Pack Chat
Your go-to blog for tips and stories from our USM campuses and Southern Maine.
People
How USM’s Accelerated Nursing Program Helped One Grad Land Her Dream Job
October 5, 2026
USM nursing grad Jaden Dalrymple went from training with an NCAA Division 1 dance team to landing a spot in Maine Medical Center’s Medical ICU. Keep reading to learn how USM’s accelerated nursing program got her there.
Purpose
Preserving the Past, Teaching the Present: Inside the Vault at Osher Map Library
October 7, 2026
Inside the vault at USM’s Osher Map Library, nearly half a million rare maps are preserved with painstaking care, then carried out to the table for students to study by hand. Keep reading to see what is kept inside, and how centuries-old maps are still teaching today.
Place
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Dining at USM: What I Eat in a Day
October 15, 2026
As a USM sophomore with gluten and dairy intolerances, I spent much of my first year figuring out where and what I could eat. Keep reading to see the meals and snacks I rely on across the Gorham and Portland campuses.
Recent stories
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! From campus performances, concerts, and student events to local festivals, cultural happenings, and activities throughout 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.
University news
USM Connects Students With More Than 90 Employers at Fall Job and Internship Fair
October 14, 2026