Happy Monday: An Extraordinary Saturday with Our Students

Dear UMBC Community,

This past Saturday was yet another reminder of why I love the work we do here at UMBC.

In the morning, I welcomed nearly 600 students to hackUMBC, a 24-hour hackathon planned and run entirely by our students. Participants from UMBC and other institutions came together to learn from one another and build solutions to real-world challenges. Witnessing their dedication to continuous learning and collective ingenuity was inspiring.

Later, I joined our Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars for their annual retreat. We talked about leadership, the choices that shape our paths, what success might mean for their lives, and how they hope to make an impact. Their questions, curiosity, and thoughtfulness reaffirmed my belief that our future is in exceptional hands.

Thank you to everyone who supported these experiences and to all who continue to empower our students to lead, innovate, and serve with heart and purpose.

Happy Monday!

President Valerie Sheares Ashby