USM Collaborative Services
Figuring out what we can do better together than apart.
— Ellen Herbst, Senior Vice Chancellor Administration and Finance
Summary Statement
The University System of Maryland's (USM) Collaborative Services is dedicated to enhancing collaboration and efficiency across USM’s institutions. By streamlining operations and providing centralized support, collaborative services allow our institutions to focus on their core mission-delivering exceptional education, research, and community impact.
Mission
To foster collaboration, efficiency, and enhance the overall quality of services within and across the USM through the expansion and refinement of collaborative services.
Core Values
- Accuracy, consistency, and repeatability
- Collaboration
- Compliance and risk mitigation
- Prioritize change management
- Process innovation
- Rigorous project and portfolio management
- Transparency through shared governance
Purpose
USM is currently growing the use of collaborative services in many areas where we are considering broad opportunities, not just administration and technology. Our approach is to produce better service and outcomes, balanced with the unique needs of each institution. With vacancy rates at institutions high, we are pursuing the use of shared resources to allow institutions to focus on the services that are truly value added.
Annual Assessments
An annual assessment of each collaborative service and the USM collaborative service organization will be developed each year beginning in 2025. Assessments will be published to this area and will include accomplishments, course corrections, lessons learned, metrics/KPIs, milestones, and future year plans.
Ideas
We continually engage with USM institutions to stay in touch with their needs and understand potential collaborative services opportunities. A collective word cloud of ideas collected in 2024 is below.
Metrics and KPIs
This dynamic dashboard will be developed in Q1 2025.
