Looking ahead to UMBC Giving Day—shining a spotlight on ways to make a difference


Community

At midnight on Thursday, February 28, UMBC Giving Day will officially begin, kicking off the university’s second annual 24-hour marathon of giving. The goal: for as many UMBC alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students as possible to make a gift, supporting UMBC students and projects. UMBC is relying on Retriever Nation to make the 1,000 donor goal a reality. Continue reading Looking ahead to UMBC Giving Day—shining a spotlight on ways to make a difference

President Hrabowski shares an inclusive approach to difficult conversations in Bipartisan Policy Center interview


Community, Policy & Society

In a recent interview at the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Bob and Elizabeth Dole Series on Leadership, UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski shared his perspective on leading diverse and inclusive communities in today’s political environment.
Continue reading President Hrabowski shares an inclusive approach to difficult conversations in Bipartisan Policy Center interview

Many university employees chat around large round tables in a conference room.

The Baltimore Sun again names UMBC one of Baltimore’s top places to work


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UMBC ranked eighth among all top large employers in the region—the only university and only government institution featured on the list. In describing UMBC as a workplace, President Hrabowski has said: “UMBC is truly a supportive and inclusive community. This is a place where we believe in mutual respect and in achieving great things when we combine our strengths and work together toward our shared vision.” Continue reading The Baltimore Sun again names UMBC one of Baltimore’s top places to work

Times Higher Ed spotlights UMBC as a model in supporting student achievement


Community, Science & Technology1 Comment

This week, Times Higher Education shined a spotlight on UMBC’s advancements in graduating more low-income and minority students in the sciences—what it calls the “holy grail of academia.” “Everybody wants to understand our model,” UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski told reporter Paul Basken. As Hrabowski explained, lessons learned in one area can inform another, and UMBC’s work to support underrepresented students in STEM fields has led to investments in support programs for students of all backgrounds across UMBC. Continue reading Times Higher Ed spotlights UMBC as a model in supporting student achievement

UMBC places 10th at Pan-Am Team Chess Championship


Community

UMBC Chess competed in the 2018 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, held in San Francisco, California, December 27 – 30. “The Pan-Am tournament was great for all of the players on the team,” says team member Ewa Harazinska ‘20, chemistry. “We take a great pride in representing UMBC in a national competition, and we were delighted to place in the top 10 chess teams.” Continue reading UMBC places 10th at Pan-Am Team Chess Championship

Grit and community support help UMBC grads envision—and claim—their futures


Class of 2018, Community

Each UMBC student has a unique journey, including challenges to tackle with tenacity, courage, and grit. For many of UMBC’s newest grads, a culture of community support has made all the difference, enabling them to both claim their future and help others along the way. Continue reading Grit and community support help UMBC grads envision—and claim—their futures

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

UMBC’s newest grads leave a legacy of community-building and support


Class of 2018, Community

Meet a few of the many UMBC students graduating this December who exemplify the Retriever spirit of building connections and community by offering a compassionate ear, a helping hand, and a voice of support when it is most needed. Together, these students have created a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive UMBC for everyone, and they continue to reach together to help UMBC grow. Continue reading UMBC’s newest grads leave a legacy of community-building and support

UMBC joins innovative ACE Internationalization Lab, expanding commitment to global engagement


Community

“UMBC’s participation in this year’s cohort of the ACE Internationalization Laboratory is a key component in our work to create the university’s first-ever internationalization roadmap,” shares Tony Moreira, vice provost for academic affairs. “Given today’s global landscape for higher education, universities need to implement international, intercultural, and global elements in all areas of the institution to ensure that they stay relevant and continue to provide a high-quality education to all students.” Continue reading UMBC joins innovative ACE Internationalization Lab, expanding commitment to global engagement

Beth Saunders

UMBC welcomes Beth Saunders as the new curator and head of Special Collections


Arts & Culture, Community1 Comment

Saunders comes to UMBC from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she was assistant curator in the Department of Photographs. She will oversee the management, preservation, and exhibition of UMBC’s photography, rare book, and archival collections. “One of the things that excites me about Special Collections is that it’s a nerdy collection in the best possible way, bridging the sciences, the humanities, the arts, and other fields of research,” she says. Continue reading UMBC welcomes Beth Saunders as the new curator and head of Special Collections

UMBC launches Center for Democracy and Civic Life at a critical national moment


Community

“We can develop the knowledge, skills, and resourcefulness to work across differences and address challenges together, and to build thriving civic communities,” says David Hoffman, director of the new center. “UMBC is the perfect setting for that kind of learning, with so many people and programs already contributing to a vibrant civic culture.” Continue reading UMBC launches Center for Democracy and Civic Life at a critical national moment

UMBC community leaders launch Retriever Courage, a sexual assault prevention and response initiative


Community

UMBC community leaders have announced the Retriever Courage initiative—the next phase in UMBC’s work to prevent and respond to sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct. The initiative emphasizes, “Change requires the courage to speak out, to listen, to learn, and to take action. We must fully live our campus values—inclusive excellence, collaboration, innovation, and impact—to make UMBC a safer, more caring living, learning, and working environment for all.” Continue reading UMBC community leaders launch Retriever Courage, a sexual assault prevention and response initiative

UMBC among the best universities in the world in 2019 U.S. News global ranking


Community1 Comment

UMBC performed well in several notable areas, including regional research reputation, international collaboration, and the percentage of faculty papers that are among the top 1 percent most cited. UMBC also received acclaim on two “subject lists,” as a global leader in geosciences and space science. Continue reading UMBC among the best universities in the world in 2019 U.S. News global ranking

UMBC welcomes Dana Bradley as new dean of the Erickson School for Aging Studies


Community

Bradley believes “This is a world where engineers, designers, coders, visual artists, musicians, writers, mathematicians, economists—you name it—they are all needed to design living, working, and transportation spaces that are responsive to how humans age. This is a collective question that needs answers from all fields.” Continue reading UMBC welcomes Dana Bradley as new dean of the Erickson School for Aging Studies

UMBC’s 6th Critical Social Justice Week focuses on passion and pathways to have an impact


Community

CSJ: Ignite takes place October 22 – 26, 2018. The week’s programs have been designed both to tap into the passion people already feel for issues that matter to them and to provide pathways for people who haven’t been engaged in traditional forms of activism to see opportunities to have an impact. “It’s about being able to share your strengths and skills for activism and social change, and being able to share the message with others,” says Jess Myers, director of UMBC’s Women’s Center. Continue reading UMBC’s 6th Critical Social Justice Week focuses on passion and pathways to have an impact

Lynne Schaefer and Jack Suess share UMBC’s “collaborative style” as national higher ed leaders


Community

Lynne Schaefer and Jack Suess are known across UMBC for their essential roles in shaping and sustaining the university’s strong and steady growth over the years. They’ve also had a major impact beyond the university through leading boards of directors of national higher education organizations, bringing “UMBC’s collaborative style” along with them. Continue reading Lynne Schaefer and Jack Suess share UMBC’s “collaborative style” as national higher ed leaders

UMBC and community colleges collaborate to boost transfer student success in STEM


Community, Science & Technology

“I was really interested in looking at transfer from an asset-based perspective,” says UMBC’s Sarah Jewett. “Transfer students bring so many experiences and talents to this campus, just like every other student, and I think those strengths need to be recognized and tapped.” Continue reading UMBC and community colleges collaborate to boost transfer student success in STEM

Third annual UMBC GRIT-X talks highlight thought-provoking ideas, experiences, and discoveries


Community

Artists, scientists, and social change agents from across UMBC presented the third annual GRIT-X talks on October 13, sharing their ideas and perspectives on stage in UMBC’s Dance Cube. “All our talks gave a different facet, a different beam of light, on what we do at UMBC,” said Vice President for Research Karl Steiner, who spearheaded the event. Continue reading Third annual UMBC GRIT-X talks highlight thought-provoking ideas, experiences, and discoveries

UMBC outlines next steps in work to improve sexual assault prevention and response


Community

“It’s time,” says Professor Chris Murphy, “for all of us to listen to survivors, engage in serious and deep self-reflection as a campus, and to work together to invest the time and resources needed to provide everyone with a safe and productive educational experience at UMBC.” Continue reading UMBC outlines next steps in work to improve sexual assault prevention and response

UMBC community gathers for listening session on sexual misconduct and campus safety


Community

Hundreds of UMBC community members gathered on Thursday, September 20, for an open listening session on sexual misconduct, in a painful and powerful moment for the university. A large crowd rapidly filled the Fine Arts Recital Hall and then two overflow spaces in the biology building and library, connected through a live video feed. As everyone took their seats, ready to begin, a sense of quiet tension filled the space—a community taking a breath, ready to speak and to listen. Continue reading UMBC community gathers for listening session on sexual misconduct and campus safety

South Africa to Colorado: Summer research helps UMBC STEM BUILD students chart their course


Community, Science & Technology

Traveling far from home for an immersive research experience can be transformational for an undergraduate. Living and working in a completely new environment, with new colleagues, can be intimidating, but it also offers powerful opportunities for growth. Five STEM BUILD students from UMBC took that plunge this summer, and all made lasting memories that will inform their paths forward. Continue reading South Africa to Colorado: Summer research helps UMBC STEM BUILD students chart their course

Retriever Nation celebrates UMBC’s “top 10” U.S. News rankings in teaching and innovation


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“These teaching and innovation rankings include institutions specifically identified by college and university leaders across the country as being at the forefront of higher education,” says UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski. “They speak to our core commitments to student and faculty success and to constant learning and growth.” Continue reading Retriever Nation celebrates UMBC’s “top 10” U.S. News rankings in teaching and innovation

Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Ed name UMBC a top U.S. university, with focus on diverse learning community


Community

The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education have just released their popular college rankings for 2019, again naming UMBC one of the nation’s top universities. This year’s rankings specifically highlight the strength of UMBC’s diverse learning community, including student and faculty diversity and the representation of international students. Continue reading Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Ed name UMBC a top U.S. university, with focus on diverse learning community

PIEoneer Awards recognize UMBC for career initiatives supporting international students


Community

“This recognition is incredibly important for UMBC because it acknowledges on a global stage our commitment to meeting the real and unique needs of our international students,” says Michelle Massey. “We listen to our students, we develop solutions together as a community, and we implement them to help these students have the best possible experience at UMBC, and as alumni.” Continue reading PIEoneer Awards recognize UMBC for career initiatives supporting international students

Princeton Review recognizes UMBC as one of the top universities in the nation


Community

UMBC’s Princeton Review profile speaks directly to the dedication and commitment of the university’s faculty and staff. As one student says, “UMBC wants to see every student succeed—they provide you with the tools, people, and resources to make sure you get where you want to go in life.” Continue reading Princeton Review recognizes UMBC as one of the top universities in the nation

UMBC’s BUILD a Bridge to STEM internship offers students a transformative research experience


Community, Science & Technology

“I think the greatest thing about this experience was how we were treated as equals,” shared Zulekha Karachiwalla, a sophomore at Howard Community College. “It’s been challenging in a way that’s made us better scientists,” added Rahaf Alhabashi, also a sophomore at HCC. Continue reading UMBC’s BUILD a Bridge to STEM internship offers students a transformative research experience

Hundreds of professionals sit around tables in a room, talking, in groups of 8-10

“Chronicle” names UMBC one of the nation’s best colleges to work for, with honors


Community1 Comment

“This honor is meaningful for us because it reflects how UMBC is truly a supportive and inclusive community,” says President Freeman Hrabowski. “This is a place where we believe in mutual respect and in achieving great things when we combine our strengths and work together toward our shared vision.” Continue reading “Chronicle” names UMBC one of the nation’s best colleges to work for, with honors