Retriever dog statue wearing face mask that reads "UMBC"

UMBC completes pilot COVID-19 testing in preparation for fall semester


Community

UMBC recently completed its first round of pilot COVID-19 testing, in preparation for the Retriever community’s gradual return to campus in the coming weeks and months. The pilot invited participation from faculty, staff, and students who are approved to be on campus this summer. Over the course of two days, University Health Services completed 325 COVID-19 tests and shared educational material on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Continue reading UMBC completes pilot COVID-19 testing in preparation for fall semester

Reflective windows of a science building, as seen from the outside.

Student cost to attend UMBC reduced for Fall 2020 semester


Community

The cost to attend UMBC will decrease 22 percent compared to last fall for undergraduate students registered for courses offered by the main campus. UMBC’s Student Business Services Office notes that student bills will reflect stable tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate, resident and non-resident students, and decreased fees. Continue reading Student cost to attend UMBC reduced for Fall 2020 semester

UMBC develops future STEM teachers, researchers through pilot program pairing high school and college students


Community, Science & Technology

Now one of the high school participants, Kimani Reed, is starting at UMBC this fall. “The warm welcome I felt when I walked through the doors on the first day already made UMBC feel like home,” she says. Continue reading UMBC develops future STEM teachers, researchers through pilot program pairing high school and college students

UMBC faculty on a mission to prepare robust, high-quality online classes for fall semester


Community

Faculty members are setting the bar high for themselves this fall, and they have demonstrated it by showing up in droves for a variety of programs offered through UMBC’s Faculty Development Center (FDC), Division of Information Technology (DoIT), and the colleges and academic departments. Since May, more than half of all faculty have participated in training activities associated with online teaching, not including the faculty members serving as mentors and instructors for these trainings. Continue reading UMBC faculty on a mission to prepare robust, high-quality online classes for fall semester

UMBC will be test-optional for Fall 2021 applicants


Community2 Comments

The test-optional program for the coming year is “about offering prospective students maximum flexibility,” says Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88, health science and policy, vice provost for enrollment management and planning. “This flexibility ensures that circumstances beyond our prospective students’ control do not present barriers to pursuing a top-notch education.” Continue reading UMBC will be test-optional for Fall 2021 applicants

Woman wearing "Take Back the Night" t-shirt speaks into a microphone at the center of a group.

Graduating UMBC student advocates keep building community in an unprecedented time


Community

For Nadia BenAissa and Sam Hertl, UMBC has been a place to grow as leaders and advocates. Their college experiences have been defined by their work to educate, speak out, and create resources for survivors of sexual assault and LGBTQIA+ students at UMBC. As the university community has responded to COVID-19 and transitioned to a virtual environment, they have held steadfast in their commitments. Continue reading Graduating UMBC student advocates keep building community in an unprecedented time

A diverse group of two dozen women poses in an informal cluster, along with a man in a tie and three children

This spring, UMBC’s Returning Women Student Scholars achieve dreams long deferred


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology2 Comments

This month Karla Gonzalez ‘20, social work, will become the first in her family to graduate from college, at age 34. For much of her life, college didn’t really seem like a possibility. “I never saw myself as a leader,” she says, “but at UMBC I learned that I was one.” Continue reading This spring, UMBC’s Returning Women Student Scholars achieve dreams long deferred

UMBC students create products to meet community needs at Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology1 Comment

Four UMBC student groups vied for the top prize in the finals of this year’s Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition (CBIC), held entirely online for the first time on April 30. Their projects ranged across industries, from fashion to artificial intelligence. Continue reading UMBC students create products to meet community needs at Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition

Two swimmers look at a paper together, wearing UMBC t-shirts next to a pool

Scholar-athlete grads draw on resilience forged in challenging times


Arts & Culture, Community, Science & Technology

On the surface, Kennedy Lamb ‘20, English, and Jethro Ssengonzi ‘20, mechanical engineering, didn’t have much in common when they arrived on campus. Today, these two accomplished scholar-athletes are coping with the challenges of graduating during a pandemic by drawing on stores of resilience and communities of support. Continue reading Scholar-athlete grads draw on resilience forged in challenging times

UMBC researchers offer knowledge, innovation during the time of COVID-19


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

At a time when information and misinformation are coming at us from all directions, and everyone is looking for answers, UMBC researchers are stepping up. They’re working hard to answer pressing questions about COVID-19 and sharing their expertise to help the public stay healthy and make informed decisions. Continue reading UMBC researchers offer knowledge, innovation during the time of COVID-19

Four male swimmers wearing matching warm-up gear stand in front of an America East sign holding an America East trophy.

UMBC men’s swimming and diving named America East champions, women’s team captures 2nd place


Community

UMBC senior Ilia Rattsev swept the freestyle sprints (50, 100, 200 yards). In doing so, he became the first-ever swimmer in America East history to sweep the freestyle sprints in three consecutive years. He earned the league’s David Alexander Coaches’ Award (most points accrued in a meet) and Elite 18 Award (highest academic achievement). While excelling in the pool, Rattsev is also maintaining a 3.97 GPA in bioinformatics and computational biology. Continue reading UMBC men’s swimming and diving named America East champions, women’s team captures 2nd place

The Carnegie Foundation honors UMBC as a leading community-engaged university


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

“Carnegie’s definition of community engagement emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and mutual benefits in the partnerships that are created,” explains Michele Wolff, director of the Shriver Center. “Shriver Center programs ask us to think about how we can make our partnerships more authentic, to effectively meet the needs of all involved. In this way, the longstanding approach of the Shriver Center also reflects the Carnegie Foundation’s principles of reciprocity and mutuality.” Continue reading The Carnegie Foundation honors UMBC as a leading community-engaged university

Baltimore Sun names UMBC a top place to work and Pres. Hrabowski #1 in leadership


Community

UMBC is ranked #12 among all large employers in the area, and is the only university and only government institution featured on the list. New this year, the Sun named UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski the top leader among the region’s large employers. He shared, “While we have collective and individual goals, and we are committed to moving toward them, we also understand the fundamental truth that nothing is more important than the people who make up the organization.” Continue reading Baltimore Sun names UMBC a top place to work and Pres. Hrabowski #1 in leadership

Preparing for impact: Four new UMBC grads share what drives their research


Class of 2019, Community

Cindy Chelius, Miranda Marvel, Naqiya Ghulamali, and Ryan Oliver study very different things, but they are all driven to contribute to positive change through their research. They also hope to carry forward the support they found at UMBC as mentors to a future generation of researchers. Continue reading Preparing for impact: Four new UMBC grads share what drives their research

UMBC graduates create their own paths to excellence, focused on succeeding together


Class of 2019, Community

Each graduating student’s path looks different. For many Retrievers, UMBC offers an opportunity to develop not just knowledge and skills, but also self-awareness that enables them to pursue personal passions. That self-awareness often means understanding what kinds of support made an impact on their experiences, and how they can lend support to those coming up behind them. Excellence for these seniors is about more than accolades; it is about succeeding together.  Continue reading UMBC graduates create their own paths to excellence, focused on succeeding together

“We need people just like you”: Transfer students find, and build, supportive communities at UMBC


Class of 2019, Community1 Comment

Students come to UMBC with a variety of experiences and in different stages of life. The unique perspectives of transfer students enrich the University, particularly as students connect with and support each other. Continue reading “We need people just like you”: Transfer students find, and build, supportive communities at UMBC

UMBC welcomes Brian Barrio as director of athletics


Community1 Comment

UMBC has named Brian Barrio the director of athletics, physical education, and recreation, effective January 2020. He will direct UMBC’s 17-sport NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program, all campus recreational programs (including intramurals, club sports, and recreational activities), and the physical education program.  Continue reading UMBC welcomes Brian Barrio as director of athletics

UMBC celebrates opening of student venture OCA Mocha, “where coffee meets community”


Community2 Comments

Two years ago, local business and community groups asked a UMBC entrepreneurship class for ideas on how to better connect the University and its surrounding communities. The idea for OCA Mocha was born. After more than two years of planning, construction, relationship-building, and first-hand experience with the ups and downs of starting a business from scratch, the coffee shop and community gathering space in downtown Arbutus has officially opened its doors. Continue reading UMBC celebrates opening of student venture OCA Mocha, “where coffee meets community”

Campus shot of exterior of ILSB

2020 U.S. News global ranking names UMBC a top university, a leader in geosciences and space science


Community

U.S. News & World Report has again named UMBC one of the best universities worldwide, with UMBC appearing as one of the top 150 U.S. institutions on the 2020 global list. The ranking highlights UMBC’s international leadership in geosciences and space science. Continue reading 2020 U.S. News global ranking names UMBC a top university, a leader in geosciences and space science

“The Empowered University” brings UMBC’s story to readers nationwide


Community3 Comments

A new read on UMBC’s story is now hitting bookstores across the country. The Empowered University details how the UMBC community has come together to tackle some of higher education’s most intractable challenges, and has become a national model for inclusive excellence along the way. It’s a story of how leaders across administration, faculty, staff, and students have worked to get a full, honest view of UMBC’s strengths and weaknesses, and move the university forward. Continue reading “The Empowered University” brings UMBC’s story to readers nationwide

UMBC shines at Brilliant Baltimore with artwork, talks, performances, a reception, and more


Arts & Culture, Community

From November 1 through 10, UMBC will again join in two of Baltimore’s signature events — Light City and the Baltimore Book Festival — which will be held together in 2019 under the theme of Brilliant Baltimore. UMBC’s contributions include a talk by President Freeman Hrabowski, a UMBC-Light Ekphrastic panel discussion, a panel discussion on Baltimore Revisited, and the SPARK gallery. Continue reading UMBC shines at Brilliant Baltimore with artwork, talks, performances, a reception, and more

UMBC supports emerging higher ed leaders through ACE Fellows program


Community

The newest ACE Fellow to arrive on campus is a two-time UMBC alumna who is shadowing UMBC leaders for the year. Kate Tracy M.A. ‘01, Ph.D. ‘03, psychology, was one of 39 people from across the country to be named ACE Fellows for the 2019-2020 academic year. Tracy is a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.  Continue reading UMBC supports emerging higher ed leaders through ACE Fellows program

UMBC spotlights the power of collaboration and community in opening of new science building, GRIT-X talks


Community, Science & Technology2 Comments

“Already there are research teams working in this building on such complex issues as age-related disease, environmental degradation, and health disparities,” says Dean Bill LaCourse. Solutions to our most complex challenges “are found through a convergence of talent and effort,” bringing together the perspectives of people from different fields and backgrounds. This is what the new building is designed to achieve. Continue reading UMBC spotlights the power of collaboration and community in opening of new science building, GRIT-X talks

MHEC selects UMBC’s Jordan Troutman, who bridges technology and policy, as student commissioner


Community, Science & Technology1 Comment

Jordan Troutman has been selected to be the student commissioner for the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). He’s a computer science and mathematics major passionate about applying his work at the intersection of technology and policy to improve society.  Continue reading MHEC selects UMBC’s Jordan Troutman, who bridges technology and policy, as student commissioner

Retriever Courage one year later: UMBC community listens, learns, and acts


Community1 Comment

One year ago, the UMBC community spoke out about experiences, urgent concerns, and hopes for change related to sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. This September 18, student, faculty, staff, and administrative leaders of the Retriever Courage initiative hosted an open gathering to update the campus on early progress and next steps toward fostering a campus climate in which all feel a sense of belonging, safety, and support. Continue reading Retriever Courage one year later: UMBC community listens, learns, and acts

Meet six Retrievers who went from internship to career success with UMBC Career Center support


Community1 Comment

Decades after the start of the internship boom, internships continue to be invaluable for both undergraduate and graduate students. As UMBC students demonstrate, gaining real-world experience and networking within an area of interest can have a lasting impact when it comes time to search for a full-time position. Continue reading Meet six Retrievers who went from internship to career success with UMBC Career Center support

Students walk down stairs in front of a library, surrounded by spring plants, in the sunshine.

Times Higher Ed and Wall Street Journal again name UMBC a leading global and U.S. university


Community1 Comment

Just days after U.S. News again recognized UMBC as one of the nation’s top universities for teaching and innovation, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings have named UMBC a top global university. UMBC is listed as among the top 800 universities worldwide, and #130 among U.S. universities on the global list. UMBC performs particularly well on an important measure that reflects the visibility of UMBC faculty research on a global stage. Continue reading Times Higher Ed and Wall Street Journal again name UMBC a leading global and U.S. university

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

U.S. News again names UMBC a national leader in teaching and innovation


Community1 Comment

U.S. News & World Report rankings announced today affirm that UMBC’s strength in teaching and innovation go hand in hand. UMBC is once again a leader on two closely-watched lists, ranked the #9 most innovative university and #12 top university for undergraduate teaching in the nation.  Continue reading U.S. News again names UMBC a national leader in teaching and innovation

Six Baltimore City Schools in UMBC Math Project partnership see math test score gains


Community, Policy & Society1 Comment

Maryland PARCC test results, released last week, reveal that Baltimore City schools partnering with UMBC have seen dramatic growth in student math performance. The Baltimore Sun has called this trend one of the “bright spots” at a challenging moment, when many schools across the state are struggling to move the needle on student learning in math. Continue reading Six Baltimore City Schools in UMBC Math Project partnership see math test score gains

Open spaces nurture open minds in UMBC’s new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building


Community, Science & Technology6 Comments

“When you share a kitchenette with a biologist, a chemist, an engineer and somebody from public policy, it’s inevitable that new things will brew,” says Greg Szeto, who is moving in to the ILSB with the new Translational Center for Age-Related Disease and Disparities. The ILSB “is a total game-changer for me,” adds Chris Hawn. With its state-of-the-art instrumentation, “There are protocols where I can get ‘level unlocked.’ It just opens things up for me and my students.” Continue reading Open spaces nurture open minds in UMBC’s new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building