Search for the President

PRE-SEARCH INPUT SURVEY

This brief survey is intended to elicit faculty, staff, student, alumni and other community input about the University of Southern Maine relating to the search for its next President. The confidential survey is administered by Academic Search, with whom we have partnered for this search process. We value your ideas as we clarify for potential candidates what is distinctive about USM, what the agenda will be for the next USM President, and what qualifications and attributes will be essential for that new leader’s success.

Please note that only responses submitted by December 13, 2021 will be able to receive full consideration by the Search Committee at its first meeting and in drafting the presidential prospectus. Responses received after that date will still be compiled and shared with the Search Committee at a later time, for their consideration in selecting and interviewing candidates.

With thanks for completing this survey,

Search Committee Chair – University of Southern Maine, Presidential Search Committee

Demographic Information

Question Title

* 1. Please identify your primary relationship with the University of Southern Maine (please select only one answer):

USM Cabinet member

Other USM administrator/director

USM Professional staff member

USM Classified staff member

USM Full-time faculty member

USM Part-time faculty member

USM undergraduate student

USM graduate student

USM Alumnus/a

Parent/family of current or former USM student

Volunteer/donor

Supporting board member (e.g., Board of Visitors, Foundation board, Alumni board, other)

Community member

University of Maine System employee not primarily at USM

University of Maine System Board of Trustees member

Other

Question Title

* 2. Please identify any additional or secondary relationships you have with the University (may select multiple answers):

USM Cabinet member

Other USM administrator/director

USM Professional staff member

USM Classified staff member

USM Full-time faculty member

USM Part-time faculty member

USM undergraduate student

USM graduate student

USM Alumnus/a

Parent/family of current or former USM student

Volunteer/donor

Supporting board member (e.g., Board of Visitors, Foundation board, Alumni board, other)

Community member

University of Maine System employee not primarily at USM

University of Maine System Board of Trustees member

Other

Perspectives on the University of Southern Maine and its next President

Question Title

* 3. What are the most important positive qualities of USM? Please select up to five key qualities.

Accessibility

Flexibility of programs

Affordability

Discipline-specific accreditations

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Emphasis on adult education

Credit through prior learning assessment

Employer demand for USM graduates

Expertise of the administrative team

Focus on students

Innovative approach to higher education

Loyalty/support from alumni and other constituents

Quality of facilities/technology

Quality of teaching faculty

Faculty relationships with students

Reputation of the institution

Responsiveness to evolving employer/student needs

Scope of academic offerings

Online/hybrid courses and programs

Convenient local locations

Shared governance

Other:

Question Title

* 4. What are the greatest areas of challenge that USM will face in the next three years? Please select up to five key challenges.

Attracting and retaining high-quality faculty and staff committed to the mission of USM

Maintaining and growing enrollment of students

Continuing and growing unique/attractive programs

Working within the new Unified Accreditation of the University of Maine System

Competition from other institutions

New program development

Physical facilities (maintenance, renovations, construction)

Attracting a diverse student body

Attracting faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds

Managing and growing finances, including level of public support, alternative revenues, and fundraising

Relationships and collaboration with the University of Maine System administration and other campuses

Marketing and communication

Support for diversity, equity, and inclusion

Need for agility in keeping academic offerings relevant and attractive

Keeping pace with technology needs

Campus safety and security

Other:

Search for the President

PRE-SEARCH INPUT SURVEY

Question Title

* 1. Please identify your primary relationship with the University of Southern Maine (please select only one answer):

Question Title

* 2. Please identify any additional or secondary relationships you have with the University (may select multiple answers):

Question Title

* 3. What are the most important positive qualities of USM? Please select up to five key qualities.

Question Title

* 4. What are the greatest areas of challenge that USM will face in the next three years? Please select up to five key challenges.

Question Title

* 5. What is a core value of USM that should be continued going forward?

Question Title

* 6. What additional comments would you like to share with the search committee relating to USM’s next President and this search process?

Search for the President PRE-SEARCH INPUT SURVEY

Question Title

* 1. Please identify your primary relationship with the University of Southern Maine (please select only one answer):

Question Title

* 2. Please identify any additional or secondary relationships you have with the University (may select multiple answers):

Question Title

* 3. What are the most important positive qualities of USM? Please select up to five key qualities.

Question Title

* 4. What are the greatest areas of challenge that USM will face in the next three years? Please select up to five key challenges.

Question Title

* 5. What is a core value of USM that should be continued going forward?

Question Title

* 6. What additional comments would you like to share with the search committee relating to USM’s next President and this search process?

Search for the President

PRE-SEARCH INPUT SURVEY