UMBC Event Center partnership launches new chapter in Retriever history with a new name


Community

The UMBC Event Center has become synonymous with high-level athletic play, premier entertainment, and university milestones since opening in 2018. This spring, UMBC has officially announced the beginning of a new chapter for the Event Center—a new name. The Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, a new partnership between UMBC and Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company, will open doors for both the university and the facility. Continue reading UMBC Event Center partnership launches new chapter in Retriever history with a new name

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URCAD 2021 showcases creativity, resilience of UMBC student researchers


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

Due to the constraints of COVID, student researchers have become even more creative in using technology not just to display their research, but to pursue their research at a time when in-person interviews, fieldwork, and traditional performances aren’t possible. Students learned to do interviews online and navigated lab research within physical distancing guidelines. They also responded to the pandemic by examining the changes in society and in themselves. Continue reading URCAD 2021 showcases creativity, resilience of UMBC student researchers

UMBC volleyball makes program history, returns to NCAA tournament for the first time since ‘98


Community

“History-making” is a term that’s become synonymous with UMBC athletics over the last few years, and UMBC women’s volleyball has exemplified that spirit this spring. On April 2, they took on UAlbany to win their first America East Championship in program history. Continue reading UMBC volleyball makes program history, returns to NCAA tournament for the first time since ‘98

Kizzmekia Corbett ’08 talks to CNN about Meyerhoff Scholars, vaccine hesitancy


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

“Had I not been exposed to Dr. Hrabowski and the Meyerhoff Program…I’m not even so sure that I would be a scientist. It’s really about exposure and resources given to people,” Kizzmekia Corbett told CNN. In particular, encounters at UMBC that led her to double major in biological sciences and sociology uniquely prepared her for this moment. Continue reading Kizzmekia Corbett ’08 talks to CNN about Meyerhoff Scholars, vaccine hesitancy

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Chronicle features UMBC as a leading voice on the future of higher ed


Community

A new report from the Chronicle of Higher Education features UMBC’s peer-based work to boost faculty diversity. For decades, UMBC’s strong reputation for inclusive excellence has focused on student diversity. The new UMBC case study in “Diversifying Our Campus: Key Insights and Models for Change” expands that conversation. Continue reading Chronicle features UMBC as a leading voice on the future of higher ed

UMBC Mock Trial heads to national semifinal as undefeated regional champions


Community

“This year’s team, they’re not afraid of anyone,” says UMBC Mock Trial head coach Ben Garmoe ‘13. “They will go into every round knowing they have a shot.” Garmoe’s confidence in the team is rooted in their strong performance this season, capping years of steady growth into a national powerhouse. Continue reading UMBC Mock Trial heads to national semifinal as undefeated regional champions

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UMBC’s Danyelle Ireland is named a national Rising Star as champion for transfer students


Community, Science & Technology

This award honors Ireland’s years mentoring and advocating for UMBC transfer students in information technology and engineering fields. It also brings greater visibility to UMBC’s transfer student population and to how the university can most effectively support their success. Continue reading UMBC’s Danyelle Ireland is named a national Rising Star as champion for transfer students

UMBC students help create richer online courses for peers in engineering and computing fields


Community, Science & Technology

As UMBC faculty prepare for spring, they are reflecting on lessons learned from a primarily online fall 2020 semester. In UMBC’s College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), this means honoring teaching fellows and teaching assistants for their role in making sure courses met student needs. Continue reading UMBC students help create richer online courses for peers in engineering and computing fields

UMBC’s newest computing grads, from bachelor’s to Ph.D., share stories of connection, support, opportunity


Community

UMBC’s newest graduates in computing and data science fields include students at all stages in their education and careers. Undergraduates, master’s students seeking to access new career opportunities, and Ph.D. students completing high-impact research have thrived at UMBC. Many cite the university’s strong academics, accessible faculty, research opportunities, and connections across disciplines as drawing them to UMBC. Continue reading UMBC’s newest computing grads, from bachelor’s to Ph.D., share stories of connection, support, opportunity

Students focus on mental health and the environment in 2020 UMBC Idea Competition


Community

Six student groups recently vied for the top prize in UMBC’s annual Idea Competition, presenting to a panel of alumni judges their innovative solutions to everyday challenges. The competition, hosted by UMBC’s Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, was held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s winning ideas focused on physical and mental health and the environment. Continue reading Students focus on mental health and the environment in 2020 UMBC Idea Competition

HackUMBC goes virtual in a big way, attracting over 1,000 students


Community, Science & Technology

More than 1,000 students from institutions across the country and around the world—from as far away as Kazakhstan, Albania, Spain, and Nigeria—logged onto their computers for a 36-hour hackathon organized by UMBC students, November 13-15. HackUMBC’s events typically draw huge crowds overflowing conference spaces. This year, the event was held virtually for the first time due to COVID-19. Continue reading HackUMBC goes virtual in a big way, attracting over 1,000 students

Students reflect on UMBC’s top-ten finish in national democracy challenge and post-election community conversations


Community

“It’s important to vote, but also to recognize voting as just one way to make a difference in our communities and nation,” share David Hoffman and Romy Hübler. “UMBC’s Cast Your Whole Vote campaign encouraged members of the UMBC community to learn about issues, engage in civil conversations, and contribute their time and talent to building a better world on Election Day and every day.” Continue reading Students reflect on UMBC’s top-ten finish in national democracy challenge and post-election community conversations

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

Entrepreneurs and experts gather for bwtech@UMBC Cybertini event on election security


Community, Science & Technology

Nearly 100 industry experts and entrepreneurs gathered virtually for Cybertini 2020, hosted by bwtech@UMBC, UMBC’s research and technology park, on October 15. The annual event offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn from industry professionals and experts in academia, and this year focused on cybersecurity related to elections. Continue reading Entrepreneurs and experts gather for bwtech@UMBC Cybertini event on election security

Shoulder to shoulder: U.S. News again names UMBC one of the Best Global Universities


Community

“UMBC continues to perform well on the international stage,” says David Di Maria, associate vice provost for international education. He notes, “The cross-border collaborations and contributions of our faculty, students, and staff position UMBC shoulder to shoulder amongst the top universities in the world.” Continue reading Shoulder to shoulder: U.S. News again names UMBC one of the Best Global Universities

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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

UMBC’s Jack Suess to receive 2020 EDUCAUSE Leadership Award


Community

“Leaders around the country admire Jack’s valuable contributions to IT and higher education. He is a fine example of enlightened leadership,” says UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski. “We all know Jack leads effectively by serving selflessly. What makes him most extraordinary is that his emotional intelligence matches his impressive technical skills.” Continue reading UMBC’s Jack Suess to receive 2020 EDUCAUSE Leadership Award

bwtech@UMBC receives Economic Development Administration grant to launch cybersecurity venture fellowship program


Community, Science & Technology

bwtech@UMBC, UMBC, and the University System of Maryland will create the Maryland New Venture Fellowship for Cybersecurity to support the development of cybersecurity companies in Maryland, and increase connections among technologists, mentors, and faculty at institutions across the state. Continue reading bwtech@UMBC receives Economic Development Administration grant to launch cybersecurity venture fellowship program

President Hrabowski addresses UMBC graduating class of 2018.

Baltimore Sun honors Pres. Hrabowski’s leadership through Business and Civic Hall of Fame


Community

The Baltimore Sun is celebrating UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski as a 2020 Business and Civic Hall of Fame honoree. A special feature in The Sun highlights important moments in Hrabowski’s life and career, and his impact as one of the nation’s top higher education leaders. Continue reading Baltimore Sun honors Pres. Hrabowski’s leadership through Business and Civic Hall of Fame

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UMBC sees solid enrollment in Fall 2020, celebrating returning students and high-demand graduate programs


Community

“Our strong enrollments this fall affirm that, even with the challenges our world is facing, our new and continuing students value the UMBC experience and recognize the importance of staying on track with their degrees,” says Vice Provost Yvette Mozie-Ross. Continue reading UMBC sees solid enrollment in Fall 2020, celebrating returning students and high-demand graduate programs

New U.S. News rankings honor UMBC strengths in teaching, innovation, and inclusion


Community

The 2021 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings affirm that UMBC remains one of the top universities in the nation, with a uniquely distinguished profile. UMBC has advanced to #11 for undergraduate teaching and holds the #9 position on the list of most innovative schools in the nation, among other prominent rankings. Continue reading New U.S. News rankings honor UMBC strengths in teaching, innovation, and inclusion

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UMBC engages Howard Community College students with environmental science—online and in their own backyards


Community, Science & Technology

“My goal for the students was to capture what I think is the most important part of scientific research—curiosity through observation,” Chris Hawn says. By training their eyes and learning to see in new ways, Hawn says, “People were making discoveries literally inside their houses, or on a walk, or in their yard. It was really wonderful to see that transformation.” Continue reading UMBC engages Howard Community College students with environmental science—online and in their own backyards

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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

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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

Retrievers focus on community to prepare for a fall semester unlike any before


Community

To create a roadmap for the fall, UMBC has relied on a strong tradition of community collaboration, bringing together committees of faculty, staff, and students to address every aspect of campus activity. In this way, UMBC can continue to live out its strong commitment to inclusive excellence and provide a distinctive academic and social experience during this unprecedented time. Continue reading Retrievers focus on community to prepare for a fall semester unlike any before

Spring 2020 campus photo, the commons, ILSB, by Marlayna Demond '11.

Princeton Review highlights UMBC’s dedicated students, engaging faculty


Community

“To put it simply, UMBC made it onto The Princeton Review list because of our amazing students,” says Associate Professor Lee Blaney. “The list is developed through responses to student surveys, and so we (quite literally) have to thank our students for this honor, which highlights the excellent academic and social community that all of us have built at UMBC.” Continue reading Princeton Review highlights UMBC’s dedicated students, engaging faculty

UMBC students complete internships virtually amid COVID-19 pandemic


Community

Each summer, hundreds of UMBC students complete summer internships to get hands-on experience related to their majors and career goals. The COVID-19 pandemic has moved many networking opportunities and jobs online, including some internships. Still, undergraduate and graduate students from across the University have spent the summer developing their skills and connections virtually. Continue reading UMBC students complete internships virtually amid COVID-19 pandemic