All posts by: UMBC News Staff

Reminder – Guidance Regarding Potential for Federal Immigration Enforcement at UMBC ↗

Dear UMBC Community,

In recent weeks, concerns and questions about the potential for federal immigration enforcement at UMBC have risen to a new level. The ever-increasing online visibility of enforcement actions and shifts in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s strategy nationwide have understandably caused anxiety across our country and at UMBC.

Today, I want to remind you of guidance, information, and resources that may be of assistance to you and provide clarity during these uncertain times.

Key resources and information

First, our federal orders and actions website contains detailed information and communications about federal actions and their impacts on our UMBC community. You will find a web page that covers guidance related to federal immigration law enforcement, and links to the Office of International Students and Scholars immigration policy updates, which features recent clarifications regarding the entry ban on certain H1-B employees.

Role of the UMBC Police Department

I also want to address the important role of the UMBC Police Department in responding to federal immigration enforcement notifications and actions. Should you receive a request from external law enforcement for information, records, or access to non-public space on campus, immediately notify the Police Department at (410) 455-5555. They will coordinate with relevant university officials and respond to the request. The Police Department and my office—the Office of General Counsel—will work together to ensure that any contact with outside law enforcement agencies, including federal agencies, is handled lawfully, carefully, and with the safety and privacy of our community in mind.

Will federal immigration enforcement notify UMBC of plans to come to campus?

Several of you have asked if federal immigration enforcement will notify our Police Department of any plans to come to UMBC. Federal law enforcement personnel are not required to notify campus or local law enforcement before entering public spaces. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have previously indicated that, as a matter of professional courtesy, they would contact our Police Department if they plan to visit or operate on our campus. While that notification would be greatly appreciated, there is no legal requirement for advance notice, and federal agencies may conduct lawful activity in public areas without prior coordination.

If the Police Department becomes aware of the presence of federal law enforcement personnel on campus, they will immediately work with university leadership and my office to confirm legal authority and purpose, ensure compliance with Maryland law and university policy, determine the appropriate response, and take all lawful steps to protect the safety and well-being of our community.

Campus communications

Many of you have inquired about communications to the campus community. Consistent with regular university procedures, if a situation presents a safety concern or results in a significant disruption to normal campus operations, the Police Department will promptly use its established emergency and safety communication systems, such as UMBC Alerts, to keep the UMBC community informed. If you have not yet signed up for UMBC Alerts, please consider doing so.

The department will partner with university leadership, including my office, to ensure consistent, timely, and lawful communication. If the activity is lawful, limited in scope, and there is no direct safety impact, the Police Department, my office, and university leadership will monitor and manage the situation appropriately, and communicate updates as necessary through official university channels, which include UMBC Alerts, and emails through myUMBC.

Please be assured that the shared goal of the Police Department, my office, and university leadership is to protect and support our university community and maintain open communication and mutual trust. We are committed to reinforcing safety, care, and belonging at UMBC. Should you have any further questions, please contact my office at ogc@umbc.edu or call the UMBC Police Department at (410) 455-5555.

Thank you.

Regards,

Paul Meggett
Vice President and General Counsel

Leadership Announcement ↗

Dear UMBC Community,

Many of you likely have heard by now the news that our very own Yaakov “Jake” Weissmann ’06 has been named to a top position in Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s cabinet. The governor announced recently that he was tapping Jake to be the next secretary of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM), effective October 22.

The news is unequivocally good for the state, and to have a UMBC alumnus in a top leadership role in Maryland is a point of pride for our university. In announcing the appointment, Gov. Moore noted Jake’s deep experience as a public servant and called him “one of the most effective policy minds in our state.”

I agree, and I know that Jake’s incredible knowledge of the state budget and all things state government, as well as his long-held commitment to serving the public, make him an outstanding choice for this role. At UMBC, we have been fortunate that for the past two years, Jake served the public through his work leading our Office of Government Relations and Community Affairs, first as associate vice president and, since August 2024, as vice president.

It has been an enormous gift to work with Jake and to benefit from his counsel as we have built and strengthened relationships with elected officials and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. He has positioned us not only to be well-known among our public officials, but also to be well-supported; he believes deeply in UMBC’s distinctive value and conveys that value to others in ways that resonate meaningfully and build lasting connections.

That work has been especially important this year, as we have navigated many actions and changes at the federal level, as well as reductions in state funding. Jake has been a tireless advocate for UMBC’s community, for its research, and for its values.

Jake returned to UMBC in 2023 after serving as an assistant chief administrative officer in Montgomery County. Before that, he spent 14 years with the Maryland General Assembly, 12 of those in the Office of the Senate President. Among other roles, he served as chief of staff to two Senate presidents. Jake majored in social work and psychology at UMBC, and it was here that he became passionate about a life in public service and community engagement. He went on to earn a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. In 2023, Gov. Moore appointed Jake to the Maryland State Board of Elections.

We will work to fill the role of vice president for government relations and community affairs expeditiously, ideally before the next Maryland legislative session begins in January. For now, I want to celebrate Jake and offer my sincere thanks to him for his outstanding service and myriad contributions to UMBC. Please join me in congratulating Jake on this exciting and wonderful next step in his career in public service!

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Hrabowski Fund for Innovation awardees continue to drive new approaches to teaching and learning

A cross-disciplinary incubator rooted in theatrical storytelling. Artificial intelligence and machine learning ethics education that blends ethical inquiry with hands-on technical exploration. Letterpress printing and bookmaking while students uncover “The Secret Lives of Books.” These are several of the 2024 – 2025 projects selected to receive grants in the Hrabowski Fund for Innovation competition. The fund supports initiatives to enhance teaching and learning at UMBC, with specific emphasis on innovative approaches to increase student success.

“The Hrabowski Innovation Fund has helped to drive innovation in pedagogy and student success at UMBC for the past 13 years. Recent projects have enhanced course and curriculum development, built generative AI literacy and introduced AI-powered tools, and engaged students in cross-disciplinary, international, and community-based projects that prepare them for their majors and careers.” says Kerrie Kephart, interim director of the Faculty Development Center.

Implementation and Research Awards

IMPACT Lab: Interdisciplinary Music, Performance, Art, Collaboration, and Theatre Lab – Nigel Semaj (THTR) and Colleagues
Developing Ethical Inquiry: A Participatory and Exploratory Lab Model for AI/ML Ethics Education – Rebecca Williams (CSEE)
Computing for All: Cultivating a Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Computing Ecosystem – Patricia Ordóñez (IS) and colleague

Adaptation Award

Hilltop Print Shop: Supporting Applied Learning in a Humanities Makerspace – Lindsay DiCuirci (ENGL) and colleague

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award

Developing an Approach to Creating and Refining Innovative Learning Outcomes in a University Music Education Program – Brian Kaufman (MUSC) and colleague

SEED Awards

Transforming Graduate Writing Support – Nicole Morse (LLC) and colleagues
Centering Student Perspectives on Generative AI Integration in a Design Classroom – Yasmine Kotturi (IS)

The Hrabowski Fund for Innovation exemplifies UMBC’s commitment to investing in faculty initiatives that fuel creativity and enterprise and also create opportunities for student engagement. Proposals for the next round are due by October 31, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit UMBC’s Faculty Development Center website.

Government Shutdown Questions and Answers ↗

Dear UMBC Campus Community,

As your vice president for communications and marketing, occasionally you will hear from me related to external news and how it may impact our community, as well as communications, marketing, and branding information.

Today, I write to share questions and answers, as well as resources if you need assistance, regarding the U.S. government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1. Several agencies and parts of the U.S. government have begun shutting down because Congress did not pass a stopgap funding measure by the deadline of midnight on Tuesday, September 30.

Will the federal shutdown impact federal student financial aid?

No, because aid funds are disbursed at the beginning of the semester. Most aid programs are approved by Congress a year in advance, so a shutdown will not impact them.

FAFSA processing, Pell Grant and loan disbursements, loan servicing, and critical operations will continue. Title I and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant funding is available as usual. States, schools, and other grantees will be able to access funds from recent awards.

The Office of Federal Student Aid is retaining employees as needed to conduct rulemaking and actions as required by law.

Students will need to continue making loan payments on their outstanding student debt. However, borrowers looking for specific assistance from the U.S Department of Education will not receive it during the government shutdown.

If you have questions about UMBC financial aid, please call 410-455-2387 or use this form to be connected with a UMBC financial aid representative.

What does the shutdown mean for immigration services for students, faculty, and staff?

Fee-funded operations of federal agencies providing immigration services generally continue during a shutdown. However, operations funded through appropriations are generally suspended.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to process applications and petitions. However, processing times may be delayed particularly if an adjudication is dependent on functions performed by other agencies affected by the shutdown, or if USCIS resources are reprioritized. The E-Verify program will not be operational during the shutdown.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to operate at U.S. ports of entry.

The U.S. Department of Labor has suspended immigration functions, including the processing of labor condition applications (LCAs), prevailing wage requests, permanent labor certification (PERM), and temporary labor certification applications.

The U.S. Department of State will continue to provide consular processing during the shutdown. This includes issuance of U.S. passports and visas as well as providing assistance to U.S. citizens abroad. Certain domestic consular operations are suspended.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will continue operations during the shutdown.

For immigration services questions, please reach out to the Center for Global Engagement.

What is the impact on federally funded research projects?

The shutdown will have little to no impact on the continuance of federally funded research activities. Our institution’s research projects will proceed as usual, unless otherwise notified by the UMBC Division of Research and Creative Achievement (ORCA).

As for our NASA research activities, the researchers at Goddard have already received detailed information from their respective leadership about continuing to follow the standard procedures they have used during previous federal government shutdowns.

What about new grants, research proposals, or questions regarding the status of a federally funded research proposal?

A shutdown means that federal agencies cannot issue any new grants, contracts, amendments, continued funding increments, supplements, or no-cost time extensions requiring explicit prior federal awarding agency approval.

If you are planning to submit a research proposal, you will need to submit by the original deadline (unless you hear otherwise). It is important to note that the proposal review process will be delayed during the shutdown. This is because during the shutdown, most federal agency staff will not be working. Therefore, any inquiries about pending research applications, deadlines, or approvals may not receive an answer until the staff are back to work. Federal websites and other systems may also be unavailable or limited, resulting in little to no support for resolving problems or answering questions.

If you have planned meetings, travel, or conferences with federal agencies, please check for postponements or changes beforehand.

Should you have any questions regarding federally funded research or a federally funded research proposal, please contact your applicable office in the Division of Research and Creative Achievement (ORCA).

What is the impact on veterans and active duty service members’ education benefits and services?

GI Bill benefits for student veterans currently enrolled and certified should not be affected by a short-term government shutdown. However, any student veteran working to obtain GI Bill benefits during or shortly after a shutdown may experience delays.

Also, any questions or requests for assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may go unanswered due to some employees being furloughed.

During the shutdown, VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. Please note that the GI Bill hotline will be closed, regional benefits offices will be closed, and the VA will not provide veteran career counseling or transition assistance activities until the shutdown is over. The VA has posted contingency planning information and resources on its website.

As for federal tuition assistance (TA) for servicemembers, Tuition Assistance Requests (TARS) with an October 1 start date forward will be impacted until a budget or continuing resolution is approved. Soldiers whose TA requests are canceled due to the government shutdown will receive a message in ArmyIgnitED or My Education Portal.

For assistance from UMBC with VA or servicemember benefits, please call the Registrar’s office at 410-455-2500 or submit an inquiry to our certifying officials here.

What UMBC human resources services are available to faculty and staff in need of support during this time?

The UMBC Employee Assistance Program offers free confidential counseling services, legal support and other benefits. In addition, the resources for displaced federal workers website provides services and opportunities that may be helpful.

How will the shutdown impact any UMBC students with federal internships?

UMBC students with federal internships should contact their immediate supervisor to determine how their work may be affected by the shutdown, and reach out to the UMBC Career Center to review any potential impacts of changes to their federal internship.

What will happen to faculty and staff working for federal agencies through the intragovernmental personnel act (IPA)?

Any faculty or staff with appointments at federal agencies through the IPA should reach out to their federal point of contact for additional guidance.

* * * * *

If you need any additional information about the impact of federal orders, please visit the UMBC Federal Actions Website.

Thank you.

Warmest regards,

Lisa K. Van Riper

Vice President for University Communications and Marketing

Government Shutdown Questions and Answers

Several agencies and parts of the U.S. government have begun shutting down because Congress did not pass a stopgap funding measure by the deadline of midnight on Tuesday, September 30. Below are some frequently asked questions.

Will the federal shutdown impact federal student financial aid?

No, because aid funds are disbursed at the beginning of the semester. Most aid programs are approved by Congress a year in advance, so a shutdown will not impact them.

The Office of Federal Student Aid is retaining employees as needed to conduct rulemaking and actions as required by law.

Students will need to continue making loan payments on their outstanding student debt. However, borrowers looking for specific assistance from the U.S. Department of Education will not receive it during the government shutdown.

If you have questions about UMBC financial aid, please call 410-455-2387 or use this form to be connected with a UMBC financial aid representative.

What does the shutdown mean for immigration services for students, faculty, and staff?

Fee-funded operations of federal agencies providing immigration services generally continue during a shutdown. However, operations funded through appropriations are generally suspended.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to operate at U.S. ports of entry.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will continue operations during the shutdown.

For immigration services questions, please reach out to the Center for Global Engagement.

What is the impact on federally funded research projects?

What about new grants, research proposals, or questions regarding the status of a federally funded research proposal?

If you have planned meetings, travel, or conferences with federal agencies, please check for postponements or changes beforehand.

What is the impact on veterans and active duty service members’ education benefits and services?

Also, any questions or requests for assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may go unanswered due to some employees being furloughed.

For assistance from UMBC with VA or servicemember benefits, please call the Registrar’s office at 410-455-2500 or submit an inquiry to our certifying officials here.

What UMBC human resources services are available to faculty and staff in need of support during this time?

How will the shutdown impact any UMBC students with federal internships?

What will happen to faculty and staff working for federal agencies through the intragovernmental personnel act (IPA)?

Any faculty or staff with appointments at federal agencies through the IPA should reach out to their federal point of contact for additional guidance.

* * * * *

For more information about the impact of federal orders, please visit the UMBC Federal Actions Website.

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Service Awards! ↗

Let’s honor the UMBC staff whose incredible work brings our collective purpose to life and creates endless possibilities for our community.

When: Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Where: Retriever Activity Center

Keep an eye out for future announcements and registration details!

Entry Ban on H-1B Employees ↗

Dear Campus Community,

We are writing with an important update regarding President Trump’s proclamation on September 19, 2025, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.

The information contained in our update is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.

Context

The H-1B visa program was created in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush to allow U.S. employers to hire highly skilled workers from outside of the United States to fulfill workforce needs in specialty occupations. UMBC employs nearly 90 research scientists, faculty, and staff through the H-1B visa program and the contributions of these highly skilled individuals contribute to the cutting-edge research and world-class education that we are able to provide.

On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, that requires employers to make payment of a $100,000 government fee per each individual H-1B employee seeking to enter the United States, unless an exception is granted. This proclamation became effective on September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EST and will last for 12 months, unless extended.

Key Provisions

Scope: The proclamation applies prospectively to new petitions of H-1B employees who are outside of the United States while the proclamation is in effect unless covered by an approved exception. The proclamation does not apply to any individual who is the beneficiary of petitions filed prior to the effective date of the proclamation, is the beneficiary of currently approved petitions, or is in possession of a validly issued H-1B non-immigrant visa.

The White House released an FAQ document making the following clarifications:

the proclamation does not apply to any previously issued H-1B visas, or any petitions submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. EST on September 21, 2025;
the proclamation does not change any payments of fees required to be submitted in connection with any H-1B renewals;
the fee is a one-time fee on submission of a new H-1B petition; and
the proclamation does not prevent any holder of a current H-1B visa from traveling in and out of the United States.

Memoranda were also issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection clarifying the scope of the proclamation.

Travel: According to The White House FAQ and agency memoranda, the proclamation does not impact the ability of current H-1B visa holders from traveling to or from the United States. The entry restriction only applies to new H-1B petitions for individuals who are outside of the United States.

Petition Processing: USCIS will restrict decisions on new H-1B petitions lacking evidence that the $100,000 payment was made in advance of filing the petition when the beneficiary is outside of the United States for as long as the proclamation is in effect, unless an exception is granted.

Visas: U.S. embassies and consulates will not approve issuance of H-1B visas without evidence that the $100,000 payment was made by the filing employer. It is also implied that individuals with approved H-1B petitions who have an employment start date beginning prior to October 1, 2026, will be restricted from obtaining B (business/tourism) visas.

Exceptions: The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to grant exceptions to this proclamation for specific individuals, all workers for specific employers and all workers in specific industries. At the time of writing this message, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not issued guidance on approved exceptions other than those previously mentioned.

Wages: The Secretary of Labor will initiate rulemaking to revise and raise wage levels for H-1B employees.

Guidance

Travel: H-1B employees planning to travel abroad are advised to consult with the Center for Global Engagement and carry a copy of the CBP memorandum on their person when passing through a U.S. port of entry.

Staffing: Supervisors should be prepared for the possibility that new hires who are currently outside of the United States will be unable to obtain an H-1B visa or enter the United States unless they qualify for an exception from the proclamation or can provide documentation verifying that the $100,000 fee was paid. Please contact Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management with any questions or concerns as it relates to hiring new employees.

Resources

UMBC’s Employee Assistance Program provides employees with access to free confidential counseling and connections to attorneys who can help with a variety of issues, including immigration concerns.

The Office of International Students and Scholars is available to consult on immigration-related travel issues for individuals holding F-1, H-1B, and J-1 immigration status.

UMBC’s Center for Global Engagement (CGE) will continue to monitor this situation very closely and remains a resource for H-1B employees. Please reach out to CGE if you have questions or plan to travel outside of the United States while the proclamation is in effect.

Some members of our UMBC community may understandably have questions or concerns. Please reach out to either of us for assistance.

Sincerely,

David L. Di Maria

Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Lynne Adams

Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Following where curiosity leads them—COEIT celebrates student summer research

Students from across the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) spent the summer diving into research—embarking on new projects or deepening their focus. The college celebrated their work in August with a poster session and networking lunch. Students showcased their research on diverse topics including how artificial intelligence can help K-12 teachers monitor student engagement; how best to model environmental phenomena like wildfires and cloud patterns; and how the sex hormone estradiol affects the behavior of blood platelets, which play an essential role in healthy blood clotting.

Julia Chapman, a rising senior in mechanical engineering who conducted research on a mathematical model that replicates aircraft wing flutter, says she was inspired by the curiosity on display at the poster session. “I’m so thankful for the opportunity to share my summer research and engage in thoughtful conversations,” she says.

“I really enjoyed sharing my work with faculty and fellow students. Since everyone comes from different backgrounds, the variety of questions helped me see my research from multiple perspectives,” says Zahid Hassan Tushar, a Ph.D. candidate in information systems who presented his research studying how machine learning techniques can help predict properties of clouds and aerosols from data gathered by one of NASA’s recently launched Earth-observing satellites.

Many of the participating students were supported through the inaugural COEIT Student Summer Projects (CSSP) awards, which provided stipends to 10 students—both graduate and undergraduate—across all academic departments of the college.

The CSSP-funded students were joined by faculty-nominated members of various labs across COEIT and students from REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) programs—National Science Foundation-funded opportunities that bring undergraduates from around the country to UMBC for summer research. The students’ summer research experience also included attending professional development seminars, in which campus leaders shared their own research journeys and COEIT faculty ran skill-development workshops on topics such as making effective presentations, writing papers, and more.

Students and faculty pose with President Sheares Ashby in meeting room. — COEIT student summer researchers pose with UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby (center in yellow dress). Sheares Ashby spoke with the students as part of a professional development program. (Photo courtesy of Vandana Janeja)

“The poster session was the culmination of a summer of research exploration for our students, and it was an honor to meet them and learn about their work,” says COEIT Dean Jeanne van Briesen. “Their excitement at the challenges they’d faced and the new ideas they’d generated reminded me of why I love research!”

“It was an honor to celebrate the hard work of these students,” says Vandana Janeja, associate dean for research and faculty development in COEIT. “We look forward to seeing where our students’ curiosity leads us next.”

First Day of Classes! ↗

Dear UMBC Community,

Welcome to the first day of the fall semester! Please enjoy this video greeting on what is one of my most favorite days of the year.

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Fall Opening Meeting Recording ↗

Dear UMBC Community,

Thank you to all who attended last week’s Fall Opening Meeting, whether in person or virtually. It was a terrific gathering of staff, faculty, students—and even some UMBC family members. What an inspiring way to start the semester!

If you were unable to attend, I invite you to watch the recording of the event. We shared updates on several important topics, including great news about the incoming class, the latest on the impacts of federal actions and orders on UMBC, a budget update, and our work ahead on the strategic plan. We also got a sneak peek of the newly renovated portion of Sherman Hall, and previewed UMBC Arts+, the arts initiative launching this fall—including a performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Linehan Concert Hall on September 17.

As we came together to reflect on how much progress we have made since last year’s Fall Opening Meeting and looked to what is ahead for this academic year, it was particularly meaningful to meet and hear remarks from three students who are beginning their UMBC journeys this fall: First-year students Lexi Malenfant and Andrew Whipple, and Archana Thakkar, a transfer student joining the Honors College from the Community College of Baltimore County. Hearing directly from students—learning about their passions and why they chose UMBC—is the best reminder of why we are here and how important our work is. My thanks to Lexi, Andrew, and Archana for sharing their stories with us, and welcome to UMBC.

I am energized and so proud to be a part of this extraordinary institution. Thank you for all you do for UMBC. Let’s get this semester started!

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Summer Update on Our Response to Federal Actions and Orders ↗

Dear UMBC Community,

While campus may seem quiet over the summer, the news from beyond campus has been anything but. I write today with an update on the impacts of federal actions and orders on UMBC and our work to respond to and address these effects.

As has been the case with previous updates, this message is not exhaustive in reporting on every piece of work being done by our core team and others involved in our response; it is meant to share important information in a few areas that we know are of concern to many at UMBC.

Budget Reconciliation

The sweeping legislation called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that was signed into law on July 4 reshapes federal tax policy and spending on a broad scale. Its impacts on higher education will be wide-ranging, both directly and indirectly.

Several of its measures related to higher education (those concerning student financial aid, in particular) do not become effective until July 2026, and so the full impacts of the law will not be realized for some time. What we know generally is this:

Direct impacts include narrowed Pell Grant eligibility and more limited access to student and parent loans, including the elimination of GradPLUS loans for new borrowers, as well as additional fees for international students, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars
Significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will affect some members of our community directly, and the financial impact of those cuts on the state of Maryland will have secondary effects on publicly funded institutions such as UMBC

In addition to working to support our students and families who may be facing greater challenges to affordability and access, our aim is to mitigate institutional impacts so that we may continue to advance access to education and support student success.

Meanwhile, the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2026 is not yet complete. Congress is considering various spending bills, as well as President Trump’s proposed budget, all of which, to varying degrees, would dramatically reduce funding for education, research, and more.

Research Impacts

As many are aware, various executive orders and related decisions and actions by federal agencies over the past several months, including early research grant terminations, have already significantly reduced research funding, affecting higher education institutions across the country and limiting their ability to carry out vital research. Some of those actions continue to be challenged in court and/or considered in Congress.

As we have reported previously, UMBC has received about 30 terminations of grants and contracts that had already been awarded to UMBC researchers, with a net loss of about $22 million. This amounts to an annual impact of about $8 million to $10 million, or about 8 percent of our current annual federal research portfolio, for each of the next couple of years. A piece of good news: Over the past month, in response to federal lawsuits filed earlier by the State of Maryland and a number of other states, we have seen a handful of previously terminated NIH and NSF awards reinstated. We are still determining the details of these reinstatements, but we are pleased to be able to continue or resume the work that these grants support.

UMBC is in close contact with University System of Maryland institutions and with leaders in national higher education organizations as we begin to model and better understand the potential impact of a proposal to shift from the long-established negotiated indirect cost model on federal contracts and grants to a new, direct-charge model for most grant-related activities. In July, a coalition of organizations, including the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, issued a recommendation for a new model to replace the current cost structure used by the federal government. These discussions, which came in response to a decision to cap federal reimbursements at 15 percent, are ongoing.

Of particular concern and focus for UMBC is Goddard Space Flight Center, where almost 300 UMBC research faculty and staff work under cooperative agreements with NASA. Goddard is the epicenter of a partnership with NASA that UMBC has cultivated over the past three decades and that has resulted in UMBC’s ranking in the top 10 in the nation for annual NASA expenditures. NASA Goddard Director Makenzie Lystrup recently announced her intent to leave the agency effective August 1, and several hundred NASA employees have accepted early retirement and resignation offers. The president’s budget proposal, if enacted, would cut NASA funding by 24 percent—disproportionally affecting NASA’s science budgets—and its workforce by a third; the impact of cuts of this scale on Goddard could be devastating.

We are monitoring this changing situation closely and actively advocating for the important work we do at Goddard and elsewhere—I met personally with members of our Congressional delegation in June, for instance. We also are meeting directly with our teams at Goddard and providing direct support for those employees, including information about health insurance options and monthly career development workshops that we began hosting in July.

There remains a great deal of uncertainty regarding federal support of research. No matter the outcome, UMBC will adapt and evolve while staying true to our identity and the public good we provide. We will remain a research institution that advances knowledge and trains scholars across the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts, and that leads in critical areas of innovation and workforce needs for our state, our nation, and our world.

Our International Community

We remain concerned about the impact of federal actions on the international students, staff, and faculty who are a vital part of the UMBC community and the global education that we provide. While we know their desire to study at our institution remains strong, delays in visa processing, the travel ban affecting many countries, as well as the political climate more broadly, present significant challenges for current and prospective international students. Based on what we are seeing so far regarding increased visa processing times and decreased visa issuance rates, we expect to see a significant decline in our international graduate student enrollment this fall.

We recently surveyed newly admitted international students regarding the status of their visas. Several students have visa appointments confirmed in August but will likely be unable to arrive until after the first day of classes. We ask our campus community to be understanding of these late arrivals given the difficult challenges these students are facing in order to join UMBC.

The team in the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) has worked tirelessly through the summer to provide valuable support to our international community, including newly enrolled students. Please continue to reach out to them for additional support as needed, and visit our information and resources site frequently for the latest updates on our work in response to federal actions and orders. Among other things, it includes information on international travel, updates regarding visa interview waiver eligibility, resources for international students, and guidance related to the potential for federal immigration enforcement action on campus.

Inclusive Excellence

Finally, I want to address the concern that many have expressed about the Trump administration’s actions and orders related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—and the impacts of those at many higher education institutions. Among the latest developments was a memo released in late July by the Department of Justice that provided “guidance for recipients of federal funding regarding unlawful discrimination.” Some news outlets reported that this memo declared DEI illegal.

That memo, like the Dear Colleague letter from the Department of Education (ED) that preceded it in February, followed executive orders issued by the White House targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts. Neither the ED letter nor the recent DOJ memo change existing law. Existing laws protect against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin—and so do UMBC’s policies, including our nondiscrimination policy.

Inclusive excellence is not just one of our values. It is core to our identity and to our definition of educational and research excellence. We will not relent in our pursuit of inclusive excellence, nor will we overreact or anticipatorily over-comply. We will, at all times, continue to hold UMBC to the highest standards in adhering to university policies and applicable state and federal laws. The multistate guidance on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility employment initiatives issued earlier this year by Maryland State Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and 15 other state attorneys general, remains a helpful resource and guide for us all.

On behalf of our core team that has met regularly throughout the summer, thank you for your ongoing dedication and support for UMBC and all who comprise this extraordinary community. I am looking forward to the start of the semester and to the opportunity to continue our work together.

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Kimberly Herritt ’25: Building Skills and Connections at UMBC

Portrait of Kimberly Herrit, wearing a black athletic shirt with gold details

Major: Media and Communication Studies
Hometown: South Hampton, PA
High School: Council Rock High School South

Kimmie Herritt, a senior at UMBC majoring in information systems, has made the most of her college years, all while preparing for a career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). Her journey is a testament to how students can blend technical training, personal growth, and real-world experience to build a strong foundation for life after graduation.

Blending Tech, Design, and Business

Kimmie’s path at UMBC reflects a multidisciplinary approach to education. In addition to her major, she earned a certificate in UX web and mobile design, equipping her with tools to create intuitive digital experiences. She also minored in management and entrepreneurship, rounding out her education with business savvy and leadership skills.

This unique combination of tech, design, and management has positioned her as a well-rounded candidate ready to take on challenges in the evolving tech landscape.

Hands-On Learning at DoIT

Outside the classroom, Kimmie worked as a student desktop support specialist with UMBC’s Division of Information Technology (DoIT). Her role included troubleshooting computers, managing printer issues, and updating software. These hands-on tasks sharpened her technical skills while teaching her patience, communication, and creative problem-solving.

But for Kimmie, the experience went far beyond the work. She describes the office environment as “super fun,” full of laughter, shared stories, and collaboration. She credits her boss, Courtney Burkett, and her coworkers with creating an inclusive, welcoming space that made every shift enjoyable.

Making Connections That Matter

One of Kimmie’s favorite parts of the job? The people. From swapping stories in the office to the team’s annual sushi outings, the relationships she built were just as important as the skills she gained. These connections gave her a sense of community, especially valuable as she balanced work and a lighter course load in her final semester.

Looking Ahead to PWC

Kimmie is headed to Philadelphia after graduation, where she’ll work as a digital assurance and transparency associate at PWC. Her time at UMBC, especially her experience at DoIT, played a key role in preparing her for this next step.

Watch her full video story →

All posts by: UMBC News Staff

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