The Empowered University
Higher education has been rightly focused on safety and support in this time of uncertainty, yet we must not confuse regaining our footing with maintaining the status quo.
Education’s core purpose is to lift up communities and prepare students to make a difference in society. Together, we must actively reimagine our future, work with a clear sense of purpose, and empower a diverse group of emerging leaders to make these goals a reality.
Video
From UMBC Preident Freeman Hrabowski
Remembering the nobility of our work as educators will help us persist and grow despite the challenges before us.
— Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, Philip J. Rous, and Sarah J. Shin, Inside Higher Ed
Empowering Innovators
We may not know exactly what the future will look like, but we know that our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and communities have the vision, talent, and skills to guide us there.
Meet UMBC alumna Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett ’08, M16, a lead developer of the NIH-Moderna vaccine.
Maryam Rahnemoonfar responds to rising seas with launch of climate-focused data science institute.
Patricia Young’s new book explores the future of educational technology.
Community-focused coffee shop starts as a class project, keeps going strong during COVID.
UMBC announces a $72-million Earth sciences research partnership, funded by NASA.
When the pandemic hit, UMBC grads in Hollywood offered solace and escape through TV and movies.
Testimonials
Paula A. Johnson, President, Wellesley
UMBC has a “remarkable culture, one that embodies the best of the nation’s values and ideals.”– Paula A. Johnson, President, Wellesley
Michael Crow, President, ASU
It’s time for people to wake up and see that excellence doesn’t only come with elitist admissions and high prices.– Michael Crow, President, ASU
Erin O’Shea, President, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
At UMBC, “I see individuals who are true to themselves. I see individuals who will have a seat at the table and who will pull up a chair for others. I see individuals who will listen and be heard. I see individuals moving towards greatness.”– Erin O’Shea, President, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Drew Gilpin Faust, Harvard, President Emeritus
Higher education can be a great equalizer in this country, and there is no further intervention as strong or as enduring as a college education for helping individuals and societies to thrive...But many colleges, most of the colleges, have not figured out how to do as good a job as UMBC at enabling all students to reach their highest potential.– Drew Gilpin Faust, Harvard, President Emeritus
Wanda E. Ward, Executive Associate Chancellor, UIUC
UMBC has clearly raised the bar and continues to set such a high standard, not just to the benefit of the scientific enterprise but to the societal benefit of the world.– Wanda E. Ward, Executive Associate Chancellor, UIUC
James P. Clements ’85, MS ’91, Ph.D. ’93, President, Clemson
[UMBC] not only gave my family a chance to receive a top-notch education, it literally transformed my entire family and gave us a path to a better life...With a degree from UMBC you can achieve anything that you set your mind to.– James P. Clements ’85, MS ’91, Ph.D. ’93, President, Clemson
The Empowered University
“There are no easy answers. But the key to being able to have conversations that lead to healing or change or innovation, Hrabowski said, is humility. That’s also central to the kind of culture he wants to keep building on his campus, and which he wants to see in the country at large.”