Russell Scholars Learning Community

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Director: Lisa M. Hibl, PhD, MFA - Hastings Hall, Gorham
Associate Director: Elizabeth K. Dodge, MFA - Hastings Hall, Gorham
Russell Scholars Faculty: Nathan Hamilton, PhD
Website: https://usm.maine.edu/russell-scholars-program/

The Russell Scholars Learning Community has been bringing students together to learn in a smaller group for nearly 30 years. We foster a welcoming community that encourages students to connect with each other, their faculty, and the campus and local area. We offer a selection of Core Curriculum classes with a broad environmental emphasis appropriate to students of all majors. Both residential and non-residential students are welcome.

All University of Southern Maine first-year and transfer students with an average to excellent academic record are invited to join. Our students come from all backgrounds and are interested in hands-on, collaborative learning.

Program Requirements

Students may enroll in as few or as many Russell Scholars courses as they wish. Those who choose to graduate as a Russell Scholar must complete a minimum of 15 Russell Scholars credit hours.

RSP 100 - Russell Scholars College Writing Credits: 3
RSP 101 - Russell Scholars Creative Writing Credits: 3
RSP 102 - Russell Scholars Academic Writing Credits: 3
RSP 103 - Russell Scholars Seminar: Culture, Community, and the Environment Credits: 3
RSP 110 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1 (first semester, first-year students)
RSP 111 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1 (second semester, first-year students)
RSP 199 - Topics in RSP Credits: 3
RSP 204 - The Gulf of Maine: Archaeology, Ecology, and Environmental Change Credits: 4
or
ANT 204 - The Gulf of Maine: Archaeology, Ecology, and Environmental Change Credits: 4
RSP 205 - Exploring Culture, On Campus & Off Credits: 3
RSP 210 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1-3 (first semester, second-year students)
RSP 211 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1-3 (second semester, second-year students)
RSP 299 - Topics in RSP Credits: 3
RSP 310 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1-3 (first semester, third-year students)
RSP 311 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1-3 (second semester, third-year students)
RSP 325 - Into the Wild: Environmental Thinking 1960-the present Credits: 3
RSP 400 - Russell Scholars Independent Study Credits: 1-3
RSP 410 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Lab Credits: 1-3 (first semester, fourth-year students)
RSP 411 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Lab Credits: 1-3 (second semester, fourth-year students)

Core Curriculum Requirements

Most Russell Scholars courses satisfy the USM Core/General Education requirements. Students can complete most of the required USM Core courses in the Russell Scholars Program.

Departmental Major

Russell Scholars courses are not intended to be counted toward completion of a departmental major; instead, they provide a pathway through the Core Curriculum.

Admission to the Russell Scholars Learning Community

Any full-time, residential or non-residential student in good standing is eligible to apply to be a Russell Scholar for their first semester of college.
Any transfer student is welcome to enroll in Russell Scholars courses.
After the first semester of college, any student is welcome to enroll in Russell Scholars courses without applying to the program as long as they are in good academic standing.

Director, Russell Scholars Program
USMRSPdirector@maine.edu
(207) 780-5751

Associate Director, Russell Scholars Program
USMRSPassocdirector@maine.edu
(207) 780-5752

For more information and to apply, visit https://usm.maine.edu/russell-scholars-program/how-to-apply/