AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS IN FOCUS MARCH 2016 2 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS IN FOCUS 3

When he graduated from (COA) in 1992, the world held a great deal of promise for Darron Collins. For the young man, it was the culmination of ‘an unforgettable adventure in education’ that began four years earlier when Collins enrolled as a student at a college in Bar Harbor on ’s picturesque .

Written by Robert Hoshowsky

ollins would become one of 2,100 alumni of COA back in 1988 and graduated in 1992, and they were four tre- and credits his many tremendous experiences at mendous years. I absolutely love this place.” CCollege of the Atlantic with giving him clarity and the ability to plot his own course in life. In countless ways, College of the Atlantic is unlike many other institutions of higher learning. Everyone receives the same During his time at the college, Collins developed many new degree: a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology. “It is a self- interests. Being awarded a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship designed degree that is interdisciplinary, problem-focused enabled him to travel outside the United States to pursue and is experiential,” says Collins, “so I designed my own degree independent study, and this saw him visit the Amazon Basin, around my interests in wildlife conservation.” Chile and New Zealand. After returning to the U.S., he attended New Orleans-based Tulane University where he achieved his Conceived in 1968 by Catholic priest Father James Gower and master’s and doctoral degrees. His Ph.D. in cultural anthro- his friend, entrepreneur Les Brewer, COA officially opened its pology saw him living and working in Alta Verapaz, in north- doors in 1969. The intentionally small college’s first year saw central Guatemala. Because of a passion for nature, Collins then thirty-six students in attendance and a unique curriculum. began a decade-long career with the World Wildlife Fund as a Taking an interdisciplinary approach to human ecology – the managing director responsible for handling large conservation study of people and their interaction with social and physical programs in Latin America and later in Mongolia. environments – COA presented a unique learning experience that is highly interactive, free from the constraints of tradition- In 2011, the next leg of Collins’ lifelong adventure began when al departments and has a focus on environmental sciences, he accepted the position of president at College of the Atlantic. humanities, the arts, socially responsible business, sustainable He embraced the role with the same enthusiasm he had as a food systems and international studies. student almost twenty years earlier. “I intend to be here for a long time,” says Collins, describing his current role and past as Today, College of the Atlantic receives approximately 500 to a COA student and graduate. “I came first when I was a student 600 applications per year. It currently has 330 students, and 4

the plan is to cap it at 350 for the benefit of students, staff and between American and international students; at COA, students faculty alike. While President Collins acknowledges additional are connected through their shared interest in the environment. students would mean more revenue for COA, he prefers to keep numbers as they are, as he has for the past five years. “There’s a very serious attempt at integrating and having one student body that is globalized,” comments Collins. “COA students are encouraged “This is refreshing and another reason why being at about to embrace numerous areas of 350 students makes sense for us.” education and create a balance The students learn in small groups of twenty students or of learning by thinking, reading, fewer per instructor. The college has thirty-three full-time contemplating and doing.” faculty members and ten lecturers. By keeping classes small, students receive more attention and are much more active in “We are our size for a reason, and we’re going to stay there,” he the evolution of the college itself. Individualized, personalized says. “We want to work to build the curriculum around individu- scrutiny of the curriculum of the individual student benefits al student interests, continuously involve students in the future his or her own overall college experience, particularly when of the college, and emphasize adventurous, expeditionary students are actively involved in research they design. learning and that becomes very hard to do with large numbers. College presidents don’t make many ‘draw in the sand proposi- Another unique aspect of College of the Atlantic is its location tions,’ but that was one of mine. We are a small community by in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island in Maine. Although some design, and that is part of being at College of the Atlantic.” instruction happens indoors, much takes place outside. The front of the college faces the Gulf of Maine, while its backyard Although the number of students is kept relatively small, the is Acadia National Park. The 49,000-acre park is known for student body feels much larger due to the fact that there are its rugged beauty, with rocky beaches, woodlands and the undergrads from forty states and forty countries. In larger highest peak in the East Coast: Cadillac Mountain. The park is colleges and universities, there is often a marked difference home to countless species of wildlife from seabirds and whales 5

to bears and moose. It also features a great variety of plants and significant number of alumni. Wanting to change the world and other vegetation and granite cliffs carved by glaciers. the relationship between human beings and the environment by working in education makes a lot of sense,” says Collins. “We spent a lot of time in those two places and working among the communities here on Mount Desert Island,” states Collins. As they are equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit, others As many of the students take on project-oriented learning, this pursue their own businesses or become artists or musicians. benefits them after they have graduated from COA and embark Still others enter law, environmental policy work, natural on their professional careers. Recent grads are more often resource and protected areas management or the nonprofit asked what they did in college, rather than what grades they conservation world. Regardless of their choices after COA, the received in which classes. Since COA students are encouraged experience also sees students fostering strong mentorships to embrace numerous areas of education and create a balance that attest to the quality of their work and commitment. of learning by thinking, reading, contemplating and doing, they develop portfolios which serve them exceptionally well when “By keeping classes small, they leave and pursue the wider world of employment. students receive more attention

Students experience incredible adventures first hand. Recently, and are much more active in the students traveled to the Danish island of Samsö to learn how evolution of the college itself.” that island became energy independent with renewables. They returned from that unique classroom to then implement some Collins says there are several misconceptions, namely that of those sustainable energy solutions here along the coast of COA only offers courses in the sciences and marine studies, Maine, working with island community members, engineers, which is not the case. Although all students receive a degree entrepreneurs and anthropologists. Trips like this further in human ecology, COA has offered a curriculum involv- human ecology and the relationship between human beings, ing the arts, humanities and sciences from its inception. our natural and social environment. Students approach this relationship between human beings and the environment from many different angles. At COA, students usually approach their education from one of three directions: arts and design, humanities or sciences. “The Collins was recently in Japan’s Hiroshima Prefecture to brainstorm basic strategy is for students to design their own curriculum with locals of a sister school partner, a new alternative college in around what their interests are, and admittedly those interests Japan based on the COA model. This may even lead to the devel- evolve over their time here.” In this way, students develop a deep opment of a wider partnership circle across Asia. “Whatever comes understanding of their subjects – such as marine mammals – and out of the trip, it is certainly confirmation and external verification are not educationally constrained and graduate from College of that we’re doing something right, and the world is watching.” the Atlantic inspired to continue their journey. COA is one of the most beautiful colleges in the world, and Following graduation, about forty-five percent of alumni pursue Collins says much of the success of the college comes from higher degrees in a variety of programs ranging from ecology to its diversity. “There are just so many different kinds of insti- medicine, from law to environmental chemistry, while some go tutions, and I think our model works really, really well for a directly to work in fields as diverse as art, design, policy, educa- large number of people. It’s not for everyone, but I want to tion, government, higher education or resource management. make sure we’re reaching those people, and our location “Teaching and education is something that is represented by a makes it an excellent place to have a college.” College of the Atlantic 105 Eden Street Bar Harbor ME 04609

P: 207-288-5015 www.coa.edu

Unit 210, 1310 Hollis Street, Halifax NS B3J 3P3, Canada | Phone: 1-647-479-2163