University of Southern Maine

Full-time or part-time faculty members from any department may teach in the Russell Scholars Program (RSP), an internationally-recognized undergraduate residential learning community open to all majors. Junior and senior faculty are encouraged to teach in the Russell Scholars Program because

• RSP is an incubator for all academic majors and introduces students to new subject areas and potential new majors for their department;
• RSP allows the instructor to teach "out of the box" in a related field in which s/he may not have the regular opportunity to teach;
• RSP introduces faculty to effective, innovative teaching/learning formats that are transferable to their home departments;
• although teaching in RSP is compensated contractually, it can also be considered a valuable service contribution to USM;
• and last but not least, teaching enthusiastic Russell Scholars students is very enjoyable.

Participation in the RSP allows students to satisfy most of their general education curriculum requirements in small classes with classmates and faculty members whom they know and who get to know them.  First year students in the program are expected to live and take classes together in Woodward Hall on the Gorham Campus.  After their first year, they may participate at whatever level they choose, taking RSP courses at their convenience.  Those who choose to graduate as Russell Scholars will complete RSP coursework that complements their academic major and career goals. 

RSP courses are interdisciplinary and team-taught and feature related co-curricular and service learning opportunities, including attendance at theatrical productions, concerts and historic sites relevant to coursework.  Optional humanities trips to Boston, as well as Summer and Winter Session courses in England and Greece, are an important part of the RSP experience for many students.

If you are interested in more information about teaching and mentoring opportunities in the Russell Scholars Program please contact Professor Steve Romanoff, 780-5751 or romanoff@usm.maine.edu or visit www.usm.maine.edu/rscholar/.

2009-2010 USM Faculty Handbook
This page last updated 09/22/2009

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