Leadership Montgomery recognizes UMBC’s Annica Wayman and Sunil Dasgupta
Wayman and Dasgupta are the first members of the UMBC community to be selected since the program’s inception in 1990, an indication of UMBC’s growing presence in Montgomery County through the Universities at Shady Grove. Christopher Steele shares, “These two remarkable leaders perfectly reflect the fact that UMBC offers its very best to Montgomery County.” Continue reading Leadership Montgomery recognizes UMBC’s Annica Wayman and Sunil Dasgupta
UMBC convenes research forum on immigration and mobility in higher education
“The research results showed that for each undocumented student that graduates from a four-year college, who would not have gone otherwise, the net benefits to the state were $350,000,” explains Gindling. “Providing access to higher education and financial aid to undocumented youth is a good investment for the individual, for the state, and for the government as a whole.” Continue reading UMBC convenes research forum on immigration and mobility in higher education
Phage Hunters: Popular UMBC research program opens doors to biotech careers
“All the techniques we learned in Phage Hunters directly translate to the work we do in the lab on a daily basis,” says Anna Kawa ’18. “Being on the cutting edge of biotech is really exciting,” adds Viet Dang ’18. “Just being right there, potentially changing history, is really exciting.” Continue reading Phage Hunters: Popular UMBC research program opens doors to biotech careers
UMBC honors social work students for commitment to social change
“You committed to academic excellence,” said Carolyn Tice, associate dean of social work at UMBC, “but you also demonstrated a commitment to community and overwhelming service to people—people who are often left behind.” Continue reading UMBC honors social work students for commitment to social change
UMBC celebrates student achievement in the arts, humanities, and social sciences
“CAHSS’s amazing students do it all: think and learn across boundaries and borders, develop their identities as scholars and citizens, and contribute their imagination and expertise to local and global communities,” says Scott Casper, dean of CAHSS. “Given all they’ve already accomplished, it’s exciting to envision what they’ll do next.” Continue reading UMBC celebrates student achievement in the arts, humanities, and social sciences
CNMS celebrates a year of growth in partnerships to support student success
“The college has laid the foundation, and now is really in a strong position for growth,” says Dean Bill LaCourse. “It’s all about paying attention to the people and their needs,” he explains, so faculty, staff, and students can do their best work and create a thriving community together. Continue reading CNMS celebrates a year of growth in partnerships to support student success
UMBC’s Jeff Leips receives NIH grant to explore how genes affect immune system function as we age
With this new NIH grant, Jeff Leips says, “Ideally, I want to understand the mechanisms—what goes wrong with age and immunity? Once we know that, the next question is whether we can find ways to try to ameliorate the effects of aging on those traits.” Continue reading UMBC’s Jeff Leips receives NIH grant to explore how genes affect immune system function as we age
UMBC’s Hua Lu works to decode plant defense system, with an eye on improving farming and medicine
“It’s quite cool,” Hua Lu says, “because, in both plants and animals, people are beginning to study the crosstalk between the circadian clock and the immunity system.” Continue reading UMBC’s Hua Lu works to decode plant defense system, with an eye on improving farming and medicine
UMBC’s Glenn Wolfe develops new method to gauge atmosphere’s ability to clear methane, a potent greenhouse gas
“Hydroxyl radicals control the lifetime of nearly every reactive gas,” including methane, explains Glenn Wolfe. However, “globally, we don’t have a way to directly measure them.” His new research puts scientists on the path to changing that, and toward improving global climate models. Continue reading UMBC’s Glenn Wolfe develops new method to gauge atmosphere’s ability to clear methane, a potent greenhouse gas
UMBC communications team wins CASE writing award for research news coverage
UMBC’s communications team has earned an Excellence in News Writing Award for research, medicine, and science news writing from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. UMBC was one of just two universities to receive the award in the mid-Atlantic, CASE’s largest district, representing 700 U.S. and Canadian colleges and independent schools. Continue reading UMBC communications team wins CASE writing award for research news coverage
Festive COEIT Celebration honors achievement, service, and community
The COEIT Celebration has quickly become a defining annual event for the community of faculty, staff, and students in UMBC’s College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). The celebration showcases the achievements of COEIT’s numerous highly active student organizations. It’s also an opportunity for community members to reflect on the year and to honor those whose work has been essential to the College’s impact and growth. Continue reading Festive COEIT Celebration honors achievement, service, and community
“Appreciate the differences”: How study abroad shaped four UMBC student experiences
Many students come to UMBC with the goal of leaving the familiar behind to take on new challenges and gain a fresh perspective. Once they’re on campus, that’s also what inspires some Retrievers to explore international learning opportunities. Balancing course requirements, activities, research, and other responsibilities, while also pursuing study abroad, can prove challenging. But for these four UMBC students earning undergraduate degrees this month, it’s also been transformative. Continue reading “Appreciate the differences”: How study abroad shaped four UMBC student experiences
Five UMBC students see their degrees as a step toward community impact
“Being a valedictorian for me is about honoring South Asian women feminists whose achievements were not as visible when I was growing up. It is also about the need to transform research and community service skills into direct activism.”—Samiksha Manjani Continue reading Five UMBC students see their degrees as a step toward community impact
Laser focus without limits: UMBC’s newest grads choose their own adventures
He’s a bassoonist and chemical engineer. She’s a dancer and social justice advocate. UMBC students have a lot of focus, but that doesn’t mean they have to focus on one thing. For many, the UMBC experience is about figuring out how to combine their passions, not chose one or the other. Here, four UMBC students graduating this spring share how they have found their own unique balance. Continue reading Laser focus without limits: UMBC’s newest grads choose their own adventures
UMBC makes intro computing courses available to students in any major through X + Computing pilot
Computing and coding skills are becoming integral to many jobs and industries, but students outside of computing disciplines are not always exposed to these fundamentals. UMBC is working to change that with new learning pathways for non-computer science majors. Continue reading UMBC makes intro computing courses available to students in any major through X + Computing pilot
Leaders in public service, music, and addiction research to address UMBC’s Class of 2019
At UMBC’s upcoming commencement ceremonies, students and their families and supporters will hear from three distinguished speakers recognized as leaders in their different fields. They include a UMBC alumnus recently elected county executive, the first woman conductor of a major American orchestra, and one of the world’s top addiction researchers. Continue reading Leaders in public service, music, and addiction research to address UMBC’s Class of 2019
From dream to drive to degree: Five UMBC journeys
“My goal is to be a part of the change that I’d like to see,” says Vanessa Gonzalez ’19, American studies, sharing the vision of so many UMBC students graduating alongside her. “I want to be part of helping lift up a community that deserves more.” Continue reading From dream to drive to degree: Five UMBC journeys
UMBC softball clinches first America East title, advancing to the NCAA tournament
UMBC softball swept the America East tournament for their first title win. The Retrievers will advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002. Continue reading UMBC softball clinches first America East title, advancing to the NCAA tournament
Fourteen UMBC students and recent alumni receive Fulbright awards, setting new record
Since 1970, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program has chosen more than 70 UMBC students and recent alumni to represent the United States through conducting research, teaching English, or pursuing graduate studies internationally. This year’s recipients will pursue Fulbright experiences in Rwanda, Malaysia, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and more. Continue reading Fourteen UMBC students and recent alumni receive Fulbright awards, setting new record
UMBC’s newest grads share what inspired their unique paths
When students come to UMBC, they bring with them life experiences that shape the program they choose, the mentors they find, the research questions they ask, and the communities they build on campus. Here, five UMBC students earning their degrees this month share experiences that shaped their paths. Continue reading UMBC’s newest grads share what inspired their unique paths
UMBC to face No. 1 seed Penn State in NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament
Just four days after winning the America East men’s lacrosse championship, UMBC defeated Marist to head to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament. They’ll face No. 1 seed Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania, at noon on Sunday, May 12. Continue reading UMBC to face No. 1 seed Penn State in NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament
UMBC advances to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship after America East victory
The Retrievers are America East champions again, with UMBC’s men’s lacrosse reclaiming the title for the first time in a decade. Now, the team is heading to the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship, facing MAAC Champion Marist on May 8, 7 p.m., at Tenney Stadium in Poughkeepsie, New York. Continue reading UMBC advances to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship after America East victory
UMBC international students find connection on campus, from day one to degree
When international students arrive on campus, they find a warm welcome from their departments and fellow students. These four May graduates share how they made a home on campus during their time at UMBC. Continue reading UMBC international students find connection on campus, from day one to degree
Business First names UMBC one of nation’s best public universities
Business First works to pinpoint “the public universities and colleges that offer the best educational experiences to their students.” Their ranking assesses over 500 four-year higher education institutions based on 22 key indicators, measuring academic excellence, affordability, diversity, and economic strength. Continue reading Business First names UMBC one of nation’s best public universities
UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars replications at Penn State, UNC show notable success in first four years
“These findings confirm that Meyerhoff-like programs and student outcomes can be achieved elsewhere, even at institutions very different from UMBC,” says Michael Summers. “It is my hope that this initial effort has laid the groundwork for partnership expansion with an even broader range of institutions.” Continue reading UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars replications at Penn State, UNC show notable success in first four years
UMBC community responds to launch of new icon and homepage following two-year branding initiative
Earlier this month, UMBC officially launched a new icon and homepage as the culmination of a two-year, community-driven brand message and logo development process—the first University-wide branding initiative in UMBC history. Continue reading UMBC community responds to launch of new icon and homepage following two-year branding initiative
URCAD 2019 features diversity-focused student research, with Baltimore, LGBTQ+, and international focus areas
These presentations affirm a core goal of URCAD. As Katharine H. Cole, vice provost and dean of undergraduate academic affairs, has shared, “UMBC encourages students of all disciplines to engage in mentored projects and through creative thought and focused inquiry, to discover in themselves their passion.” Continue reading URCAD 2019 features diversity-focused student research, with Baltimore, LGBTQ+, and international focus areas
“Researching” to “researcher”: UMBC students share why mentoring is the key
Mechanical engineering major Karla Negrete was drawn to Deepa Madan’s lab after she took a course about the chemical and physical aspects of materials. “Dr. Madan has been a mentor to me in many ways,” Negrete reflects, “but the most important has been her ability to believe in me and stand behind me.” Continue reading “Researching” to “researcher”: UMBC students share why mentoring is the key
UMBC labs share four essentials for undergraduate research success
#1: Developing scientist identity. For example, in Ruben Delgado’s lab, “Every undergraduate has a project that they can define when they first start and then fine tune it as they move along,” says Meredith Sperling ’19. “Graduate students and Ruben are great at providing guidance, pointing out possible pitfalls, etc., but at the end of the day it’s really our research and where we want to take it.” Continue reading UMBC labs share four essentials for undergraduate research success
UMBC celebrates 2019 Presidential Faculty and Staff Award winners
The UMBC community gathered to recognize the contributions of dedicated faculty and staff. “It’s your collective contributions that are the UMBC experience and story,” said President Hrabowski. Continue reading UMBC celebrates 2019 Presidential Faculty and Staff Award winners
Retriever Courage partners take stock of community work to prevent and respond to sexual assault
Six months into the Retriever Courage initiative, this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month programming at UMBC is especially meaningful for the University community. “Our efforts to support survivors and cultivate a survivor-responsive campus need to be a 365-days-a-year undertaking,” says Jess Myers, director of UMBC’s Women’s Center. “We all are responsible for this work.” Continue reading Retriever Courage partners take stock of community work to prevent and respond to sexual assault
UMBC’s David Di Maria briefs Congressional staff on opportunities to support international students
Di Maria recommended that the U.S. implement a national-level international education strategy, improve support for students, and adopt immigration policies that allow the U.S. to retain top graduates in our workforce. Continue reading UMBC’s David Di Maria briefs Congressional staff on opportunities to support international students
Evan Avila is named a Truman Scholar, the fourth in UMBC history
“In the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, we seek to support students who want to live impactful lives,” says Laura Hussey, associate professor of political science, and director of the program. “Evan is already doing that and with great excellence, integrity, and care for people.” Continue reading Evan Avila is named a Truman Scholar, the fourth in UMBC history
UMBC researchers invent creative approach to remove dangerous pollutant from waterways
“When we started working and talking together, we realized, ‘I can solve your problem and you can solve my problem,’” Upal Ghosh says of his interdisciplinary partnership with Kevin Sowers. Continue reading UMBC researchers invent creative approach to remove dangerous pollutant from waterways
UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars model heads to UC Berkeley and UCSD through a $6.9M investment from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
“It is truly thrilling to think about the national and global impact the Meyerhoff Scholars Program will have through partnerships like this,” says UMBC’s Michael Summers. “By working together we can help shape the future of our national Ph.D. pipeline, with inclusive excellence as a core shared value of our work.” Continue reading UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars model heads to UC Berkeley and UCSD through a $6.9M investment from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Biology graduate students from UMBC earn national honors for unique aquatic research
Whether wading in a cold stream or in the lab, mentors who foster independent thinking balanced with guidance—for research and for life—make the difference for UMBC graduate students on the national and international stage. A close-knit graduate student community adds a level of support that helps students succeed. Continue reading Biology graduate students from UMBC earn national honors for unique aquatic research
UMBC Mock Trial takes 8th place at AMTA National Championship
“For me, this is like Division I sports,” team member Sydney Gaskins explains. “It’s extremely rigorous and competitive. Mock Trial demands a great deal of hard work, dedication, and commitment, to compete against some of the best teams and win. I always aim to win.” Continue reading UMBC Mock Trial takes 8th place at AMTA National Championship
UMBC welcomes Donna Ruginski as executive director for cybersecurity initiatives
Ruginski will work with campus leaders and industry partners to enhance UMBC’s portfolio of cybersecurity initiatives and research partnerships with public and private organizations. Continue reading UMBC welcomes Donna Ruginski as executive director for cybersecurity initiatives
UMBC ranks #3 among U.S. universities in global social and economic impact
“The new Times Higher Education impact rankings are distinct from other university rankings in that they are a measure of the difference UMBC is making in the world,” says UMBC’s Katharine H. Cole. “It is not surprising that UMBC is ranked so highly as it is this type of societal and economic impact that is at the very core of UMBC’s mission and values.” Continue reading UMBC ranks #3 among U.S. universities in global social and economic impact
UMBC’s Bradley Arnold develops laser-based technology to safely and quickly detect IEDs and other hazards in combat zones
You’re a U.S. soldier, motoring across the desert at 60 miles an hour in an Army truck. Suddenly, a red light flashes on your dashboard—an instrument has detected traces of explosive material on the road surface ahead. You divert around the hazard and continue safely toward your destination. “There is currently nothing available to do this at this speed,” says Bradley Arnold. But that could soon change. Continue reading UMBC’s Bradley Arnold develops laser-based technology to safely and quickly detect IEDs and other hazards in combat zones
UMBC’s Tyson King-Meadows becomes an ACE Fellow, as an emerging national higher ed leader
“Tyson King-Meadows has long been a visionary leader at UMBC at every level, from department to College to University,” shares Scott Casper, dean of CAHSS. “I’m delighted that ACE has recognized his record of accomplishments, and I look forward to the exciting ideas and approaches he will bring back to us from institutions across the country.” Continue reading UMBC’s Tyson King-Meadows becomes an ACE Fellow, as an emerging national higher ed leader
New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines
“We want to provide an avenue for people to learn skills that they’re not going to get in the classroom or the lab,” says Alex Rittle, Ph.D. student in geography and environmental systems and chair of the GEARS planning committee. Continue reading New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines