UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby has announced that Manfred H. M. van Dulmen will join the university in July as provost and senior vice president. He will succeed interim provost David Dauwalder.

 “From the first time I met him, Manfred’s commitment to students, his care for people with whom he worked, his humility, and his drive for mission-driven excellence were clear, as was his desire to be at UMBC,” says President Sheares Ashby. “I could not be more thrilled about this appointment.”

Van Dulmen says UMBC’s values of inclusive excellence and history of innovation attracted him to the role, and he is excited to work with the UMBC community to articulate strategic priorities and chart a course to the future.

“It is a tremendous opportunity and privilege to be chosen to serve in this role, to build on the incredible history and legacy of the institution to further its excellence and its role as a national leader in higher education,” he said.

A record of success in academic leadership

Van Dulmen comes to UMBC from Kent State University in Ohio, where he is currently serving as senior associate provost and dean of the Graduate College. He started at Kent State as a faculty member in the Department of Psychological Sciences in 2004, and since then served in numerous academic leadership positions at the university, including as interim department chair and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He led Kent State through the COVID-19 pandemic and developed strategies for enhancing graduate education and for supporting student mental health. He also led strategic planning in academic affairs, helped to enhance and promote research strength across all disciplines, and led efforts resulting in new collaborative degree programs in data science and cybersecurity, as well as in innovative micro-credential programs at Kent State.

“As a first-generation college student and a first-generation immigrant to the U.S. who attended graduate school in America, Manfred is passionate about the transformative power of higher education and about its public mission in service of students and society broadly,” says President Sheares Ashby.

Van Dulmen is an award-winning scholar with a Ph.D. in family social science from the University of Minnesota. He has received millions of dollars in research funding, published more than 100 articles and book chapters, and edited or co-edited three books. He also founded and served as editor-in-chief of the Sage Publications journal Emerging Adulthood. His research interests include adolescent and young adult relationships and experiences, externalizing behavior problems and aggression, and measurement and methodology.

The University System of Maryland (USM) will formally install Valerie Sheares Ashby as UMBC’s sixth president on April 27, 2023, after UMBC warmly welcomed her to the community last August. A longstanding tradition throughout academia, a presidential inauguration (including the formal Investiture ceremony) is a historic milestone in the life of a university, one not to be missed. 

At the Investiture, USM will formally endow President Sheares Ashby with the powers of the office. For several days before that ceremony, UMBC will celebrate with a series of inauguration events honoring the occasion. 

These events will offer opportunities for UMBC community members to connect with the new president and each other. Each event, in its own way, will recognize the university’s continued commitment to welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds as UMBC enters a new era. 

Since her arrival, President Sheares Ashby has dedicated herself to getting to know UMBC and its people. She has offered weekly office hours for students since her first week on campus. Throughout March and April, she has also attended dozens of UMBC Bold conversations to hear faculty, staff, and student perspectives on topics such as shared governance, supportive community, research infrastructure, and the undergraduate experience. 

“These first…months have been energizing, inspiring, and joyful. The more people I meet, and the more I start to make connections, the more I love this place,” Sheares Ashby recently told UMBC Magazine. “It has been especially rewarding to engage with students, see who they already are, and imagine what they will become as a result of their experiences at UMBC.”

Something for everyone

The festivities will kick off on April 18 with a special reception at the Universities of Shady Grove, recognizing the strength of the UMBC community throughout the Baltimore–Washington region. On April 21, the main UMBC campus will mark the occasion in the annual Quadmania Campus Talent Showcase. This event will include music, dance, spoken word, and more in celebration of UMBC’s talented students.

A lunch on April 24 will provide an opportunity for graduate students—critical contributors to UMBC’s teaching and research missions—to meet with President Sheares Ashby. The next day, a faculty and staff reception will offer a chance for camaraderie among colleagues and friends in recognition of the essential role UMBC’s faculty and staff play in moving the university forward.

On Wednesday, April 26, the Faculty Salon: Community-Engaged Scholarship will celebrate the role of faculty as scholars, researchers, and teachers, as well as UMBC’s distinction as a Carnegie-classified community-engaged institution and R1 research university. Faculty across the disciplines whose scholarship is community-based will offer brief remarks, including Kate Drabinski, principal lecturer of gender, women’s, and sexuality studies; Lynn Cazabon, professor of visual arts; Felipe A. Filomeno, associate professor of political science and global studies; Belay Demoz, professor of physics; and Ian Stockwell, associate professor of information systems.

A new era

The Inauguration Week events will culminate with the formal Investiture at 1 p.m. on April 27 at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. The university welcomes students, faculty, staff, alumni, family members, and friends and community members to attend. Tickets are free, but must be reserved. The event will also stream live. 

“This is a particularly important moment for the UMBC community. The Inauguration is a chance for us to reaffirm our values as a university as we officially welcome Dr. Sheares Ashby as our president,” says Greg Simmons, M.P.P. ’04, vice president for institutional advancement. “It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the significant progress we have made together, while looking toward the future of UMBC—it is exciting in so many ways.”

Guests will hear President Sheares Ashby share her thoughts on UMBC’s future, which will be deeply informed by recent UMBC Bold conversations. As Sheares Ashby told UMBC Magazine, “It’s becoming more clear every day what the possibilities are for what we can do together going forward.” 

Following the ceremony, all are welcome to a campus celebration on the Commons Quad, 2:30 – 5 p.m., with games, treats from local businesses, and joyful UMBC community spirit.

Reserve your tickets through the Inauguration website.

UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby has appointed Tanyka M. Barber as the university’s inaugural vice president for institutional equity and chief diversity officer. She will officially join the UMBC community on Monday, April 17.

“This role is of critical importance and value to UMBC’s long-held vision for inclusive excellence,” says President Sheares Ashby. “We all will benefit from the exceptional depth and breadth of expertise, along with the strength of commitment that Tanyka will bring to the work.”

Sharing what drew her to the role, Barber notes, “I desired a position at an institution that had a genuine commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.” 

“Being a Maryland native,” she says, “I was familiar with UMBC and its stellar academic and research reputation, and as I progressed through the hiring process, the genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion was evident. That is what confirmed for me that this was a place I wanted to be.”

Public health to civil rights

Barber holds a bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University, a master of health sciences degree from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a law degree from the University of Baltimore. 

She joins UMBC from TNG, one of the nation’s largest education-focused law and consulting practices, where she served as partner. TNG serves K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and other organizations, and Barber had the opportunity to work with a wide range of educational institutions nationwide.

Prior to her work with TNG, Barber served as director of diversity and EEO/Title IX coordinator at Morgan State University. There she drafted Morgan State’s first comprehensive policy and procedures to address gender- and sex-based harassment and violence. She also developed and implemented a comprehensive Title IX grievance process and prevention policy, and prioritized initiatives seeking to prevent discrimination and harassment and to increase reporting.

In addition to these roles, Barber has worked as the equal employment opportunity officer for Baltimore County Public Schools, assistant general counsel for the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, and a law clerk for the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau. Prior to earning her law degree, she also held roles in public health with Morgan State University and the NAACP.

“My background is in health education and policy, and I worked in the public health field for seven years prior to attending law school,” Barber explains. “My intention upon starting law school was to gain a firmer foundation in health policy. However, during my second year of law school I began working at the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and I was hooked. My passion for advancing civil rights and ensuring equitable access grew from there.” 

National and local leadership

Barber frequently writes about Title IX topics, sharing best practices. She also serves in leadership roles, such as on the advisory board for the Association of Title IX Administrators and on the board of directors for Community Law in Action, a Baltimore-based nonprofit focused on helping young people become leaders and advocates for positive community change.

“It is to UMBC’s great advantage that in this inaugural vice presidential role, we will have a leader whose career has been as a practitioner in both the legal compliance space and the diversity, equity, and inclusion space,” says President Sheares Ashby. “We also will have someone whose personal perspective, including as a first-generation college student and a nontraditional law school student, deeply informs her understanding of this work and the communities she serves.”

Of her own experience, Barber says, “As a college student, I stepped onto campus with no frame of reference for college life beyond what was portrayed on television. Since then, my career path has focused on strategizing, implementing, and enacting change.”

Barber shares, “I want to be a partner and a resource to ensure that UMBC students, faculty, and staff have what they need to navigate the UMBC community and achieve success as they define it. I am eager to engage those already doing this work at UMBC and to bring new voices to the table.”

It’s official: The Baltimore Sun has again named UMBC one of the “Top Workplaces” in the Baltimore region, for the eighth time since 2013. UMBC is featured on the Sun’s list of top large employers—organizations with 400 employees or more—and is the only college or university honored this year.

The “Top Workplaces” designation reflects the results of an independent and confidential employee survey conducted in the summer. The Sun announced the news online on December 8 and highlighted all of the region’s top workplaces in a special section of the paper on December 11.

“What a great honor for us to be recognized by the Baltimore Sun!” says Lynne Adams, UMBC’s chief human resources officer.

“The faculty and staff at UMBC are the best of the best, and we will continue to ensure that we are doing everything possible to make this an appealing and exciting work environment,” she shares. “Each day as we focus on supporting our students’ success, we also recognize that we need to focus on our team members’ successes and well-being. I am excited to work alongside my fellow community members to make sure we do that.”

Shared values, meaningful work

The survey measures aspects of workplace culture such as shared values, effective management, and a sense of meaningful work. It also measures employees’ perspectives on compensation, including pay and benefits. The organizations and companies that earn top marks compared to similarly sized institutions earn the designation of “Top Workplaces.”

Earlier this year UMBC was also recognized as one of the Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For.” It was UMBC’s 13^th year on the list and the 11^th year the university was also highlighted as an “honor roll” university—a distinction for institutions that score high marks in several categories. In fact, UMBC was the only R1 university in the nation recognized in every “Great Colleges to Work For” category this year.

Want to work at UMBC? See listings for faculty and staff positions through UMBC’s human resources office.

Governor Larry Hogan visited UMBC on Wednesday, May 18, for a ceremony marking the transfer of the Spring Grove Hospital Center campus to UMBC to support the university’s long-term development. 

The Skylight Room in The Commons room buzzed with energy as guests arrived, including representatives from UMBC, Maryland and Baltimore County government, and the Catonsville and Arbutus communities. 

Attention turned to Farah Helal ’24, global studies and political science, newly appointed 2022 University System of Maryland (USM) student regent. Helal took a break from studying for final exams to welcome the group, introducing remarks by Governor Larry Hogan; President Freeman Hrabowski; Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones ’76, psychology; County Executive John A. Olszewski Jr., Ph.D. ’17, public policy; County Councilman Tom Quirk; and USM Chancellor Jay Perman. 

Hrabowski called for a round of applause in recognition of UMBC’s community neighbors. He also thanked the governor, Maryland Treasurer Dereck Davis, visiting legislators, and state employees who worked to make this transfer happen. 

“This is about education—it’s about the future of higher education and the future of Maryland,” Hrabowski said. Honoring state leaders for their commitment to elevating the state through this type of partnership, he noted, “When we are talking about investing in education, investing in universities, we are talking about the future of society.”

Future footprint

Gov. Hogan stepped up to the lectern and thanked President Hrabowski for his 30 years of UMBC leadership, describing this moment as a testament to his “incredible vision for the future of this esteemed university.” 

Speaking to the value of investing in higher education, he noted, “Maryland is proud to be home to one of the most highly educated workforces in America, and it is due in large part to incredible institutions like UMBC, which has consistently been ranked as one of most innovative universities in the nation and as a leader in global social and economic impact.”

“UMBC is a model for undergraduate education, inclusive talent development, and innovation. I’m very excited that its footprint will now be able to grow even further into the future,” he said. “Now, with the transfer of Spring Grove, together we are ensuring that UMBC will continue to play a meaningful role in advancing education, community development, and economic and workforce development here in Baltimore County and throughout the State of Maryland.”

UMBC does not yet have a specific plan for the site. The campus will engage with the State, the County, community leaders, and other partners during its regular master facilities planning process to envision a future for the Spring Grove property that supports the university’s long-term development and enhances both economic development and quality of life in the Baltimore region and Maryland.

Legacy of thoughtfulness

“Today is an exciting day,” said Speaker Jones. She emphasized this moment as an important beginning. “It is the start of a new opportunity for UMBC, and…community input will be a hallmark of the future of the property.”

As a fellow alumnus of UMBC, County Executive Olszewski added, “I can’t help but be excited about the future of our students and what this means for our communities…It is also an incredibly exciting time for the community, as we think about meeting the needs and building a robust ecosystem here.”

Reflecting on UMBC as a community partner, he shared, “There is a legacy of intentionality and thoughtfulness and community engagement that permeates this institution and this culture. So I couldn’t be more excited to work with the leaders of UMBC, with Governor Hogan, the Speaker, the Chancellor, and so many others, to really take this vision and make it real in the years ahead.”

Councilman Quirk joined in that excitement for partnering with UMBC, saying, “One thing with certainty is that the community in Arbutus and community in Catonsville strongly support UMBC, its goals, and its mission. It makes a great difference when we have a great community partner.”

First of many steps

USM Chancellor Perman closed the event by returning to the long-term priorities of the state of Maryland.

“We are lucky to live, learn, and work in a state that values higher education, in a state that has a vision for higher education,” he said. “At the system we serve Maryland together with elected leaders who understand, maybe better than their colleagues anywhere else, what an investment in…public higher education means for a state, for the people of a state, and for the quality of life…we all enjoy, because an investment like this accumulates. It accrues. It comes back to all of us.” 

“This land expands our capacity—UMBC’s capacity—to serve the public good,” he noted. “That’s why this investment…matters. Because it’s not just an investment in this institution or even its students. It’s truly an investment in every single citizen of this state.” 

“I know that that’s something this university…will never forget, that they are the stewards of land meant to benefit all,” he emphasized. “I’m so proud of what UMBC has accomplished, and I’m prouder still that this is just the beginning.”

The College Tour—hosted by Alex Boylan of “The Amazing Race” and a team of award-winning producers—offers prospective college students and their families an opportunity to get a first-hand glimpse of colleges and universities across the country, with students as the tour guides. Through interviews with students, prospective students from around the world explore academic, social, cultural, and campus life at these institutions. The latest season highlights UMBC in a full, hour-long episode.

The show’s producers visited campus in fall 2021 to film authentic stories about what it is like to be a UMBC student. Retrievers share their favorite elements of the UMBC experience. Twenty undergraduate and graduate students across a range of majors describe how they decided to attend UMBC, what student organizations and activities they are involved with on campus, and how they have been supported and inspired during their time as students. 

The episode also takes viewers all around UMBC, including to academic buildings and common spaces where students might connect with friends, without needing to travel to campus. Students take viewers to the Dance Cube in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, for a walk down Academic Row, to play foosball in the Game Room in The Commons, and to connect with friends at OCA Mocha, just off campus. 

Showcasing student stories

Through this episode, students tell the UMBC story—and their own stories—in a brand new way. Students featured in the video wrote their own scripts to share their stories as artists, innovators, entrepreneurs, international students, transfer students, student leaders, scholar-athletes, and more. 

Giuliana Weiss ‘22, computer science and theater, shares how being tutored in UMBC’s Writing Center was their inspiration to become a tutor to support other students. “Even from my first semester at UMBC, it was clear to me that UMBC prioritizes its students,” said Weiss, in the segment about their UMBC experience. 

In addition to the students who spoke on camera, more than 250 members of the campus and surrounding Catonsville and Arbutus communities supported the project as extras and production volunteers.

Mohamed Galal, M.A. ‘25, TESOL, found a community at UMBC that welcomed him and his family when they moved to Maryland from Egypt, and helped his daughter get settled at a local public school. “At UMBC you find professors that provide support, and a friendly classroom environment,” says Galal. “This personal and academic support made me feel at home away from home.” 

Watch the episode.

Banner image: Levi Lewis ’22, English and media and communication studies, (center) during filming for The College Tour. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents has appointed Valerie Sheares Ashby as the next president of UMBC. She will become UMBC’s sixth chief executive on August 1, 2022, following current UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski’s retirement from UMBC. She will be the first woman to serve in this role.

Sheares Ashby will join UMBC from her current position as dean of Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, where she has served since 2015. She received her B.A. and Ph.D degrees in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and completed postdoctoral research at Universitat Mainz in Germany. She came to Duke from UNC, where she served on the faculty since 2003 and chaired the chemistry department from 2012 to 2015. 

While at UNC, Sheares Ashby served on the university’s Arts & Sciences Foundation Board of Directors and Research Advisory Council, and chaired the College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Diversity Task Force. She also directed UNC’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, working to increase the number of underrepresented students completing doctoral degrees and becoming professors in STEM and social, behavioral, and economic sciences.

“It is an incredible honor to be asked to lead a university that has excelled in so many ways that are essential both nationally and to me personally—particularly in regards to foregrounding inclusive excellence,” Sheares Ashby says.

Selection process

Sheares Ashby was selected as UMBC’s next president through an intensive national search chaired by USM Regent Michelle Gourdine. The USM Board of Regents conducted the search, and a diverse group of UMBC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members served on the search committee.

“Dr. Sheares Ashby is clearly the impressive scholar and dynamic leader we need to build on the strong foundation of inclusive excellence at UMBC,” says USM Board Chair Linda R. Gooden. “UMBC is a jewel—nationally and internationally recognized for its innovative teaching and pathbreaking research. All of this success is due to the dedication and hard work of President Hrabowski and his outstanding team. The Board of Regents knows this legacy will be in good hands with Dr. Sheares Ashby.”

“I am grateful to the UMBC presidential search committee, chaired by Regent Michelle Gourdine, for finding such a distinguished leader among so many great candidates,” says Gooden. 

“I’m excited to see how Dr. Sheares Ashby’s vision will shape the next chapter for UMBC,” says USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman. “Without question, she has the experience and the attributes needed to grow UMBC’s academic and research prominence, and she’s steeped in the culture of inclusive excellence that has made the university a national exemplar of access, equity, and achievement. It’s hard to imagine finding a better fit for a school whose future is as bright as UMBC’s.”

Legacy of momentum

President Hrabowski announced his anticipated retirement from UMBC in August 2021. The university has risen to national prominence over his three decades of leadership. In February, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education recognized UMBC as a doctoral university with very high research activity, popularly known as Research 1 (or R1). UMBC is now one of three R1s in Maryland, joining Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, College Park.

In January 2020, UMBC received Carnegie Community Engagement Classification in recognition of a deep commitment to strengthening the bonds between campus and community. UMBC also recently joined the University Innovation Alliance, a consortium of public research universities focused on student success. U.S. News consistently ranks UMBC among the nation’s top leading institutions for both innovation and undergraduate teaching. 

Together, these honors highlight that at UMBC top-quality education and research go hand-in-hand, and community engagement is essential to both. 

“To follow President Freeman Hrabowski is a distinct privilege, as he has been a role model for so many in higher education over the last 30 years, including myself,” Sheares Ashby says. “His extraordinary leadership and dedication to UMBC ensures that I am arriving at a university that is already performing at a very high level. There is no ceiling on what we can achieve from here.”

Welcoming UMBC’s next president

“My colleagues and I are thrilled to learn of this great news,” says President Hrabowski. “Dr. Sheares Ashby is nationally known as a chemist and as a proven academic leader across the liberal arts and sciences. We are very fortunate to have attracted such a talented visionary executive. She is both brilliant and a wonderful human being.”

Sheares Ashby’s research in synthetic polymer chemistry emphasizes designing and synthesizing materials for biomedical uses. She is the recipient of an NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, DuPont Young Faculty Award, 3M Young Faculty Award, and numerous other teaching and research awards.

She is also a university leader committed to elevating all disciplines. As dean at Trinity College, she increased the national and global prominence of the humanities and social sciences by investing in faculty- and student-driven strategic areas. And she completed the Duke Forward campaign, exceeding the college’s $435 million fundraising goal by $45 million. This included $200 million raised for financial aid.

Sheares Ashby has shown a deep commitment to supporting students of all backgrounds, elevating public impact research across all fields, prioritizing effective teaching and learning, and creating a welcoming and supportive university community. In these ways, her work closely aligns with UMBC’s values and strategic priorities.

“I have tremendous respect for all the members of the UMBC community,” Sheares Ashby says, “and I am looking forward to working in partnership with the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who are the heart of this institution.”

Featured image: UMBC’s presidential medallion. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

The Norwegians call it “friluftsliv”—the philosophy of spending time outdoors frequently, regardless of the weather. Or, as the Swedes put it, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” These denizens of harsh northern climes aren’t just making the best of the cold—there’s a host of documented benefits to going outside.

“Research has demonstrated that spending time outdoors can improve physical health and emotional wellbeing, especially the more time you spend outdoors,” says Samantha Smith, associate director of health promotion at UMBC. “Whether taking a walk or just soaking up some natural sunlight, spending time outside can boost your mood, inspire creativity, help to reduce stress and anxiety-related symptoms, and increase your mobility and flexibility.”

In celebration of spending time outdoors in all seasons, here are a few of the best spots on and near campus to enjoy some fresh air in the new year.

1.       Library Pond

The Library Pond sits at the north end of Academic Row between the AOK Library and Gallery and the Meyerhoff Chemistry Building. Surrounded by native vegetation, it is also a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat. Ducks, songbirds, and the occasional heron enjoy the pond year round. The pond also supports a small population of catfish (but no fishing!). As a human, you can enjoy a brisk walk around the pond (approximately 500 steps) to get your blood flowing again after a serious bout of screen time, or enjoy your lunch at tables on the pond’s patio or the library’s terraced hillside nearby. 

But wait, there’s more: Underneath the surface of the pond lies a complicated series of tunnels and reservoirs that enhances storm water management by preventing flooding and improving filtration of precipitation. The pond was completely gutted in 2013 and the current version completed in 2015, setting the stage for much better support of plants, animals, and the campus.

Circling the Library Pond is an invigorating stroll in any season.

2.       Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park

The Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park is not your typical sculpture garden. In 2001, volunteers planted 30 trees on The Knoll, a wooded area between The Commons Garage and Administration Drive. Each tree has a stone at its base. The trees and stones compose a living artwork that emphasizes constant transformation: As the trees grow, the stones erode, shifting their relationship with each other and the landscape. The sculpture garden is modeled after a similar (but much larger) project in Kassel, Germany, which was installed in the 1980s and includes over 7,000 trees. At UMBC, three wooden benches are situated among the trees and one conceals a journal in a small cubby, where passersby are welcome to contribute their musings. The UMBC library archives store all of the completed journals.

When you visit the sculpture park, make sure to write down your thoughts in The Knoll’s shared journal.

As the campus has grown and expanded, The Knoll has remained intact thanks to the support of UMBC community members advocating for the green space over several decades. Today, the sculpture park is a highly valued and peaceful sanctuary that is expected to welcome many future generations of UMBC students.

3.       Forum

Just outside the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, several large stone structures, almost like upside-down bookends, rise from the earth in ancient Greco-Roman style. Stools of various heights below the columns invite community members to have a seat and wax philosophical. Instructors conduct class discussions around the sculpture, named “Forum” by artist Thomas Sayre, and a colorful sky at sunset is often visible just across The Loop. The Ancient Studies department holds regular readings beneath Forum’s stately columns—even in winter.

Forum was the very first public art installation supported by the Maryland State Arts Council’s “Percent-for-Art” program, which requires new state-owned buildings to set aside a portion of their budgets for public art installations. 

Forum draped in a dusting of snow. 

4.       Commons Terrace

The Commons Terrace, just south of The Commons and looking out on the quad and outdoor pool, is another great outdoor spot. With numerous tables, it’s the perfect locale to enjoy your lunch in any weather. (Make sure to properly sort your trash and compost and recycle whatever you can—even plastic bags can now be recycled in designated bins.) You might even get lucky and see an impromptu performance or tabling event. If it’s nice out, take advantage of the oversize Adirondack chairs on the terraced hillside leading down to the quad.

Find a few minutes to lift your face to the sun even on a chilly day on the Commons Terrace.

5.       RAC Plaza

At the main entrance to campus, between the RAC and Administration Building, a handful of tables beckons students to study and socialize. The tables are equipped with umbrellas topped by solar panels that support charging ports, so there’s no need to go inside when your laptop runs out of juice. In fact, UMBC gets 40 percent of its energy from solar and other renewable sources. In early spring, as the campus is just shaking off the cold, enjoy the blooms of the star magnolia trees lined up along the RAC. And don’t forget to rub True Grit’s nose while you’re there!

The RAC plaza viewed from above. Solar panels perch on top of the tables’ umbrellas.

6.       Admin Café Terrace

Just across Academic Row from the RAC, in front of the Administration Building, another small enclave of tables welcomes those enjoying a meal from the Admin Café or their own lunch bag. The seating area is protected by mint, bluestar, and more in a garden honoring former Vice President for Administration and Finance Mark Behm. Feel the crisp air and sunshine on your face as you dig into the café ‘s blue plate special, and ponder the meaning of the divided obelisk nearby.

The Admin Cafe Terrace in summer.

7.       Erickson Field

Nothing like tossing a frisbee or football, playing soccer, or partaking in humans vs. zombies to warm you up on a cold day. Erickson Field, the large grassy area between the Library and new Center for Well-Being, is the place to go for casual outdoor sports. In fall, the UMBC Homecoming bonfire and movie showing also take place here.  

Make new friends and hobbies by playing pick up games on Erickson Field.

8.       Herbert Run Greenway

The Herbert Run, a tributary of the Patapsco River, meanders along the southeast quadrant of campus. The Herbert Run Greenway trail traces its path from the sculpture park, around the stadium complex, through the Conservation Environmental Research Area (a designated outdoor research space at UMBC), and toward bwtech@UMBC. The entire trail travels about 1.5 miles, but one of the trail’s highlights is accessible just steps from the campus entrance plaza. Visit the CERA Pond (previously known as Pig Pen Pond) just across The Loop from the Administration Drive Garage. Reach it via a footbridge flanked by two pollinator gardens. A duck house and a small viewing platform will greet you, and possibly some ducks and turtles, too. Currently, a portion of the trail near the stadium is undergoing a major stream restoration to improve habitat, stormwater management, and access to the stadium. It should be completed by mid-spring 2022.

The sidewalk (almost) ends at CERA Pond, right outside The Loop. Photo courtesy of Sarah Hansen.

9.       Patapsco Valley State Park

For those interested in a bigger adventure, Patapsco Valley State Park’s Hilton, Glen Artney, Orange Grove, and Avalon areas are located just off campus. One of the premier mountain biking destinations in the state, the park is also popular for hiking, swimming, camping, and grilling at the park’s many pavilions. More than 30 miles of trails wind through the park, from the paved Grist Mill Trail along the Patapsco River to rocky, technical routes. Cascade Falls is a particularly popular destination. The park is also a great location for birdwatching and sighting other wildlife.  

Cascade Falls at Patapsco State Park. Photo courtesy of Sarah Hansen.

As you can see, there are plenty of places to enjoy a brisk walk, a quiet moment, or a group activity on campus throughout the seasons. Just remember to grab your hat and gloves, and you won’t even notice the chill in the air. 

“Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean the outdoors is closed!” Smith reminds us. “Bundle up, grab your sunscreen, and enjoy the wonders and benefits of spending time outside all year long.” 

*****

All photos courtesy of Marlayna Demond ’11, unless otherwise noted.

Forbes lists UMBC among the nation’s top 150 colleges⁠—and top 50 public universities⁠—in new rankings announced this month. UMBC is also among the top three public universities in Maryland on the list, alongside University of Maryland, College Park, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Historically, Forbes has focused its America’s Top Colleges ranking on how much money students make after college. This year the pandemic motivated the publication to broaden their approach. They expanded their metrics to also include accessibility and affordability. This better recognized the strengths of public universities that pair academic rigor and value.

National model

For the first time, a public university appeared as Forbes’s number one university. The top-ranked school, UC Berkeley, is one of the many leading institutions nationwide that looks to UMBC as a model. In 2019 UC Berkeley implemented the SEED Scholars Honors Program, modeled on UMBC’s gold-standard Meyerhoff Scholars Program, which focuses on increasing diversity in STEM.

The success of public universities like UMBC on this year’s America’s Top Colleges list also connects with a point that UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski often emphasizes, about college access and achievement. “We are saying to the country and to young people that you don’t have to be rich to be the very best,” he recently said. “Middle class institutions can produce some of the best thinkers in the world.” 

Written by Charis Lawson ’20, English, communications specialist. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

Jack Suess, vice president for information technology at UMBC, has received a 2021 Capital CEO of the Year ORBIE Award. Suess ‘81, mathematics, M.S. ‘94, information systems, has been part of the UMBC community for more than 40 years. As a university leader, he has spearheaded transformative technology initiatives. His work includes advancing the use of technology in courses, operational systems, and student success initiatives in ways that have fundamentally reshaped the UMBC experience for all community members.

“What makes this award special is that it truly recognizes the work of our entire Division of Information Technology (DoIT),” Suess says. “Our team’s work, particularly in helping the university quickly shift to remote learning last year, due to COVID, reflects a spirit of empathy and collaboration. This spirit has made IT true partners in the university’s success, not just technology experts.”

“I won this award as the leader of the division, but really this is an award that belongs to everyone in DoIT,” he shares.

Innovative solutions advance opportunities 

Under Suess’s leadership, UMBC’s Division of Information Technology has developed innovative solutions to a very broad range of technology needs. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular significantly changed how faculty, staff, and students utilized and relied on technology to teach, work, and learn. 

“Our leadership relied on robust data Suess’s team had collected to provide the information and insights needed to safely reopen the campus for research and in-person learning opportunities,” says UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski. “Without his forethought and his team’s commitment and creativity, we could not have provided the level of education, innovation, and critical research for which UMBC is known.”

In 2020, Suess received the EDUCAUSE Leadership Award for his success as a leader in the field and for advancing UMBC’s reputation as leader in higher education.

Honoring a transformative online teaching initiative

DoIT’s instructional technology team recently received an award specifically recognizing this essential, innovative work during the transition to remote learning. The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is honoring the team with an Effective Practice Award for the UMBC’s Planning Instructional Variety for Online Teaching (PIVOT) program. 

The PIVOT program was developed last year in collaboration with faculty across all three colleges and UMBC’s Faculty Development Center to help faculty provide students with engaging online courses. The program guided faculty through the elements of course design for the virtual space, as well as how to teach effectively online. Faculty who participated in PIVOT also connected with peer mentors who provided insight into pedagogy and the technology used.

The OLC is recognizing the DoIT instructional technology team for developing digital educational tools that elevated UMBC’s efforts to continue to offer exceptional courses to students throughout the remote learning period of the pandemic. The Consortium evaluated UMBC’s PIVOT program against its five pillars of quality in digital education, and sought out peer reviews. They found that the PIVOT program was strong in all five areas: learning effectiveness, scale, access, faculty satisfaction, and student satisfaction. More than 70% of UMBC faculty utilized the program, and it received positive feedback from the participants.

Mariann Hawken, acting director of instructional technology, led PIVOT program development and will accept the award at the OLC Accelerate conference in October. 

Banner image: Jack Suess, right, and a few of his colleagues. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.