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


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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


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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


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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


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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

UMBC’s Qianqian Song receives FINESST Fellowship from NASA for research on dust clouds and climate


Community, Science & Technology2 Comments

“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

Leadership Montgomery recognizes UMBC’s Annica Wayman and Sunil Dasgupta


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology1 Comment

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

CNMS celebrates a year of growth in partnerships to support student success


Community, Science & Technology

“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 communications team wins CASE writing award for research news coverage


Community

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

Festive COEIT Celebration honors achievement, service, and community


Community, Science & Technology

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

Woman conducts an orchestra, hands outstretched

Leaders in public service, music, and addiction research to address UMBC’s Class of 2019


Community1 Comment

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

Men's lacrosse player in action on the field, as players from the opposing team stand in the background.

UMBC advances to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship after America East victory


Community3 Comments

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

Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones, in gold and black, poses with UMBC Retriever mascot, in front of a crowd of people, during an evening celebration.

UMBC alumna Adrienne A. Jones makes history as Maryland Speaker of the House


Community, Policy & Society3 Comments

“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

University president hugs undergraduate commencement speaker in congratulations following her remarks, while colleagues clap, all in graduation attire.

UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars replications at Penn State, UNC show notable success in first four years


Community, Science & Technology3 Comments

“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