All posts by: Catalina Sofia Dansberger Duque


Pamela Bennett

“Parenting in Privilege or Peril,” a new book by UMBC’s Pamela R. Bennett, explores barriers to the “American dream”

The notion of the “American dream”—that hard work can lead to social and economic mobility—has existed in the United States for centuries, and it has been disputed for almost as long. Pamela Bennett’s new book takes on this idea. Bennett, associate professor of public policy, explores some of the social, educational, and economic factors that impact the decisions that middle- and working-class parents make in hopes that their children can attain the “American dream.”  Continue Reading “Parenting in Privilege or Peril,” a new book by UMBC’s Pamela R. Bennett, explores barriers to the “American dream”

UMBC’s Haleemat Adekoya receives prestigious Truman Scholarship for education advocacy

In addition to Haleemat Adekoya winning the Truman Scholarship, this is the second time that two UMBC students have been named finalists. “This national recognition highlights the fact that UMBC is indeed a magical place that fosters community leaders and passionate public servants, such as Haleemat,” says Rehman Liaqat ‘22, political science, a fellow finalist. Continue Reading UMBC’s Haleemat Adekoya receives prestigious Truman Scholarship for education advocacy

UMBC’s Farah Helal, longtime student advocate, is named USM student regent

Farah Helal ’24, global studies and political science, is the newly appointed 2022 University System of Maryland (USM) student regent. “Student representatives provide educators and policymakers with the perspective needed to ensure the student voice is valued and understood throughout the decision-making process,” she says. Continue Reading UMBC’s Farah Helal, longtime student advocate, is named USM student regent

Kimberly R. Moffitt named dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

“The campus is delighted by the appointment of Dr. Moffitt as dean—in many ways, she represents the best of UMBC,” shares President Freeman Hrabowski. “Most importantly, she will be a strong voice for the arts, humanities, and social sciences, both on and off campus.” Continue Reading Kimberly R. Moffitt named dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

$21M Sherman Family Foundation gift supports UMBC’s bold commitment to PreK-12 research, teaching, and learning

The largest gift in the history of UMBC—a $21 million donation from the Sherman Family Foundation—will dramatically expand the reach and impact of the university’s K-12 and early childhood education work. The transformational gift will provide funding to launch the Betsy & George Sherman Center as a national model to advance excellence in urban schools. Continue Reading $21M Sherman Family Foundation gift supports UMBC’s bold commitment to PreK-12 research, teaching, and learning

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Smithsonian features Erle Ellis’s research on how humans have shaped ecology over millennia as a top discovery of 2021

“Our work shows that most areas depicted as ‘untouched,’ ‘wild,’ and ‘natural’ are actually areas with long histories of human inhabitation and use,” Ellis previously shared with UMBC News. They might be interpreted like this, he suggests, because in these areas, “societies used their landscapes in ways that sustained most of their native biodiversity and even increased their biodiversity, productivity, and resilience.”  Continue Reading Smithsonian features Erle Ellis’s research on how humans have shaped ecology over millennia as a top discovery of 2021

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UMBC’s Fernando Tormos-Aponte is named an Early Career Faculty Innovator for research on energy inequality

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has named Fernando Tormos-Aponte, assistant professor of public policy and political science, an Early Career Faculty Innovator–one of 12 across the nation. He will partner with NCAR scientists to examine energy inequality in the wake of disasters, incorporating measures of social vulnerability. Continue Reading UMBC’s Fernando Tormos-Aponte is named an Early Career Faculty Innovator for research on energy inequality

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A new approach to environmental research may improve global management of common pool resources

“Monitoring a natural resource or an institution can generate valuable information that will improve governance, but it is necessary to engage decision-makers and the community,” says UMBC’s Maria Bernedo Del Carpio, assistant professor of economics. She and colleagues at other research institutions have conducted a field experiment to isolate one feature of local common pool resource governance: externally supported, technology-facilitated community monitoring. Continue Reading A new approach to environmental research may improve global management of common pool resources

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UMBC’s Mercedez Dunn illuminates marginalized voices to boost equity, from public health to the classroom

“UMBC’s commitment to continue the Postdoctoral Fellowship for Faculty Diversity through the pandemic is one of the reasons I decided to come to UMBC,” says Mercedez Dunn, sociology, anthropology, and public health. Dunn is one of two fellows to join UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences through the high-impact program this fall. Continue Reading UMBC’s Mercedez Dunn illuminates marginalized voices to boost equity, from public health to the classroom

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UMBC’s Sharon Tran receives a Career Enhancement Fellowship for writing on Asian girlhood and anti-Asian racism

“Across time, literature has often served as a site of protest. Dr. Tran’s work addresses this important aspect of literary studies,” says Jean Fernandez, professor and chair of English. “The English department is proud of the recognition she has garnered with this prestigious award.” Continue Reading UMBC’s Sharon Tran receives a Career Enhancement Fellowship for writing on Asian girlhood and anti-Asian racism

UMBC’s Marjoleine Kars receives the Cundill History Prize and Frederick Douglass Book Prize for “Blood on the River”

Based on a decade of archival research, “Blood on the River: A Chronicle of Mutiny and Freedom on the Wild Coast” tells the story of a nearly successful rebellion of enslaved people just over 250 years ago. UMBC’s Amy Froide, professor and chair of history, shares that Kars is a notable example of the rigorous historical research that thrives at UMBC – meticulously researched and carefully argued scholarship that is beautifully written and accessible to a wide range of audiences. Continue Reading UMBC’s Marjoleine Kars receives the Cundill History Prize and Frederick Douglass Book Prize for “Blood on the River”

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