UMBC's president and four students stand in front of UMBC map

UMBC opens new academic year with new president, largest-ever incoming class

Sep 1, 2022 / 8 minutes of reading

As UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby looked out at the crowd of eager first-year students during Tuesday’s Convocation ceremony to open the academic year, she reinforced the importance of marking this formative chapter. And with well over 2,100 new first-year students, and record numbers of graduate and international students, this is a new chapter for UMBC’s largest incoming class yet. Continue Reading UMBC opens new academic year with new president, largest-ever incoming class

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Chronicle report on “new era” of inclusive administration highlights UMBC leaders

Jul 25, 2022 / 2 minutes of reading

A newly-released Chronicle of Higher Education report spotlights UMBC leaders on the power of mentorship and the positive impact of diverse perspectives in university administration. Continue Reading Chronicle report on “new era” of inclusive administration highlights UMBC leaders

UMBC students explore South Korea, Japan through new Education Abroad Access Fund

Jul 20, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

“Education abroad is known to have a positive impact on students’ future academic and career outcomes, but the costs of international travel can result in barriers to participation,” says David Di Maria, associate vice provost for international education. “The Class of 1970’s generous gift helps address these barriers. It ensures more Retrievers are able to enjoy the transformative benefits of making the world their classroom.” Continue Reading UMBC students explore South Korea, Japan through new Education Abroad Access Fund

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Freeman Hrabowski to continue higher ed leadership as inaugural ACE Centennial Fellow after retirement as UMBC president

Jun 24, 2022 / 3 minutes of reading

Hrabowski’s two-year term as ACE Centennial Fellow will begin on Aug. 1. “There is no better-equipped person in American higher education than Freeman Hrabowski to find new and better ways for ACE and all of our institutions to best serve our students and the nation,” says ACE President Ted Mitchell. Continue Reading Freeman Hrabowski to continue higher ed leadership as inaugural ACE Centennial Fellow after retirement as UMBC president

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Coppersmith is America East “Woman of the Year”—the first in UMBC history

Jun 24, 2022 / 2 minutes of reading

Courtney Coppersmith ‘22, biochemistry and molecular biology, was named America East Woman of the Year. Coppersmith is the first Retriever in university history to achieve this honor and only the second softball player ever represented. Continue Reading Coppersmith is America East “Woman of the Year”—the first in UMBC history

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Rethinking collaborative public humanities research in New Orleans and Baltimore

Jun 17, 2022 / 5 minutes of reading

The success of taco trucks and Soul Food pop-ups in post-Katrina New Orleans has raised complex questions about food truck regulation, worker rights, immigration issues, and local vs. tourist experiences that often pit these communities against each other. UMBC’s Sarah Fouts and local organizers Toya Ex Lewis and Fernando López are implementing Project Neutral Grounds to share these vendors’ experiences and histories. Continue Reading Rethinking collaborative public humanities research in New Orleans and Baltimore

Five adults stand outside next to each other on a pathway. Fulbright.

UMBC’s 2022 Fulbright student scholars will travel the world to explore difficult questions

Jun 16, 2022 / 11 minutes of reading

Nine recent UMBC graduates and alumni will soon travel to the UK, El Salvador, Kuwait, France, Colombia, Taiwan, South Korea, and Germany as 2022 Fulbright U.S. Student scholars. They include emerging leaders in education, astrophysics, cybersecurity, human rights, and more, and they are excited to explore difficult questions through fresh perspectives. Continue Reading UMBC’s 2022 Fulbright student scholars will travel the world to explore difficult questions

group photo of five Meyerhoff Scholars in UMBC gear

Simons Foundation provides $2.5M to support UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars, plans New York replication

Jun 10, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

UMBC and the Simons Foundation share the goal of diversifying the pipeline of STEM professionals. When Simons was looking for a partner to help them grow their work in that area, UMBC was the perfect fit. Continue Reading Simons Foundation provides $2.5M to support UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars, plans New York replication

As global travel expands, UMBC faculty and staff earn Fulbright awards for research, collaboration abroad

Jun 6, 2022 / 5 minutes of reading

Four UMBC faculty and staff members have received highly competitive Fulbright awards to conduct research and establish important connections around the world over the next year. UMBC’s new recipients of Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards are Shimei Pan, associate professor of information systems; Corrie Parks, assistant professor of visual arts; and Tiffany Thames Copeland, adjunct faculty in Africana studies. Nancy Young, vice president for Student Affairs, has received a Fulbright International Education Administrators Award. They will travel to Germany, Austria, Ghana, and France, respectively. Continue Reading As global travel expands, UMBC faculty and staff earn Fulbright awards for research, collaboration abroad

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Pres. Freeman Hrabowski honors Class of 2022 at final commencement as UMBC leader

May 27, 2022 / 6 minutes of reading

Nearly 1,800 students walked across the stage at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena this week during UMBC’s 78th graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies. After pausing to receive their congratulatory elbow bumps from President Freeman Hrabowski and other leaders, they could breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their hard work and perseverance paid off. Continue Reading Pres. Freeman Hrabowski honors Class of 2022 at final commencement as UMBC leader

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HHMI launches $1.5 billion Freeman Hrabowski Scholars program to support diversity, innovation in biomedical research

May 26, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

HHMI is honoring President Hrabowski for his decades of leadership in growing and diversifying the pipeline of Ph.D.-level researchers. “We should all be encouraged by HHMI’s commitment to changing the face of science in America,” Hrabowski says. Continue Reading HHMI launches $1.5 billion Freeman Hrabowski Scholars program to support diversity, innovation in biomedical research

UMBC’s student innovation competition winners share tips for aspiring entrepreneurs

May 25, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

Student teams recently gathered at Betamore, a Baltimore-based entrepreneurship and coworking space, to battle in the final round of UMBC’s annual Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition. This year’s competition included two distinct tracks: technology and innovation, and social impact. The top three ideas in each track received funding to help move their ventures forward. Continue Reading UMBC’s student innovation competition winners share tips for aspiring entrepreneurs