The Office of Student Affairs is deeply committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment that is student-focused every day.
By providing access to a broad range of partnerships, programs, resources, and services, we work to create a welcoming atmosphere of intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and justice that supports continuous learning and independent thinking to help students succeed at the University of Southern Maine and beyond.
The Division of Student Affairs is an essential part of student success at USM, contributing to student well-being, development, learning, leadership, and life preparedness. To guide our work through 2029, we have developed a Strategic Plan that focuses on six important areas.
- Integrating Learning Everywhere – We connect learning inside and outside the classroom, offering hands-on programs to build essential skills in leadership, critical thinking, and career readiness, so that students have the skills and support they need to thrive at USM and beyond.
- Fostering Belonging and Accessibility – We are dedicated to building a welcoming and inclusive culture where all students, staff, and faculty feel valued, seen, and supported, while ensuring our campus, programs, and digital spaces are accessible to all.
- Ensuring Equitable Access to Resources – We work to remove barriers to success for all students, so they can succeed academically and socially while valuing and nurturing their unique backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and abilities.
- Promoting Holistic Wellness – We believe well-being is the foundation for success. We are expanding access to mental health services and providing students with the tools and resources to build resilience and manage their health.
- Investing in Our Team for Student Success – We are committed to the professional development of our staff to ensure we provide the highest quality of expert, consistent, and compassionate support for our students.
- Using Data to Improve the Student Experience – We use assessment and student feedback to make informed decisions, ensuring our programs are effective, responsive to student needs, and continually improving.