Mainebiz Special Editions

75 B U S I N E S S P RO F I L E S B U S I N E S S P R O F I L E S S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N Leader in Innovation What sets omas College apart is its bold promise: a guar- anteed job. e Guaranteed Job Program™ — one the first of its kind in the United States — reflects the College's confidence in the relevance and impact of its education. Eligible graduates are guaranteed to secure a job within six months of graduation, a commitment backed by an incredible 99% success rate. Career readiness is central to the omas College experience. e curriculum is intentionally designed to prepare students for professional success from day one. Beyond the Guaranteed Job Program™, omas offers stu- dents the flexibility to accelerate their academic journey. Nearly all undergraduate programs can be completed in three years, allowing students to pursue a master's degree in their fourth year through the College's innovative +1 graduate program. is model began over a decade ago with the launch of a three- year bachelor's degree in the H. Allen Ryan School of Business and the pioneering Kiest-Morgan Scholar Program —among the first of its kind in the country. Since then, omas College has expanded the three-year option across nearly all academic programs. Today, omas remains one of only a few institutions nation- wide — and the only one in Maine — to offer this unique com- bination of a job guarantee, accelerated undergraduate degrees, and flexible graduate pathways. College of the Future Under the leadership of a new President and Provost, omas College is looking forward with a vision of the College of the Future by evolving its academic model to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world while preserving the close-knit, student-centered ethos that defines omas College. omas College is focused on creating an AI-ready generation and supporting Generations Z and Alpha with the durable skills they will need as the pace of technological change only becomes more rapid and less predictable. Dr. Jeannine Diddle Uzzi is the sixth president of omas College and a distinguished professor of classics. Bringing a strong background in higher education leadership, she is committed to expanding access to college education for students and their com- munities. Previously, she served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Adler University and as Provost at the University of Southern Maine, where she led initiatives that significantly improved enrollment and graduation rates. An accomplished scholar and community leader, Dr. Uzzi is deeply dedicated to fostering a cul- ture of student success and belonging, ensuring that all students have the support they need to thrive academically and personally. Dr. Uzzi began in November 2024 and is already making an impact by launching two new academic programs in high-demand fields: a bachelor's degree in health sciences beginning fall of 2025 and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling scheduled for fall of 2026. ese programs complement omas College's longstanding strengths in business, education, and technology and reflect its continued focus on aligning academic offerings with workforce needs in Maine and beyond. omas College's new Provost, Dr. Jeremy Qualls, joined in July 2025. Dr. Qualls serves as the chief academic officer, overseeing academic affairs and leading efforts to enhance academic programs, strengthen faculty support, and deepen community and industry partnerships. A visionary leader with over two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Qualls joins the College from the University of Southern Maine. Prior to USM, where he served as Dean and Vice President of Research and Innovation, Dr. Qualls was Director of Academic Resources and Planning at Sonoma State University in California. Dr. Qualls is known nationally for his work in STEM research, faculty support, and interdisciplinary program building. Drawing on his background in physics and a passion for bridging academ- ics and real-world applications, he brings a strategic mindset that aligns with the College's commitment to delivering career-focused education across a variety of academic disciplines. e excitement our new leaders bring was kicked off by the largest graduating class ever this past spring, which included 40% who identified as first-generation college students and 75% who graduated with honors. Historically, 73% of omas College graduates have stayed in Maine after completing their degree. "At omas College, we don't just prepare students for the next step in their lives or for a single career. We promise to help them discover who they are, design the life they want, and define how they will contribute to the world they will inherit and transform it for the better," said President Uzzi. President Uzzi's vision is to make omas College "the College of the Future" by building on its strong academic foundation to ensure that students are prepared for success in a rapidly evolving world. omas College will enhance its career-connected learning pathways, integrate emerging technologies, and create new opportunities for innovation in teaching and learning — while remaining true to its practical, personal approach. is means launching innovative academic programs and expanding opportunities for applied learning, includ- ing research, internships, and community and employer partnerships. Since President Uzzi began in November, she has already deep- ened partnerships with many of Maine's private high school part- ners and town academics from ornton Academy to Washington Academy, from Gould Academy to the Hyde School. is spring the College partnered to deliver micro credentials in design think- ing to students at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) and expertise in finance and entrepreneurship at Fryeburg Academy. is summer, the College will host international students from Maine Central Institute, and in October, MSSM will host its Robotics Symposium at omas College. "omas has taken some important steps toward becoming the college of the future, and next year our pace will only increase. e future of higher education is being written today at omas College," said President Uzzi. l P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H O M A S C O L L E G E Below: Dr. Jeremy Qualls (left) and Dr. Jeannine Diddle Uzzi (right) P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H O M A S C O L L E G E

• Cover