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
The London-based Times Higher Education (THE) has released subject-area listings for its World University Rankings 2020, recognizing UMBC as among the best in the life sciences, physical sciences, and psychology. Continue reading Times Higher Education names UMBC a leader in life sciences, physical sciences, psychology
Leading up to UMBC’s Idea Competition, participants spend hours refining their presentations and receiving feedback from their mentors, as well as faculty, staff, family, and friends. Their goal: to gain the funding and professional advice needed to make their ideas a reality. Continue reading In 2019 Idea Competition, UMBC students focus on inclusion
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”
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The start of the school year is invigorating for the whole university community, whether you’re starting your first year in college, transferring from a different institution, or gearing up to teach for the tenth year. And UMBC is channeling all that energy in classic Retriever ways. Continue reading Retriever Nation welcomes another class to its ranks
“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
UMBC is once again featured in the Princeton Review guide, The Best 385 Colleges, for 2020. This is widely considered one of the leading guides for prospective undergraduate students in North America. Continue reading Princeton Review lauds UMBC as one of the best colleges in the nation
UMBC has again been named one of the top universities in the world for 2019-2020. Rankings released this week by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) place UMBC in the top 3.3% of universities worldwide, as well as among … Continue reading UMBC ranks in top 3.3% of universities worldwide
“When I visited UMBC, I felt like everyone knows each other and supports each other in the physics department,” Song remembers. “That’s why I chose here.” Now, she’s rising to become a leader in the field of dust aerosols, which play a role in climate change. Continue reading UMBC’s Qianqian Song receives FINESST Fellowship from NASA for research on dust clouds and climate
According to the recent QS World University Rankings 2020, UMBC is one of the top 500 universities in the world overall and among the best of the best in a key measure of faculty scholarship. Continue reading New ranking names UMBC among world’s top universities for faculty research
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
“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 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
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
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
“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 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
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
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
“Delegate Jones exemplifies what we want to see in elected office today – leaders who are working hard for the good of all people,” said President Freeman Hrabowski. “Like so many of our alumni, she is making a real difference in people’s lives. We are so proud of her.” Continue reading UMBC alumna Adrienne A. Jones makes history as Maryland Speaker of the House
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
“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
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
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
#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
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
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
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
“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
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
“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
