Highlights
A $5 million gift from the Crewe Foundation
Thanks to a historic gift from the Crewe Foundation, our dream of a Portland campus Center for the Arts may become a reality. The $5 million gift — one of the largest cash gifts in University of Southern Maine history — will be used to build a world-class facility that supports our music and visual arts students. It will also contribute to a thriving arts scene that attracts visitors and jobs to the region.
Sharing stories that make a difference
Our Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing program developed the Writing for Inclusivity and Social Equity (WISE) initiative to deepen the program’s focus on diversity, social justice, and inclusivity. WISE aims to support BIPOC, disabled, queer, and other marginalized writers in their work, and encourages students to cultivate their unique perspectives and celebrate the differences and diversity all around them — through the lens of storytelling and creative expression.
The virtues of algae
The U.S. Department of Energy recently invited Professor Ira “Ike” Levine (shown) to give a talk on the virtues of algae at their Bioeconomy Conference. A self-described “science geek,” he founded the Algae Technology Educational Consortium, which has taught more than 100,000 people around the world about this vital natural resource. This summer, Levine will be running an Algae Camp on our Portland Campus.
An aerial view of Maine's history
Interested in an aerial view of post-Civil War Maine? The Osher Map Library & Smith Center for Cartographic Education gathered and digitized 80 aerial renderings of Maine communities from the years 1870 – 1905 and made them available to the public online. Funded by a grant from the Maine Bicentennial Commission, the images paint a lively portrait of a golden age in Maine’s economy.
Meet a few of our amazing graduates
At this year’s Commencement, we celebrated the courage and persistence of some of our graduates. Tiffany Dunn (top left) earned her degree in social work six weeks after receiving a new heart. Peter Paolucci (top middle), an artist with autism, pursued a new love of art after enrolling in computer science. Graham Botto (top right) transitioned from chef to social worker, so he can help under-served communities access mental health care.
Featured News & Events
Muskie researcher Kate Ahrens co-authors national study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
Ahrens joined researchers in 10 other states in conducting the largest analysis of opioid use disorder treatment among Medicaid enrollees. Their findings show race is a factor in the treatment people receive.
USM's Admissions success featured on National Public Radio's Marketplace
The record-setting size of USM's incoming class of 2025 — fueled by a 33% increase in out-of-state students — caught the attention of Maine Public reporter Robbie Feinberg, who filed this story for the NPR podcast Marketplace.
USM School of Nursing students featured in the Maine Monitor
In this video featured in the Maine Monitor's "Chasing Maine" series, best friends and USM School of Nursing students Fabiola Jenson and Fartun Hirsi share how they are pursuing their goals of graduation and becoming nurses while raising children at their respective homes.
Teaching and scholarship work hand-in-hand for USM's newest Distinguished Professor
For Shelton Waldrep, Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English, classroom discussions with USM students have led to the creation of entire courses — and those courses have led to him writing several highly esteemed books.
USM-Boys & Girls Clubs partnership continues to flourish
USM students like Catherine Scheirer ’23 have served as dance teachers and cooking instructors, mentors and tutors, playmates, and confidants to Portland-area youth through a decade-long partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. It’s good experience for the USM students, most of whom are aspiring teachers. And it’s good for the youngsters, who get another caring adult in their lives.
Connect with us: Visits & Online Experiences
While our in-person visits and campus tours are limited, there are still many dynamic opportunities for you to learn about our thriving academic community from home. Attend an informational webinar about our university or a specific academic program, schedule a one-on-one video chat with a current student or an admissions counselor, and more. We’re excited to connect with you!
Watch: USM's 141st Commencement Celebration
USM's 2021 virtual Commencement program features remarks from keynote speaker Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, student speaker USM Grace Muheto, and USM’s four honorary degree recipients: Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia Inc.; Timothy P. Wilson, senior advisor and director of the Maine Seeds Programs; and Beverly and David Worthington, co-founders of the Worthington Scholarship Foundation.
Watch: USM's Virtual Groundbreaking Celebration
Join us in celebrating the launch of the Portland Campus Development Project by watching our Virtual Groundbreaking program, featuring remarks from several of our highly accomplished student groundbreakers.
Robin Davis receives prestigious museum internship
The junior Art History major at the University of Southern Maine has received a highly competitive Lunder Institute internship at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, for summer 2021.
USM's African American Collection unveils exhibit on Maine’s Black families
We invite you to experience the just-opened digital exhibition, "We Exist: Evidence of Maine's Black Families from 1800 to the 20th Century." Hosted by the USM Digital Commons, "We Exist" tells the stories of Maine's Black families through photos and interviews, and is the first of six digital exhibitions at USM focused on Black Mainers.
