UMBC Mock Trial takes top prize at Georgetown’s Hilltop Invitational as competition season kicks into high gear


Policy & Society

“As someone who was a four-year competitor for the program and was the program’s president as a senior, I find weekends like this past one to be both rewarding and exciting,” says Dylan Rogers Elliott ‘17, history. “I came through the program and have been able to come back and coach while in law school, and nothing makes me happier than seeing both the success and potential of the UMBC Mock Trial Program continue to grow.” Continue reading UMBC Mock Trial takes top prize at Georgetown’s Hilltop Invitational as competition season kicks into high gear

Dean Scott Casper continues UMBC’s strong partnership with Maryland Humanities and the Greater Baltimore Alliance as a new board member


Policy & Society

“Both Maryland Humanities and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance immeasurably enrich our communities, region, and state,” says Scott Casper. “They nurture our collective humanity, our creativity, and our understanding of contemporary and historical contexts for our challenges and endeavors.” Continue reading Dean Scott Casper continues UMBC’s strong partnership with Maryland Humanities and the Greater Baltimore Alliance as a new board member

Student trainer in UMBC t-shirt (at right) chats with a small group of other UMBC students (at left).

UMBC’s newest grads leave a legacy of community-building and support


Class of 2018, Community

Meet a few of the many UMBC students graduating this December who exemplify the Retriever spirit of building connections and community by offering a compassionate ear, a helping hand, and a voice of support when it is most needed. Together, these students have created a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive UMBC for everyone, and they continue to reach together to help UMBC grow. Continue reading UMBC’s newest grads leave a legacy of community-building and support

Three people speak in a conference space, in professional attire, next to a photograph

CS3 leads research summit on community-based violence prevention in Baltimore


Policy & Society

“We wanted to purposefully use this summit to convene as many researchers as possible to examine, discuss, and share expertise and data,” Mallinson says. “Our intent is increasing collaboration and resources beyond this room, between institutions and the community, to create tangible, applicable and responsive human- and community-centered research in violence prevention with and for Baltimore.” Continue reading CS3 leads research summit on community-based violence prevention in Baltimore

Amy Bhatt shines light on gender and immigration policy in new book High-Tech Housewives


Policy & Society1 Comment

“Now more than ever, Professor Bhatt’s research is crucial in helping all of us understand the everyday impact of high-skilled immigration,” shares Jessica Berman, director of the Dresher Center for the Humanities. “Thriving academic research communities are enriched by the knowledge and expertise highly-skilled international faculty, staff, and students bring and share.” Continue reading Amy Bhatt shines light on gender and immigration policy in new book High-Tech Housewives

UMBC joins innovative ACE Internationalization Lab, expanding commitment to global engagement


Community

“UMBC’s participation in this year’s cohort of the ACE Internationalization Laboratory is a key component in our work to create the university’s first-ever internationalization roadmap,” shares Tony Moreira, vice provost for academic affairs. “Given today’s global landscape for higher education, universities need to implement international, intercultural, and global elements in all areas of the institution to ensure that they stay relevant and continue to provide a high-quality education to all students.” Continue reading UMBC joins innovative ACE Internationalization Lab, expanding commitment to global engagement

UMBC celebrates 40 years of the W. E. B. Du Bois Lecture with talk on genetics, race, and racism


Policy & Society

UMBC’s annual W.E.B. Du Bois lecture series “provides an important platform for intellectual dialogue on crucial aspects of African American experiences and those of peoples of African descent,” says Chuku. “It offers us an opportunity to draw inspiration from Du Bois’s scholarship and activism.” Continue reading UMBC celebrates 40 years of the W. E. B. Du Bois Lecture with talk on genetics, race, and racism

New Fulbright Accelerator connects CAHSS faculty with international opportunities


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society

Through international work, says Nohe, “Scholars transform their teaching and scope of experience and share that with UMBC faculty and students. The perspective and broad scope of references is truly invaluable, and we as scholars serve as ambassadors for our institutions abroad.” Continue reading New Fulbright Accelerator connects CAHSS faculty with international opportunities

UMBC welcomes Dana Bradley as new dean of the Erickson School for Aging Studies


Community

Bradley believes “This is a world where engineers, designers, coders, visual artists, musicians, writers, mathematicians, economists—you name it—they are all needed to design living, working, and transportation spaces that are responsive to how humans age. This is a collective question that needs answers from all fields.” Continue reading UMBC welcomes Dana Bradley as new dean of the Erickson School for Aging Studies

UMBC inaugurates new center to serve as hub for social science research


Policy & Society1 Comment

Prof. Christine Mallinson serves as the center’s inaugural director. “Christine Mallinson’s innovative, collaborative scholarship has influenced academic debates, informed policy, and empowered communities,” says Dean Scott Casper. “I look forward to her leadership on behalf of UMBC’s social science research community.” Continue reading UMBC inaugurates new center to serve as hub for social science research

As Lakeland sees continued gains in math scores, UMBC expands local school partnerships


Policy & Society

“Teachers are the key lever to student success in the classroom,” Josh Michael says. “By developing their vast skill set in data analysis and engaging in changes to classroom practice, teachers can facilitate learning that creates a strong foundation for long-term success.” Continue reading As Lakeland sees continued gains in math scores, UMBC expands local school partnerships

PIEoneer Awards recognize UMBC for career initiatives supporting international students


Community

“This recognition is incredibly important for UMBC because it acknowledges on a global stage our commitment to meeting the real and unique needs of our international students,” says Michelle Massey. “We listen to our students, we develop solutions together as a community, and we implement them to help these students have the best possible experience at UMBC, and as alumni.” Continue reading PIEoneer Awards recognize UMBC for career initiatives supporting international students

National “Humanities for All” initiative features innovative work by UMBC scholars


Policy & Society

“Public-engaged humanities are essential to UMBC’s vision, specifically its commitment to civic engagement and social justice,” says Nicole King. “It is essential for our students to show up and to listen to the neighborhoods and communities that surround the university in ways that are honest, respectful, and ethical.” Continue reading National “Humanities for All” initiative features innovative work by UMBC scholars

UMBC education policy expert Jane Arnold Lincove helps launch national center for research on school choice


Policy & Society

“Researching school choice is challenging because there are so many stakeholders that are for and against it. But in the end,” she says, “looking at research across the United States allows us to identify what is working and help inform policy to help schools systems create equitable, successful, and safe learning environments.” Continue reading UMBC education policy expert Jane Arnold Lincove helps launch national center for research on school choice

When did humans start to transform Earth? UMBC’s Erle Ellis introduces the Anthropocene.


Policy & Society, Science & Technology

“We are changing Earth’s climate faster than at any time since the fall of the dinosaurs,” says Ellis. For scientists, he notes, “What’s controversial…is when did this begin? […] When did humans literally become the global shaper of the earth?” Continue reading When did humans start to transform Earth? UMBC’s Erle Ellis introduces the Anthropocene.

UMBC celebrates opening of new Lakeland Community and STEAM Center


Arts & Culture, Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

The South Baltimore center opened its doors on June 1, after a two-year, $1.6 million renovation supported by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in partnership with UMBC. Sen. Ben Cardin called the space “a resource for people of all ages to acquire life-changing knowledge and skills.” Continue reading UMBC celebrates opening of new Lakeland Community and STEAM Center

Maryland Humanities honors Pres. Hrabowski, James Brady, and Catherine Gira


Policy & Society1 Comment

Hrabowski commented further on how humanities have made possible his approach to leadership and building relationships. “I think of the humanities as having given me a context for living my own life, and for knowing how I would work with and be as supportive as possible of others,” he said. Continue reading Maryland Humanities honors Pres. Hrabowski, James Brady, and Catherine Gira

UMBC celebrates alumni educators in Maryland public schools


Policy & Society

What do nine UMBC alumni with a passion for basketball, dance, and lacrosse, and fields from biology and biochemistry to information systems and political science have in common? They all chose to teach in Maryland public schools, and all returned to UMBC this May to speak at a special Celebration of Teaching event, launching a campus-wide initiative to increase recruitment and retention of teachers of color in Maryland public schools. Continue reading UMBC celebrates alumni educators in Maryland public schools

UMBC Shriver Center explores civil disobedience and social justice fifty years after Catonsville Nine


Policy & Society2 Comments

“The Catonsville Nine’s protest is one of the most significant acts of war resistance in our nation’s history, and it happened just down the road from UMBC fifty years ago this May,” says Joby Taylor, director of the Shriver Peaceworker Program. Continue reading UMBC Shriver Center explores civil disobedience and social justice fifty years after Catonsville Nine

Stephanie Milani named Newman Civic Fellow for expanding access to computer science education


Policy & Society

“It is an honor to represent the commitment of UMBC to service and engaged citizenship at a national level with the help of The Shriver Center,” Milani reflects. “They helped me to bridge the gap between my desire to create change and my ability to apply my knowledge through service-learning. Continue reading Stephanie Milani named Newman Civic Fellow for expanding access to computer science education

UMBC hosts Elect Her leadership training featuring local women in politics


Community, Policy & Society

“Over the last five years of running the Elect Her program we have had more women running for SGA office, and more women participate who didn’t know they were going to run or join a campaign. That matters,” says Kate Drabinski, senior lecturer in gender and women’s students. “Whether or not women run for office here, the program reminds all of us that we can do it, that we are the leaders we think we need.” Continue reading UMBC hosts Elect Her leadership training featuring local women in politics

UMBC Dresher Center hosts digital humanities conversation on inclusion in the field


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society

“There is so much textual production happening online and if we were to dismiss it we would be missing out on an important moment on how humans are producing text and composing,” Risam says. “We need to look at how these tools are being used and ask the same challenging questions of this new form of composition that we have traditionally asked about alphabetic or published text.” Continue reading UMBC Dresher Center hosts digital humanities conversation on inclusion in the field