University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is a public university located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston, Maine. It is part of the University of Maine System and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across a broad range of disciplines, including business, nursing, education, the arts and sciences, public policy, and law. With campuses that combine urban and suburban settings, the university serves traditional undergraduates, adult learners, and working professionals. The institution is known for its strong connections to the surrounding community and for programs that emphasize applied learning, research, and regional engagement.

The University of Southern Maine traces its origins to 1878 with the founding of Gorham Normal School in Gorham, Maine, established to train teachers for the state’s public schools. Over time, the institution expanded its academic scope and became Gorham State College. In 1971, Gorham State College merged with the University of Maine at Portland to form the University of Southern Maine, creating a multi-campus public university serving southern Maine. The newly unified University of Southern Maine broadened its mission to include liberal arts, sciences, professional programs, and graduate education. In the decades that followed, the university added facilities, strengthened research and community partnerships, and expanded programs in fields such as business, nursing, and public policy. Today, the University of Southern Maine operates campuses in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston, reflecting its evolution from a teacher-training school into a comprehensive regional university.