Business senior finds community at the University of New England
When Chad Francis, a senior business administration major, stepped onto the University of New England Biddeford Campus, he knew he’d found something special.
“What really made UNE feel right was the people — the coaches, the campus, and the way I felt when I was here,” said Francis ’25.
With a clear vision for his future, Francis had found a sense of belonging that would shape his four years at UNE, guiding him through to crossing the stage at UNE’s 190th Commencement this coming weekend.
Francis, who grew up in Boston, arrived at UNE knowing he belonged in business. After a knee injury sidelined his athletic career his first year, though, he started to have doubts about what his future held.
“After my football injury, it was my roommates — who’ve become lifelong friends — and the way the people at UNE genuinely supported me that made it clear I was exactly where I was meant to be,” he said, noting that the community gave him the confidence to pursue different areas of interest, such as investing in real estate.
As a sophomore, he started looking to close on a few rental properties in New England. And so, the time he once dedicated to football practices and games quickly found a new purpose, as Francis shifted his focus to hands-on work as a property owner.
While Francis was learning and growing his business knowledge, the Business program at UNE had grown and transitioned into a full-fledged College of Business, established in 2023. It quickly expanded its offerings, adding new undergraduate majors and launching an online Master of Business Administration program. Soon after, the college developed two new business centers that drove internships and experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for leadership roles in Maine and beyond.
Francis’s journey at UNE reflects the college’s growth and focus on hands-on learning and mentorship. He credits his professors, like Kiernan Gordon, Ph.D., for their support and practical knowledge.
“The knowledge I gained from their classes, the lifelong lessons — they made me feel like I was in the right spot,” Francis said. “They cared about my success, and that made all the difference.”
Gordon, associate professor and director of the Sport Leadership and Management degree program, said seeing students, like Francis, mature as people and scholars during their time at UNE is a tremendous privilege.
“I’ve enjoyed watching Chad grow these past four years,” Gordon said. “Following Chad’s trajectory during his time at UNE has really been a joy, just like the joy that Chad brings into each and every classroom himself.”
As UNE’s College of Business continues to expand, with new majors, a growing faculty roster, and an emphasis on innovation, Francis is optimistic about the future trajectory of business students at the University.
“UNE helped me be resourceful,” he said. “Every semester, I had teachers who cared and wanted me to succeed. That’s what I want for every student who comes after me.”
Francis’s time at UNE included internships that shaped his career path. After an early experience at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, he landed a competitive internship at Fidelity Investments. Of more than 11,000 applicants, Francis was one of just 1,100 selected for the internship.
“Fidelity really confirmed everything for me,” he said. “The environment ... I knew after the first week that (Fidelity) was where I wanted to be.”
When Francis stepped onto campus for his last fall semester, he had a full-time job offer and will start his career in financial credentialing in Manchester, New Hampshire, after graduation.
Francis reflected on what he’ll carry forward from his time at UNE.
“You really take the people and the memories with you,” he said. “It’s wild — just walking by Padua Hall brings back a flood of freshman-year memories. The friends I made and the experiences we shared here are things I’ll always have.”