his entrepreneurial expertise to foster collaboration and growth to bolster the school’s signature MaineMBA program in ways that benefit graduate students, faculty and the state.

“As interim GSB dean, Jason demonstrated his collaborative leadership and commitment to excellence, and we are thrilled that along with being MBS executive dean, he will continue to serve as the GSB dean,” said John Volin, executive vice president of academic affairs and provost at UMaine. “In these roles, Jason has helped to advance and foster innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities for our students with our University of Maine System partners and with the statewide business community.” 

“I am excited to continue the impactful work of the GSB that provides a contemporary, research-informed learning experience grounded in business sustainability,” Harkins said. “We are committed to developing professional talent across Maine and beyond. As we continue to enhance the offerings of the GSB, we will bring on a dynamic director of the MaineMBA, based at the Maine Center in Portland, focused on engaging partners, students and alumni in support of our world-class education.”

The director of the MaineMBA is a new role that involves strategic planning, collaboration and leadership to enhance student engagement, alumni relations and program growth. This position will help shape and advance the MaineMBA program as it continues to grow in stature and enrollment. UMaine is accepting applications for the role. A job description and application information is available online. 

The MaineMBA leverages world-class faculty from MBS and the University of Southern Maine School of Business to deliver a flexible MBA that is a great value for learners. The MaineMBA program is delivered mostly online but has developed a capstone course — the MBA Academy — that offers students a low-residency model.