UMBC has been designated as one of only three institutions in Maryland dually recognized with Carnegie R1 status—among the top 5 percent of research universities in the nation—and the Carnegie Community Engagement classification, which recognizes universities who systematically share knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity in order to contribute to the public good. Following an extensive full campus self-study demonstrating increased depth, breadth, and integration of engagement, this week UMBC was classified as a Carnegie Community Engaged Campus for a second six-year period.

“As a public university for the public good, community engagement is at the heart of UMBC’s mission to provide world class education and research that directly supports our students, community, and partners in an inclusive environment,” says Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen. “The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is an acknowledgement of the dedication and excellent work of the UMBC faculty, staff, and students to engage and serve the city of Baltimore and the state of Maryland.”

Community engagement at UMBC flows from the university’s vision of a culture of inclusive excellence, explains Joby Taylor, Ph.D. ’05, assistant vice provost and co-leader of The Shriver Center for Public Service and Community Engagement. Taylor and Preminda Jacob, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, co-chaired the reclassification study with the conviction that: “Community engagement extends our vision and practice of an inclusive culture out into the world beyond our campus through relationships and partnerships focused on mutual collaborations that matter and make a difference…locally, regionally, and globally.”

This community engagement classification re-affirms UMBC as a place where people and relationships are centered. At a time when the impact of higher education is in question, UMBC’s commitment to inclusive excellence as seen through this reclassification offers a powerful counter narrative about the roles of universities in a critically important moment. 

“It speaks to how learning and knowledge can be transformational, not just transactional,” says Taylor, noting his belief that higher ed can be oriented toward positive social change, supporting holistic and lifelong learning with civic purposes, as well as professional pathways and economic mobility. 

President Valerie Sheares Ashby echoes these sentiments, noting during the self-study that, “At UMBC, we do not just talk about equity and social justice, we make it happen in real, tangible ways that improve people’s everyday lives.”

U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings mark UMBC as tied for #127 among national universities, up 17 places from 2025, and tied for #63 on the list of top public schools, up 11 places. The rankings are based on a large variety of factors such as graduation rates, faculty resources, and academic reputation. 

UMBC was also tied for #86 in top colleges for veterans, evidence that the university’s initiatives to support veteran students’ success are paying off. 

“We are excited to see UMBC’s upward trajectory recognized in these rankings,” says Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88, vice provost for enrollment management and planning. “These gains reflect our strong commitment to student success, access, and innovation—hallmarks of a UMBC education that continue to set us apart nationally.”

Veteran services an example of strong student support 

Two years ago, Dennis Walker, Jr., was hired as the assistant director for adult learners and veteran student success.

UMBC being recognized by U.S. News for its efforts in serving veteran and military-affiliated students is more than just an institutional achievement, he says, but a celebration of the positive impact that new veteran-focused initiatives are having on campus. 

“With the support of UMBC leadership, I take great pride in knowing that our collective commitment is helping to ensure that these students feel supported, valued, and equipped to succeed during such a pivotal stage of their personal, academic, and professional journeys,”  says Walker.

UMBC strives to provide holistic support to veteran and military-affiliated students, Walker says. This includes help navigating their educational benefits, access to mental health resources, professional development such as resume workshops and connections to on-campus job opportunities, and dedicated events, spaces, and student organizations that offer a sense of community. 

As part of these efforts, UMBC opened a Veterans Lounge in fall 2024, where veteran students can relax and connect with each other. Each year, UMBC also hosts Veterans Week, a tradition that honors the service and contributions of veteran students and staff with a variety of fun and educational events. 

“Supporting our veteran population is not only a responsibility, but also a privilege,” Walker says. “Our veteran and military-affiliated student population bring unique perspectives, experiences, and strengths to our campus community. Their dedication, resilience, and leadership not only enrich the university as a whole, but also inspire us to continually enhance the ways in which we support them.”

Read more about UMBC’s national rankings recognition. 

U.S. News and World Report has recognized UMBC’s online master’s degree in information systems as #32 on their national list of 2025 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs. The program moved up two spots from last year’s ranking. 

U.S. News evaluates programs based on qualities such as strong faculty credentials, a good reputation among peer institutions, and the opportunity for students to use diverse online learning tools and engage with their instructors and classmates.

The UMBC program prides itself on its flexibility, industry-relevant curriculum, and specialization options. Working professionals can choose to pursue a degree on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on their career and personal goals. Students looking to narrow their focus can choose a specialization track in data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or UX design.

New this semester, the program is expanding the student experience for online learners by offering tailored events and networking opportunities, such as virtual networking events, industry-specific webinars, and guest speaker sessions. “These initiatives will help foster a sense of community, even from a distance,” says James Foulds, the director for the online information systems master’s program. “Students can connect with peers, faculty, and alumni in meaningful ways to support their academic and professional growth.”

Foulds himself will participate in the first such event—the new “Midday Mingle” series offering students the chance for informal online chats with program faculty and alumni. In February, Foulds will discuss his research specialty: the ethical and responsible uses of AI.

UMBC’s national rankings in federal research funding are on the rise based on the NSF’s latest Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey results, which includes the university being ranked among the nation’s top 10 institutions to receive NASA funding.

The annual HERD survey, conducted by the NSF’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, collects information on research and development (R&D) expenditures by field of research and source of funds and also gathers information on types of research, expenses, and headcounts of R&D personnel. In the latest HERD survey report published in November that compares fiscal year 2023 data, UMBC was ranked #10 in the country in NASA expenditures, a six-spot increase over the previous year’s HERD report. UMBC’s collaboration with NASA in 2024 has resulted in impactful research advances and contributions to active space missions. 

“We have been collaborating with our colleagues at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for three decades now, and today, about 250 UMBC scientists, research faculty, and students are working closely with their civil servant counterparts at Goddard,” says Karl V. Steiner, vice president for research and creative achievement. “All of us are delighted and proud by this top 10 recognition.”

In addition, UMBC has seen improvements in R&D rankings across several disciplines, of which includes the university’s #20 ranking in federal funding for geosciences, atmospheric sciences, and ocean sciences, jumping 13 slots from its 2022 ranking. The university has also seen improvement in federal support for computer and information sciences (now ranked at #54), as well as federal funding for physical sciences (now ranked at #55). 

Overall, the university is now ranked within the top 100 public universities to receive federal research supporting, climbing 11 spots to its new ranking at #96. 

“Over the past two years, our HERD expenditures have increased by more than 70 percent, from $84 million reported in 2021 to $144 million in 2023,” Steiner explains. “This growth, and the corresponding improvement in national rankings, are a direct result of more than a decade focused on developing a true research culture across the campus community, as well as working with faculty members and institutional leaders to provide the research infrastructure needed to support our growing aspirations as a Carnegie R1 institution.”

Review more of UMBC’s research and development expenditure funding in Inquiring Minds, UMBC’s research and creative achievement annual report. 

U.S. News and World Report has recognized UMBC’s online master’s degree in information systems as #34 on their national list of 2024 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs. The program moved up seven spots from last year’s ranking. 

The U.S. News rankings evaluate programs based on qualities such as strong faculty credentials, a good reputation among peer institutions, and the opportunity for students to use diverse online learning tools and engage with their instructors and classmates.

In response to surging interest in artificial intelligence, this year the UMBC program added a new class on AI fundamentals. AI is also one of four program tracks that students can choose to tailor their degree to their career goals. The other tracks are cybersecurity, data science, and user experience. 

Recently, the program also launched five certificates, which students can pursue on their way to a master’s degree, or as a stand-alone credential. 

Read more about the career of a recent graduate of the online master’s in information systems and find out if it’s the right program for you.

In September, in honor of national online learning day, the information systems department interviewed the new graduate program director for the online master’s program, Jimmy Foulds, an associate professor in information systems at UMBC. 

Below is a lightly edited version of the interview, which touches on trends in information technology, and the advantages of UMBC’s brand of education.

Information Systems: Can you shed light on some of the biggest trends, milestones, and challenges shaping online programs right now? 

Jimmy Foulds: With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in recent years, the field is coming to the point where we need to take stock of the impacts of AI and other computing technologies in our world, both good and bad, and to better account for humans in the design of computerized systems. Large language models such as ChatGPT are poised to both make our lives easier and to possibly tip over the apple cart of the entire workforce. More than ever, there is a need for skilled computing professionals. Online programs, such as the online M.S. at UMBC, provide a flexible opportunity to advance your knowledge and get ahead in your career while keeping up to date with the rapidly changing computing landscape.

Information Systems: In thinking about these advantages and trends, what are some of your immediate and long-term goals for the program?

Jimmy Foulds: In the short-term, we are increasing our (already broad) AI course offerings, including a new AI course that I will teach myself next semester. We have also recently created program tracks that allow students to specialize in the cutting-edge areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and user experience. In a new addition to our program, you can now earn certificates in these areas, as well as the foundations of information systems, without committing to completing a full master’s degree, which provides more flexibility.

In the long-term, as more computing professionals look to upskill themselves, we want to grow the program to reach more students, while maintaining the rigor and high quality of instruction that our students have come to expect. I will not compromise on that.

Information Systems: As online options become more prevalent and important among universities, and students wanting even more online options, how do you address the concerns of those that may still be skeptical of online learning?

Jimmy Foulds: I understand the concerns, as there are some programs out there that give online learning a bad name in the eyes of some prospective students. The UMBC online M.S. is not one of those programs. We have exceptional instructors in our program, including many of the tenure track faculty in the department who are leading experts in their fields, as well as highly experienced lecturers and professors of the practice (i.e., professors who specialize in teaching) with doctoral qualifications. UMBC has a reputation for teaching excellence and is a national leader in student-centered learning. Regarding the expertise of our faculty, the university is renowned as a doctoral university with very high research activity under the Carnegie Classification system, commonly known as an R1 institution. The courses offered in our online M.S. program aim to fulfill the full educational experience of our on-campus offerings.

Information Systems: Your research interests are in the area of socially conscious machine learning and artificial intelligence. How does your work aim to improve AI’s role in society regarding fairness and privacy?

Jimmy Foulds: Data-driven artificial intelligence systems now make many decisions that impact our lives, both big and small, from what restaurant we are recommended to try, to whether we get access to medical care, to whether we get offered a job interview. While it’s easy to think of data as being inherently objective and algorithms as being neutral and unprejudiced, the reality is that data reflects bias and inequity in our society, even if it were perfectly representative of the population, which is far from guaranteed. Bias in data leads to bias in algorithms, and to biased, unfair decisions by AI systems. In my research, I aim to help combat AI bias, and I try to shift the field toward taking a more human-centered perspective on the design of these systems. I have also worked on privacy-preserving machine learning algorithms, protecting users from having their personal data leaked by the algorithms themselves.

Information Systems: With your expertise in artificial intelligence and AI being a specialization in the M.S. online program, how will you be expanding the student experience for those interested in this path?

Jimmy Foulds: I am teaching a new introductory course on artificial intelligence that covers high-demand skills sought after by companies in both the public and private sector, including search, constraint satisfaction, and reinforcement learning. The course also covers reasoning and decision-making via propositional logic, probability, and Bayesian networks. As the incoming graduate program director, together with our faculty and staff, I also plan to take a close look at our curricula and see if and where we can make any improvements to take our course offerings to the next level.

Information Systems: The program just launched five new certificates, AI, cybersecurity, data science, UX design and foundations of information systems, all available 100 percent online. What are the advantages of a certificate versus the full master’s degree?

Jimmy Foulds: I am excited about our new certificate programs as they provide students with the opportunity to upskill themselves in a specific area and get recognition from employers without having to invest in completing a full master’s program. Flexibility is what online learning programs are all about, so these certificates are a welcome addition. Students can take up to two certificates concurrently. If they choose to go further, building on their certificate studies they may enroll in and finish an M.S. degree. Our online M.S. degree students can also earn these certificates along the way to their master’s degrees if they so desire. The freedom that the certificates offer to students is really empowering, and is much needed as it allows students to adapt their educational goals to fit into their busy lives.

UMBC continues to show its strengths in undergraduate research, innovation, value, teaching programs, and several other areas highlighted in the 2023–24 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges undergraduate rankings. This year, the university moved up in the national rankings in numerous categories, showcasing UMBC’s growth in several key areas. 

The 2023–24 U.S. News college rankings, released today, were calculated using 19 key measures of academic quality, evaluating nearly 1,500 four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institutions in the country. For the second consecutive year, UMBC has moved up several slots on the list of Best National Universities (tied at #133). UMBC also climbed 38 slots in the category of best value schools, coming in at #69 nationally. 

The university remains a leader in undergraduate teaching programs, ranking #12 nationally. UMBC also maintains its longstanding position as one of the nation’s most innovative universities, ranking #15 this year. 

UMBC students presenting their research and creative projects at the 2023 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD).

Since receiving a Research 1 Carnegie designation in 2022, UMBC has advanced nearly 20 slots in the undergraduate research and creative projects rankings, now nationally ranked at #27. Those research efforts culminated in UMBC students receiving prestigious Goldwater and Gates Cambridge scholarship awards within the last year. 

“This impressive jump shows that internal and external stakeholders have really taken notice of the incredible work that our undergraduates are engaged in,” says April Householder ’95, visual and performing arts, UMBC’s director of undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships. “The faculty and staff at UMBC nurture a culture of research across all disciplines, supporting academic excellence from the humanities to the sciences.”

UMBC remains within the nation’s top-100 public universities, ranking #70 overall, and also moving up to #87 in the nation as one of the best colleges for veterans. While the rankings are primarily university-wide, they also include top-100 recognition for several specific undergraduate programs. The university advanced to #82 in computer science programs, sharing the ranking with other universities such as Auburn University, University of Georgia, and the University of Delaware. In engineering programs, UMBC also ascended to #90 nationally, joined by Howard University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Alabama. 

Read more about UMBC’s national rankings recognition here. 

U.S. News announced its 2023-24 Best Graduate School rankings today, highlighting UMBC graduate programs in a broad range of fields, from public policy and several types of engineering to mathematics and other sciences. Among UMBC’s Best Graduate School rankings are 12 programs across all three of UMBC’s colleges, including eight top-100 programs.

Programs were ranked using criteria such as peer quality assessments, research activity, employer assessments, doctoral degrees awarded, student to faculty ratios, and acceptance rates, with methodology varying across discipline. 

Engineering excellence across subfields

UMBC’s engineering graduate programs continue to be cited among the top 100 in their subfields, with multiple programs moving up in rank. This year, UMBC environmental engineering moved up eight spots to #47 nationwide, chemical engineering moved up five spots to #72, and mechanical engineering moved up to #97. UMBC’s computer science graduate programs ranked #77 and computer engineering came in at #85. Electrical engineering jumped several spots to rank #100. Overall, UMBC engineering programs ranked #104.

Keith J Bowman, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology, shares, “We have experienced incredible synergy between the hiring of outstanding new full- and part-time faculty, growth in research, and the creation of innovative new graduate programs. Together, they have resulted in substantial growth of applications for our graduate programs.”

Growth in social, natural, and mathematical sciences

UMBC’s public policy graduate programs ranked #85 in the public affairs category. The university has offered robust graduate programs in policy sciences for more than four decades and formally established the School of Public Policy in 2014 within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). 

Reflecting on what it takes to achieve this kind of position, CAHSS Dean Kimberly R. Moffitt has previously shared, “I am most appreciative of the tremendous efforts of the faculty, staff, and students that are reflected in these rankings and are worthy of such recognition.”

UMBC’s physics graduate programs remain within the top-100 rankings, coming in at #95. Additionally, chemistry moved up to #108, mathematics was ranked at #117, and Earth sciences (with applicable programs and faculty in multiple colleges) were also recognized.

William R. LaCourse, dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS), notes that this recognition reflects how CNMS faculty, staff, and students are “committed to world-class research, mentoring, and inclusive excellence.” He says, “their long-standing efforts provide the foundation for UMBC’s growing reputation as a model for a new type of public university: one where a deep commitment to student education and success actively enhances research outcomes across the disciplines.” 

Reputation for excellence and support

UMBC’s distinctive reputation as a top research university committed to student success is expanding, says Janet Rutledge, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at UMBC. She notes that one impact has been rising grad student interest and enrollment. 

“Our graduate students are a critical part of the thriving research and education community at UMBC,” Rutledge says. “Word of their experiences and contributions has spread and led to a record number of applications and record enrollment in our graduate programs.”

Beyond programs recognized today, additional UMBC graduate programs maintain rankings from prior U.S. News listings, including in the categories of statistics (#54), fine arts (#89), clinical psychology (#80), biological sciences (#118), and psychology overall (#122).

U.S. News and World Report has recognized UMBC’s online master’s degree in information systems as #41 on their national list of 2023 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs, as well as #20 for veterans.

The U.S. News rankings, released today, evaluate programs based on qualities such as strong faculty credentials, a good reputation among peer institutions, and the opportunity for students to use diverse online learning tools and engage with their instructors and classmates.

Michael Brown, graduate program director for UMBC’s online information system master’s program, says its wide range of electives, as well as free textbooks and course material, distinguish it from similar programs at other institutions.

The program offers a foundations course for people who do not have degrees or experience in technology fields, as well as four career-specific tracks that allow students to specialize in high-demand areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The large number of available electives allows students to further customize their learning, Brown says.

Career opportunities

Graduates of UMBC’s online master’s program in information systems regularly land jobs as cybersecurity specialists, data analysts, systems administrators, and more.

Simbiat Odeshina, a master’s degree student in information systems, is currently enrolled in the program while also working as an associate software tester at Wabtec. “I really enjoy the flexibility with the program. Since I work full-time, I really like being able to attend class after work,” she says. Since beginning the program, she shares, “I am thinking about ways to improve how I approach certain things at my job.”

This ranking follows UMBC’s recognition as #9 in the nation for undergraduate teaching and #10 in the nation for innovation in the 2022–23 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges undergraduate rankings released last September.

This week, ModernThink’s Great Colleges to Work For program again recognized UMBC as a top institution nationwide in every measured category, from well-being and shared governance to mission and pride. UMBC is the only R1 university in the nation to achieve this honor, which is based on employee ratings.

“I believe we continue to receive this honor because of our commitment to the development and support of our employees,” says Valerie Thomas, UMBC’s chief human resources officer. “The past two years have been difficult for everyone, but we worked tirelessly together to determine how to best serve our students and how best to make changes in the way we work, focused on continuous improvement.”

Caring community

Published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, the Great Colleges to Work For ratings include 10 categories:

• Mission & Pride
• Job Satisfaction & Support
• Confidence in Senior Leadership
• Compensation & Benefits
• Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
• Shared Governance
• Professional Development
• Faculty Experience
• Faculty & Staff Well-Being
• Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness

“I am reminded every day of what makes UMBC a great place to work,” says Faculty Senate President Susan McDonough, associate professor of history and vice-chair of the University Steering Committee. 

“I have the privilege to work alongside university leaders and colleagues who care deeply about ideas and their impact on society. I have seen us grow and deepen our commitment to research and discovery as we transformed into an R1 university. And I have watched our students, faculty, and staff face innumerable challenges these past few years and meet them with the compassion, tenacity, and imagination that makes me excited and humbled to be part of this community,” says McDonough. “I look forward to working with Dr. Sheares Ashby, our faculty, and our entire community to keep building an even better UMBC.”

Leadership and partnership

This theme of excitement for UMBC’s future with President Sheares Ashby, who began her tenure at UMBC in August, is a common thread among UMBC leadership.

“UMBC encourages staff growth and development, while ensuring equity through their focus on inclusion,” says Desiree Stonesifer, president of UMBC’s Non-exempt Staff Senate and executive administrative assistant in financial services, emphasizing a core value long-shared by UMBC and President Sheares Ashby. “As we welcome our new president, we look forward to the new opportunities for growth and experiences while maintaining our strong sense of UMBC family.”

Jess Wyatt, president of UMBC’s Professional Staff Senate (PSS), chair of the University Steering Committee, and associate director of alumni engagement, notes, “While it’s exciting to see UMBC as a perennial addition to this list, it is even more exciting to see where we will go as we move into a new era of UMBC in partnership with President Sheares Ashby.”

This is UMBC’s 13th year of recognition and 11th year on the Great Colleges Honor Roll.

The 2022–23 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges undergraduate rankings released this week illustrate why a record number of students chose to call UMBC home this fall. This year’s rankings show UMBC jumping an impressive 25 spots on the list of Best National Universities and appearing on several other prestigious lists, distinguishing the university’s achievements on a national stage. 

“Notable increases in UMBC’s six-year graduation rate, at a time when UMBC was also recognized as an Research 1 university, likely supported this jump,” says Constance A. Pierson ’90, M.A. ’92, associate vice provost for Institutional Research, Analysis and Decision Support. “We are particularly proud that the graduation rate trend is consistent for students of different economic backgrounds.”

This year UMBC ranks at #9 nationally for undergraduate teaching, joined in the top ten by such institutions as Brown, Princeton, and Dartmouth, and tied with the University of Notre Dame. UMBC also maintains its longstanding position on the list of the nation’s most innovative universities, tied at #10 with Johns Hopkins University. UMBC ranks #64 on the Top Public Universities list, #137 on the overall Top National Universities list, and #46 for undergraduate research and creative projects.

Student-centered education

At the core of this year’s rankings are students who already distinguish themselves as budding entrepreneurs, global citizens, advocates, and leaders. Farah Helal ’24, global studies and political science, began her term as University System of Maryland (USM) student regent on July 1, 2022. UMBC’s U.S. News ranking as one of the country’s Best Value Schools and universities with the least student debt speaks directly to the work Helal will be doing as part of her tenure: weighing in on topics like setting tuition and fee rates, approving new degree programs, and approving capital and operating budgets.

“UMBC is a meeting ground for students, faculty, and staff who want to be engaged in our communities every day, doing deep and creative work to solve problems and promote justice and inclusion,” says David Hoffman, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. 

In addition to the latest U.S. News rankings, Hoffman highlights that the 2022 College Rankings issue of The Washington Monthly names UMBC one of America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting. “I love that we have been recognized by Washington Monthly for our efforts in connection with voting, and I love knowing that voting is just the tip of the iceberg for us when it comes to our students’ engagement and impact.” 

Both teaching and research

The latest U.S. News rankings are primarily university-wide, but they also include recognition for a few specific undergraduate programs. UMBC is listed as a top-100 university this year for both computer science and engineering. Coming in at #86 for computer science, UMBC shares the rank with George Mason University, Texas Tech University, and Howard University. Ascending to #94 for engineering this year, UMBC is joined by Clemson University, George Washington University, and University of Delaware.

It’s essential to understand these rankings in the context of another important milestone, notes Keith J Bowman, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT): UMBC’s recent Carnegie Classification as a doctoral university with very high research activity, popularly known as Research 1 (or R1). UMBC is now ranked as one of only 146 R1 institutions nationally, including 107 public and 39 private universities.

“UMBC’s designation as an R1 institution combined with increasing recognition for our engineering, computing and information systems programs has enabled us to recruit incredible faculty talent,” says Bowman. “Those faculty are attracted to UMBC for our potential to both advance their success as researchers and educators and our emphasis on inclusion as essential to excellence.”

Promoting diversity and innovation

UMBC’s recognition as one of the nation’s most innovative universities, alongside Johns Hopkins, goes hand-in-hand with recognition as a top university for ethnic diversity. The National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) have recently awarded UMBC over $15 million for programs specifically to support underrepresented STEM students—an area where UMBC is known as an innovative national model. 

The College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) will receive $5.6 million over five years from the NIH to fund the Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE). This program will support graduate students from underrepresented groups in STEM with up to three years of funding and an array of training opportunities. The goal is to help participants select and prepare for a range of career paths in academia, industry, government, entrepreneurship, or beyond.

UMBC will expand its work boosting diversity in academia from Maryland to the national level through a new NSF INCLUDES Alliance: Re-Imagining STEM Equity Utilizing Postdoc Pathways (RISE UPP). The RISE UPP Alliance, anticipated to officially launch in fall 2022, is modeled after the AGEP PROMISE Academy, a high-impact initiative co-led by UMBC that supports faculty diversification in the biomedical sciences across USM institutions.

The university has also received support from a broad range of other groups and agencies to expand and replicate UMBC’s student success models. This includes $2.5 million from the Simons Foundation to create a Meyerhoff Scholars-like program within the public university system in New York, among other initiatives.

Vision of leadership

This commitment to diversity and inclusion can also be seen at the faculty and administrative leadership levels. Kimberly R. Moffitt, dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) and professor of language, literacy, and culture, serves as the lead principal investigator for Breaking the M.O.L.D. UMBC, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, College Park are partnering in this $3 million initiative funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to develop a pipeline to higher ed leadership for diverse scholars in the arts and humanities.

Following through on “redefin[ing] excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture” is an essential part of what makes UMBC such a special and distinctive place, says UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby. “This is an extraordinary institution,” she recently told WYPR’s Tom Hall. She shares, “The university is true to the values and vision that it states.”