Marissa Joly stands next to her mural speaking with a student during the unveiling event. The mural features a giant purple turtle at its center.

Oct 2023

Accompanied by the songs and drums of her Native American heritage, Mi’kmaq artist and alum Marissa Joly unveiled her mural, tan wetapeksultiyiq – where we come from, at our McGoldrick Center for Career and Student Success. The mural depicts various Native American symbols and promotes a greater awareness and appreciation of Indigenous history on campus.

Four students work together to cut a ribbon with giant scissors inside our new Portland Commons residence hall.

Aug/Sep 2023

Our brand-new, energy-efficient Portland campus residence hall is open! Home to 580 students from USM, Maine Law, and SMCC, there’s a combination of single-occupancy rooms and apartments. Across the street, our new parking garage is equipped with Maine’s largest Level Two EV charging station at 58 spots. Plus, our new indoor 250-bicycle storage area is also the largest in Maine.

Alexandra Dietrich with bright purple and pink hair, wearing a sparkly dark dress, on the red carpet at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Dietrich.

Photo courtesy of Alexandra Dietrich

Jul 2023

Vocal instructor Alexandra Dietrich ’09 was mid-lesson when Corthell Hall started buzzing with news of her Grammy nomination. Crediting the University of Southern Maine for her work ethic, her role as Associate Artistic Producer on a Boston area production of the opera X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X earned her a trip to Los Angeles with 11 other cast and crew members.

A headshot of Graham 'GG' Griffith standing in front of a stone wall.

Jun 2023

What exactly would a newly-minted Fulbright Scholar with a public radio background do in Bulgaria? Graduate student Graham “GG” Griffith plans to work with other scholars to counter corruption and disinformation. Equal parts excited and terrified, GG is looking forward to spending nine months elevating journalism in Eastern Europe.

A headshot of Kate Ahrens standing in front of a stone wall.

May 2023

Dr. Katherine Ahrens, Assistant Research Professor of Public Health, is part of a team that won an $11 million grant to investigate how Medicaid-funded doulas could help reduce maternal health disparities in the U.S. The study aims to determine if available doula services could improve post-pregnancy health outcomes for people of color and for low-income people.

A microphone and laptop with a Cybersecurity Ambassador sticker are set up on a table, ready to record a podcast. Audio editing software is shown on the computer screen and two potted plants appear in the background.

Apr 2023

Our Cybersecurity Ambassadors are hoping to get the message out about online safety via podcast. Since their debut, they’ve recorded detailed, full-length interviews with John Forker, chief information security officer for the UMaine System, Rob Simopoulos, cofounder of Portland-based cybersecurity company Defendify, Maine U.S. Senator Angus King, and others.

Established: September 2013