About Us

"USM stands with those who believe in supporting one another, who embrace and cherish our diversity, and who are devoted to working together to make sure everyone belonging to our campus community feels welcome, valued and safe."- President Glenn Cummings.

 Our three environmentally friendly campuses are unique, yet all share the extensive resources of the university — and all are energized through strong community partnerships.  Offering easy access to Boston, plus the ocean, mountains and forests of coastal, inland and northern Maine, USM is at the heart of Maine's most exciting metropolitan region:

  • Our Portland campus is located in "one of America’s most livable cities," according to Forbes magazine, which also ranks Portland among the top 10 for job prospects.  A creative and diverse community on Maine’s scenic coast, Portland is nationally known as a culinary hot spot!
  • USM’s beautiful residential Gorham campus  supports and celebrates excellence in academics, athletics, music and the arts and is home to ten Living Learning Communities and six Residential Communities.
  • Our Lewiston campus is home to USM’s innovative and richly diverse Lewiston-Auburn College. This Central Maine campus integrates classroom, community and workplace_,_ and provides a small college experience with the resources of a large university.

The University has an institution-wide commitment to inclusion, diversity, multiculturalism, and community. We actively engage in recruiting a diverse workforce and strive to build and sustain a welcoming and supportive campus environment. USM provides outstanding leadership opportunities for people interested in promoting and enhancing diversity, nurturing creativity and building community. The University is committed to student success, active learning, and community engagement.

Mission Statement

Our University Goals

During President Cummings' inaugural Opening Breakfast speech to the University on August 27, 2015, he outlined the goals that USM will pursue over the next five years. The goals, listed below, are ambitious, yet achievable and will ensure the university maintains its academic excellence, dedication to students, high-level engagement with our communities and financial stability far into the future.

  • USM will be known for academic excellence with real-world experiences as a core part of its academic program.
  • 80% of our students will state that at least one individual (staff or faculty) knows them well, supports them, and believes in them (NSSE, now below 60%).
  • 72% of our students will remain at USM between each school year (IPEDS, now 63%).
  • 10% of our alumni will give to USM annually (now 2%).
  • The USM Foundation will raise $50M in scholarships, infrastructure and investments for our students (now $17M).
  • USM headcount enrollment will reach 10,000 (IPEDS, now 7,700).
  • USM will be designated as a 'Great College to Work'.
  • 80% will recommend USM to others (post grad survey, now 61%).
  • USM will establish a sustainable financial model by attaining industry standards attributable to a financially healthy institution.

"We are the University of Everyone – committed to building a culturally diverse team of leaders, faculty and staff. We welcome applicants who are multi-lingual. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply."

Working Here

Check out these quotes from USM employees about their experiences working with an institution described by the President as "filled with energy, enthusiasm, and innovation, an institution at the heart of its community and dedicated to transforming lives.”

"I want you to work here.  I want you to feel like you are productive here and I want you to know that the work you do is really important" President Glenn Cummings

"I love my job because no day is ever the same. Each day I am presented with new challenges and situations, which really helps me to stay focused and interested. It gives me independence, flexibility, motivation and satisfaction" USM Facilities Management

"USM is an exciting place to work for a number of reasons. First, we have a friendly and welcoming culture that embraces new and innovative ideas. It's refreshing to have enthusiastic colleagues - regardless if someone has been here for 12 months or 12 years. The leadership at the helm are a humble group who truly listen and respond to the needs of the community. In my experience, USM attracts creative, hard-working individuals who do their work with respect and care." Alex Carrier, Coordinator of Student Activities

"Throughout my time at USM, as a student and an employee, I have found the people that work here truly want to serve students, they want to support them and they want to see them grow.  Everyone steps into their roles so that we can successfully impact our students and give them the tools they need to fulfill their dreams.  The times change as do USM's challenges but the work we do creates a positive and truly great environment to be in."          -Al Bean USM Director of Athletics

"Working at USM and in athletics, in particular, is truly rewarding.  Being on the sidelines and publicizing the tremendous academic and athletic accomplishments of our student-athletes is just fun.  Watching our student-athletes dedicate themselves to their goals, and achieve them through hard work and perseverance, whether it is a national championship or battling back from an injury, is inspiring. I enjoy working with our student-athletes and coaches, because the energy and time-commitments they put towards their pursuits are contagiously energizing.  And how many other professions allow you to regularly use high-five memes on social media when a rookie hits a game-winning jumper?  -Christina Cracolici Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations