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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

Meet Zoe Barnes: USM Nursing Student and National Champion

Zoe Barnes mentally preparing with shot put loaded on shoulder ahead of her heat.

April 13, 2026

Zoe Barnes is preparing to graduate from the University of Southern Maine in August 2026 with a nursing degree and a national title in shot put. Now in her fifth and final year, the New Gloucester native is reflecting on her athletic and academic career. Like many students, she navigated uncertainty before ultimately finding her path in the classroom and in competition.

We caught up with Zoe to find out how it all came together — and what it took to finish strong.

Bridgette smiling on the Eastern Promenade at sunset, overlaid with polaroid-style images: a lit-up Gorham campus soccer field, a picnic with friends, and her walking with a friend across a street. Dark blue doodles including a star, wave, location icon, and lines decorate the polaroids.

April 6, 2026

Why I Chose USM: A Home Away From Home
Illustrated headshot of USM junior Ted Campbell, accented with white line graphics and a decorative arrow gesturing toward a state building graphic.

March 30, 2026

5 Questions With a USM Junior Interning at the Maine Secretary of State’s Office
Christina Hart smiles while holding the hand of a simulation dummy, demonstrating patient care and compassion in the nursing lab.

March 23, 2026

From Nursing Student to Professor: Christina Hart’s Accelerated Path Back to USM
More people stories
Zoe Barnes mentally preparing with shot put loaded on shoulder ahead of her heat.

April 13, 2026

Meet Zoe Barnes: USM Nursing Student and National Champion
Bridgette smiling on the Eastern Promenade at sunset, overlaid with polaroid-style images: a lit-up Gorham campus soccer field, a picnic with friends, and her walking with a friend across a street. Dark blue doodles including a star, wave, location icon, and lines decorate the polaroids.

April 6, 2026

Why I Chose USM: A Home Away From Home
Illustrated headshot of USM junior Ted Campbell, accented with white line graphics and a decorative arrow gesturing toward a state building graphic.

March 30, 2026

5 Questions With a USM Junior Interning at the Maine Secretary of State’s Office
Christina Hart smiles while holding the hand of a simulation dummy, demonstrating patient care and compassion in the nursing lab.

March 23, 2026

From Nursing Student to Professor: Christina Hart’s Accelerated Path Back to USM
Browse all people stories

Browse all people stories

Purpose

Celebrating Student Workers: A Conversation with One of USM’s 900+ Employees

Prashiddhi Pokhrel, a graduate student and MIST Lab student employee, in the Maker Innovation Studio at USM. White star doodles overlay the image in the upper right hand corner.

April 13, 2026

Meet Prashiddhi Pokhrel: a soon-to-be Master of Science in Statistics, a MIST Lab student employee, and one of USM’s 900+ student workers who make campus life what it is. Keep reading to hear her story — and find out why a campus job might be one of the best decisions a student can make.

Business analytics student Mohamed Ali on the Bean Green in front of the McGoldrick Center.

April 6, 2026

How USM Internships Helped a Business Analytics Student Build Career Confidence
USM mascot Champ the Husky displays an Admitted Students Day sign on the Gorham campus

March 30, 2026

Your First Day as a Husky: What to Expect at Admitted Student Days
USM women’s soccer seniors smiling and holding up four fingers to celebrate their Little East Conference win.

March 23, 2026

Four Lessons From 4 LEC Championships
More purpose stories
Prashiddhi Pokhrel, a graduate student and MIST Lab student employee, in the Maker Innovation Studio at USM. White star doodles overlay the image in the upper right hand corner.

April 13, 2026

Celebrating Student Workers: A Conversation with One of USM’s 900+ Employees
Business analytics student Mohamed Ali on the Bean Green in front of the McGoldrick Center.

April 6, 2026

How USM Internships Helped a Business Analytics Student Build Career Confidence
USM mascot Champ the Husky displays an Admitted Students Day sign on the Gorham campus

March 30, 2026

Your First Day as a Husky: What to Expect at Admitted Student Days
USM women’s soccer seniors smiling and holding up four fingers to celebrate their Little East Conference win.

March 23, 2026

Four Lessons From 4 LEC Championships
Browse all purpose stories

Browse all purpose stories

Place

5 Things I Wish I Knew as a College Freshman

Two students smile and talk at an outdoor table on a sunny day during USM freshman orientation, holding papers in hand.

April 13, 2026

Being a college freshman was one of the scariest experiences I’ve had — but looking back as a senior at the University of Southern Maine, I can see how much I’ve grown. Keep reading to discover the five things I wish I’d known from the very start.

Karoline Brechter as Sally Bowles and Ensemble in USM 2026 production of Cabaret.

April 6, 2026

Behind the Curtain: Cabaret
Hand placing a coin into a small piggy bank on a wooden surface.

March 23, 2026

6 Ways to Save Money as a College Student at USM
charlotte_driving_pretty_sky

March 16, 2026

What It’s Like to Be a Commuter Student at USM
More place stories
Two students smile and talk at an outdoor table on a sunny day during USM freshman orientation, holding papers in hand.

April 13, 2026

5 Things I Wish I Knew as a College Freshman
Karoline Brechter as Sally Bowles and Ensemble in USM 2026 production of Cabaret.

April 6, 2026

Behind the Curtain: Cabaret
Hand placing a coin into a small piggy bank on a wooden surface.

March 23, 2026

6 Ways to Save Money as a College Student at USM
charlotte_driving_pretty_sky

March 16, 2026

What It’s Like to Be a Commuter Student at USM
Browse all place stories

Browse all place stories

Recent stories

Two students smile and talk at an outdoor table on a sunny day during USM freshman orientation, holding papers in hand.

April 13, 2026

5 Things I Wish I Knew as a College Freshman
Prashiddhi Pokhrel, a graduate student and MIST Lab student employee, in the Maker Innovation Studio at USM. White star doodles overlay the image in the upper right hand corner.

April 13, 2026

Celebrating Student Workers: A Conversation with One of USM’s 900+ Employees
Zoe Barnes mentally preparing with shot put loaded on shoulder ahead of her heat.

April 13, 2026

Meet Zoe Barnes: USM Nursing Student and National Champion
Close-up of delicate pink flower buds emerging on tree branches against a soft spring sky, with bold "April" text overlaid in white.

April 6, 2026

April
Karoline Brechter as Sally Bowles and Ensemble in USM 2026 production of Cabaret.

April 6, 2026

Behind the Curtain: Cabaret
USM mascot Champ the Husky displays an Admitted Students Day sign on the Gorham campus

March 30, 2026

Your First Day as a Husky: What to Expect at Admitted Student Days
Illustrated headshot of USM junior Ted Campbell, accented with white line graphics and a decorative arrow gesturing toward a state building graphic.

March 30, 2026

5 Questions With a USM Junior Interning at the Maine Secretary of State’s Office
Hand placing a coin into a small piggy bank on a wooden surface.

March 23, 2026

6 Ways to Save Money as a College Student at USM
Browse all stories

Browse all stories

Close-up of delicate pink flower buds emerging on tree branches against a soft spring sky, with bold "April" text overlaid in white.

The Monthly Round Up

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.

Explore what’s on