shaping the future of higher education in maine
UMS TRANSFORMS provides transformative leadership and innovative programs for student support, faculty development, and collaborative degree programs by the University of Maine System (UMS) to advance Maine’s economy and workforce in partnership with the public and private sectors.
$320M
A historic commitment to the University of Maine System
48.3%
Fall 2023 First-Year students participated in RLEs
$170M
A landmark investment in the state’s only D1 Athletics program
Mission
Through four key initiatives, UMS TRANSFORMS is advancing educational attainment, workforce development, innovation, and economic prosperity for the state of Maine. We believe that education is our highest and best hope to change lives, drive economic prosperity and shape a better, more inclusive future for the people of Maine.
As the state’s only Division I program, UMaine Athletics is boldly reshaping UMaine infrastructure with best-in-class facilities and convening venues at the state’s flagship university in Orono for the benefit and the well-being of students and all of Maine.
Student Success and Retention efforts are redesigning the college learning experience in innovative ways to engage students, starting where they are, with the educational access, flexibility, support, and relevance they need to succeed through graduation and into meaningful careers.
The Maine College of Engineering and Computing at the University of Maine is expanding educational opportunities in emerging fields such as AI, renewable energy, advanced materials, and biomedical engineering and improving R&D for Maine-based industry.
The Maine Center is a vibrant interdisciplinary center for graduate students, professionals and innovators located in Maine’s economic and commercial center.
Harold Alfond Foundation
The Harold Alfond Foundation’s visionary philanthropy has positioned the University of Maine System to respond positively and with optimism for the future. It is enabling Maine’s public universities to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of higher education by giving us the opportunity to explore new paths to delivering high-quality, student-focused, career relevant education that is designed to give all learners the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to succeed and prosper. UMS TRANSFORMS honors Harold Alfond’s legacy to build a brighter future for Maine and its people and to go Beyond what is to what can be.
UMaine Athletics
A bold plan to reshape UMaine’s D-I Athletics infrastructure with premiere facilities for the benefit of students and all of Maine.
Student Success & Retention
An innovative approach to engaging students through research learning, academic support, and real world experience.
Maine College of Engineering & Computing
A statewide integrated solution for the innovations and technical workforce critical to advancing Maine’s economy.
Maine Center
A vibrant interdisciplinary center for graduate students, professionals, and innovators located in Portland.
a vision for our future
The Harold Alfond Foundation’s commitment represents a strategic, long-term effort to strengthen the capacity of Maine’s public universities to meet the state’s most pressing workforce and economic needs.
