UMBC Faculty Development Center announces Fall 2025 Hrabowski Fund for Innovation awardees
The UMBC Faculty Development Center recently announced the fall 2025 recipients of the Hrabowski Fund for Innovation awards. This competitive funding program supports innovative approaches that enhance teaching and learning across the university. Awards are granted in four categories: Seed Grants, Adaptation (ADAPT) Grants, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Grants, and Implementation and Research (IR) Grants.

This year, four College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) faculty and staff were recognized for their projects designed to promote student success and advance educational excellence at UMBC. Information about the fall 2025 awards is shared below.

Fall 2025 COEIT Awardees
  • SPACES: Learning by Making UMBC Smarter – A Reusable Framework for Interdisciplinary, Service-Learning Projects (IR); Lead: Roberto Yus (Computer Science and Electrical Engineering)
  • Expanding CWIT’s K-12 Ambassador Program: Empowering UMBC Students Through Applied Leadership in Tech Outreach (ADAPT); Lead: Jess Myers (Center for Women in Technology)
  • Unlocking Unique Professional Growth for Graduate Students: Collaborations with the Summer Enrichment Academy and CIRTL Program (SoTL); Lead: Jamie Gurganus (Engineering and Computing Education Program)
  • Student-Driven Sustainable Material Innovation for 3D Printing (SEED); Lead: Fiona Bell (Information Systems)
Visit the COEIT Dean’s Office website, where you can also find information about recent Hrabowski Fund for Innovation awards and other faculty and staff achievements.
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Each year, communities across the nation celebrate how engineers shape our world with Engineers’ Week, running February 22-28 in 2026. COEIT expands the celebration to include the vital work of the computing community too. Join us for a week of showcases, challenges, and new connections!

2026 Engineering and Computing Week – February 22-28, 2026
Schedule of Events (all events in Engineering Atrium, unless otherwise noted)

Monday, February 23, 2026
  • E-week Kick-off – Tau Beta Pi (TBP), 12:45-1:00 p.m.
  • Chemical Engineering Car Showcase – American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), 1:00-2:00 p.m.
  • Dry Ice Mocktails – National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) and Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), 4:00-5:00 p.m., ENG027
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
  • Engineers Wielding Brainpower – Engineers Without Borders (EWB), 1:00-3:00 p.m.
  • Paper Airplane Challenge– Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
  • DevSecOps – hackUMBC and Cyberdawgs, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
  • Hot Cocoa Bar – Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Center of Women In Engineering (CWIT), 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
  • Weight a Minute – National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), 12:00-1:00 p.m.
  • ASME Paint & Sip – American Society of Black Engineers (ASME), 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  • Jeopardy Trivia – American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), ENG 335
Friday, February 27, 2026
  • Battle of COEIT – Tau Beta Pi (TBP), 2:00 p.m. [until battle concluded and winner announced)
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Ralph Semmel, Ph.D. '92, computer science, has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Election to the NAE is among the highest levels of professional recognition conferred to any engineer.

Semmel, director emeritus of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is recognized for his "leadership in generating innovative and disruptive engineering advancements in defense, national security and space exploration."

Semmel was named a UMBC Outstanding Alumni of the Year in 2011. His career includes influential leadership and technical roles advancing artificial intelligence, database systems, and software engineering.

Members of the NAE Class of 2026 will be formally inducted during the NAE Annual Meeting in the fall.

]]> Ralph Semmel, Ph.D. '92, computer science, has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Election to the NAE is among the highest levels of professional recognition... https://coeit.umbc.edu/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/156834/guest@my.umbc.edu/d75106fb73556af5e65b6a387f079d08/api/pixel coeit coeit-csee-alumni coeitbrief csee College of Engineering and Information Technology https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/coeit https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xsmall.png?1772623072 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/original.jpg?1772623072 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xxlarge.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xlarge.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/large.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/medium.png?1772623072 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/small.png?1772623072 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xsmall.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xxsmall.png?1772623072 College of Engineering and Information Technology https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/156/834/9fd6162ec9a28f22f1f25902362b2cd8/xxlarge.jpg?1771864168 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/156/834/9fd6162ec9a28f22f1f25902362b2cd8/xlarge.jpg?1771864168 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/156/834/9fd6162ec9a28f22f1f25902362b2cd8/large.jpg?1771864168 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/156/834/9fd6162ec9a28f22f1f25902362b2cd8/medium.jpg?1771864168 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/156/834/9fd6162ec9a28f22f1f25902362b2cd8/small.jpg?1771864168 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/156/834/9fd6162ec9a28f22f1f25902362b2cd8/xsmall.jpg?1771864168 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/156/834/9fd6162ec9a28f22f1f25902362b2cd8/xxsmall.jpg?1771864168 Portrait of Ralph Semmel 2 0 true Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:40:02 -0500 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:39:02 -0500 Mechanical engineering alumnus Navid Goudarzi receives NSF CAREER Award Goudarzi integrates physics-based and data-driven modeling
Navid Goudarzi, Ph.D. ’14, mechanical engineering, remembers UMBC for its diversity and supportive academic environment, as well as its strong connection to the broader University of Maryland system, which enabled interdisciplinary engagement across campuses. Now an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the Washkewicz College of Engineering at Cleveland State University, Goudzari was recently honored with a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award. The CAREER Award recognizes early-career faculty who demonstrate exceptional potential to integrate research, education, and broader societal impact.

During his time in Maryland, Goudzari worked with UMBC professor of mechanical engineering Weidong Zhu and University of Maryland, College Park mechanical engineering professor Peter Sandborn. 

Goudarzi currently leads the Multiscale Multiphysics Modeling and Data-Driven Analysis of Thermofluids (M3TFluiD) Lab and serves as co-director of the Center for Integrated Modeling for Energy, Resiliency, and Sustainability (IERS) at Cleveland State University. His research focuses on complex flow behavior in engineered and environmental systems, with applications to energy systems, next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles, high-performance buildings, resilient infrastructure, and more.

Read more about his NSF CAREER Award-supported research in this Washkewicz Magazine article (2025-2026 edition, pages 8-11).

What I remember most about my time at UMBC is the diverse and supportive environment created by the broader University of Maryland system. Being part of a community that brings together individuals from a wide range of technical, cultural, and personal backgrounds broadened my perspectives and helped shape my approach to research, teaching, and mentorship. The academic setting encouraged exploration and interdisciplinary thinking, and I appreciated the flexibility and institutional encouragement that allowed me to pursue new research directions during my doctoral studies. This freedom to grow as an independent researcher played a significant role in laying the foundation for my career. – Dr. Navid Goudzari

]]> Navid Goudarzi, Ph.D. ’14, mechanical engineering, remembers UMBC for its diversity and supportive academic environment, as well as its strong connection to the broader University of Maryland... https://coeit.umbc.edu/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/155807/guest@my.umbc.edu/05b9c1c1dc7330ef1fab5a5ce6f69858/api/pixel coeit coeit-meche-alumni coeitbrief meche College of Engineering and Information Technology https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/coeit https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xsmall.png?1772623072 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/original.jpg?1772623072 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xxlarge.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xlarge.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/large.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/medium.png?1772623072 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/small.png?1772623072 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xsmall.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xxsmall.png?1772623072 College of Engineering and Information Technology https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/807/453ef031bde3e96ab264269b9eb3c7c4/xxlarge.jpg?1769530211 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/807/453ef031bde3e96ab264269b9eb3c7c4/xlarge.jpg?1769530211 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/807/453ef031bde3e96ab264269b9eb3c7c4/large.jpg?1769530211 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/807/453ef031bde3e96ab264269b9eb3c7c4/medium.jpg?1769530211 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/807/453ef031bde3e96ab264269b9eb3c7c4/small.jpg?1769530211 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/807/453ef031bde3e96ab264269b9eb3c7c4/xsmall.jpg?1769530211 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/807/453ef031bde3e96ab264269b9eb3c7c4/xxsmall.jpg?1769530211 Pottrait of Navid Goudarzi 0 0 true Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:58:15 -0500 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:38:44 -0500 Professor Curtis Menyuk elected a fellow of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics
Curtis Menyuk, a professor in the department of computer science and electrical engineering, has been elected a fellow of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. SPIE Fellows represent the highest level of professional recognition. The distinction honors individuals whose exceptional technical achievements and leadership have made a significant impact on the fields of optics and photonic and the broader scientific community. Since 1955, more than 1,800 SPIE members have joined this elite group.

You can read more about Menyuk’s contributions to UMBC and the photonics community in these UMBC News and Magazine articles:

UMBC leads research into light-based timing and navigation technologies for DOD-funded consortium
How to count time: Professor Curtis Menyuk brings his expertise in optics to an age-old problem
Professor Curtis Menyuk honored for pioneering work that helped transform global telecommunications

]]> Curtis Menyuk, a professor in the department of computer science and electrical engineering, has been elected a fellow of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. SPIE Fellows... https://coeit.umbc.edu/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/155806/guest@my.umbc.edu/a525c1e00618ae291e6d4d3239f050af/api/pixel coeit coeit-csee-faculty coeitbrief csee College of Engineering and Information Technology https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/coeit https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xsmall.png?1772623072 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/original.jpg?1772623072 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xxlarge.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xlarge.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/large.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/medium.png?1772623072 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/small.png?1772623072 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xsmall.png?1772623072 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/279/5193761ffd1ff0e119b69818c473ea7c/xxsmall.png?1772623072 College of Engineering and Information Technology https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/806/5fbc711da7267f1db20023c688e4f551/xxlarge.jpg?1769028343 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/806/5fbc711da7267f1db20023c688e4f551/xlarge.jpg?1769028343 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/806/5fbc711da7267f1db20023c688e4f551/large.jpg?1769028343 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/806/5fbc711da7267f1db20023c688e4f551/medium.jpg?1769028343 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/806/5fbc711da7267f1db20023c688e4f551/small.jpg?1769028343 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/806/5fbc711da7267f1db20023c688e4f551/xsmall.jpg?1769028343 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/806/5fbc711da7267f1db20023c688e4f551/xxsmall.jpg?1769028343 Man stands in front of brick building, smiles at camera 0 0 true Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:03:21 -0500 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:38:28 -0500