USM: The Next Five Years

2020-2025

Town Hall

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Thank you!

Thank you for joining us on this journey as we

complete our 10 goals and adopt a new 5 Year Plan.

Our goal is to shape and prepare each student for their future

career opportunities. Over the next five years, the University of

Southern Maine will keep its promise of responsibility through

a focus on our service promise and by staying grounded in

academic excellence, equity and justice. USM will be known for

its academic excellence, high rates of retention and graduation,

and affordability so students can successfully launch their careers

without the burden of high debt.

Dr. Glenn Cummings, President July 2020

Timeline

Board of Trustees Request Campus

Strategic Plan

Spring/Summer

Glenn Cummings & Nancy Griffin meet

with key stakeholders

Summer Cabinet Retreat

[July 14, 2020]

Unveiled at Opening Breakfast

[August 27 2020]

USM Next 5 Years Steering Committee

Survey presented to steering committee

[October 19, 2020]

(339 Responses)

Winter Cabinet Retreat

[January 19, 2021]

Finalized Priorities

Town Hall

[March 5, 2021]

Next Five YearsWhy does it matter?

Mission Statement

Committed to equity and excellence, the University

of Southern Maine advances a culture of inquiry

and belonging in which research, creativity, and

innovation accelerate transformational development in

our students, on our campuses, and in our

communities.

The Joy and Power of Learning

Priority #1 - Academic Excellence & Student Success

Priority #2 - Maximize Student’s Return on Investment

Priority #3 - Lead on Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Priority #4 - Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Priority #5 - Transform our Campuses with a Focus on Sustainability

Priority 1: Academic Excellence & Student

Success

USM is committed to:

1. Implement Academic Vision 2028

• Focus on Relationships

• A Future-Forward Curriculum

• The Integration of Learning and Work

• A Mission of Services & Citizenship

2. Improve Student Success

3. Increase Funding for Full-Time Faculty

4. Enhance Academic Learning Spaces

5. Improve External Reputational Strength for Academic Excellence

Priority 2: Maximize Students’ Return on

Investment

USM is committed to:

1. The integration of learning and work (Academic Vision

2028)

2. Providing academic support leading to workforce readiness

& career opportunities.

3. Expanding and increasing the number of opportunities for

employer/community engagement

4. Establishing employer partnerships that will provide paid

student internships & work experiences

USM is committed to:

1. Achieving a more diverse and inclusive student body, faculty, and staff.

2. Fostering an organizational environment that creates a sense of belonging for students, faculty, and staff.

3. Engaging students, faculty, and staff in learning varied perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion by offering courses, curricula, professional development, and learning opportunities that achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion goals

4. Creating and sustaining an institutional infrastructure that effectively supports progress in achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion goals

Priority 3: Lead on Equity, Inclusion, and

Belonging

USM is committed to:

1. Establish start-up funding for research, scholarship, and

creative activities.

2. Expanding faculty-mentored research for undergraduate and

graduate students.

3. Increasing support and funding for graduate students

connected to research.

4. Expanding new research/scholarship partnerships within

other institutions that would benefit the state of Maine (and

beyond)

Priority 4: Research, Scholarship, and Creative

Activity

USM is committed to:

1. Fulfilling the USM Master Plan, constructing new buildings

at highest green standards.

2. Practicing fiscal responsibility and sustainable budgeting

practices.

3. Reimagining the use of space on all campuses and upgrading

existing facilities.

4. Achieving the President’s Carbon Commitment (Formerly

ACUPCC) and attaining carbon neutrality by the year 2040.

5. Becoming a Great College to Work For® – For All

Priority 5: Transform our University with a

Focus on Sustainability

Get involved with shaping USM’s future

• Priority #1 - Academic Excellence & Student Success (Jeannine Uzzi & Jared Cash)

• Priority #2 - Maximize Student’s Return on Investment (Jeanne Paquette)

• Priority #3 - Lead on Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (Idella Glenn)

• Priority #4 - Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (Glenn Cummings)

• Priority #5 - Transform our Campuses with a Focus on Sustainability (Ainsley Wallace, Alec Porteous, & Natalie Jones)

Student Focused

Every Day