Congratulations on your graduate program admission at the University of Southern Maine! Let’s get to know each other.

Attend our upcoming new student welcome events, being held virtually and in-person:

  • Virtual Summer 2026 Online Information Session for New Graduate Students
    • Friday, May 15, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, via Zoom
  • Virtual Fall 2026 Online Information Session for New Graduate Students
    • Friday, August 21, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, via Zoom
  • In-Person Fall 2026 New Graduate Student Orientation
    • Wednesday, August 26, 3:00 – 4:30 PM, Abromson Center, Portland campus

Register for these events below.

Additionally, the Office of Graduate Studies is adding newly matriculated students to our USM Graduate Student Orientation Brightspace (login required) in an ongoing basis, which is a great way to start getting familiar with graduate student life at USM.

For any issues accessing the Brightpsace content, or with questions regarding our new student welcome programming, please reach out to usmgradstudies@maine.edu.

Event Details

Join us as we welcome students starting their graduate programs in Summer 2026!

Content of this session will highlight some of the information within the USM Graduate Student Orientation Brightspace, offer new students a chance to hear directly from university staff about available support services, and give the newest members of the community the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their awareness in order to help position themselves for graduate student success. We’ll spend the hour providing:

  • information about programs and services housed within OGS (including scholarships, fellowships, research and professional development funds),
  • tips for navigating student accounts and billing, 
  • methods of accessing health and counseling services directly from the university, and 
  • advice and organizational tools from current graduate students.

Event Date: Friday, May 15, 2026

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Location: Online via Zoom (email with meeting link to follow)

Students starting during Summer 2026 sessions are welcome to attend this virtual event, and are also invited to our in-person Fall 2026 New Graduate Student Orientation that will be held on August 26 on the USM Portland campus (details below).

Are you a new student starting in the Fall 2026 semester? If so, this virtual session is for you!

Whether you are a fully online student or attending classes in person, we’ll cover some helpful information to get your semester started. Our team will highlight some of the information within the USM Graduate Student Orientation Brightspace, offer new students a chance to hear directly from university staff about available support services, and give the newest members of the community the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their awareness in order to help position themselves for graduate student success. 

Event Date: Friday, August 21, 2026

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Location: Online via Zoom (email with meeting link to follow)

Please join us for the Fall 2026 New Graduate Student Welcome Reception to meet fellow students, faculty, and staff–and receive important information about graduate student life at USM. Students starting in Summer and Fall 2026 are invited to join us in person.

This program includes:

  • Meet and greet networking session with refreshments
  • Student Resources Mini Fair
  • Welcome from USM leadership and the Graduate Student Board

Event Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM (check-in starts at 2:30 PM)

Location: First floor, Abromson Community Education Center, 88 Bedford Street, Portland campus

Event Registration

Use your maine.edu credentials to register for these events via the form linked here.

Please RSVP for the Summer 2026 event by May 13 and the Fall 2026 events by August 19.

Do you need further assistance? Contact us.

RSVP now!