Dear Unity College,
I write to you today to share yet another exciting step on Unity College’s Path Forward. In a time of such disruption in our industry, I am glad I have a team daring to be bold. One of my favorite quotes from Brendon Burchard states “I would rather be a hot mess of bold action, a make it happen learn on the fly kind of person, than a perfectly organized coward.” Living up to these words, I refuse for us to go gentle into that goodnight and looking to give Sustainable Ventures a “shot in the Arm” as part if our Path Forward.
As you know, Sustainable Ventures is a SEBU focused on growing businesses that are real-world manifestations of the Unity College curriculum and mission. These ventures currently include Sky Lodge, McKay Farm and Research Station, the Campus Store, External Revenue Generating Events, and Dining Services. Meanwhile, our Distance Education SEBU has offered bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sustainable business, as well as signature courses for those looking to learn about how to start a sustainable business. In our next phase of the Path Forward, the Sustainable Ventures SEBU is being reimagined to embrace the strengths of these businesses and of our education offerings, in an effort to reach new audiences.
The Unity College School of Environmental Business and Sustainable Ventures will be composed of our current sustainable ventures and business education offerings, with more to come. This reimagining is designed to bring two valuable pieces of our institution together in an effort to support students interested in sustainable business through education and real-world experiences. Students will have the ability to earn a variety of business-related degrees and micro credentials from us while using our Sustainable Ventures Units to gain experience in sustainable business and eco-tourism. The Unity College School of Environmental Business and Sustainable Ventures (SEBSV) will continue to build out new education offerings and new business ventures that are mission-aligned and revenue-generating.
To lead this initiative, I am proud to share that Dr. Tara Konya will be joining Unity College as the Dean for the School of Environmental Business and Sustainable Ventures. Dr. Konya comes to Unity College from Southern New Hampshire University where she most recently served as the Associate Dean of Academic Operations for the School of Business. Dr. Konya holds a PhD in Business and Economics from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Bryan School of Business and Economics. As Dean, Dr. Konya will focus on generating revenue through business ventures, academic programming in Sustainable Business and related disciplines, as well as the strategic and tactical direction of existing auxiliary work units. Her scope of authority includes the School of Sustainable Business, McKay Farm & Research Station, Sky Lodge, the Campus Store, Dining Services, External Events, and new ventures as assigned. The Dean develops strategy, implementation, and operational management procedures to enhance current revenue generating work units and go-to-market strategy to prioritize and pursue new opportunities. Dr. Konya will be on-boarding with us in late April and be based in Pineland Farms.
In addition, I am pleased to share that Dr. Wayne Tallman is joining us as the new Director of McKay Farm and Research Station in support of this new initiative. Most recently, Dr. Tallman comes to Unity College from Johnny’s Selected Seeds as the Director Farm Operations, Breeding and Quality Assurance. Dr. Tallman holds a PhD in agronomy, a M.S. in Plant and Soil Science, a BS. in Crop Science, as well as an MBA. He brings with him an impressive range of experiences in agriculture research across a multitude of well-known organizations. As Director of McKay Farm and Research Station, Dr. Tallman will focus on identifying, developing, and executing agricultural opportunities that drive successful results against established revenue goals in support of the School of Environmental Business and Sustainable Ventures. He will also oversee the daily operation of McKay Farm and Research Station, including crop care, climate monitoring and regulation, systems and equipment maintenance, business administration, and supervision. Dr. Tallman joined us in mid-April, based at McKay Farm and Research Station.
A key component to the success of this new initiative is ensuring we are utilizing College properties to the best of our ability, with a focus on serving students as well as generating revenue to support the long-term sustainability of the College. With that, I am pleased to share that Casey Morey will be joining Unity College as the Director of Auxiliary Revenue. Casey comes to us from Gould Academy where he served as the Director of Auxiliary Programs, as well as in a variety of other capacities related to student support. As Director of Auxiliary Revenue, Casey will focus on maximizing revenue generation opportunities of College-owned facilities in Unity, Maine. In this work, he will launch a new venture within the School of Environmental Business and Sustainable Ventures, managing a portfolio of services including property rentals, conference and event services, and dining and catering. Casey is set to join us in early May, and will be based at 90 Quaker Hill Rd.
At a time when many of our peer institutions are struggling against tradition, trying to survive, Unity College has taken a new approach. I am incredibly proud of the growth we have experienced over the last year, however I know it is just the beginning of great things to come. By bringing Sustainable Ventures and our environmental business offerings under one SEBU, we have exciting new opportunities to create innovative and mission-aligned education, programming, and business ventures. Our Enterprise Model is designed specifically to allow us to build something like the Unity College School of Environmental Business and Sustainable Ventures without impacting our current SEBUs. This new SEBU is designed to serve new audiences who are interested in learning about and working within sustainable businesses, as well external organizations who would benefit from the use of under-utilized College facilities.
Please join me in welcoming these impressive new members of the Unity College team as they work to build out the Unity College School of Environmental Business and Sustainable Ventures! Thank you for all you do. I am thrilled to have such a range of talented professionals at Unity College with a shared vision for the future.
With Pride,
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury
President
Unity College
