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UNE, Atlantic Hospitality forge workforce partnership to fuel Maine’s dynamic hospitality sector
The collaboration will give students in UNE's College of Business real-world experience to prepare them for careers in Maine’s thriving hospitality industries following graduation
The University of New England has announced a new partnership with Atlantic Hospitality, a Maine-based hospitality management and design company, to provide students in its College of Business with direct experience in the operations, marketing, and innovation strategies behind some of the state’s most iconic destinations.
The collaboration will offer UNE students across all business majors the chance to take part in internship placements, applied classroom projects, and industry-informed learning experiences that link academic study to career-building opportunities.
Students in the college’s newly launched supply chain management major, for example, will have the opportunity to scale production for a locally rooted beer and spirits brand. Others, such as those studying outdoor business and innovation, will analyze the relationship between sustainability and profitability at an area outdoor hospitality business.
Across the board, the partnership will create openings for project-based learning, applied research, resume-ready field experience, and the potential for immediate, post-graduation employment, said Norm O’Reilly, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business at UNE.
“Atlantic Hospitality is deeply connected to place, experience, and innovation — values that align with the College of Business, making this an ideal student-centric partnership that will ensure our students will be learning in the very environments where their ideas and contributions can make an immediate impact.”
(Left): College of Business Dean Norm O’Reilly, business student Lily Hagen ’26, Atlantic Hospitality Managing Partner Justin Grimes, and UNE Teaching Professor Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., in front of The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. (Right): O’Reilly, Hagen, and Vlachos inside the Michelin Guide-listed hotel, which opened in 2022 in the city’s downtown core.
Launched in 2023, UNE’s College of Business is the University’s newest college and offers a growing roster of market-aligned degree programs, including finance, accounting, marketing, and sport leadership and management, as well as programs uniquely tailored to Maine’s thriving outdoor and ocean economies, such as marine entrepreneurship.
A focus on experiential learning across the college helps students begin building their professional lives before graduation — whether through internships with organizations like the Portland Sea Dogs, research partnerships such as the recent industry collaboration with the Maine Mariners, or mentorship from Maine’s leading entrepreneurs and business leaders.
The college also recently announced its first master’s degree program, a fully online Master of Business Administration, that offers both seasoned professionals and recent graduates a flexible, career-focused MBA curriculum tailored to meet the modern needs of managers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
For both UNE and Atlantic Hospitality, the partnership represents a long-term investment in Maine’s future workforce, reflecting a shared commitment to cultivating Maine-based talent and ensuring that students gain the experience, confidence, and connections to succeed in one of the region’s most vibrant industries.
“Maine’s hospitality industry is full of opportunity, but talent development is the key to sustainable growth,” said Justin Grimes, managing partner of Atlantic Hospitality. “This partnership with UNE is about creating real-world access: for students to learn, contribute, and ultimately stay and thrive here in Maine.”
The hospitality company’s diverse portfolio includes luxury coastal properties such as The Claremont Hotel, Salt Cottages, and The Asticou Hotel on Mount Desert Island; urban destinations like The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford; and recreational spaces including Bounce Pickle & Play.
The partnership creates opportunities for students like Hagen, who hopes to lead operations within Maine’s renowned food and beverage industry.
The company also operates destination resorts The Wanderer in Kennebunk and The Dunes on the Waterfront in Ogunquit.
Across these venues, and through additional immersive career pathways, UNE students will gain valuable exposure to hospitality strategy, marketing, operations, and community engagement — skills UNE and Atlantic Hospitality leaders say are vital in training the next generation of hospitality and innovation leaders.
“Hospitality is a people-first industry — and the future depends on how well we invest in people today,” said Atlantic Hospitality Chairman Tim Harrington. “We’ve long believed that Maine is a place where innovation and tradition coexist, and our partnership with UNE is a natural extension of that ethos.”
O’Reilly echoed Harrington’s sentiment, noting that the partnership reflects UNE’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers in Maine’s essential industries.
From the moment they arrive on campus to the day they graduate, he said, students are encouraged to take initiative, gain hands-on experience, and build the confidence to lead in industries like hospitality, where innovation and service go hand in hand.
“At UNE, we help students chart their own course — not just toward a job, but toward meaningful, lasting careers,” said O’Reilly. “This partnership is a prime example of how we align student ambition with the needs of an industry that is vital to New England’s economy and identity.”