All posts by: UMBC News Staff

Care and Resources for UMBC Students ↗

Dear UMBC Students,

Over the last few weeks, multiple presidential executive orders have been announced that impact our campus community. I assure all of you that your education, safety, and well-being are UMBC’s highest priority. 

Our community is enriched by the differences in our stories and perspectives, and we continue to be guided by our value of inclusive excellence that recognizes our common humanity.

If you have questions or concerns, there are campuswide resources and student events and resources to support you. Student Affairs, along with our student leaders, campus leaders, and offices and departments across campus, are working together to develop additional informational programming. We will continue to share updates on the resources weblinks. 

Last week you received several important email messages. President Sheares Ashby shared An Update on Our Work Related to Federal Executive Orders and Actions, and you also received messages regarding the Potential for Federal Immigration Enforcement at UMBC and Implications of an Executive Order on Research and Creative Achievement (for graduate students). International students received Information and Resources. If you have not read these messages, I encourage you to do so, as they contain information about the university’s responses as well as guidance for our community. 

Together we can work to ensure that UMBC continues to be a place that is welcoming, inclusive, and safe for all. 

Best,

Renique Kersh, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs

Information and Resources for International Students

UMBC’s Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is closely monitoring the executive orders being issued and actions taken in Washington. CGE has developed an Immigration Policy Updates page that will include essential information on any new executive orders, changes to agency policies, and legal updates as courts rule on the legality and constitutionality of particular actions in ways that affect their implementation.

International students are an essential part of UMBC’s vibrant community, and we wish to reiterate our commitment to supporting all community members in this time of uncertainty.

It is as important as ever to take care of ourselves and each other. Remember that UMBC has support resources available through Retriever Integrated Health and Retriever Support Services. These resources include, but are not limited to, access to counseling services and peer support services.

For our alumni engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT) and other forms of employment, your employer’s human resources department may also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program. We encourage you to use these resources and continue to support one another with compassion.

If you have questions, need help accessing resources, or simply wish to talk, please do not hesitate to contact CGE’s International Student and Scholar Services team. We offer walk-in advising hours during which any international student can speak with an advisor without an appointment. Walk-in advising occurs on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm., Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For those farther from campus, we also offer virtual appointments and have a Help Ticket system, both of which can be accessed on the Contact Us page of our website.



Dr. David L. Di Maria
Senior International Officer & Associate Vice Provost for International Education

An Update on Our Work Related to Federal Executive Orders and Actions

Dear UMBC Community, 
 
I am writing to you today to share more about the work that we are doing to monitor and respond to the developments in Washington. As I communicated with you in a message last week, I have assembled a core team of relevant leaders with whom I am meeting frequently to assess the various executive orders and related actions of the new Trump administration and how they may affect UMBC. 
 
I want to share the makeup of that core team, which consists of several senior leaders, as well as others whose expertise is particularly critical to our efforts. Many core team members are leading small rapid-response teams—subgroups specific to an issue, area of work, or audience. The subgroups will contract and expand—the number of groups themselves, as well as their memberships—to meet evolving needs.
 
Joining me on the core team are: 
 
  • Manfred H. M. van Dulmen, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs 
  • Kacey Hammel, Chief of Staff to the President
  • Paul A. Meggett, Vice President and General Counsel
  • Yaakov “Jake” Weissmann ’06, Vice President, Government Relations and Community Affairs
  • Academic Excellence Team Leader: Ana Oskoz, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
  • Budget and Finance Team Leader: Kristy Michel, Associate Vice President, Administration and Finance
  • Communications Team Leaders: Tim Cobb, Interim Vice President, University Communications and Marketing; and Angela Paik, consultant
  • Enrollment Team Leader: Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Planning
  • Inclusive Excellence Team Leader: Tanyka M. Barber, Vice President, Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer
  • Global Engagement Team Leader: David L. Di Maria, Associate Vice Provost for International Education
  • Research and Creative Achievement Team Leader: Karl V. Steiner, Vice President, Research and Creative Achievement
  • Student Success Team Leader: Renique T. Kersh, Vice President, Student Affairs
 
Over time, I know that these leaders will draw on the expertise and perspectives of many of you; thank you in advance for your support and assistance should they reach out to you. Please also know that you may reach out to the individuals listed above with questions or concerns about specific issues.
As our work continues, we will communicate with you regularly. Some messages will come from me, and some will come from other members of the team, as was the case with this week’s messages regarding research and creative achievement activities and the potential for federal immigration enforcement on campus. 
We also have created a website to serve as a central hub of relevant campus resources and information. Campus communications related to the Trump administration’s orders and actions will be housed there, as well as an updated list of resources related to federal actions that may impact UMBC. 
 
We are witnessing a substantial amount of change in Washington, both in volume and scope. The impacts of that change on us as individuals, as an educational community, and as a research institution are not yet clear. What is certain—rock-solid—is our commitment to UMBC’s mission and vision. I urge you all to carry on with your important work, knowing that our support for it and for the well-being of all members of this community is unwavering.
 
Sincerely,
 
President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Impact of Executive Orders on Research and Creative Achievement Activities ↗

Dear Colleagues, 
Like many of you, we have been following the rapid developments coming out of the new administration over the past couple of weeks. A number of federal agencies are continuing to update their policies and solicitations in response to recent White House executive orders. Several of you have shared questions about potential impact on your Research and Creative Achievement (RCA) activities.
We recognize that many of our UMBC colleagues and investigators are concerned and are looking for guidance. At this time, we are still assessing the impact on our funded programs and what steps we may need to take to follow these directives.
We are in close contact with other institutions in USM, as well as with national organizations to determine the best course of action to respond to the executive orders and the directives by the federal agencies. 
As an institution, we are closely monitoring the executive orders and agency directives and are working on understanding the potential impact on our RCA community. We will navigate these challenges together and will provide more information as it becomes available. Here is some guidance we can provide you at this time:
Pre-submission and pre-award:
  • Our Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) will continue to submit proposals as submission systems at federal agencies are operational. 
  • As proposal deadlines approach, please check program websites and solicitations for any updates on due dates or requirements to ensure that your proposal is compliant.
  • Sponsor proposal review timelines may be extended. Please continue to review specific sponsor guidelines regularly to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. 
  • Consider signing up for alerts from the agencies you apply to. 
Existing awards:
  • Please continue with business as usual. The terms and conditions of your active grant remain enforceable for the current funding period as long as the award is in good standing. This includes the ability to invoice and receive reimbursement. If there is a change to your award, OSP will notify the unit business office and principal investigator. Agencies are required to notify us if there will be changes to your funding once the contract is in place.
  • Try to remain in contact with your program officers but be aware that some of them may have a pause on communications.
  • Monitor policy updates from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any updates on funding or compliance requirements. See also the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) resource page linked below.
  • If PIs or RAs receive any award modifications or other notices, please forward them to the OSP as soon as possible (cc your unit business office), so that these can be reviewed and processed quickly.
  • Notify OSP (and cc your unit business office) if you receive a “Stop Work” notice from a federal sponsor for an award. A stop work order typically means that all project work needs to stop immediately and no expenses can be incurred on the project as of the effective date of the stop work notice. In this case, principal investigators should work with their unit business office (department administrator), who will work with the post-award support staff and your unit’s OSP manager to determine the appropriate next steps.
  • Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated future funding remains subject to availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
  • Make sure to meet existing deadlines for technical reports or other deliverables.
  • If you have questions about your awards, please contact your unit business office, who should be in contact with your unit’s assigned OSP grants and contracts manager.
COGR resource page on executive orders and agency directives
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has developed the 2025 Administration Transition Information and Resources webpage that compiles recent executive orders, agency directives, and other information that is relevant to upcoming and current federal contracts and grants.
Sincerely,
Karl V. Steiner
Vice President for Research and Creative Achievement

Regarding the Potential for Federal Immigration Enforcement at UMBC

Dear UMBC Community, 
 
As general counsel for UMBC, I write today to share guidance in response to questions and concerns we have heard from community members regarding the possibility of federal immigration enforcement action occurring on our campus. First, I want to make clear that at this time, we are not aware of any requests or actions related to UMBC from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other external law enforcement agencies. What follows here is general guidance and recommended procedures for such situations. 
 
As a public institution, UMBC’s campus is largely open to the public, but many spaces are restricted for reasons of privacy, safety, and operational needs—including residence halls, classrooms, laboratories, and administrative and faculty offices. To access such non-public areas, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant or subpoena. Additionally, federal privacy laws generally prohibit the release of information from a student’s records, including to law enforcement, without a valid court order or subpoena.
 
If you receive a request from external law enforcement for information, records, or access to non-public space on campus, notify UMBC Police (410-455-5555), who will coordinate with relevant university officials and respond to the request. More specifically, we advise that you: 
 
  1. Call UMBC Police, as noted above.
  2. Inform the government/law enforcement agent that you are not authorized to provide access and that they should coordinate with UMBC Police.
  3. Invite them to wait in a public area while you contact UMBC Police.
  4. Do not accept a subpoena or warrant on behalf of the university yourself.
  5. Do not physically block or interfere with enforcement action. 
  6. Document the interaction. You have the right to document the situation, including: 
    • Date and time
    • Officer name and identification number
    • Agency affiliation
    • Details of the interaction
 
If you have further questions, please reach out to ogc@umbc.edu. For additional information regarding immigration policy changes that may impact international students, scholars, and employees, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars policy updates page. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Paul A. Meggett, Vice President and General Counsel

Resources for the Beginning of the Semester ↗

Dear colleagues,

I hope the beginning of this new semester finds you well and rejuvenated. The energy on campus has been palpable the past few days as our academic community reunites. While this semester brings familiar excitement, I know many of you have expressed concerns about potential changes to federal policies and their implications for our work.

Rest assured that the university is committed to supporting you through any potential impacts they may bring. While these proposed changes face significant legal challenges, we understand their potential impact on your research and teaching. We continue to evaluate all the information as it develops and are putting together a robust university strategy that will help us navigate and respond to these changes together. We will share specific details as the situation clarifies. Most importantly, we are committed to supporting our faculty, staff, and students and maintaining the integrity of our academic enterprise.

At UMBC, our mission remains the same. We will continue our pursuit of inclusive excellence and the advancement of research, teaching, and learning. I encourage you to maintain your curriculum, research, and pedagogical philosophies and avoid making any preemptive changes. Your dedication to these principles is the bedrock of our academic community and the mission of higher education, and the Office of the Provost stands ready to assist you in maintaining our shared commitments. We will continue to communicate as policy changes arise. 

To support your work this semester, I want to highlight several key resources. I shared most of these resources last semester, as well, but want to make sure you have them available as the semester starts. As a faculty member, I always found it useful to have this information in one place as the semester started. If there is other information you think would be helpful please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at provost@umbc.edu.

Supporting Students and Managing Classroom Behavior

I want to make sure you are aware of UMBC’s faculty and staff disruptive student behavior guide, which also pertains to managing your classroom. John Fox is serving as the inaugural Dean of Students in the Division of Student Affairs, and ensuring all students can thrive without disruption is a key responsibility of the Dean of Students Office. Supporting all students is key in all the work you do as faculty and the university has a number of resources available including the Academic Success Center, the Office of Student Disability Services, Retriever Integrated Health, Retriever CARE, Retriever Essentials and Connections, and the Office of Equity and Civil Rights. Please make sure students are aware of this information. International students in your courses may face unique challenges, particularly during their first semester, and I encourage you to direct them to the dedicated resources and services offered by the Center for Global Engagement. I also encourage you to regularly check in with your students to see how they are doing and ensure you guide them to resources on campus.  

International Students and Global Opportunities

The Office of International Students and Scholars reminds faculty that F-1 and J-1 visa holders must follow specific enrollment requirements including full-time status, limited online courses, and work loop authorization restrictions. Please direct international students to the dedicated resources and services offered by the Center for Global Engagement for support with these requirements.

The Global Opportunities Fair will be held on February 5, 2025 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on The Commons Main Street, showcasing study abroad programs and international opportunities. Summer 2025 faculty-led study abroad program applications are due February 14.

Additionally, students, faculty, and staff can pursue Fulbright opportunities. UMBC has been named a top producer of Fulbright awards for three of the past five years. Faculty interested in the 2026-27 Fulbright Scholar Program can apply starting mid-February 2025, with applications due September 15, 2025. For more information about Fulbright opportunities, contact Dr. Brian Souders, UMBC’s Fulbright Program Advisor, at fulbright@umbc.edu.

UMBC Policies and Procedures

A comprehensive list of USM and UMBC policies and guidelines is available at UMBC Policies, and resources for faculty regarding academic integrity are available at Academic Integrity Resources for Faculty.

Campus Closures

Please be sure to sign up for text alerts so you are aware of campus emergencies and weather-related campus closures.

I recognize the challenges and uncertainties we face, but I’m continually inspired by your dedication to our students and your world-class research. Please reach out with any questions or concerns at provost@umbc.edu. I look forward to working together with all of you to not only maintain but innovate on our vital shared mission and commitment to excellence this semester.

Best,

Manfred

Manfred H. M. van Dulmen

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Starting the Spring Semester

Dear UMBC Community,

The first day of classes is always an exciting day, and today is no exception. I am optimistic for what is to come and grateful for the opportunity to begin a new semester with all of you. 

To be sure, we start this semester in a challenging and complicated context. I know that many of us are particularly concerned about the potential effects on higher education of various executive orders and related actions of the new administration in Washington. I want to acknowledge your very real concerns about the potential for direct impacts on individuals, as well as on the education we provide and the research we pursue. 

We are monitoring the developments out of Washington closely. I have assembled a core team of relevant leaders that will meet weekly to understand the changes and how they may affect UMBC. The team will draw on the expertise of the members of the UMBC community to analyze the implications for UMBC and to develop recommendations for how we proceed. As we do, we will keep you apprised.

I want to offer a reminder of ongoing support for all members of our community, including this short list of relevant resources:

In this moment, as in any, we will continue to lead with our mission and vision and remain grounded in our shared values. We will not retreat from our mission as a research university that advances the public good nor from our commitment to creating a campus environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all. 

UMBC’s vision statement remains our north star, and I think it bears repeating today: 

Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds.

I am even more inspired by that vision today than I was the first time I heard it, and I am more committed than ever to working with you to achieve it. My best wishes to all of you as we begin the spring semester together. 

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

 


Leadership Announcement for UCM

Dear UMBC Community,
I am pleased to share that I have appointed an interim vice president for University Communications and Marketing (UCM), the university’s central hub for marketing, communications, and brand.
With the assistance of The Registry, a firm that specializes in higher education interim leadership placements, we have secured Tim Cobb, a seasoned marketing and communications leader, to serve as interim vice president starting today, January 8.  
Tim brings more than 29 years of experience in leading strategic marketing and communications efforts for universities and professional service organizations. Most recently, he served as interim executive director of communications and marketing for Bemidji State University in Minnesota, where he successfully launched the university’s first centralized marketing and communications division. Prior to that, in his work as vice president of marketing and communications at Willamette University in Oregon and as vice president for integrated communications and chief marketing officer at Southwestern University in Texas, he was responsible for all marketing and communications—including brand strategy, market research, online marketing, social media, creative development, media planning and buying, public relations, and crisis management. Tim has also spent time leading creative strategy at several marketing agencies.
Tim earned his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and his master’s in management science from Purdue University. He has also served as president of the Portland, Oregon, chapter of the American Marketing Association and as president of the Portland Advertising Federation.
Tim’s arrival marks an important next step in the continuing evolution of UCM following the departure of Vice President Tracey Reeves at the end of last year. I am so pleased that he has chosen to share his talents with us in this important leadership role at this pivotal time. We have also launched the search for UCM’s permanent vice president, with the goal of filling that position in the coming year.
Please join me in welcoming Tim to Baltimore and to our UMBC community.
Sincerely, 
President Valerie Sheares Ashby

UMBC receives major recognition by ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge 

UMBC has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) for innovative planning and efforts to encourage nonpartisan voter engagement in the 2024 election. In December, the university received the ALL IN Highly Established Action Plan Seal with a perfect score, and last month was named an ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. 

UMBC’s campus action plan is considered among the best in the country for building and fostering nonpartisan civic engagement. The 2024 ALL in Highly Established Action Plan recognition was awarded to just 228 higher education institutions with strong plans to promote civic learning, political engagement, and college student voter participation. Action plan strength is determined by reviewing plans with the Strengthening American Democracy Action Planning Rubric.

The 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. UMBC joins a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions: participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge; sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN; developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN; having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. 

“Everyone stepped up”

Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, shared, “The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box.” 

During the fall semester, students, faculty, and staff all contributed to UMBC’s efforts to plan and engage its community in the 2024 election. From voting education initiatives developed and hosted by Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff and others, to voter registration efforts from various campus units and student organizations, to intentional spaces for processing and learning together, everyone helped members of our community cast their whole vote. 

“More than we have ever seen, everyone stepped up,” said Ricky Blissett ‘11, associate director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. “Every week, we would hear from people on our campus asking, ‘How can I help?’ Students, both as individuals and as leaders of campus organizations; staff, including those representing academic, student affairs, and other campus departments; faculty from every part of our academic community; alumni who participated in programming—from every corner of our campus, people created opportunities for the UMBC community to connect with the election in ways that centered dialogue, exploration of values, and care for one another. We will sustain that momentum as we move forward into the future.”

The “Highly Established Action Plan” and “Most Engaged Campuses” came into being in 2022 and are awarded during election years. UMBC earned both in 2022 and now, 2024. This is the first year UMBC received a perfect score for its action plan. In September 2024, UMBC was recognized for Excellence in Student Voter Registration and Turnout During the 2022 Midterm Elections. 

Wishing You a Wonderful Winter Break

Dear UMBC Community,
As the year comes to a close, I would like to share my best wishes for a joyful winter break for you and your loved ones.
Throughout the seasons, I appreciate everything you do to embody UMBC’s core value of inclusive excellence and to make UMBC such a wonderful place to learn and work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Wishing you a restful break!
Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Strategic Planning Fall Update ↗

Dear UMBC Community, 
As the fall semester quickly comes to a close, I write with a brief update on our work to develop the next strategic plan for UMBC. When I wrote to you in November about strategic planning, I noted that the input and feedback of the broad UMBC community is essential to the success of our plan. It is in response to your feedback that we have decided to expand the strategic plan steering committee to ensure a more comprehensive and representative body to oversee our work. The newly expanded committee, which I am chairing, comprises the following members: 
  • Renique T. Kersh, Vice President, Student Affairs (vice chair)
  • Shannon Tinney Lichtinger, Director, Institutional Research (strategic planning project manager)
  • Lynne Adams, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Aminah Amjad, Vice President, Graduate Student Association
  • Crocetta Argento, Senator, Nonexempt Staff Senate
  • Tanyka M. Barber, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President, Institutional Equity
  • Robert J. Bennett, Chair, Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee and Part-time Lecturer, English
  • Meghna Chandrasekaran, President, Student Government Association
  • Felipe Filomeno, Associate Professor and Director, Global Studies (Faculty Senate representative at-large)
  • Kacey Hammel, Chief of Staff to the President
  • Kathleen Hoffman, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics and Associate Dean, Faculty Development (CMNS representative)
  • Vandana Janeja, Professor, Information Systems and Associate Dean, Research and Faculty Development (COEIT representative)
  • Nicole King, Associate Professor, American Studies (CAHSS representative)
  • Nancy Kusmaul, President, Faculty Senate 
  • Yvette Mozie-Ross, Vice Provost, Enrollment Management and Planning
  • Cael Mulcahy, Vice President, Exempt Staff Senate 
  • Jenny O’Grady, Assistant Vice President, Strategic Content and UMBC Magazine Editor, University Communications and Marketing
  • Christopher P. Steele, Vice Provost, Division of Professional Studies
  • Karl V. Steiner, Vice President, Division of Research and Creative Achievement
  • Yaakov “Jake” Weissmann, Vice President, Government Relations and Community Affairs
  • John M. Young, Chief of Staff to the Provost
This expanded steering committee met in early December for initial conversations with President Valerie Sheares Ashby, hearing directly from her about the value of a strategic plan and the opportunity before us now to chart a course for UMBC’s future. President Sheares Ashby shared with the committee her sense of the high-level aspirations and directions that will frame the strategic plan—themes that reflect the input of the community during the Bold Conversations. 
We are also reviewing the nearly 800 responses we received to the recent Core Values Survey. Our thanks to all who participated; we are grateful for your engagement. Preliminary analysis of the results shows consistency with what we heard in the Bold Conversations, particularly around the shared values of inclusive excellence, student success, academic excellence, community engagement, and an innovation mindset. 
We look forward to sharing more with you as this process progresses in the spring semester, including opportunities for you to continue to engage. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy a wonderful holiday season. 
Sincerely,
Manfred H. M. van Dulmen 
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Take UMBC’s Strategic Planning Survey by November 17 ↗

Dear UMBC Community, 
Last week, I was thrilled to share that UMBC is kicking off a strategic planning process this semester. This is an exciting opportunity for us to envision UMBC’s future together and determine how we can be a catalyst for progress in higher education. Your input is essential to this work; we  will include the broad UMBC community in a variety of ways throughout this year-long process. 
Foundational to envisioning the future of any organization is understanding our shared values—the fundamental beliefs or principles that guide our core work, actions, and goals. To that end, we would like to invite all students, faculty, and staff to take this short, anonymous survey so that we may assess the values important to our community. Please complete the survey by November 17. 
If you have questions, please contact Shannon Tinney Lichtinger, strategic planning project manager and director of institutional research in the Office of Institutional Research, Analysis, and Decision Support.
In the coming weeks, you will receive additional information about the strategic planning website and timeline, including opportunities for the campus community to be involved in shaping UMBC’s next strategic plan. 
Until then, thank you for your continued commitment and investment of time and energy into ensuring that UMBC is ready for its bright future ahead. 
Sincerely, 
Manfred H. M. van Dulmen 
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs 
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