The Academic Minute from 3.24 – 3.28
Monday
Oak McCoy – University of New England
Social Security and National Parks Enduring Legacies of the New Deal
Dr. Oak McCoy is an Assistant Professor of Economics in the College of Business at the University of New England, where he studies economic history to inform contemporary policy. His research focuses on how landmark programs like the New Deal addressed critical issues such as economic security for the elderly through Social Security and job creation for the unemployed through Civilian Conservation Corps. These programs not only provided immediate relief but also had transformative, long-lasting impacts on the U.S. economy and infrastructure, including the development of state and national parks. Outside of academia, Oak combines his passion for economic history and the open road, riding his vintage BMW motorcycles to explore the enduring legacy of the New Deal-era projects. Today, he’ll discuss how the innovative strategies of the New Deal continue to influence economic security and infrastructure development in the modern era.
Tuesday
Norm O’Reilly – University of New England
Sponsorship in 2025
Norm O’Reilly, Dean of the College of Business at the University of New England, where he is also Executive Director of the Center for Sport & Business Innovation and a full Professor. Dr. O’Reilly has co-authored 20 books and more than 160 management journal articles.
Wednesday
Connor Blake – University of New England
The NIL Era in College Athletics
Connor Blake is the Manager of the Center for Sport and Business Innovation at the University of New England, where they lead initiatives in sport management, student engagement, and industry innovation. Their work focuses on creating experiential learning opportunities, fostering academic-industry partnerships, and advancing research in sport and business innovation. Blake has a particular interest in the intersections of sport, data analytics, and community impact, with projects spanning parasports, NIL policy, and student entrepreneurship.
Thursday
Golshan Madraki – University of New England
Polarized Social Media Networks
Dr. Golshan Madraki is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management in the College of Business at the University of New England (UNE), Maine, USA. Before joining UNE, she was an Associate Professor of Engineering and Management in the Reh School of Business and the Associate Director of the Honors Program at Clarkson University. She received her Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Ohio University in 2017. Her research focuses on various applications of algorithms and data analytics, graph theory, operations research, and mathematical modeling in manufacturing systems, supply chain networks, social media networks, and related societal issues. Dr. Madraki has taught a variety of courses, including Business Analytics, Systems Engineering and Management, Project Management, and Engineering Economics, at the University of New England, Clarkson University, and Ohio University. She has received several internal and external research grants, as well as multiple teaching and research awards throughout her career.
Friday
Aimee Vlachos – University of New England
She Surfs Good…For a Girl
While attending Western State College of Colorado for my undergraduate degree, my passion for outdoor recreation blossomed. I was fortunate that the recreation classes I completed included a number of field work experiences. This included: ice climbing up frozen waterfalls, building winter snow caves at the top of a 16,000 foot mountain, river rafting through the Grand Canyon, and planning skateboard contests. I have been teaching sport management and outdoor recreation courses for the past 18 years. In addition to my education and teaching experience, I also the owned a recreation business for 12 years and am a non-profit executive director. I am the founder and executive director of Wahine Kai International (www.wahinekai.org) and the goal of the 501(c)7 is to promote amateur women’s surfing across the country and soon around the world. We have chapters set up across the country and we currently have 500 paid members. I am very proud of what we have accomplished over the past 20 years. My research focuses on gender inequality in alternative sports. It is the idea that women feel “less than” men while participating in sports such as surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding and why this happens that interests me.
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