Upcoming Virtual Event
Register now to get your seat!
Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Date: Friday, April 23, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Please join us for this first event, a listening session open to all University of Maine System (UMS) faculty, staff, and students who are interested in discussing the needs and challenges associated with advancing diversity, equity and inclusion while achieving the goals of UMS Transforms.
UMS Transforms, funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation, comprises four major initiatives: UMaine athletics, UMS-wide student success and retention, the Maine College of Engineering, Computing and Information Science and the Maine Center for Graduate and Professional Studies.
The second of the working principles of UMS Transforms is to emphasize and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of implementing and scaling the four initiatives (see below for an explanation of each initiative).
You must register for the event in advance by using the link below. Attendance is limited by technology to 300 participants.
You will then receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link that is unique to you.*
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this event please specify on the registration form and submit by the end of day Friday, April 16th.
*Please note that you must join via the Zoom desktop client or mobile app and that you will not be able to join using the web client. Everyone wishing to participate must register for a unique link. For more information visit the Zoom support desk (External Site).
UMS Transforms, funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation, comprises four major initiatives:
UMS-wide student success and retention:
Includes research learning opportunities for first- and second-year undergraduate students; a gateways to success initiative to expand learning assistance and curricular redesign to reduce failure rates and improve retention in “gateway” science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses; and a pathways-to-careers program to expand access to credit-bearing internships and other experiential learning opportunities System-wide.
Co-Leads: John Volin, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, University of Maine and Deb Hedeen, President and Provost, University of Maine at Fort Kent
The Maine College of Engineering, Computing and Information Science:
Providing additional faculty, scholarships, and undergraduate engineering and computing opportunities at the University of Maine (UMaine) and University of Southern Maine (USM); UMaine graduate engineering and computer science programs offered in Portland; expanded pathways into the statewide college from all UMS universities, community colleges, and K-12; and new opportunities for shared programs, interdisciplinary structures and partnerships.
Lead: Dana Humphrey, Dean of the College of Engineering, University of Maine
Co-Leads: Penny Rheingans, Professor of Computer Science and Director of SCIS, University of Maine, and Jeremy Qualls, Dean of the College of Science, Technology and Health, University of Southern Maine
The Maine Graduate and Professional Center:
Supporting faculty, scholarships, integrated program development across business, law, public policy and graduate engineering, computing, and information science; and a state-of-the-art building in Portland to house the University of Maine Graduate & Professional Center programs and Maine Law, and to serve as a center for collaboration and engagement to help attract and expand businesses and strengthen the Maine economy
Lead: Leigh Saufley, Dean, University of Maine School of Law
Co-Leads: Faye Gilbert, Dean of the Maine Business School, University of Maine, Glenn Cummings, President of the University of Southern Maine, and Terry Sutton, CEO, Maine Center Ventures
Division I Athletic Facilities at the University of Maine:
Providing support to maintain excellence in the state’s only Division I athletics program, advance gender equity and provide a preferred destination for high school sports championships, large academic fairs and competitions, and community events. All of the university’s students and people from throughout Maine will be able to use the state-of-the-art athletic and convening venues at the state’s flagship university in Orono.
Lead: Ken Ralph, Director of Athletics, University of Maine
Co-Lead: Judith Rosenbaum-Andre, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine