Two people standing side by side, one is wearing a stripped multicolored short sleeve shirt and the other is wearing a white dress, they are standing in front of a wall of windows and shrubbery.

UMBC’s María Célleri and Yolanda Valencia receive Mellon Fellowships for research on an immigrant community in Washington and postcolonial transformation of Quito, Ecuador

Jul 8, 2022 / 5 minutes of reading

“Their work further reifies UMBC’s commitment to community-engaged scholarship, in particular in often overlooked or ignored communities,” says Dean Kimberly R. Moffitt. Continue Reading UMBC’s María Célleri and Yolanda Valencia receive Mellon Fellowships for research on an immigrant community in Washington and postcolonial transformation of Quito, Ecuador

A group of five people standing close together on a street with trees on either side of them.

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

young trees planted in rows shade the forest floor

Beyond “plant trees!”: UMBC research finds tree plantations encroaching on essential ecosystems

Jun 6, 2022 / 6 minutes of reading

Trees supply a host of benefits for animals and people. However, new research led by Matthew Fagan finds that some trees planted in the tropics may be doing more harm than good. “Ecologists have been sounding the alarm on this for over a decade,” Fagan says. “But no one’s had a hard number about how much this is actually happening.” Continue Reading Beyond “plant trees!”: UMBC research finds tree plantations encroaching on essential ecosystems

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

An adult with short wavy hair wearing a dark blue suit poses in front of a tree. Rehman Liaqat.

Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic names UMBC’s Rehman Liaqat, human rights advocate, a 2022-23 Civic Fellow

May 11, 2022 / 9 minutes of reading

UMBC grad Rehman Liaqat is heading to Georgetown as a Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellow. He says, “I want to show future generations of Pakistani students all that is possible.” Continue Reading Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic names UMBC’s Rehman Liaqat, human rights advocate, a 2022-23 Civic Fellow

UMBC Albin O'Kuhn Library in springtime.

Can you catch a deepfake? UMBC researchers receive NSF award to help people identify audio deepfakes

May 9, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

Vandana Janeja and Christine Mallinson have received a two-year, $300,000 grant from NSF to study deepfakes, focusing on audio clips. Deepfakes are images, videos, and sounds that are developed using artificial intelligence, but that are designed to appear as real-life recordings. They can be highly deceiving for audiences, impacting public opinion and behavior. Continue Reading Can you catch a deepfake? UMBC researchers receive NSF award to help people identify audio deepfakes

A portrait of Derek Musgrove smiling, wearing a blue button down shirt.

New Carnegie Fellow Derek Musgrove examines Black political movements in the U.S., 1980 – 1997

Apr 26, 2022 / 5 minutes of reading

“Dr. Musgrove’s selection for the Carnegie Fellowship is further confirmation of the great work happening in the humanities at UMBC,” says Kimberly Moffitt, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. “We are appreciative of Carnegie’s recognition of his work and of the human experience during such a moment in history.” Continue Reading New Carnegie Fellow Derek Musgrove examines Black political movements in the U.S., 1980 – 1997

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

Apr 26, 2022 / 4 minutes of reading

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

Apr 14, 2022 / 6 minutes of reading

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

Apr 5, 2022 / 6 minutes of reading

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

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

Mar 29, 2022 / 3 minutes of reading

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