A large group of young African leaders gather in a lobby

UMBC Center for Global Engagement welcomes its second cohort of the Young African Leaders Initiative

Jun 18, 2024 / 12 minutes of reading

This summer, UMBC’s Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is excited to welcome its second cohort of the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the six-week flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The new cohort includes 25 innovators from countries across Sub-Saharan Africa representing education, journalism, tech, health care, and more. Continue Reading UMBC Center for Global Engagement welcomes its second cohort of the Young African Leaders Initiative

A group of students standing behind a wood sign with the words South Africa written in white on an education abroad trip

CAHSS dean establishes a $400,000 education abroad scholarship

Apr 23, 2024 / 2 minutes of reading

UMBC CAHSS Dean’s Education Abroad Scholarship. The scholarship guarantees $100,000 per year for the next four years to help offset the financial costs of studying abroad. Undergraduate and graduate students with at least one major in CAHSS, and who need additional financial support to study abroad can apply for awards ranging from $1,500 – $5,000. The inaugural round of scholarships have been awarded to 24. Continue Reading CAHSS dean establishes a $400,000 education abroad scholarship

Five Fulbright college students stand outside on concrete steps with their arms outstretched

For the third time in five years, UMBC is named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution

Feb 13, 2024 / 5 minutes of reading

“This achievement is a testament to your institution’s deep commitment to international exchange,” wrote Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a letter to President Valerie Sheares Ashby, congratulating her on UMBC’s Fulbright Top Producer designation, “and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” Continue Reading For the third time in five years, UMBC is named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution

Large billboards with images of a man and a woman promoting the Taiwanese election

Taiwanese election may determine whether Beijing opts to force the issue of reunification

Jan 9, 2024 / 6 minutes of reading

UMBC’s Meredith Oyen, associate professor of history and Asian studies, explains the upcoming results of the Taiwanese election and what the results will mean for Taiwan, Beijing, and the U.S. will face as a result. Continue Reading Taiwanese election may determine whether Beijing opts to force the issue of reunification

A person wearing a coat walks through a mall in the evening.

The US invented shopping malls, but China is writing their next chapter

Jan 5, 2024 / 6 minutes of reading

Like their U.S. counterparts, many Chinese malls have fallen on hard times. Professor emeritus of public policy at UMBC explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of online shopping have devastated foot traffic, leaving the nation with a huge overhang of retail space and how they are re-imagining it. Continue Reading The US invented shopping malls, but China is writing their next chapter

a man in running gear stands in front of the brandenburg gate in Berlin Germany

Meet a Retriever—Brian Souders, Ph.D., globetrotter and study abroad champion

Nov 10, 2023 / 4 minutes of reading

Currently, Brian Souders is the associate director for global learning in the Center for Global Engagement at UMBC. But Brian, who came to UMBC in 2000 to be the university’s inaugural study abroad coordinator, has worn a number of hats in his 20+ years as a Retriever. He’s a two time alum (Ph.D. ’09, language, literacy, and culture, M.A. ’19, TESOL), and after years of helping faculty and students achieve their overseas learning and research goals, Brian recently took part in his own Fulbright exchange program. Take it away, Brian! Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Brian Souders, Ph.D., globetrotter and study abroad champion

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