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Your go-to blog for tips and stories from our USM campuses and Southern Maine.

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@usouthernmaine

USouthern Maine on Instagram
USouthern Maine on TikTok
USouthern Maine on Facebook
USouthern Maine on YouTube
USouthern Maine on LinkedIn

People

Inside USM’s Kate Cheney Chappell Center for Book Arts: A Q&A With Director Annie Lee-Zimerle

Annie Lee-Zimerle holds open a colorful pop-up artist book featuring a three-dimensional garden scene.

August 3, 2026

Book arts has been part of the University of Southern Maine for over a decade — and now, with a dedicated studio in the Crewe Center for the Arts, it’s more accessible than ever. Keep reading to hear from program director Annie Lee-Zimerle on what book arts actually is, who it’s for, and what makes it unlike any other art form.

Camdyn Johnson holds an ancient wooden fish weir stake in the Maine State Museum's collections building, with illustrated icons of a bone, fishing hook, and berries layered over the photo.

July 28, 2026

Bones, Berries, and Ancient Diets: Inside one USM Student’s Summer Internship
Green Curtain Roadshow participants look up into the forest canopy during a guided hike through Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.

July 22, 2026

Checking In From The Green Curtain Roadshow
A collage of Emma's photo from the blog layered over a USM campus building, with a film strip of her and friends.

July 16, 2026

What It’s Like to Transfer to USM
More people stories
Annie Lee-Zimerle holds open a colorful pop-up artist book featuring a three-dimensional garden scene.

August 3, 2026

Inside USM’s Kate Cheney Chappell Center for Book Arts: A Q&A With Director Annie Lee-Zimerle
Camdyn Johnson holds an ancient wooden fish weir stake in the Maine State Museum's collections building, with illustrated icons of a bone, fishing hook, and berries layered over the photo.

July 28, 2026

Bones, Berries, and Ancient Diets: Inside one USM Student’s Summer Internship
Green Curtain Roadshow participants look up into the forest canopy during a guided hike through Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.

July 22, 2026

Checking In From The Green Curtain Roadshow
A collage of Emma's photo from the blog layered over a USM campus building, with a film strip of her and friends.

July 16, 2026

What It’s Like to Transfer to USM
Browse all people stories

Browse all people stories

Purpose

Back to School, On Your Terms: What to Expect at USM’s Adult Student Open House

Gina Capra chatting with students at a previous Adult Students Open House at USM.

July 29, 2026

USM’s third annual Adult Student Open House brings together nearly 30 campus offices and partners on Aug. 13, helping adult students 24 and older explore their options, prepare for fall and cross things off their to-do list before the semester begins. Keep reading to see what’s on the agenda, from clearing your immunization hold to picking up your USM Campus Card before classes start.

Meredith Madden commemorative Special Olympics trading card.

July 23, 2026

From Med Tents to Milkshakes: Meet the USM Faculty Member Who Became Maine’s First Special Olympics USA Games Medical Delegate
Clare driving in her newly adapted toy car created for her through Go Baby Go and USM.

July 16, 2026

Making Play Possible: How USM Students Build Adaptive Cars for Go Baby Go
Marketing analytics specialist working together.

July 10, 2026

5 Careers to Explore with a USM Business Analytics and AI Degree
More purpose stories
Gina Capra chatting with students at a previous Adult Students Open House at USM.

July 29, 2026

Back to School, On Your Terms: What to Expect at USM’s Adult Student Open House
Meredith Madden commemorative Special Olympics trading card.

July 23, 2026

From Med Tents to Milkshakes: Meet the USM Faculty Member Who Became Maine’s First Special Olympics USA Games Medical Delegate
Clare driving in her newly adapted toy car created for her through Go Baby Go and USM.

July 16, 2026

Making Play Possible: How USM Students Build Adaptive Cars for Go Baby Go
Marketing analytics specialist working together.

July 10, 2026

5 Careers to Explore with a USM Business Analytics and AI Degree
Browse all purpose stories

Browse all purpose stories

Place

10 Dorm Essentials to Pack for Your First Year at USM

Student smiles while opening a mini fridge covered in stickers in a decorated dorm room with string lights and a patterned blanket

August 4, 2026

The countdown to move-in day is on, and if you’re anything like me, getting ready for your first year of college might make you want to pack everything you own — just in case you need it — but space in a dorm is limited, so it’s worth focusing on the essentials instead. Keep reading to find the items that made my room comfortable, organized and ready for college life.

A scenic coastal view from Monhegan Island, ME, with rocky cliffs and pine tree branches framing the calm blue ocean. Text overlay reads "Summer Hiking Guide from a USM student."

July 29, 2026

8 of My Favorite Summer Hikes as a USM Student
A student works on a laptop in the MIST Lab, surrounded by whiteboards covered in notes and project ideas. Illustrated graphics of a sewing machine and a 3D printer are overlaid on the image.

July 14, 2026

DeMISTifying the MIST Lab: Inside USM’s Maker Innovation Studio
Graphic featuring a Maine state outline, lighthouse illustration, and seagull over a coastal sunset, with text reading 'Southern Maine: 10 Things to Do Before Labor Day

June 30, 2026

10 Things to do Before Labor Day in Southern Maine
More place stories
Student smiles while opening a mini fridge covered in stickers in a decorated dorm room with string lights and a patterned blanket

August 4, 2026

10 Dorm Essentials to Pack for Your First Year at USM
A scenic coastal view from Monhegan Island, ME, with rocky cliffs and pine tree branches framing the calm blue ocean. Text overlay reads "Summer Hiking Guide from a USM student."

July 29, 2026

8 of My Favorite Summer Hikes as a USM Student
A student works on a laptop in the MIST Lab, surrounded by whiteboards covered in notes and project ideas. Illustrated graphics of a sewing machine and a 3D printer are overlaid on the image.

July 14, 2026

DeMISTifying the MIST Lab: Inside USM’s Maker Innovation Studio
Graphic featuring a Maine state outline, lighthouse illustration, and seagull over a coastal sunset, with text reading 'Southern Maine: 10 Things to Do Before Labor Day

June 30, 2026

10 Things to do Before Labor Day in Southern Maine
Browse all place stories

Browse all place stories

Recent stories

Student smiles while opening a mini fridge covered in stickers in a decorated dorm room with string lights and a patterned blanket

August 4, 2026

10 Dorm Essentials to Pack for Your First Year at USM
Annie Lee-Zimerle holds open a colorful pop-up artist book featuring a three-dimensional garden scene.

August 3, 2026

Inside USM’s Kate Cheney Chappell Center for Book Arts: A Q&A With Director Annie Lee-Zimerle
A scenic coastal view from Monhegan Island, ME, with rocky cliffs and pine tree branches framing the calm blue ocean. Text overlay reads "Summer Hiking Guide from a USM student."

July 29, 2026

8 of My Favorite Summer Hikes as a USM Student
Gina Capra chatting with students at a previous Adult Students Open House at USM.

July 29, 2026

Back to School, On Your Terms: What to Expect at USM’s Adult Student Open House
Camdyn Johnson holds an ancient wooden fish weir stake in the Maine State Museum's collections building, with illustrated icons of a bone, fishing hook, and berries layered over the photo.

July 28, 2026

Bones, Berries, and Ancient Diets: Inside one USM Student’s Summer Internship
Green Curtain Roadshow participants look up into the forest canopy during a guided hike through Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.

July 22, 2026

Checking In From The Green Curtain Roadshow
Clare driving in her newly adapted toy car created for her through Go Baby Go and USM.

July 16, 2026

Making Play Possible: How USM Students Build Adaptive Cars for Go Baby Go
A collage of Emma's photo from the blog layered over a USM campus building, with a film strip of her and friends.

July 16, 2026

What It’s Like to Transfer to USM
Browse all stories

Browse all stories

The word "AUGUST" in white text overlaid on sailboats moored in a Maine bay with grasses and trees in the foreground

The Monthly Roundup

Welcome to the Monthly Roundup, your go-to guide for what’s happening at the University of Southern Maine and across the Greater Portland area each month! During the summer, we feature community festivals and local events happening across Southern Maine, plus summer stops — spots near campus or along the Busky where you can grab food, meet friends, and explore the region. This series will keep you connected to what’s new, what’s next, and what’s worth checking out across our Portland and Gorham campuses and beyond.

Explore what’s on

University news

Academic Year 2025-2026 Dean's List over spring florals.

July 20, 2026

USM Academic Year 2025-2026 Dean’s List — 157 part-time students have earned the distinction this academic year
Dean's List Spring 2026

July 14, 2026

USM Spring 2026 Dean’s List — 1,375 full-time students have earned the distinction this spring
Nicholas DeAngelis '26 and his fellow District 1 NATA members take home first place at the NATA Quiz Bowl.

July 10, 2026

Recent USM graduate helps District 1 win national athletic training Quiz Bowl 
USM Alumnus and World Affairs Council of Maine board member, Riley Worth.

July 2, 2026

USM alumnus Riley Worth elected to World Affairs Council of Maine board
A delegate gestures while making a point during a table discussion.

July 2, 2026

USM-Led Citizens’ Assembly Sets Two Priorities for Maine Education
Attendees seated at round tables laugh and chat during the "Good People, Great Connections" networking event at USM's Alumni Reception Center, with championship plaques lining the walls behind them.

June 24, 2026

USM Opens Its Doors to Gorham’s Business Community for First Campus-Hosted Networking Event
An officer and an administrator coordinate over radio during USM's school reunification exercise.

June 22, 2026

USM Partners With Local Schools and Emergency Managers to Strengthen Regional Public Safety
Steve Bull and Susie Bock pose together at USM Special Collections, Bull seated and smiling with his arms resting on a chair, Bock standing beside him.

June 18, 2026

USM Special Collections Marks Milestone for Maine’s First LGBTQ+ Newspaper During Pride Month
Browse all stories

Browse all university news

USM Academic Year 2025-2026 Dean’s List — 157 part-time students have earned the distinction this academic year

Academic Year 2025-2026 Dean's List over spring florals.

July 20, 2026

Students who attend both the fall and the spring semesters as part-time degree students and who meet the above full-time Dean’s List criteria when the fall and spring semesters are combined are eligible for the academic year Dean’s List at … Read More
Dean's List Spring 2026

July 14, 2026

USM Spring 2026 Dean’s List — 1,375 full-time students have earned the distinction this spring
Nicholas DeAngelis '26 and his fellow District 1 NATA members take home first place at the NATA Quiz Bowl.

July 10, 2026

Recent USM graduate helps District 1 win national athletic training Quiz Bowl 
USM Alumnus and World Affairs Council of Maine board member, Riley Worth.

July 2, 2026

USM alumnus Riley Worth elected to World Affairs Council of Maine board
Browse all news stories