University of New England hires Norm O’Reilly as inaugural College of Business dean
The University of New England has announced that Norm O’Reilly, Ph.D., has been selected as inaugural dean for the University’s recently established College of Business, effective July 1.
O’Reilly joins UNE with two decades of leadership experience in higher education, including his most recent role as dean of the Portland-based Graduate School of Business at the University of Maine (UMaine).
In his time at UMaine, O’Reilly oversaw the establishment and growth of business programs for Maine’s public universities, notably the MaineMBA which now numbers more than 400 students. He enhanced interdisciplinary education opportunities by growing its MBA concentrations and increasing dual degrees with partnerships within many sectors, including law, engineering, and public policy. He also spearheaded multi-university fundraising initiatives and significant projects, including the highly successful MaineMBA Academy and the Maine Brand Study.
“Norm’s track record of building and leading successful academic programs, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and driving strategic initiatives positions him well to lead and grow the UNE College of Business,” said Gwendolyn Mahon, UNE Provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are confident that, under his guidance, the new college will thrive and provide unparalleled opportunities for our students to excel in the ever-evolving business landscape.”
Prior to coming to Maine, O’Reilly held leadership positions at many universities, including assistant dean of executive programs for the University of Guelph’s business and economics school, department chair for sports administration at Ohio University’s business college, and the director of the sports administration school at Laurentian University.
O’Reilly is also recognized globally as one of the leading scholars in the business of sports. While at the University of Guelph, he founded the International Institute for Sport Business and Leadership, a think-tank connecting industry, scholars, and students who are devoted to improving the sport business globally.
O’Reilly has authored or co-authored 20 books, 14 case studies in the Harvard/Stanford series, and more than 160 peer-reviewed journal articles. He often speaks, including more than 250 keynotes to industry audiences. He is a lifetime research fellow of the North American Society for Sport Management, and, for over 15 years, has been a part-owner and consultant for a Toronto-based sport marketing agency that works with high-profile clients such as Nike, UFC, Pepsi, and the Canadian Olympic/Paralympic Committees. He has additionally served as an expert witness in legal cases related to sport business and has held board positions with numerous global and national sports organizations.
He is also an accomplished and award-winning teacher, having taught in all modalities and at the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels, as well as teaching in and leading executive education programs.
A certified CPA, O’Reilly holds a Ph.D. in management from Carleton University, an MBA and master’s in sports administration from the University of Ottawa, and a bachelor’s in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo.