A man wearing a white dress shirt and dark rimmed glasses stands in front of a light brick building.

Smithsonian features Erle Ellis’s research on how humans have shaped ecology over millennia as a top discovery of 2021


Science & Technology

“Our work shows that most areas depicted as ‘untouched,’ ‘wild,’ and ‘natural’ are actually areas with long histories of human inhabitation and use,” Ellis previously shared with UMBC News. They might be interpreted like this, he suggests, because in these areas, “societies used their landscapes in ways that sustained most of their native biodiversity and even increased their biodiversity, productivity, and resilience.”  Continue reading Smithsonian features Erle Ellis’s research on how humans have shaped ecology over millennia as a top discovery of 2021

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UMBC’s Fernando Tormos-Aponte is named an Early Career Faculty Innovator for research on energy inequality


Policy & Society

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has named Fernando Tormos-Aponte, assistant professor of public policy and political science, an Early Career Faculty Innovator–one of 12 across the nation. He will partner with NCAR scientists to examine energy inequality in the wake of disasters, incorporating measures of social vulnerability. Continue reading UMBC’s Fernando Tormos-Aponte is named an Early Career Faculty Innovator for research on energy inequality

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A new approach to environmental research may improve global management of common pool resources


Policy & Society

“Monitoring a natural resource or an institution can generate valuable information that will improve governance, but it is necessary to engage decision-makers and the community,” says UMBC’s Maria Bernedo Del Carpio, assistant professor of economics. She and colleagues at other research institutions have conducted a field experiment to isolate one feature of local common pool resource governance: externally supported, technology-facilitated community monitoring. Continue reading A new approach to environmental research may improve global management of common pool resources

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UMBC’s Mercedez Dunn illuminates marginalized voices to boost equity, from public health to the classroom


Policy & Society

“UMBC’s commitment to continue the Postdoctoral Fellowship for Faculty Diversity through the pandemic is one of the reasons I decided to come to UMBC,” says Mercedez Dunn, sociology, anthropology, and public health. Dunn is one of two fellows to join UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences through the high-impact program this fall. Continue reading UMBC’s Mercedez Dunn illuminates marginalized voices to boost equity, from public health to the classroom

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UMBC’s Sharon Tran receives a Career Enhancement Fellowship for writing on Asian girlhood and anti-Asian racism


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society

“Across time, literature has often served as a site of protest. Dr. Tran’s work addresses this important aspect of literary studies,” says Jean Fernandez, professor and chair of English. “The English department is proud of the recognition she has garnered with this prestigious award.” Continue reading UMBC’s Sharon Tran receives a Career Enhancement Fellowship for writing on Asian girlhood and anti-Asian racism

A woman with short grey hair with dark rimmed glasses and wearing a white dress shirt smiles at the camera. A red brick building and a small green tree is behind her.

UMBC’s Marjoleine Kars receives the Cundill History Prize and Frederick Douglass Book Prize for “Blood on the River”


Policy & Society

Based on a decade of archival research, “Blood on the River: A Chronicle of Mutiny and Freedom on the Wild Coast” tells the story of a nearly successful rebellion of enslaved people just over 250 years ago. UMBC’s Amy Froide, professor and chair of history, shares that Kars is a notable example of the rigorous historical research that thrives at UMBC – meticulously researched and carefully argued scholarship that is beautifully written and accessible to a wide range of audiences. Continue reading UMBC’s Marjoleine Kars receives the Cundill History Prize and Frederick Douglass Book Prize for “Blood on the River”

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Women leaders from UMBC, Morgan State, and UMD receive $3M Mellon grant to diversify senior leadership in higher ed


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society

“This experienced team of diverse senior leaders has an opportunity to create a structural answer to elevate diverse leaders from the arts and humanities,” says project PI Kimberly Moffitt, UMBC’s interim dean of CAHSS. “This will enable faculty to apply distinct knowledge, skills, and perspectives to address our communities’ needs as leaders at their respective institutions.” Continue reading Women leaders from UMBC, Morgan State, and UMD receive $3M Mellon grant to diversify senior leadership in higher ed

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After COVID halted global travel, UMBC’s newest Fulbright Scholars begin their journeys


Policy & Society, Science & Technology

Senior year ended with a surprising turn of events for Dominique Ross ‘21 and Yianni Karabatis ‘21. Both received prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for 2021 – 2022. But, like many Fulbright recipients, their Fulbright experiences were initially stalled due to COVID-19. Now, with immunization and continued mask requirements, international travel is once again possible for Fulbright recipients. Continue reading After COVID halted global travel, UMBC’s newest Fulbright Scholars begin their journeys

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UMBC receives a $1M gift plus $1M in state match to establish the Fred and Virginia Pausch Professorship in Economics


Community, Policy & Society

“The process of creating this professorship speaks to the power of collaboration within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) and across UMBC,” says Kimberly Moffitt, interim dean of CAHSS. “I am excited to partner with donors and other supporters who are so dedicated to building programs that broaden the reach and impact of UMBC’s teaching and research in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.” Continue reading UMBC receives a $1M gift plus $1M in state match to establish the Fred and Virginia Pausch Professorship in Economics

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UMBC’s Haleemat Adekoya, education advocate, is named 2021–22 MHEC student commissioner


Community, Policy & Society

Adekoya’s appointment as MHEC student commissioner recognizes her community-engaged work connecting students to resources and leading enrichment and leadership opportunities at both K–12 and university levels. She shares, “I believe that education is the most powerful tool to change the world.” Continue reading UMBC’s Haleemat Adekoya, education advocate, is named 2021–22 MHEC student commissioner

Patricia Young’s new book explores emerging ed-tech trends and how COVID has changed the future of the field


Policy & Society, Science & Technology

“COVID has already changed the way we think and approach technology innovation,” says Patricia Young, associate professor of education. “These are reasons why educational technologies and technology-enhanced learning must keep pace with trends in design and technology.”  Continue reading Patricia Young’s new book explores emerging ed-tech trends and how COVID has changed the future of the field

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International labor economist Tim Gindling is named UMBC’s 2021 – 2022 Liptz Professor


Policy & Society

“This professorship will help Tim continue his research in wages, work, poverty, and income distribution in Latin America and East Asia,” says UMBC’s David Mitch, chair and professor of economics. “It brings to the forefront the importance of his research and its impact at an international level, which is in large part due to his ability to foster successful research collaborations.” This includes research partnerships in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Colombia, Canada, China, and Taiwan.  Continue reading International labor economist Tim Gindling is named UMBC’s 2021 – 2022 Liptz Professor

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UMBC economics students win 2021 iOme Challenge, a national competition for innovating retirement policy


Policy & Society

“The iOME Challenge is an opportunity for UMBC students to further develop their research, writing, and presentation skills in the context of an important real-world topic,” says Douglas Lamdin, professor of economics. “It’s something that can only happen when you go beyond the classroom.” Continue reading UMBC economics students win 2021 iOme Challenge, a national competition for innovating retirement policy

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UMBC’s Tyson King-Meadows will carry forward commitment to inclusive excellence as dean at UMass Boston


Community, Policy & Society

“Whether centered on social justice issues related to the Baltimore Uprising or the racial reckoning after George Floyd’s death, Dr. King-Meadows has consistently encouraged us to do more and do better while continuing to center issues of inclusive excellence and equity,” says Kimberly Moffitt, interim dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Continue reading UMBC’s Tyson King-Meadows will carry forward commitment to inclusive excellence as dean at UMass Boston

UMBC grads share what inspires them: family, Baltimore communities, international experiences


Community, Policy & Society

“I had never been part of a university whose work was centered around social justice,” says Nicholas Nguyen ‘21, M.A. sociology. “The Peace Corps showed me how political systems work at an international level. UMBC’s Peaceworker Program is giving me an understanding from a social justice and antiracist perspective.” Continue reading UMBC grads share what inspires them: family, Baltimore communities, international experiences

Graduating Retrievers find joy and career inspiration in supporting K-12 students and families


Community, Science & Technology

“I was able to access excellent research opportunities in the humanities that I never thought would be available at the undergraduate level,” says Emily Rose Paul ‘21, global studies. “UMBC is known as a STEM school, but I have received the most amazing humanities education as a global studies student. You will be surprised at all that you can find here.” Continue reading Graduating Retrievers find joy and career inspiration in supporting K-12 students and families

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UMBC expands arts opportunities for K-8 students in Baltimore through Charlesmead partnership


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society

Two UMBC projects have taken flight this spring, designed to support the academic, creative, and social success of Baltimore City students through arts opportunities. Both projects are funded through the UMBC-Charlesmead Initiative for Arts Education, which was established in 2018 with a $500,000, five-year gift from the Charlesmead Foundation. Continue reading UMBC expands arts opportunities for K-8 students in Baltimore through Charlesmead partnership

An animation still of a character dressed in a bright yellow rain jacket and holding a yellow umbrella while standing at the summit of dark purple and blue mountain with dark purple clouds behind the mountain.

UMBC celebrates 25th Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day with an expanded global audience


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

“While we are eager to get back to the live event, there are definitely aspects of the online event that have widened the scope of URCAD,” says April Householder, director of undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships. “Presenters were able to invite friends and family members from other countries to view their presentations, and invite international scholars as potential future collaborators.” Continue reading UMBC celebrates 25th Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day with an expanded global audience

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UMBC’s Faith Davis is named a 2021 Newman Civic Fellow for work on healthcare, food, and housing insecurity


Community, Policy & Society

Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic has named Faith Davis a 2021 Newman Civic Fellow. “My greatest hope for this fellowship is to connect with a large network of change-makers who I can learn from and be inspired by throughout my life,” says Davis. “I hope to eventually work together to create a better world.” Continue reading UMBC’s Faith Davis is named a 2021 Newman Civic Fellow for work on healthcare, food, and housing insecurity

A laptop, a coffee cup, and glasses sit on top of a round wooden table. The hands of a person are hovering over the keyboard. One of the hands is holding a cell phone.

UMBC education faculty and partners work to humanize K-12 distance learning


Policy & Society

“We value the humanizing practices that are often embedded in the teaching practices of Black teachers,” explains Keisha McIntosh Allen, assistant professor of language and literacy education. “This is an opportunity for them to lead and share their knowledge, which is often overlooked by teacher evaluations that do not acknowledge these approaches to teaching.” Continue reading UMBC education faculty and partners work to humanize K-12 distance learning

A group of ancient buildings made of light brown mud bricks on the side of a hill in Morocco.

UMBC’s Erle Ellis and international team show people have shaped Earth’s ecology for 12,000 years


Policy & Society

“Our work shows that most areas depicted as ‘untouched,’ ‘wild,’ and ‘natural’ are actually areas with long histories of human inhabitation and use,” says UMBC’s Erle Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems and lead author.
Continue reading UMBC’s Erle Ellis and international team show people have shaped Earth’s ecology for 12,000 years

UMBC-Montgomery College collaboration expands with digital storytelling humanities internship for transfer students


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society

The heart of the internship program “is about building meaningful relationships between Montgomery College students and UMBC faculty and staff as a bridge to university life,” says Sarah Jewett. It’s a mentoring process that reveals what is possible at UMBC and beyond. Continue reading UMBC-Montgomery College collaboration expands with digital storytelling humanities internship for transfer students

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Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education honors UMBC’s innovative leadership in the field of aging


Policy & Society

“Dr. Hrabowski has been at the forefront of creating and promoting a vision of how we think and talk about aging and longevity,” shares Dana Bradley, dean of UMBC’s Erickson School of Aging Studies. And the inclusive, forward-looking vision that he and the Erickson School emphasize has had notable impacts, including on the student experience. Continue reading Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education honors UMBC’s innovative leadership in the field of aging

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NIA grants UMBC’s Laura Girling $750K for research on living with dementia, including the impacts of COVID-19


Policy & Society

“Persons with dementia are often portrayed as bedridden,” shares Laura Girling, director of UMBC’s Center for Aging Studies. “When I show clips of people living with dementia leading active lives, there is a realization that people with dementia can do many of the same activities others can.” Continue reading NIA grants UMBC’s Laura Girling $750K for research on living with dementia, including the impacts of COVID-19

A young woman with shoulder length black curly hear wearing a light blue dress shirt and dark blue pants stands in front of a group of people sitting at a table. Behind her is a white board with math equations written in black marker.

NSF grants UMBC’s Chris Rakes and Michele Stites $3M to transform undergraduate secondary mathematics teacher preparation programs


Policy & Society

“I want the mathematics classroom to be a vibrant place,” says Rakes, “where students have the opportunity to put all the things they’ve learned together into a coherent web of knowledge, connected through mathematical thinking and understanding.” Continue reading NSF grants UMBC’s Chris Rakes and Michele Stites $3M to transform undergraduate secondary mathematics teacher preparation programs

A woman with long dark hair pulled back in a pony tail by a white, black, and orange scarf wearing a black shirt and white pants walks on a paved walkway with a green tree and some green shrubs behind her and a short yellow wall and a city behind her.

New UMBC grads honor parents’ immigrant journeys by forging their own paths


Policy & Society

Graduating seniors Anthony Cano, Renato Zanelli, and Maya Scheirer came to UMBC with pride and hunger instilled by their immigrant parents’ work ethic. They brought rich cultures, languages, and hearts full of dreams and aspirations with the goal of forging futures of their own. “As a first-generation college student,” Zanelli says, “I can now be a role model for my younger cousins. I can help and inspire them. They will not have to do it alone.” Continue reading New UMBC grads honor parents’ immigrant journeys by forging their own paths

A woman with short grey hair with dark rimmed glasses and wearing a white dress shirt smiles at the camera. A red brick building and a small green tree is behind her.

In “Blood on the River,” UMBC’s Marjoleine Kars examines enslaved people’s accounts of a nearly successful rebellion 250 years ago


Policy & Society

Kars’s new book chronicles a rebellion by enslaved people in the Dutch colony of Berbice, 1763 – 1764, thirty years before the Haitian Revolution. Kars says there is “a long tradition of people having different ideas about how to fight oppression and what life should look like at the other side.” Continue reading In “Blood on the River,” UMBC’s Marjoleine Kars examines enslaved people’s accounts of a nearly successful rebellion 250 years ago

UMBC’s Jasmine Lee elevates diversity and inclusion work as director of new Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging


Community

Jasmine A. Lee, director of inclusive excellence in UMBC’s Division of Student Affairs, is now also leading UMBC’s Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion and Belonging (i3B). The new i3B brings together UMBC’s Mosaic Center, Interfaith Center, and Pride Center to create “opportunities for students to build their awareness and knowledge of diverse people, cultures and belief systems.” Continue reading UMBC’s Jasmine Lee elevates diversity and inclusion work as director of new Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging

A group of woman of different races and ages stand next to eachother smiling at the camera while holding hard cover picture books in their hands. They are standing in between one white and one yellow standup banner with the words Sherman Center written on them.

UMBC’s Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities is transforming early childhood education in Maryland


Policy & Society

UMBC’s Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities is now in its third year of supporting, strengthening, and expanding early childhood education in Maryland. The center was founded with the support of a $6 million grant from the George and Betsy Sherman Family Foundation in 2017. It has developed a series of research-based initiatives to address the needs of children from birth to eight years old in Maryland, and the workforce dedicated to educating them. Continue reading UMBC’s Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities is transforming early childhood education in Maryland

Fifteen women stand in a group together next to a white standup banner with the words Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program. There are brick buildings next and behind them.

Maryland State Dept. of Education invests additional $150,000 in UMBC’s Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Education Program


Policy & Society

UMBC’s Sherman Center for Early Childhood Learning in Urban Communities has been leading change in this field in Maryland since 2017 through its Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Education Program (MECLP). The program’s 12-month post-baccalaureate course equips current leaders in early childhood education with the skills, knowledge, and network needed to implement effective and long-lasting change in classrooms, school districts, and nonprofits across the state. Continue reading Maryland State Dept. of Education invests additional $150,000 in UMBC’s Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Education Program

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Struggle for justice and change: Karsonya Wise Whitehead presents UMBC’s 42nd annual Du Bois lecture


Community, Policy & Society

Whitehead will present on the intersection of COVID-19, systemic racism, and anti-racist action. Her talk, “Black COVID Stories, Black Lives Matter, and Protest: A Conversation about the Ongoing Struggle for Justice and Change,” will examine the long-term societal impacts of today’s conversations about anti-Blackness, anti-racism, policing, and justice in the context of Du Bois’s research. Continue reading Struggle for justice and change: Karsonya Wise Whitehead presents UMBC’s 42nd annual Du Bois lecture

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UMBC’s Kindel Nash’s new book shares best practices for culturally sustaining teaching in early education


Policy & Society

Culturally sustaining pedagogy, Nash explains, focuses on countering structures that systematically erase the culture and language of communities of color. Her book is an example of the impact teachers can have when they commit to this work. “This includes not only changing how we teach,” she says, “but whom we teach with.” Continue reading UMBC’s Kindel Nash’s new book shares best practices for culturally sustaining teaching in early education

an image of a grey fuzzy small globe like object with red fluffy objects sticking out.

Chinese American parents and children have experienced increased racism due to COVID-19, report UMBC researchers in Pediatrics


Policy & Society, Science & Technology

A team of researchers led by UMBC psychology professor Charissa Cheah has found that a high percentage of Chinese American parents and children have witnessed and experienced an increase in racial discrimination since the outbreak of COVID-19. The researchers’ findings are now published in Pediatrics. Continue reading Chinese American parents and children have experienced increased racism due to COVID-19, report UMBC researchers in Pediatrics

Rows of international flags hang from a ceiling.

UMBC celebrates 2020 – 2021 Fulbright recipients


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

Ten recent UMBC alumni are recipients of 2020 – 2021 Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, including seven from UMBC’s Class of 2020. Each year over 11,000 students apply and just over 2,000 are selected from hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States. The award secures funding for U.S. students to pursue international graduate study, research, internships, or teaching. Continue reading UMBC celebrates 2020 – 2021 Fulbright recipients

A man with straight dark hair, wearing a grey dress shirt, smiles at the camera.

UMBC’s Taka Yamashita receives $1.4 million grant for research supporting workers returning to community college


Policy & Society

UMBC’s Taka Yamashita has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences for an innovative three-year research project on how adult literacy impacts success in community college STEM education and job training programs. Yamashita is an associate professor of sociology and faculty member in the UMBC/UMB gerontology Ph.D. program. Continue reading UMBC’s Taka Yamashita receives $1.4 million grant for research supporting workers returning to community college

Woman with dark hair pulled back, wearing glasses, and a black and white zig zag pattern blouse, and a black cardigan smiling at the camera with a building and green shrubs behind her.

UMBC’s Elizabeth Patton dives into history of remote work with “Easy Living: The Rise of the Home Office”


Policy & Society

Elizabeth Patton’s new book explores how Americans think about the modern home office and why. Due to COVID-19, remote work has hit unprecedented highs, but Patton’s scholarship reveals that it’s far from a new idea. Continue reading UMBC’s Elizabeth Patton dives into history of remote work with “Easy Living: The Rise of the Home Office”

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UMBC alumnus Mark Doms is appointed chief economist of the Congressional Budget Office


Policy & Society

UMBC alumnus Mark Doms ‘85, economics and mathematics, has been appointed chief economist of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Doms will be one of the leads of the agency that provides Congress with objective, nonpartisan, and high quality information about the economic and financial impacts of existing laws, new laws, and policies under consideration. Continue reading UMBC alumnus Mark Doms is appointed chief economist of the Congressional Budget Office

A picture of beige stone bench in the sunlight with a quote by Walter Sondheim etched into the back of the bench, "Try to understand someone else's position and not assume you know what's best for others."

UMBC’s first virtual conference on inclusive language engages hundreds of education professionals from around the world


Community, Policy & Society

“To acknowledge that Black lives matter, that abuse of power must be stopped is paramount,” shared DàVida Plummer, keynote speaker at UMBC’s Inclusive Language Conference. “And for journalists the world over, we must capture this reality, tell our stories, and maintain objectivity.” Continue reading UMBC’s first virtual conference on inclusive language engages hundreds of education professionals from around the world

Young woman with long dark hair wearing a grey blazer and light blue skirt, standing and holding twisted orange wire,

UMBC’s Sydney Gaskins competes in the final round of Trial by Combat, a national mock trial championship


Policy & Society

UMBC Mock Trial continues to reach new heights at a national level, even with COVID-19 impacting the competition season. Sydney Gaskins ’22, political science, finished as a runner-up in the final round of the national Trial by Combat (TBC), a head-to-head individual mock trial championship hosted this summer by the UCLA School of Law and Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. Continue reading UMBC’s Sydney Gaskins competes in the final round of Trial by Combat, a national mock trial championship

A large white paper is posted on a wall showing multiplication factoring in red and green ink and Spanish words in red around it in red ink

UMBC and Baltimore’s Lakeland Elementary/Middle School launch innovative online summer math program


Policy & Society

UMBC’s Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program has launched an intensive virtual math incubator for Lakeland Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City this summer. The free, voluntary five-week program is a math intervention for 150 Lakeland students in third through eighth grade. The program seeks to prevent summer learning loss, which could increase this year, intensified by COVID-19’s impact on student learning during the school year. Continue reading UMBC and Baltimore’s Lakeland Elementary/Middle School launch innovative online summer math program

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UMBC historian Constantine Vaporis brings samurai scholarship to the public through TED-Ed animation


Arts & Culture, Policy & Society

UMBC’s Constantine Vaporis, professor of history, has partnered with TED-Ed Animations to produce “A Day In The Life of A Teenage Samurai.” This original video draws from over thirty years of scholarship Vaporis has completed on Japanese history and culture, and it’s already received over 550,000 views. Continue reading UMBC historian Constantine Vaporis brings samurai scholarship to the public through TED-Ed animation