In the Great Colleges to Work For rankings, UMBC is not just featured on the Honor Roll, it has been recognized in every single award category. The Chronicle of Higher Education publishes this list each fall. This is UMBC’s 12th consecutive year on the list, and 10th year on the Honor Roll. Continue reading UMBC is a 2021 Great College to Work For…in every category
UMBC is among the best of the best in both undergraduate teaching and innovation. “What has always set UMBC apart is the people,” says President Freeman Hrabowski. “Year after year, these rankings illustrate the many ways in which our faculty and staff work to support the success and well-being of our students.” Continue reading UMBC sets the national standard in 2022 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings
UMBC’s profile in “The Best 387 Colleges” highlights the university’s academic strengths and supportive community spirit. At UMBC, says one student, “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 highlights UMBC as a university that “wants every student to succeed”
As the 2021-2022 academic year begins, UMBC is on pace to welcome nearly 2,100 new first-year students, making this the largest incoming fall class in UMBC’s history. Continue reading UMBC welcomes largest incoming class in university history
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who so powerfully inspires excellence,” USM Chancellor Jay Perman says of Pres. Hrabowski. “And that’s exactly what his legacy is—a commitment to inclusive excellence that lives on in UMBC, its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.” Continue reading UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski to retire in spring 2022 after three decades of transformational leadership
UMBC has seen its share of academic and athletic success across a wide range of fields and sports, but the University recently earned national acclaim in something new: figure skating. Maya Jones ‘22, psychology, took home a bronze medal for UMBC at the 2021 U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships in Pennsylvania on July 29. Continue reading UMBC senior Maya Jones wins bronze at U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships
When COVID struck, students, families, and educators nationwide worried about the impact it would have on learning experiences and career opportunities. Throughout summer 2021, UMBC students have proven that with tenacity and support they can still access meaningful internships. Continue reading Ocean exploration to environmental justice: UMBC students seize on unique summer opportunities
“This project will not only create and enhance wetland and stream habitats and functions, it will also provide recreational enhancements such as walking trails with stream access and connection to other existing trails,” says Lenn Caron. “The restored stream will elevate UMBC’s aesthetic appeal and provide a pleasant natural environment for members of the campus and local community for recreation, exercise and watershed education.” Continue reading Major UMBC stream restoration will enhance ecosystems, stormwater management, and the community experience
“Whether centered on social justice issues related to the Baltimore Uprising or the racial reckoning after George Floyd’s death, Dr. King-Meadows has consistently encouraged us to do more and do better while continuing to center issues of inclusive excellence and equity,” says Kimberly Moffitt, interim dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Continue reading UMBC’s Tyson King-Meadows will carry forward commitment to inclusive excellence as dean at UMass Boston
Today, the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) announced UMBC as its newest member. The pioneering consortium of public research universities boosts student success through sharing and scaling approaches that work. UMBC and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) are the first two universities selected to join the network since its founding in 2014. Continue reading UMBC joins the University Innovation Alliance, a national consortium moving the dial on student success
Persistent. Innovative. Determined. These are the words UMBC’s commencement speakers returned to again and again to describe the Class of 2021. And despite a year of challenges—missing family and friends, technological frustrations, life lived through the computer screen—one of the resounding themes of this year’s Commencement ceremonies was gratitude. Continue reading Graduating with gratitude: UMBC welcomes a new class of alumni
The eighth annual Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition hosted by the Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship was held virtually on April 29, with one track focused on technology and the other focused on social impact ideas beyond tech. Continue reading UMBC’s Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition winners focus on tech innovations, social impact
“I had never been part of a university whose work was centered around social justice,” says Nicholas Nguyen ‘21, M.A. sociology. “The Peace Corps showed me how political systems work at an international level. UMBC’s Peaceworker Program is giving me an understanding from a social justice and antiracist perspective.” Continue reading UMBC grads share what inspires them: family, Baltimore communities, international experiences
“I was able to access excellent research opportunities in the humanities that I never thought would be available at the undergraduate level,” says Emily Rose Paul ‘21, global studies. “UMBC is known as a STEM school, but I have received the most amazing humanities education as a global studies student. You will be surprised at all that you can find here.” Continue reading Graduating Retrievers find joy and career inspiration in supporting K-12 students and families
Students from across all three UMBC colleges are graduating this week having taken advantage of the unique undergraduate research opportunities and supportive mentorship UMBC offers. They’re poised to take their research to the next level and move on to new challenges through graduate school and careers. Continue reading UMBC’s 2021 grads advance research with public impact—from disaster response to assistive tech
The past pandemic year saw arts communities unable to connect with audiences in traditional ways. Usually reliant on people gathering together to experience their work, creators and performers were thrust online. Some artistic experiences were rendered impossible, but the challenging situation didn’t slow the creative efforts of visual and performing artists of UMBC’s Class of 2021. Continue reading UMBC’s latest graduates in the arts forge new creative paths despite a challenging year
While juggling their academic work and co-curricular activities, these graduating Retrievers also completed multiple internships to help prepare them for their future. They share how putting their knowledge into practice is a classic UMBC experience. Continue reading Doing their homework: Graduating Retrievers use internships to jumpstart their careers
On the back of every UMBC black and gold ID card is a guide to essential emergency resources, including numbers for health, counseling, sexual assault, and suicide prevention helplines. The new card design was the result of student advocacy through UMBC’s Retriever Courage initiative, seeking to better prevent and respond to sexual assault and violence. And the person who suggested that change is Autumn Cook, graduating this week, a tireless advocate for fellow UMBC students. Continue reading UMBC’s newest grads leave a legacy of advocacy, inclusion, and support for fellow students
Six members of UMBC’s Class of 2021 share how they’ve been able to impact issues and communities that matter to them through strong relationships and an entrepreneurial approach to their UMBC experience. Continue reading New UMBC grads find entrepreneurial ways to positively impact communities
When listeners tune in to the Retriever Tales podcast hosted by Tirzah Khan ‘21, information systems, who is graduating this week, they’ll hear UMBC voices sharing their journeys of finding and creating community. Moving, inspiring, funny, and thought-provoking, the show is a testament to Khan’s own UMBC experience and a broader culture of co-creating community at UMBC. Continue reading UMBC together: Graduating Retrievers reflect on building community through conversations
After five scoreless innings, UMBC softball pulled ahead in the bottom of the sixth to successfully defend their 2019 America East title with a 1-0 win over No.3 seed Stony Brook in the 2021 America East Championship this past Saturday. Continue reading UMBC softball wins America East championship, continues on to NCAA tournament
Due to the pandemic, the NCAA has offered senior college athletes around the country a waiver to compete for an extra year. Many fourth-year student-athletes at UMBC and around the country will take advantage of this opportunity, but others decided to press forward with making the most of an unusual senior year before shifting gears to the next phase of their lives. Continue reading Strong finish: UMBC student-athletes discuss support and resilience in “one of the toughest years”
“Transfer students bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences to our campus,” says UMBC’s Chloe Terrell. “Without them, we wouldn’t be the vibrant community we are.” Continue reading Retrievers buck ‘traditional’ timelines and redefine success
Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic has named Faith Davis a 2021 Newman Civic Fellow. “My greatest hope for this fellowship is to connect with a large network of change-makers who I can learn from and be inspired by throughout my life,” says Davis. “I hope to eventually work together to create a better world.” Continue reading UMBC’s Faith Davis is named a 2021 Newman Civic Fellow for work on healthcare, food, and housing insecurity
At UMBC, says Jordan Troutman, he’s had space to develop his authentic self and build confidence that he can do impactful work. “I think that’s the beauty of this school,” Troutman shares. “You can be whoever you want.” Now, he’s heading to Stanford for a Ph.D. in computer science. Continue reading UMBC’s Jordan Troutman to continue algorithmic fairness research as Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford
UMBC has recently been named a global leader in two prominent international university rankings—one focused on economic and social impact and the other on research influence, academic distinction, and alumni leadership. Continue reading Times Higher Ed names UMBC top-10 U.S. leader and top-200 global leader in social and economic impact
Being elected as a member of the Academy is one of the highest honors a scholar can receive. Founded in 1780, its members, who come from every field of study, “examine new ideas [and] address issues of importance to the nation and the world.” Anthony Johnson has spent his career dedicated equally to creative applications of ultrashort pulse lasers and to teaching and mentorship. Continue reading UMBC’s Anthony Johnson, pulse laser innovator, elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
On the evening of April 18, UMBC defeated Yale University to win the American Mock Trial Association National Championship for the first time in program history. UMBC Mock Trial President Sydney Gaskins ‘21, political science, remembers thinking, “What a beautiful day to win a national championship.” But she didn’t quite realize exactly what becoming a champion would feel like. Now, she knows. Continue reading UMBC Mock Trial defeats Yale to win first national championship
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
Talking about the interview process, Ferry says, “The sincerity and the love for this place, it just came through. This is one of the fastest-growing universities in the country and I’m excited to be a part of this family and such an outstanding basketball program.” Continue reading UMBC welcomes Jim Ferry as new men’s basketball head coach
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
“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
“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
“We are excited to be able to return to offering a fully immersive on-campus experience this fall,” says Yvette Mozie-Ross, vice provost. “These experiences help to enrich the academic and social life at UMBC for many of our students.” Continue reading UMBC announces return to vibrant on-campus community for Fall 2021
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
“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
Uncertainty—that was the word going through the minds of every player, coach, and fan as the 2020-2021 UMBC men’s basketball season tipped off in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team and coaching staff were cautiously optimistic as they … Continue reading UMBC men’s basketball heads to America East championship semifinals as No. 1 seed
“The mission of the Ambassador Program is to ensure you feel connected with your peers as soon as you become a part of the UMBC community,” says Natalie Lobb. “It’s important to know that you are never alone, that you always have someone you can lean on.” Continue reading UMBC international students build community online during COVID-19
“UMBC’s community-engaged activity and the people who make this activity possible give me great hope,” shares Michele Wolff, director of the Shriver Center. “Now more than ever, our community and civic engagement can help change the current narrative and move us towards a more inclusive, equitable, and just society.” Continue reading UMBC receives 2020 Engaged Campus Award
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
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 faculty and staff contributed nearly $250,000 overall for the 2020 campaign, the highest among all state agencies and in the University System of Maryland. Continue reading UMBC supports its neighbors as lead contributor to Maryland Charity Campaign
