Russell Scholars Program

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Director: Lisa M. Hibl, Ph.D., MFA - Hastings Hall, Gorham
Associate Director: Elizabeth K. Dodge, MFA - Hastings Hall, Gorham
Russell Scholars Faculty: Elizabeth K. Dodge; Timothy Wooten, MFA; Nathan Hamilton, Ph.D., Anthropology
Website: http://usm.maine.edu/rscholar

The Russell Scholars Program (RSP) is a residential, undergraduate learning community of highly motivated students and faculty dedicated to the achievement of educational goals through collaborative learning, out-of-class activities, and community building. The Russell Scholars Program is designed for students who wish to pursue their studies in a small, residential learning community, and who wish to receive close faculty mentoring. Russell Scholars will develop a commitment to learning and community awareness, experience with critical thinking, intercultural knowledge, personal and ethical integrity, and an ability to work as part of a team. Faculty mentors encourage students’ curiosity and passion for the meaningful work of lifelong learning. Approximately 50 first-year students from all majors are admitted to the Russell Scholars Program each year.

Co-curricular and social activities enrich the learning community experience. Russell Scholars are encouraged to have optional out-of-state or out-of-country learning experiences for which they receive academic credit. First-year Russell Scholars are required to reside at Hastings Hall, a remodeled residence hall located on the Gorham campus. Here students can study, socialize, meet with mentors, and attend seminars, concerts, and readings. There are frequent opportunities for Russell Scholars, faculty members, and guests to discuss ideas and issues in a relaxed social setting. Frequently, the campus community is invited to visit Russell Scholars class activities and to see student projects.

Program Requirements

To graduate as a Russell Scholar, a student must successfully complete 18 credit hours consisting of a combination of required and elective courses, including RSP 100 , RSP 103 , RSP 110 , and RSP 402 .

RSP 100 - Russell Scholars College Writing Credits: 3
RSP 101 - Russell Scholars Creative Writing Credits: 3
RSP 103 - Russell Scholars Seminar: Culture, Community, and the Environment Credits: 3
RSP 110 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1-3 (first semester, first-year students)
RSP 111 - Russell Scholars Learning Community Laboratory Credits: 1-3 (second semester, first-year students)
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 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 402 - Russell Scholars Capstone Seminar: Community and Commitment 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 six of the eight required USM Core courses in the Russell Scholars Program.

Departmental Major

Russell Scholars courses are not intended to be counted toward the number of credits that departments require for graduation as a major. Students enrolled in the Russell Scholars Program should consult with their departmental advisors concerning the use of Russell Scholars courses to satisfy departmental major requirements.

Admission to the Russell Scholars Program

Any full-time, residential student in good standing is eligible to apply to be a Russell Scholar for their first semester of college.
After your first semester of college, you are welcome to enroll in Russell Scholars courses without applying to the program as long as you are in good standing at USM.

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 www.usm.maine.edu/rscholar/application