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


Community

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

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


Community, Policy & Society

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 & Technology

“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


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“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


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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

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


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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


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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


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“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


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“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

URCAD 2018

URCAD 2019 features diversity-focused student research, with Baltimore, LGBTQ+, and international focus areas


Arts & Culture, Community, Policy & Society

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

UMBC labs share four essentials for undergraduate research success


Community, Science & Technology

#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

A woman speaks at a microphone in front of a group of seated students. Behind her is a backdrop of t-shirts in different colors and a sign that reads "Take Back the Night."

Retriever Courage partners take stock of community work to prevent and respond to sexual assault


Community

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

Women wearing protective clothing works in a lab with faculty mentors blurred in the foreground.

UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars model heads to UC Berkeley and UCSD through a $6.9M investment from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative


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“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

Biology graduate students from UMBC earn national honors for unique aquatic research


Community, Science & Technology

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

UMBC ranks #3 among U.S. universities in global social and economic impact


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“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

Alex Sestok, Ph.D. student in chemistry, at GRC 2018. Photo by Marlayna Demond '11 for UMBC.

New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines


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

“We want to provide an avenue for people to learn skills that they’re not going to get in the classroom or the lab,” says Alex Rittle, Ph.D. student in geography and environmental systems and chair of the GEARS planning committee. Continue reading New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines

UMBC recognizes Renetta Tull for transformative leadership advancing diversity in STEM


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

Renetta Tull has worked with students, faculty, and staff across UMBC and the University System of Maryland to increase diversity in STEM disciplines for over a decade. At the end of March, Tull will begin a new role as vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UC Davis. Continue reading UMBC recognizes Renetta Tull for transformative leadership advancing diversity in STEM

UMBC’s Maheen Haq receives 2019 Newman Civic Fellowship, affirming the importance of supporting local and global communities facing discrimination


Community, Policy & Society

Whether she’s in Jordan or Baltimore, UMBC’s Maheen Haq brings a deep sense of duty to her work with communities facing discrimination. “Amanah is a word in Arabic that means trust. For me this means that if I have knowledge of oppression, I have been trusted with the task of standing up against it,” Haq explains. “I study very hard so that I can develop the best skills to serve communities dealing with grave injustices because they deserve the best.” Continue reading UMBC’s Maheen Haq receives 2019 Newman Civic Fellowship, affirming the importance of supporting local and global communities facing discrimination

UMBC’s Joe Sherburne is named Academic All-American of the Year


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UMBC men’s basketball team captain Joe Sherburne ‘18, financial economics, has nabbed top national honors as the 2018-19 Google Cloud Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division I men’s basketball. “With the passion he brings on the court and the dedication he brings to the classroom, Joe truly serves as a role model for our university,” says President Freeman Hrabowski. “We’re so proud of how he represents UMBC and the leadership he’s brought to the team.” Continue reading UMBC’s Joe Sherburne is named Academic All-American of the Year

Retriever basketball heads to America East playoffs


Community

The month of March is a favorite for Retriever Nation, with America East playoffs on the horizon and memories of UMBC’s 2018 March Madness victory on everyone’s mind. This year, both UMBC’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will compete in America East postseason play. The women will take on Hartford on March 6 and the men will host UAlbany at the UMBC Event Center on March 9. Continue reading Retriever basketball heads to America East playoffs

Letitia Dzirasa to serve as Baltimore City health commissioner


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“As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve begun to understand just how blessed I was to be afforded the opportunity to attend college and pursue my dreams,” Letitia Dzirasa ’03 says. “As I was fortunate, it is my responsibility to reach back and help others, especially those most under-resourced.” Continue reading Letitia Dzirasa to serve as Baltimore City health commissioner

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