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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

Valerie Sheares Ashby named next president of UMBC, arriving from Duke in August 2022

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents has appointed Valerie Sheares Ashby as the next president of UMBC. She will become UMBC’s sixth chief executive on August 1, 2022, following current UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski’s retirement from UMBC. She will be the first woman to serve in this role. Continue Reading Valerie Sheares Ashby named next president of UMBC, arriving from Duke in August 2022

U.S. News names UMBC graduate programs among the nation’s best 

U.S. News announced its 2023 Best Graduate School rankings today, including outstanding UMBC graduate programs across all three colleges. Top fields where UMBC excels range from computer science and several types of engineering to psychology and statistics. Among UMBC’s 14 Best Graduate School rankings for 2023 are seven top-100 programs. Continue Reading U.S. News names UMBC graduate programs among the nation’s best 

Ten million reads: UMBC researchers hit milestone in sharing knowledge through The Conversation

Articles on The Conversation offer context to current events, explain natural phenomena, introduce new research in an accessible way, and more. “The Conversation helps us contribute to our public service mission as a public university,” says Vice President for Research Karl Steiner. “This milestone underscores the importance of academic researchers actively participating in the public discourse of complex issues.” Continue Reading Ten million reads: UMBC researchers hit milestone in sharing knowledge through The Conversation

$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

UMBC men’s swimming and diving recaptures America East 2022 Championship

For those who insist 13 is an unlucky number, UMBC men’s swimming and diving is here to prove otherwise. Last weekend, the Retrievers reclaimed the 2022 America East Championship title to win their 13th championship out of 15 appearances. UMBC women’s swimming and diving earned second place at their championship meet. Continue Reading UMBC men’s swimming and diving recaptures America East 2022 Championship

Pres. Hrabowski elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) announced the election of UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III as a member. This prestigious honor recognizes Pres. Hrabowski’s leadership in higher education—serving as president of UMBC for three decades and working to increase diversity in STEM fields, including engineering, at a national level. Continue Reading Pres. Hrabowski elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering

Four students gather around monitors, with a professor and student sitting in the background.

UMBC ascends to the nation’s highest level as a research university

UMBC has officially reached the nation’s highest level of research performance. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education today announced that UMBC has been placed into the category of doctoral universities with very high research activity, popularly known as Research 1 (or R1). “This is an amazing accomplishment by faculty, staff, and administrative leaders who have built a research culture that nurtures undergraduate and graduate students,” says President Freeman Hrabowski. “This milestone reflects our commitment to excellence across the disciplines, from the humanities to the sciences.” Continue Reading UMBC ascends to the nation’s highest level as a research university

Graduating Retrievers are ready to leave their mark on the world

The end of the semester brings a lot to celebrate—the conclusion of finals, a well-deserved break on the horizon, and the addition of new graduates to the UMBC alumni community. Over the course of two days and three ceremonies, UMBC celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2021, as well as 2020 graduates who were unable to celebrate in person before due to COVID.  Continue Reading Graduating Retrievers are ready to leave their mark on the world

UMBC swimming and diving makes waves at ECAC Winter Championships

It may be cold outside, but competition was heating up in the pool last weekend as UMBC men’s and women’s swimming and diving dominated the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) 2021 Winter Championships.  Capturing 15 out of 20 events, UMBC men’s swimming and diving took home first place in the meet. With a difference of 1,896 points, the Retrievers eclipsed runner-up Long Island University (LIU).  “I could not be more pleased with how the team competed at the ECAC meet,” says head coach Matt Donovan. “We are in a tremendous position for this time of year and we are all… Continue Reading UMBC swimming and diving makes waves at ECAC Winter Championships

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