College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at USM

08/04/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Center for French Colonial Studies Annual Conference, taking place October 2–4 in Lewiston-Auburn. Hosted in association with the University of Southern Maine’s Franco-American Collection, the conference will bring together scholars, historians, archaeologists, and community members to explore the rich history and heritage of French colonial North America.

➡️ Swipe to browse highlights from the August Le petit messager newsletter, including:
• New archival collections
• French conversation groups and community events
• Educational opportunities for Maine schools
• Podcast updates
• And more from the Franco-American Collection!

07/07/2026

🎨 A huge thank you to Marissa Joly and Vanathi Yazhini Selvan for brightening our Portland campus with this incredible new mural! 🌊🌲💙

Next time you’re walking the Skywalk or heading into Luther Bonney from the north entrance, be sure to stop and check it out. We hope it brings a little extra color and inspiration to your day!

06/25/2026

🍂 Set yourself up for a great fall semester!

Fall registration is underway, and many courses are filling quickly. Register now to secure the classes you need, stay on track for graduation, and avoid the waitlist.

Whether you prefer learning in person or online, there are plenty of options available to help you meet your academic goals.

📚 Register today through MaineStreet.

06/08/2026

📍 See your city in a whole new way.

Join us for The Complete City: Spatial Design (HON 299) — an immersive exploration of how maps, landscapes, infrastructure, and human activity shape the places we call home.

Over two weeks, you’ll investigate the spatial patterns that influence urban life, learn design-thinking approaches, and gain hands-on experience analyzing and reimagining the built environment.

🗓️ July 20–31, 2026
📍 Portland USM Campus
🎓 Open to curious thinkers, designers, planners, and anyone interested in the future of cities.

Discover how spatial design can help create more connected, equitable, and resilient communities.

06/03/2026

📚 Calling all writers!

The third annual Word. Writing Contest is now accepting submissions. Submit a short story or fiction excerpt of up to 1,500 words for a chance to win a cash prize, publication in The Stonecoast Review, and an invitation to read at the Word. Festival.

Open to adults (18+) and young writers (ages 14–17). Submissions are due by midnight on July 15.

Learn more and enter at wordfestival.org/writing-contest.

05/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to all CAHS students on finishing the semester! You’ve worked hard, pushed through challenges, and shown true resilience. Now, take a deep breath, rest up, and go crush those finals! 💪📚

Wishing you focus, confidence, and success. We’re proud of you and cheering you on!

— The CAHS Dean’s Office

04/29/2026

🚂🇺🇸 History came alive as Dr. Ashley Towle (History & Women & Gender Studies) and Dr. Adam Schmitt (History) led students beyond the classroom to the very ground where America’s most transformative conflict unfolded.

From the Lincoln Monument and Arlington National Cemetery in D.C. to the battlefields of Harpers Ferry, Antietam, and Gettysburg, our students didn’t just read about history—they experienced it. They also dove deep into the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the American Civil War Museum, engaging with the past in powerful, personal ways.

Keep an eye out for upcoming CAHS travel courses!

04/27/2026

Unlock your potential with a Polymath Pathway! Starting this fall! 🚀 Earn two fully developed majors in the time it takes to get one, streamlining your core curriculum for accelerated progress. Read more at usm.maine.edu/academics/polymath-pathways 🎓💡

04/17/2026

Still planning your summer? 🌊🎨

Art and Ecology (ART 312) has open seats—and it’s the perfect way to stay creative while earning credits this summer. Explore eco-artists, respond to real environmental issues in Maine, and create sculptural work in mixed media.

📍 Gorham Campus
📅 May 18 – June 12
🗓 Tues–Thurs | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

04/17/2026