Our Focus Areas

for building a globally competent workforce

Businesses today are looking for employees who have a broad understanding of the diverse, interconnected world beyond their immediate environment and who are able to communicate effectively with people of varying nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The Maine North Atlantic Institute fosters workforce development initiatives that build the global competence of our future workforce through Environmental & Community Health, Cultural Connections, and Economy & Law.

Environmental &

Community Health

We work closely with our partners in Maine and the North Atlantic to strengthen students' understanding of climate change and its broad global effects, its impacts on the community and human health, and its influence on our global, national, and state economy.

Projects

Sustainable Adaptations to Climate & Landscape Change
Firooza Pavri

Courses

Samstarf & Samarbeid: Exploring Public Health Collaboration in the North Atlantic
Judith Tupper

Iceland & Maine Tourism: Research, Travel Class, Masters Class in Iceland
Tracy Michaud

Cultural Connections

Employers are looking for creative thinkers who can communicate effectively with people of varying nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The MNAI sponsors initiatives that infuse the liberal arts into business innovation and development, encourage cross-cultural exchange in the visual/performing arts and humanities, open students to our diverse interconnected world, and connect artists with North Atlantic Maritime Provinces and countries.

Projects

Crossing Boundaries: A North Atlantic Student-Teacher Exchange

Kelly Hrenko

Courses

Honors Program Intensive Short-Term Study & Internships Abroad

Rebecca Nisetich

USM Visiting Artist Program
Olof Nordal

Culture, Commerce, Civilization: Iceland & The North Atlantic in a Global World
John Muthyala

Jan Piribeck

Elizabeth Bischof

Economy & Law

The MNAI supports collaborations that connect businesses with educational services, public policy, and oceans and coastal law. Because businesses today are seeking employees who can approach business problems with ingenuity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial mindset, we sponsor workforce development initiatives that build the 21st-century skills of our future workforce.