Videos and Media Mentions
Inclusion Maine Conference 2024, May 2024
In May 2024, President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury once again represented Unity Environmental University on the State Leaders Panel – State of DEI in Maine at the annual Inclusion Maine Conference in Portland, Maine. The Panel was moderated by Director of the Division of Programs at the Maine Department of Labor, Tarlan Ahmadov; and included Kerem Durdag, Chief Executive Officer at GWI; Gia Drew, Executive Director at Equality Maine; Julia Trujillo Luengo, Director of Strategic Planning Management at the Maine Community College System; and Lisa Parham Jones, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Black Travel Maine. The panel discussed a range of topics including the challenges faced by diverse populations in Maine and offered insights on the state of DEI in Maine.
Marketing Online Programs as a Driving Force for Institutional Viability, March 28, 2024
2024 Meet the Moment: AGB National Conference on Trusteeship, Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, President and CEO, Sharon Reishus, Board Chair, Unity Environmental University and Greg Clayton, President of Enrollment Management Services, EducationDynamics.
In an era of constant change and intense competition within higher education, marketing has evolved into a critical driver of institutional viability, particularly as schools increasingly seek to aggressively grow their online enrollments. In this session, leaders from Unity Environmental University and EducationDynamics will explore the pivotal role strategic marketing plays within an institution seeking to expand online programs while remaining true to its mission and vision.
Discover how today’s visionary leaders are driving institutional strategy through data-driven decision-making and market insights. Learn how effective marketing strategies and branding can elevate your institution’s reputation, grow your program enrollment, and differentiate your institution in a crowded marketplace.”
The Power of a Chief Marketing Officer: Marketing as a Driving Force for Institutional Viability, February 21, 2024
Education Dynamics InsightsEDU 2024, in Phoenix, AZ
In an era of constant change and intense competition within higher education, the role of a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) has evolved into a critical driver of institutional viability. In this session Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, President and CEO of Unity Environmental University will explore the pivotal role of a CMO as a strategic leader within an institution and how they align marketing efforts with the school’s overall mission and vision.
Discover how CMOs drive institutional strategy through data-driven decision-making and market insights. Learn how effective marketing strategies and branding can elevate your institution’s reputation, grow your program enrollment and differentiate your institution in a crowded marketplace. Understand how marketing can impact an institution’s bottom line. Join us for this engaging session and uncover how a strategic Chief Marketing Officer can transform your institution’s trajectory, ensuring long-term success and growth.
Navigating the Future: Placing Students at the Heart of Higher Education. February 21, 2024
Education Dynamics InsightsEDU 2024, in Phoenix, AZ
Join us for an engaging panel discussion that delves deep into the realm of student-centered marketing and enrollment management approaches, where institutions craft their narratives, programs, and services to resonate harmoniously with the modern student journey. This panel brings together visionary marketers, and industry experts who have championed the cause of student-centricity. Through their experiences and insights, attendees will gain invaluable perspectives on how to adapt and flourish by placing students at the heart of higher education. Join us for an insightful panel discussion that will equip you with the tools and strategies to reshape your institution’s marketing approach. Learn how to navigate the ever-changing currents of higher education by placing students at the heart of your strategies.
Changing Governance to Create a Sustainable Institution, January 29, 2024
In this session, Unity Environmental University President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury and Board Chair Sharon Reishus, will describe how they aligned Unity Environmental University’s board and institutional governance structure to prioritize adaptation and stabilize presidential turnover for a historically regional, tuition driven, non-profit, small private residential university. They will share the roadmap, process, success metrics, and pain points of adopting the “Enterprise Model” that transformed Unity from a 500-student campus to a university with over 7,500 students.
Higher Education’s Turning Point and Future Priorities, November 2, 2023
Higher education has gone through much change in the past year, let alone the past five years. With modern learners’ ever-growing need for accessibility and flexibility, it’s critical that institutions adapt to meet it. In this interview, Melik Khoury discusses what’s in store for higher ed, what leaders need to keep top of mind and how to better serve learners.
2023 National Social Mobility Symposium, California State University, October 6, 2023
Dr. Khoury was featured on the “Panel of Presidents” session, where university presidents discussed their contributions to social mobility within the context of higher education. He used the opportunity to talk about Unity’s innovative model, which is designed for maximum flexibility and affordability and has helped the institution grow in size and diversity. The Symposium is a chance for leaders from around the country to connect and share new ideas and explore innovative ways of serving students while also partnering with external community stakeholders.
Impact Conference 2023, Montecito, CA, August 8, 2023
Dr. Melik Khoury and Dr. Erika Latty presented at the Impact Conference in a session titled, “Top Reasons to Embrace Education Cloud,” alongside Kathleen Lueckeman from Education Trailblazers. They discussed how Education Cloud, a comprehensive next-gen solution brand new to higher eds, has impacted Unity Environmental University. Education Cloud draws on the power of Salesforce to connect insights across recruitment, admissions, and student success for a unified view of every learner’s journey. They explained how executives at Unity Environmental University decided to embrace the solution as its single source to offer personalized experiences that translate into successful lifetime learners — from prospective student to engaged alum. Participants learned about Education Cloud’s fully-featured platform and understand the considerations for implementing this learner-centric model.
NACUBO Annual Meeting, July 15-18, 2023, Orlando, Florida
President Khoury was tapped to present at the NACUBO 2023 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida in July, where he shared Unity Environmental University’s story of innovation and transformation in his presentation: Using Budget Modeling to Create a Sustainable Tuition Driven Institution.
Inclusion Maine Conference 2023, March 2023
In March 2023, Dr. Melik Peter Khoury spoke as a member of a panel during Inclusion Maine’s 2023 Conference. The panel spoke as part of the, “Building an Inclusive Future: State Leaders addressing Current Challenges and Strategies to support Racial Diversity in Maine,” session at the conference. The panel of state leaders, which was moderated by Marwa Hassanien, focused on current challenges and strategies to support attracting and retaining multicultural talent in Maine. Dr. Khoury was proud to challenge the crowd of more than 400 people to help shift the conversation from being allies to being champions for diversity and belonging.
InsightsEDU Conference 2023
In March of 2023 Dr. Khoury traveled to Denver, Colorado where he participated in two separate sessions at the InsightsEdu Conference. During the panel discussion Driving Transformative Change in Higher Education, he and his fellow panelist discussed the issues facing higher education today while offering suggestions on how colleges and universities can transform for future success.
He also co-presented Expanding Your Geographic Footprint with Dr. Jamie Brownlee and Becky McCafferty where they discussed how colleges and universities can grow enrollment in distance education programs by increasing their presence in the online space.
Fall Speaking Engagements
September 2022 was a busy month for Dr. Khoury! President Khoury was invited to partake in several high-profile national speaking engagements including Salesforce’s Dreamforce Conference 2022 in San Francisco and the Education Dynamics P3 Conference in Denver. At Dreamforce he participated in the session, “How We Reimagined Our SIS: Two Perspectives,” which looked at two different approaches to the same legacy SIS challenges. During this session, Dr. Khoury explained how Unity College plans to harness the power of the Salesforce Platform to launch a flexible student information system that will better serve our current and future students.
The P3 Conference was an invitation-only event that brought together a select group of university leaders and a handful of private company CEOs to network and share best practices around public-private partnerships in higher education. and Dr. Khoury participated in the panel discussion “Empowering Enrollment Growth” where he was joined by Bruce Douglas, CEO of Education Dynamics.
Drastic Pivots for Success
In this article by The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), Unity College was among just three institutions chosen to demonstrate how it successfully pivoted in a challenging financial and educational landscape.
“Unity College in Maine has instituted a dramatic restructuring of its educational model, including customizing how content is delivered according to the demands of different types of students and changing its governance to create different educational business units.”
AGB, by David Tobenkin 5/10/22
Thriving in an Age of Disruption – Insights EDU
President Khoury was a panel member of “Thriving in an Age of Disruption” at the Insights EDU Conference presented by Education Dynamics. Along with other higher education experts, Dr. Khoury discussed what he learned from his experience in today’s education landscape and shared valuable insights on what to do moving forward.
2/25/22 in Denver, Colorado
Integrating Data for Real-Time Decision Making in Times of Change
In April, President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury was a featured panelist for Education Summit 2022. Dr. Khoury discussed the challenges of leading Unity College through the implementation of a new student information system (SIS). The presentation included how this new SIS will help keep the institution up-to-date data with real-time data reporting.
Ed Tech Magazine
At a time when small colleges all over New England are closing or merging with larger institutions, Unity College’s ongoing efforts to expand distance learning has helped us increase enrollment by more than 300 percent in the past decade. And the new student body has proved to be more diverse in every way.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
For decades, the population of diverse students remained at 8% at Unity College in Maine. Now, that number is closer to 20%. Dr. Khoury talks about how the college is making that happen.
Innovating the Higher Ed Business Model
In a detailed one-on-one interview, Dr. Khoury explains how Unity’s model is making the college’s curriculum more accessible and more affordable than ever before.
University Business
President’s message to slumping colleges: Change what you’re doing. In an interview with University Business, Unity College’s Melik Peter Khoury says there is more than one way to educate. 7/16/21
Dr. Khoury updates the changes the college is going through and how it has overcome many challenges along the way, including the pandemic.
Dr. Khoury expects to see significant changes in higher education post-pandemic in the form of more closures, more mergers, and more overall transformations. “We at Unity College are trying to transform our model to be one that does not talk about innovation, but one that innovates, to design pedagogy and curriculum and pricing specifically for each different type of student, instead of a one-size-fits-all.”
Dr. Khoury discusses his big ambitions and vision for the future of Unity College.
Dr. Khoury updates the changes the college is going through and how it has overcome many challenges along the way, including the pandemic. Dr. Khoury shares how Unity is completely redefining what it means to be a student and what they are doing to improve the student experience in today’s changing world. He also discusses affordability and accessibility and where his personal passion for education originates.
Unity College made a big investment several years ago in technology and virtual learning. That decision before the pandemic has kept it from being “a casualty of war.”
Unity College president discusses innovation, leadership in chamber talk Melik Peter Khoury discusses his experiences, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an audience in Waterville.
Dr. Khoury is a guest speaker on Maine Calling: Maine College Presidents
on Reopening Colleges & Universities: How Are Maine’s Higher Education Institutions Planning to Return?
Dr. Khoury joins a speaker panel discussion at the virtual CALEM conference in 2021.
“Today you go and take the experiences that you’ve had, the hardships, the frustrations, the successes, and you turn that into a movement of positivity. If you can survive and graduate through this, then there is nothing you cannot do – and that by definition is a Unity College graduate.”
These commencement remarks were given May 11, 2019 at Unity College by Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury.
Dr. Melik Khoury joined the Enrollment Growth University podcast to talk about a creative solution for staffing faculty and staff who are specifically excited to teach online courses.
Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury delivers the dedication speech at the ribbon cutting for Unity College: Sky Lodge. September 2018.
Jeff Corwin gave the address at Unity College’s Commencement in May 2018.
On Tuesday, March 27, faculty and staff traveled to The Moose River Valley for their first look at Unity College: Sky Lodge.
Unity College held its first ever Public Safety and Crisis Management Institute, bringing together professionals from Maine and all over the country to discuss how to best prepare for emergencies. June 2018.
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. September 2017.
The Washington Post featured the McKay Farm as a positive example of how institutions can increase revenue while providing educational experiences for its students.
Unity College is committed to educating, not just credentialing, the next generation of sustainability leaders. Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury reflects on the state of higher education, student success, and shaping the future through education. Sept. 2017.
Commencement remarks and introduction of Commencement Speaker Jimmy Chin. May 2017.
Dr. Khoury was chosen as one of 50 Mainers Leading by Example in Maine Magazine, June 2017.
Love Maine Radio – For more than half a century, Unity College has provided a high quality, innovative yet practical education to students in the field of environmental sustainability. Love Maine Radio interviews Unity College President, Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, and with Professor Mick Womersley, faculty advisor to the Unity College Search and Rescue Team. – March 17, 2017
TideSmart Talk host Steve Woods speaks with Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury for an update about America’s Environmental College. September 17, 2016
Lucas St. Clair, who led the successful campaign to have more than 87,000 acres declared a national monument in northern Maine, spoke at the annual Maine Woods Forever roundtable at Unity College. Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury gave the introductory remarks. September 16, 2016.
Portland Press Herald – Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, Unity College President, looks to open up access to Unity through online programs. Sept. 11, 2016
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, President of Unity College, welcomes and challenges new students during the Unity College Convocation address on August 27, 2016. This event was recorded live on Facebook, where the entire ceremony can viewed.
Portland Press Herald – Maine’s largest newspaper highlights recent Unity College successes. Cites President Khoury and Chief Student Success Officer Cunningham on the balance between sustainable growth and increased support for students. Aug. 11, 2016.
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, President of Unity College, speaks about the importance of partnerships and the roles of education, government, and industry at Power Dialog. April 6, 2016.
Bangor Daily News – Piece celebrates new hires and features short profiles of new faculty and staff. July 28, 2016.
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury on diversity and inclusion at Power Dialog 2016. April 6, 2016.
WTOS- FM Maine View: Aug. 20-21 – Dr. Khoury outlines Unity College’s place in sustainability and the future of higher education. Aired on 14 Blueberry Broadcasting stations over the weekend of August 20-21, 2016.
WABI-TV (Bangor) – President Khoury leads a discussion with Gov. Paul LePage and a panel of specialists regarding Maine’s energy future during Power Dialog at the University of Maine Orono. April 6, 2016.
Bangor Daily News – Reactions from Board of Trustees Chair John Newlin, Student Government President Gunnar Norback, and President Khoury himself. Aug. 13, 2016.
“Power Dialog: Maine’s Energy Future” engaged students, faculty, and staff at high schools, colleges, and universities throughout Maine in a weeklong discussion with state officials about Maine’s energy and climate policy.
Fosters Daily Democrat (NH) – Story outlines how Unity College’s divestment played a key role in creating a new class of fossil fuel portfolio for Spinnaker Trust investment advisers. May 28, 2016.
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury on Sustainability Science and “Wicked Problems” at Power Dialog 2016. April 6, 2016.
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury on Sustainability Science and education at Power Dialog 2016. April 6, 2016.
Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel – Unity College President-elect Melik Peter Khoury delivered a keynote address at the PeaceJam student youth leadership conference outlining his personal experiences with bystander intervention and offering tactics and responsibilities for students and educators. “Unity College is dedicated to an atmosphere of inclusivity, diversity, free speech, and tolerance for all racial, ethnic, political, and intellectual beliefs and lifestyles. That’s why we’re delighted to host this event, to provide a forum where the highest ideals of the maintenance and renewal of civilization can take root and flourish in our next generation of environmental leaders,” Khoury said. Oct. 6, 2015
Unity in the News – President Khoury delivered the keynote speech at a student-led World Cafe event to discuss the local, national, and global dimensions of diversity from student perspectives. The event was designed by students to allow students, staff, and faculty a forum to share alternative points of view regarding diversity. During the keynote, Dr. Khoury shared his own experiences as a first-generation American and gave the audience a first-person perspective of how diversity helps organizations succeed. May 23, 2016.
Video of 2016 Commencement at Unity College, America’s Environmental College.
Unity College to use $40K grant to improve its heating efficiency
MaineBiz – More good news out of McKay Farm and the Development Office. The piece cites the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Maine is a rare state in that the number of farmers aged 34 and younger grew nearly 40% from 2007 to 2012 in the latest census.” Chief Fundraising Officer Hutchinson is quoted. Aug. 11, 2016.
Closing Remarks at Unity College 50th Celebration
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, EVP, makes his closing remarks of the 50th Year Celebration at Unity College on July 25, 2015.
Kennebec Journal (Augusta, ME) – On the day it was signed into law, President Khoury invites the public to Unity College to attend talk by Lucas St. Clair, the campaigner who won approval for the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument at the Maine Woods Forever meeting on September 16. Aug. 26, 2016
Unity House repurposed as academic space
WABI 5 (Bangor TV) – President Khoury, Chief Sustainability Officer DeHart, and Senior RA Georgia Male are featured in local news video. July 19, 2016.
