Glenn Cummings

The courtyard is a half-acre, semi-enclosed space adjacent to the McGoldrick Center and the new Portland Commons Residence Hall. 

The University of Southern Maine unveiled its $74 million, 580-bed Portland Commons Residence Hall this week — the Portland campus' first dedicated student housing.

With higher ed schools expanding their footprints and launching new academic programs, Portland's college student population is headed toward 15,000.

Jacqueline Edmondson comes to USM from Penn State, where she was a tenured full professor in the College of Education and most recently led a regional campus.

The school has forgiven debts of more than 750 current and former students unable to pay their college bills during the pandemic.

Edward Serna, who began his tenure at UMF three years ago, is returning to his alma mater in South Carolina to serve as president. The University of Maine System has seen several other leadership changes in recent years.

University of Southern Maine President Glenn Cummings, who plans to step down in June, will join the Glickman Family Office in Portland as president and CEO, overseeing two foundations.

Glenn Cummings, who has been instrumental in the growth of the University of Southern Maine, will join the Glickman Family Office, overseeing two foundations.

More than a dozen prominent leaders from wide range of private-sector companies to nonprofits and agencies retired last year, ushering in a new wave of leadership in Maine.

The search has begun for a new president at the University of Southern Maine. The successor to Glenn Cummings will have big shoes to fill.