|
It's the end of another academic year, and I'm proud to wrap up the festivities with some great news: Promise Scholars are thriving at the University of Southern Maine. Thanks to your support, we’re continuing to help first-generation, limited-income students from across Maine—young people with big dreams, strong leadership, and a deep sense of service—make it to graduation with as little debt as possible and the skills they need to thrive in Maine’s workforce.
This past year, your generosity has helped move us closer to fully endowing Promise, in order to support 100 Promise Scholars every year in perpetuity. Below, I’ve included some important program updates on how far we’ve come and what your contributions have made possible. Also include below are profiles of some of our Promise Class of 2025 graduates. I think you'll be impressed with them and their bright futures.
Program Expansion and Reach
Since launching in 2018, the Promise Scholarship has awarded over $1.5 million to 151 students from 46 high schools across all 16 counties in Maine. In the 2021–22 academic year, students received an average of $3,587 to help cover tuition and fees. Knowing that food and housing can be major barriers to success, we expanded the scholarship in Fall 2022 to include support for on-campus housing and meals. In 2023–24, we awarded more than $441,000, with an average scholarship of $5,670. Every dollar is awarded thoughtfully to give students exactly what they need to make a USM education possible.
Persistence and Retention
With mentorship, support, and a sense of community, Promise Scholars are sticking with their studies at remarkable rates. For three consecutive years, 92% or more of our Scholars have returned for their sophomore year—more than 20 percentage points above the university average. This year, 79% of our 2025 graduates finished in four years - two of them in just three years.
These numbers only tell part of the story. The rest is about what they go on to do after USM. Some are headed to graduate school in high-demand fields like Computer Science, Data Analytics, and Public Health. Others are already working full time at places like UNUM, MaineHealth, and the State of Maine. These graduates are prepared and eager to give back to the communities they call home.
By putting students at the center and surrounding them with the support they need, we’re helping Maine’s future leaders graduate with less debt and more confidence to make a difference.
Thank you for being such an important part of this work. Your generosity is changing lives and strengthening Maine’s future.
With sincere appreciation,
| 
