Recent News

Professor of Management Jason Harkins has a particular interest in startup companies, including the challenges they face, and what makes them successful. His research and hands-on work with startups takes place both in and out of the classroom.

Harkins joined the UMaine faculty in 2008, after receiving his education west of the Mississippi.

In layperson’s terms, what are your academic (teaching, research, scholarship) interests? 

Entrepreneurship, particularly the unique challenges of building scalable companies. 

Why did you choose to pursue those interests?
Scalable entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to change local economies. The majority of all net new jobs are created by new, small firms that have the potential to become big firms very quickly. As such, these are a very interesting population of firms to work with and learn about.

What is your most memorable event or experience as a member of the UMaine faculty?

I started Scratchpad Accelerator, the first seed accelerator in New England north of Boston, as a UMaine Program in collaboration with the Maine Technology Institute during my sabbatical in 2015. I worked harder, and learned more during those six months than I had ever done before.

Of all the courses you’ve taught at UMaine, which one do you enjoy the most? Why?

Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation (BUA 344) because it is where I get to talk most specifically about this unique population of companies, and hopefully inspire students to create a startup or join one!

What is your favorite place on campus to spend time?

In my office in DP Corbett.

Aside from your faculty role, what are your interests or favorite things to do?

I work extensively with startups outside of my teaching and I love the energy and passion they bring to everything they do. Outside of that, I love to spend time with family.

What advice for students do you have to help them succeed?

Come to class prepared and ready to think and ask questions. If you don’t steer your education toward what you want and need to learn for your career, you will end up as a passenger at UMaine, driven by the currents of those around you.

What advice for new faculty members do you have to help them succeed?

Know your why and find people who share your passion

Any other advice or comments?

Give before you get in every aspect of life. Your mindset matters more than you can possibly imagine, so adopt an abundance mindset.

Margo Lukens, professor of English and director of the Clement and Linda McGillicuddy Humanities Center, enjoys exploring literature of different time periods and cultures. Teaching both Native American and European literatures of colonization allows her to introduce and facilitate discussions of widely different perspectives with her students.

Lukens is the April recipient of the Alumni Association’s Faculty Excellence Award. She joined the UMaine faculty in 1992. Educated at Harvard and the University of Colorado, Lukens first explored Native American literature as a graduate student, and upon her arrival at UMaine delved further into Wabanaki, and in particular Penobscot literature.

In layperson’s terms, what are your academic (teaching, research, scholarship) interests?  

I am interested in Native American literatures, and in particular Wabanaki, and in most particular, Penobscot. I also study and teach the European literatures of colonization. Teaching both topics naturally leads to big questions about the United States and its relationship with contemporary Native American communities.

Why did you choose to pursue those interests?

One thing leads to another, as always. I did a MA thesis on fictional cowboy heroes as androgynous figures. As soon as I handed it in, I realized I needed to learn more about the literatures of Native American people. And I’ve always been curious about the origins of my own family’s presence in North America, so studying colonial lit was like stepping in a time machine.

What is your most memorable event or experience as a member of the UMaine faculty?

I have to say it was the night in November 2003 when a group of Penobscot people did a readers’ theatre production of a Native American play I directed, “The Rez Sisters” by Tomson Highway at Minsky Recital Hall. There was a huge audience of Native people who laughed at all the jokes, and it was a really exciting beginning for a group that called themselves The Penobscot Players.

Of all the courses you’ve taught at UMaine, which one do you enjoy the most? Why?

I never teach a course the same way twice, but I’ve had a lot of fun with American colonial to Romantic lit at the undergrad level. And ENG 542 is the grad level course where I have done everything from Wabanaki literature to drama from both sides of the US-Canada border. But ENG 131 The Nature of Story is fun, too, with 115 students. Teaching with a microphone is a ton of fun. And it’s also great to reach such a big audience, none of whom are English majors.

What is your favorite place on campus to spend time?

One of my favorite places is the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre, where performance can be so intimate. I also love the University Forest, and have spent many happy hours out there in all except mud season.

Aside from your faculty role, what are your interests or favorite things to do?

I love to sing. I sing with Orono’s chamber choir, Euphony, and with Blue Hill Bach. I used to sing with a band called Velma, but we broke up after 10 years. Actually that’s about 100 in “band years.”

I also love to ride my bike, ski, and travel. And knit. (Yes, knit).

What advice for students do you have to help them succeed?

Ask questions! And go to class, even if you think you aren’t quite prepared. You’ll lose much more ground if you stay away.

Find a faculty member you can relate to, who can help you think about your path and your projects. And make friends with people who are really different from yourself.

What advice for new faculty members do you have to help them succeed?

I’d give the same kind of advice I got in 1992 from Professor Michael Lewis of the Art department, during a new faculty mentoring workshop: do what you’re really interested in and love to do. And don’t be afraid to branch out, look for space to grow your new ideas.

I’d also tell them to be active in getting grant money: no one’s going to give you money unless you ask for it, and you should be thinking bigger than your perceived limits.

Oh, and last word: Being director of the McGillicuddy Humanities Center in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the best job I’ve ever had.

Sponsored by the UMaine Alumni Association and University Credit Union, the Faculty Excellence Award is given monthly to a faculty member whose work contributes to UMaine’s national reputation for excellence. Selections are made in consultation with the university’s academic deans.