Unity Environmental University today announced the establishment of the Couri Graduate School of Business, a new graduate school designed to prepare leaders to thrive in a world defined by ecological disruption and technological change, made possible by a transformative endowment led by philanthropists Elaine and John Couri whose foundation, along with family and friends, have now donated nearly $3.5 million dollars to Unity over the past decade.
The endowment, totaling at least $750,000 over the next five years, will expand Unity’s graduate offerings, provide substantial financial support to students, and bring funded, in-person applied learning opportunities to the University’s Sky Lodge campus in the Jackman Region.
The Couri Graduate School of Business will matriculate its first learners in March, with the inaugural immersive in-person course experience launching in summer 2026. With competitive scholarships covering travel, room and board at Sky Lodge, and all course-related expenses outside of tuition, including excursions, business site visits, and field-based projects. Students from other colleges and universities will also be eligible to participate in the Couri-funded immersive program, broadening the impact of the gift.
“This gift represents a defining moment for Unity Environmental University and our graduate programs,” said Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, President and CEO of Unity Environmental University. “The Couri Graduate School of Business will prepare a new generation of leaders who understand the intersection of sustainability, enterprise, and innovation. We go beyond the traditional Triple Bottom Line and equip graduates with the integrative thinking required in today’s interconnected world, grounded in environmental science, systems thinking, ecological literacy, and responsible innovation.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Elaine and John Couri, along with several of their family and friends, have contributed $500,000, and Unity will provide an additional $250,000 match, bringing the total endowment to $750,000. The fund is restricted to student-facing purposes including graduate grants, paid internships, experiential learning projects, and Couri-supported immersion expenses at Sky Lodge. The Couri Graduate School of Business will launch with sustainability-focused business graduate programs, including the Sustainable MBA (SMBA) in Climate-Ready Business and the Master of Professional Science (MPS) in Sustainable Finance, with additional degrees already in development for future years. The School’s curriculum will prepare graduates to make strategic decisions that build adaptive organizations and deliver measurable, long-term impact.
“Elaine and I believe deeply in Unity’s mission and in the power of education to shape responsible leaders,” said John Couri. “We wanted to support a program that prepares students not just to excel in business, but to lead with purpose. The world needs professionals who understand that profitability and sustainability can and must coexist, and Unity is uniquely positioned to deliver that kind of education.”
Sky Lodge, Unity’s 150-acre retreat and education center in Moose River, Maine, will serve as the experiential home base for the Couri Graduate School of Business. As part of the School’s applied-learning model, students will take part in a signature immersive experience connected to Unity’s inaugural course, “SBUS 506: Reimagining Business,” a three-week program culminating in a one-week, in-person immersion at Sky Lodge where students apply concepts through field-based learning, collaboration, and hands-on business design challenges.
“What makes this gift so extraordinary is the access it provides,” said Dr. Kelly Boyer Ontl, Dean of Graduate Studies. “Some of our online graduate students will now have the chance to experience a funded, in-person, high-impact week at Sky Lodge, something that is rarely offered in online graduate education. The Couri endowment removes financial barriers and opens the door for students from across the country to learn, collaborate, and grow together in a truly immersive setting. Our team is energized and excited to bring this to life.”
With the creation of the Couri Graduate School of Business, Unity Environmental University adds an important new dimension to its rapidly expanding suite of graduate programs. Future degree pathways in leadership, sustainability, and enterprise innovation are currently in the design phase.
“I want to extend my profound gratitude to the Couri family and friends for their continued belief in Unity Environmental University,” added Dr. Khoury. “Their generosity will impact countless students, strengthen our graduate offerings, and help build the business leaders the future demands. We are honored and deeply grateful for their ongoing support of our mission.”
If you’d like to contribute to the Couri Endowed Fund to make a difference in the life of a Unity learner, donations can be made by following this link.
